A retrospective: N. Thailand, N. Laos & N. Vietnam
We've been travelling for almost eight weeks now so what have I learned about Northern Thailand, Northern Laos and Northern Vietnam...
People
Most of the people we met in Thailand were really pleasant. People are happy to help you out and it's only the infamous tuk-tuk drivers that get on your wick. It got even better when we went to Laos as pretty much without exception everybody is so nice. Even the tuk-tuk drivers are passable people! Northern Vietnam therefore came as a huge shock - it pains me to say it but generally they aren't too nice. The first three people we met tried their best to rip us off, and 90% of the remaining people we met had the same designs!!
Places
All three have similar terrains. However, they have been developed to varying degrees - Vietnam is pretty developed so there are big cities in the North needing big power supplies etc and hence some of the beauty has been lost. However, places like Halong Bay and Sapa retain their aesthetic appeal. Conversely, Laos as one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, retains almost all it's natural beauty - particularly in the North I believe. Over 85% of Laos is unmanaged forest so you see a lot of green, interspersed with Limestone cliffs and stunning river scenes. Northern Thailand finds a happy medium between the two.
Language
All three use tonal languages which, depending on the speaker, can be nice to listen to. Thai and Laos I managed to get a small grip on and could have a small conversation, sometimes about the weather but more often than not about beer! Vietnamese has a lot more Chinese influence and I found this harder to speak and listen to - though I still made sure I could order a beer! Surprisingly, I found that not many Northern Vietnamese spoke English which wasn't really much of a problem in Thailand and Laos.
Cuisine
Thai food has been my favourite for a long time and it's only been strengthened here. Though I love places like The Pepper Tree in Clapham it can't live up to a lot of the food we had here. Laos food is bland by comparison, though they do serve most dishes with a side of spicy sauce to flavour yourself. A few Beer Laos though and it's soon forgotten. I've never had Vietnamese before but have really enjoyed the food here. The French influence in Vietnam particularly means a never ending supply of great patisseries - not a friend to my attempts to lose a pound, or two, or fourteen... . Meat is a bit hit and miss in each place but you usually get a good idea of quality by looking at the place itself and how popular it looks. Going Western is also hit and miss whilst at the same time being at the expensive end of the budget.
Culture
Family is a big thing in this part of South East Asia. Many businesses are run by just one family and may have three or four generations working together. The main religion is Buddhism and this is very evident in Thailand and Laos. Temples and monks can be seen everywhere and households of all varying affluence have offerings outside their homes. With religion not being so evident in the UK it's inspiring to see so many displaying so much faith.
Overall
I can safely say that Northern Laos has been my favorite so far. The people are wonderful - generous, well meaning, humble and always willing to help you wherever they can. You can also see remoteness that I don't expect one can see in many other places in the world but that in all likelihood will not be there for too much longer. Northern Thailand is also great, with great people, great food and scenery almost as stunning. Northern Vietnam while still being a beautiful place was my least favorite place due to the people we met. We had a bad start but it did get better and I am reliably informed that as we head south we'll notice a change in the locals. Having now spent a few days in Hue and Hoi An in Southern Vietnam I have to say that the people have been very friendly so I hope this continues as we venture further south.
People
Most of the people we met in Thailand were really pleasant. People are happy to help you out and it's only the infamous tuk-tuk drivers that get on your wick. It got even better when we went to Laos as pretty much without exception everybody is so nice. Even the tuk-tuk drivers are passable people! Northern Vietnam therefore came as a huge shock - it pains me to say it but generally they aren't too nice. The first three people we met tried their best to rip us off, and 90% of the remaining people we met had the same designs!!
Places
All three have similar terrains. However, they have been developed to varying degrees - Vietnam is pretty developed so there are big cities in the North needing big power supplies etc and hence some of the beauty has been lost. However, places like Halong Bay and Sapa retain their aesthetic appeal. Conversely, Laos as one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, retains almost all it's natural beauty - particularly in the North I believe. Over 85% of Laos is unmanaged forest so you see a lot of green, interspersed with Limestone cliffs and stunning river scenes. Northern Thailand finds a happy medium between the two.
Language
All three use tonal languages which, depending on the speaker, can be nice to listen to. Thai and Laos I managed to get a small grip on and could have a small conversation, sometimes about the weather but more often than not about beer! Vietnamese has a lot more Chinese influence and I found this harder to speak and listen to - though I still made sure I could order a beer! Surprisingly, I found that not many Northern Vietnamese spoke English which wasn't really much of a problem in Thailand and Laos.
Cuisine
Thai food has been my favourite for a long time and it's only been strengthened here. Though I love places like The Pepper Tree in Clapham it can't live up to a lot of the food we had here. Laos food is bland by comparison, though they do serve most dishes with a side of spicy sauce to flavour yourself. A few Beer Laos though and it's soon forgotten. I've never had Vietnamese before but have really enjoyed the food here. The French influence in Vietnam particularly means a never ending supply of great patisseries - not a friend to my attempts to lose a pound, or two, or fourteen... . Meat is a bit hit and miss in each place but you usually get a good idea of quality by looking at the place itself and how popular it looks. Going Western is also hit and miss whilst at the same time being at the expensive end of the budget.
Culture
Family is a big thing in this part of South East Asia. Many businesses are run by just one family and may have three or four generations working together. The main religion is Buddhism and this is very evident in Thailand and Laos. Temples and monks can be seen everywhere and households of all varying affluence have offerings outside their homes. With religion not being so evident in the UK it's inspiring to see so many displaying so much faith.
Overall
I can safely say that Northern Laos has been my favorite so far. The people are wonderful - generous, well meaning, humble and always willing to help you wherever they can. You can also see remoteness that I don't expect one can see in many other places in the world but that in all likelihood will not be there for too much longer. Northern Thailand is also great, with great people, great food and scenery almost as stunning. Northern Vietnam while still being a beautiful place was my least favorite place due to the people we met. We had a bad start but it did get better and I am reliably informed that as we head south we'll notice a change in the locals. Having now spent a few days in Hue and Hoi An in Southern Vietnam I have to say that the people have been very friendly so I hope this continues as we venture further south.
Hi Alex & Deborah,
I was waiting for a new post in your blog. It's good to read that everything is o. k.
Joe and me we often talk about you both and your tour - and we enyoj reading your blog.
You're so far away ... wishing you merry christmas (at the beach?) and all the best for 2008. Enyoj your trip. We're looking forward to read more of your adventures! Take care. Birgit from Germany
Posted by
birgit |
19 December 2007 16:56
A very interesting read Alexander!
Posted by
Michelle |
19 December 2007 19:43