This Monday evening was the last of a 4-days week-end which we thoroughly enjoyed. The good news is, the week-end won’t stop! (for the kids). The real news is, Hà Nội is closing schools like last year, and nobody knows when they will reopen. Guess I’m happy I bought a computer for my son. That… Continue reading Here We Go Again
Category: Local Life
Art and Cultural Activities
Yesterday morning I was in the French embassy for some paperwork. In the hall I was glad to see there are shows, culture is alive here. Also when exchanging emails, the civil servants at the embassy reply swiftly, I was impressed. Reason given is, there are almost no travelers nowadays hence they are no longer… Continue reading Art and Cultural Activities
Cash is King
There is something from childhood that stills fascinates me: checking out the bank notes wherever I travel. Traveling might not be the right term because I now plan to stay in Vietnam long-term. Anyhow, here is an overview of all bank notes used in Vietnam. No coins are being circulated nowadays as far as I… Continue reading Cash is King
Hà Nội Football Club Supporters
I was walking near the French embassy this morning (some paperwork needed) as I heard them across the street! I missed a detail because I stopped filming too early. In addition to the music with the loudspeaker, there was a man beating a big drum sitting behind on the van. I took money out of… Continue reading Hà Nội Football Club Supporters
A Crowded Mall
The 21st April is a bank holiday in Vietnam, celebrating Vietnam’s Hung kings. We went – again – to Big C Long Biên that day and it was indeed crowded: The sound systems here do not need to cope with stringent dB limits as it is the case in Switzerland. This was really loud. But… Continue reading A Crowded Mall
Junk
That post is literally (about) junk. I’ve seen it in Vietnam with people of my parents’ generation. Keeping everything. Never throwing anything even though it has not been used for ages, and possibly never will anymore. Pieces of wood, cables, plastic bottles, you name it. Maybe this affects people who endured challenging times. I have… Continue reading Junk
Short Scooter Ride
Today, my wife had her old scooter repaired so we rode it tonight. Riding a scooter or a motorbike is the best way to discover Vietnam. There is definitely something more than being driven around in a taxi. You can feel the atmosphere.
Shopping
On Saturday my brother-in-law drove us to Big C Long Biên, a large shopping mall. The security guards at the entrance check the temperature of everybody, but masks are not mandatory. Since we are supposed to be careful for 14 more days, we wore them inside. We ended up buying a lot of plastic boxes.… Continue reading Shopping
Medical Checkup
Yesterday I went for a medical checkup which is mandatory for further paperwork. My wife booked a slot at the spacious and luxurious Vinmec Clinic in Hà Nội. The whole checkup cost 2’800’000.-VND (around 111.-CHF). The day before the appointment, an online questionnaire must be filled in with information about any risk of contact with… Continue reading Medical Checkup
Recycling
Obviously recycling is something we should do, but it’s not mandatory here. After 12 years in Switzerland it looks extraordinarily simple: just one garbage bin, that’s it. For those who want to recycle (we do) it’s rather simple : just leave the papers/cartons/plastic/glass/aluminium separate next to the garbage bins, and people pick it up during… Continue reading Recycling