Vietnam Bonsai

[Graeme]

As I am planning a trip to the UK next year, I thought I'd make a small detour to Vietnam and take in the 5th Asian Pacific Bonsai Festival, being held 5-8 June in the RinRin Park Ho Chi Minh City. Now, having never been to Vietnam before I have no idea of the 'lie of the land' over there, so - is there any one here that has been and can suggest a resonably decent hotel where I could stay and be in reasonable striking distance from the park? For once Google has let me down. I understand transport costs are very cheap compared to here,( the hotels certainly are as well) but I don't want to be travelling for ever to get there - or home at the end of the day for that matter.

More info here,
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct= ... PhThSSS4fA

[Graeme]

more for you,

[Bretts]

Enjoy the trip Graeme

[Graeme]

I intend to mate

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Graeme,

I think you would have a better chance trying this forum -- http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/ there are guys from Vietnam visiting that forum...

I have not been back for almost 20 years, I cannot recommend anything.

I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO MIND YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY. Bloody Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi cities are in the state of lawlessness: snatching of bags, phones, personal beloging in general happen in broad daylight are very common, being a Western person they will try to get you to pay through the roof, night life in Bloody Ho Chi Minh is something to watch out for.

-- The commies have run the country down the toilet!

This "nice" police guy was handling some flyer to a tourist:



The flyer in English:



It was published sometimes in late October 2014.

Sorry for the rantings... but that what it is over there right now...

Regards.

[addict2bonsai]

I would not worry yet re accomodation. Ask the organisers if they can recommend some hotels as they may even have shuttle buses going between. I expect there will be a few Aussies going to this event. First International Bonsai event in Vietnam.

[Graeme]

Thank you D.N. I have been doing a little research and sadly it really does appear you are spot on. Desperate times call for desperate measures I guess. I am guessing I wont be spending a lot of time in Vietnam and will probably just be travelling from the hotel to the park and back, which would be sad as I believe it is a really beautiful country. I am lead to believe the taxi's are something else as well over there.

[Daluke]

My wife and I went to Vietnam in 2010.

It is a beautiful country.

We didn't have a bad experience...

I wasn't into Bonsai back then, but I remember there were plenty of nice gardens in Ho Chi Minh city with lots of bonsai on display. There were also lots of bonsais at the back of the big Buddhist shrines.

Every place has an element of criminality - including Australia.

[daiviet_nguyen]

(

I am sorry if I were a bit negative -- Vietnam is my country of birth after all!

However, you should know Ho Chi Minh was a mass murderer!

It is Sài Gòn in the heart of every Vietnamese who fled the communists and settle in other countries.

-- Yet, poor people over there still get their ancestral land robbed so that golf courses, "industry parks", hotels etc...

Criminality exists in everywhere. In Vietnam the communists themselves are Criminals.

)

[addict2bonsai]

I had a chance to look up this event. http://www.abff2015-vietnam
There are hotels suggested for accomodation and shuttle buses are organised and even airport pick up.
One of the excitements of Vietnam is crossing the street and being a passenger amongst the traffic.

[addict2bonsai]

oops needs .com so http://www.abff2015-vietnam.com

[Graeme]

You must have got a trial run look, it tells me the site is under construction and to come back soon.

But thanks for the link, shall keep my eye on it now.