Late July 2002 I returned to Vietnam, for a holiday. So here are a few pionters that may help.
The Currency is Vietnamese Dong
The figures below are only approx.
15.000 Dong = $US I.00
So for every 100.000 Dong I worked on $AU9.00, allowing for conversion this figure will always leave a little over in your favour
Tipping is not necessary nor is it expected. But it is up to you. Just remember that the average wage is about $US60.00 per month. There is no need to be tight or on the other hand there is no reason to throw your money around
Manners
The Vietnamese are a delightful people and you will have no trouble with them as long as you remember a few basic, commonsense rules
Treat everybody the way that you would expect to be treated and you'll be fine, don't yell or scream at people when you think things aren't going your way (it'll work itself out in the long run, be paitient)

Long Tan Cross
If you do decide to visit the Long Tan Cross, please use a little common sense. It is very impolite to wear Medals or Ribbons The area is extremely sensitive and the existence of the cross still hangs pretty much in the balance and fronting up with medals or ribbons does not help the cause at all.

Garry Adams who is involed with "Battle Tours" sent me an Email about the sensitivity of the area around Long Tan. I think it appropiate to add some of the contents here

In the surrounding villages there would not be many families who did not lose someone fighting at Long Tan and as a result the Cross, despite all the work that has been done around it could be easily lost to us by the unthinking few who still regard the province as ours and think they can go anywhere and do anything.
What they fail to understand that their five minutes of glory could well ensure that the Cross does not stay there.....it is a rarity, the only other "allied" memorial is to the French at Dien Bien Phu and I think that went in after the Cross so those of us who have a lot to do with it regard it as a privilage and an honour that the Cross still stands today.
The respects are paid to both sides when ever we visit as it is only fitting, those on the VC / NVA side were equally couragous on that day and in many other battles that were fought in Vietnam.

If you wish to call someone to you....do it with a downturned hand, a upturned hand can cause some offence
Aussies have a habit of rubbing the top of little kids heads and saying G'day or joking with them. Don't rub their heads it is deemed very rude
That's about it, it's their country and we are just guests.As I said common sense
Transport
Taxis are the main method of transport and of course they see that you are a stranger and ask for a higher fare. Always agree on a price BEFORE getting into the taxi. It will save you a lot of embarrasment at the end of your ride. Cyclo's are a fun way to get around and very cheap. A lot of young lads and some girls will offer you a ride on the back seats of their motor bikes.It's a quite normal way for them to make a few dollars extra. You will notice there are no crash helmets worn in Vietnam. So if you go riding, be careful. There are approximatley 7.000.000 people in Saigon and it is a real buzz amongst all that traffic. A taxi from Tan Son Nhut to the City proper should be about $US10.00 any other fare should not cost over $US5.00. There is a hydrafoil from Saigon to Vung Tau the cost is $US12.00 each way
Maps
Map 1 of Vung Tau
Map 2 of Vung Tau
I'll add more as I scan them.
Places
In Saigon the CAFE LATIN which is right in the heart of Saigon at---25 Dong Du Street- Or in the same stree on the same side is "THE SHADOW" barwhere I perfer to frequent Aussies that work in Vietnam seem to meet there. They are very friendly and will help you with any advice you may need.
Another place we visited in Saigon was SHERIDAN'S IRISH BAR at -17/13 Le Thanh Ton Street District 1 - That's right a Irish bar in the middle of Saigon. Mick is the owner and a good bloke and they have a Vietnamese barman called "Paddy" I kid you not
In Vung Tau I frequent Ned Kellys Bar. The place to make your base in Vung Tau

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