no AC was out of the question
by richiecdisc
This hotel made our previous night’s accommodation look like the Taj Mahal. It was glowing in fluorescent light as we pulled into the gated driveway. The cheap lighting did little to hide the dingy lobby, and from experience, we knew the lobby was generally the nicest part of Southeast Asian hotels. There seemed a mix-up over how many rooms the company had reserved and there was a mad dash for what was available. It seemed all that was left when they got to us was a room without air-conditioning. Though well into the evening already, it was dripping wet with humidity. I flatly refused the room and demanded what was in the brochure. A dive I could handle, no AC was out of the question. They vehemently argued there was nothing else available and I said if they gave me $10 (a typical price for a double with AC in Vietnam), I would just find my own room. This irked them to no end but they did not seem to budge. They wanted us to eat something at their hotel as they tried to sort it out, but I told them we would go eat in town and expected a room with AC on our return.(concluded below: Fondest Memory)
Colegios-Schools
by elpariente
Debido a la gran cantidad de estudiantes, los colegios tienen dos turnos en Vietnam , por la ma?ana y por la tarde.
Al terminar y empezar las clases las calles y carreteras se llenan de ni?os que con su uniforme van y bienen a los colegios llen?ndolo todo de bullicio y alegr?a
Due to the big number of students, the schools have two shifts in Vietnam, in the morning and in the afternoon.
At the end nad at the begining of the classes the streets and roads become fullof children that with their uniforms go and return to the schools filling every place with noise and happiness
Cham ethnic minority village
by richiecdisc
It would be difficult to visit a Cham village on your own so even if you traveled to the Mekong Delta on your own, you would most likely have to hire a guide to do something like this. Though I initially thought it would be very touristy, I was surprised to find the villagers anything but. Not only did they not beg for money, they were quite civilized in their behavior about selling you things produced there. The kids were very cute and if anything shy, a very nice departure from the “bon-bon, pen. Mister” mentality you find in similar villages elsewhere in the third world.
Snake Farm - My Tho (Mekong Delta)
by sunnywong
Another unique industry in this region is the snake farm in the area of My Tho township. In 1977, Lt. Colonel Tran Van Duoc (Tu Duoc), a reptile enthusiast, created Dong Nam Snake Farm. Initially created strictly as a research site for medicinal uses of reptile venom, Dong Nam Snake Farm today is the largest of its kind in Vietnam. The farm boasts 20 different varieties of venomous snakes and is home to other species such as boas, turtles. Cobras are often soaked along with herbs in large flasks of whisky which can be bought in the snake market in Phung Hiep. This potent drink reportedly will increase your libido as well as cure all sorts of illnesses. Live snakes are also for sale in the market and are exported to other Asian countries to be used as food and medicine. In a typical snake full-course meal, the gallbladder is extracted from the freshly-killed snake and together with some blood and whisky a drink is made. The snake is then chopped off and cooked in various ways. Most tourists opt for a curry stir-fried snake dish just for the thrill of it.
Cantho University - Campus 2
by locbuuloc
Founded in 1966 in Cantho and located in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Cantho University ( CTU) is the only state university of the MD. Since 1975, there have been several reorganizations of its administrative structure and curricula. Now, CTU offers undergraduate and graduate training as well as doing research and facilitating technology transfer to satisfy individual aspirations and to contribute to the socio-economical and cultural development of the region and the country. CTU is constantly expanding and strengthening. CTU is well-known for its out-reach programs serving communities throughout the delta, and works closely with provincial authorities, private and public enterprises, and farmers. This creates a better understanding of practical problems and enables CTU to focus teaching and research activities on the needs of the environment and the rapidly changing labor market.
CTU is offering training leading to degrees-Bachelor, Master and Ph. D.- in various fields. According to the strategic plan for the first decade of the new millennium, the number of full-time students will be increased annually by more than 1,000. A comprehensive review has recently been carried out to allow any future growth on campus to be organized rationally.
Source: CTGOV
source: CTGOV
Market near Cantho
floating supermarket
Student in tipical dress, bying food from vendor
river tradesman from the 1960s
