Vietnam Travel Turmoil
As someone who loves travelling, the concept of slow travel holds a special place in my heart. It’s the luxury of immersing myself in the local culture, discovering hidden gems, and indulging in the local cuisine. Recently, I’ve developed a particular fondness for iced coconut coffee here in Vietnam, a delightful beverage that has become a morning ritual for me.
After spending five enriching weeks in the Da Nang and Hoi An area, I felt the pull to explore further. My next destination was Nha Trang, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant markets. But before I could settle into the slow travel lifestyle there, I needed to make a quick detour to Hanoi for a business presentation.
Flying domestically in Vietnam is surprisingly affordable, and for this trip, I chose Vietnam Airlines, which I find to be the best local airline. The flight from Da Nang to Hanoi was less than $100—a bargain, considering the convenience. Upon arrival in Hanoi, I booked a Grab to my hotel, an experience that turned into an unexpected adventure. Despite the driver’s confident claim of knowing the way, we ended up lost, driving around for over an hour and eventually stopping to ask for directions. This little detour tripled my expected fare.
Checking into the hotel was another story altogether. I was greeted by a rather large man, by Vietnamese standards, who spoke no English. His bewildered expression was a hint to the kind of hotel I had booked. Without going into details, it was an eye-opening experience, and suffice it to say, I won’t be making that mistake again.
The business meeting and presentation in Hanoi went smoothly, marking a productive end to my brief stay in the city. The next day, I was ready to continue my journey to Nha Trang, but it seemed the universe had other plans for me.
I’m the type of traveller who believes in the “better safe than sorry” approach, especially when it comes to catching flights, trains, or buses. On this fateful day, my flight was scheduled for a leisurely 11:45 am departure. With my bags packed and ready to go, I checked out of the hotel at 7:30 am, giving myself a comfortable buffer for the hour-long journey to the airport. Confidently, I booked a Grab/Uber, and the app cheerfully told me my ride would arrive in 6 minutes. Perfect, I thought, plenty of time for a leisurely ride and perhaps even a pre-flight coffee.
However, as the minutes ticked by, my ride was nowhere to be seen. Twenty minutes into my wait, my attempts to contact the driver were met with the sound of silence—no replies, nothing. In a move of desperation, I cancelled and rebooked, only to find myself in a bizarre twist of fate: the original driver accepted my ride again, 45 minutes later. It seemed he was playing a game of ride-booking chess, blocking any potential rides from accepting my booking and coming to my rescue, possibly out of spite for my cancellation.
In a strategic move to outmanoeuvre my ghosting driver, I switched my ride request from an SUV to a car, hoping to dodge his blockade. You see, I usually opt for an SUV to accommodate my luggage comfortably, but desperate times called for compact measures. Soon after, a new ride was confirmed, and I waited with bated breath for my chariot to finally arrive.
Ever witnessed those comedy sketches featuring clown cars, where a seemingly endless stream of clowns emerges from a vehicle the size of a peanut? Well, we found ourselves in the real-life version, starring a tiny Kia as the peanut and us as the unwitting clowns. Picture this: two adults, two large suitcases, and two carry-ons attempting to defy the laws of physics by squeezing into this miniature chariot. At that moment, humour was the last thing on our minds. A suitcase claimed the trunk’s entire estate, another rode shotgun, and a carry-on nestled between us in the back, making for cozy companions on our journey to the airport.
The clock had marched past 9 am as we embarked on our one-hour trek. The Kia, under the valiant strain of our luggage, groaned and bottomed out more than a few times, likely questioning its life choices. But against all odds, we made it to the airport—safe, if not entirely sound. That’s when we were greeted with the plot twist: we had arrived at the wrong airport. In that moment, the situation transformed from a stress-inducing saga into a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy.
The flight to Nha Trang with Vietnam Airlines offered a small reprieve, with unexpected comforts like a refresher towel, warm croissant, and coffee. Once we landed, we booked another Grab to our hotel, only to face more confusion upon arrival. The hotel, operating under several names, initially seemed like a mistake, but eventually, everything was sorted out. Just when I thought the day’s challenges were behind us, we discovered our room hadn’t been cleaned from the previous occupants. A quick trip back to reception and a promise of a clean room within the hour finally gave us a chance to unexpectedly explore the local area.
Travel is an incredible experience, but even the most seasoned travellers can have “one of those days.” It’s not about the challenges themselves, but how you respond to them. This day, with its series of misadventures, served as a reminder of the unpredictability of travel. While I can’t say I’d want to relive this day, it has become a memorable story in my collection of travel experiences.
The key takeaway? Embrace the journey, no matter what it throws at you, and always find the humour in the chaos. After all, it’s these moments that make travelling an adventure.
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