That makes a lot more sense. I must've read the price wrong since I can't read vietnamese obviously. Still cheap though. A buffet like that would cost around 50-60 bucks I'm from.
I don't even look at non-local food when I'm traveling so I have no worries about that. I personally don't understand people who want to eat stuff from their home when they travel. A lot of Koreans want to eat Korean food even when they're abroad for like a week but fuck that noise.
Which app do you recommend for translating? I was just going to use good translate.
Yeah, I hear you. Personally, I don't like travelling in tour groups, because it feels so watered down. The experience is like looking at a rollercoaster seat, and noticing all the wear and tear. A person can't help but wonder how many people have previously sat there and it takes the allure away from the ride.
However, if I am in a place for a couple of days, going on tours is the best option, just because you don't have enough time to be experimental and get it right.
I'm not sure about apps. I went there a while ago, and so I am sure there are better apps available. You are going to want one that makes it easy for the other person to read or hear, because you will be mostly showing them your screen.
Another interesting suggestion is to check out the grocery store while you there. They have a ton of stuff that we don't have, and it will give you a good sense of their lifestyles.
I have given advice to many friends so I will just copy and paste it below:
If you decide to go on any tours, it is probably going to feel like a whirlwind, and can be exhausting. Finding a nice café with a view or a place to take in the sights and sounds, can be far more effective in preserving the memory, than to grudgingly commit to everything on the agenda. Keeping a journal, and writing down your thoughts during the trip or shortly after you come back can help to contemplate and fully appreciate a surreal experience, while minimizing the disappointment of missing the moment while reaching for a camera.
During your next doctor's visit, let your doctor know your travel plans, and they might recommend vaccines to get for that region. It is best practice to get them a few weeks before your departure date. Drinking the local water is ill-advised, and that includes the ice. Stick to bottled liquids, unless you are in a mid to luxury end restaurant, and you will be fine. Tipping the locals is not expected, and can be perceived as offensive. It's as if we are looking down on them, and saying they don't make enough money. This is different for locals that are part of the tour's pit stops.
Other recommendations. Buy your universal power converter and electronics on this side of the world. The electronics out there can be cheap knockoffs, and has a tendency to burnout or explode when you plug it into the wall. Also, it may not work when you come back home, due to the power conversion. A great tip is to download offline maps, translators, and currency convertors apps for your phone, just in case you are in low signal area.
My biggest regrets were not exchanging contact information with some of the people I met, and not sending back more of the art, collectibles, and souvenirs. In fact, I would take a trip just for that. It is important to be mindful of packaging and custom's restrictions. Being familiar with the shipping process prior to going, makes buying decisions a lot easier when you're in the moment.
I hope this information helps!
