Nha Trang, Vietnam
January 6, 2001
Nha Trang is the beach resort city. There is a nice ocean breeze, good seafood, and discos all along the ocean sands. Its also a big tourist spot for locals from Saigon and anyone traveling the length of the country.
Its pretty seedy though, as a beach resort place can be. I saw four different syringes tossed aside in the streets. I've heard that Vietnam has a serious heroin problem. It didn't seem to effect the tourists too much, but the syringe needles in so many places gave evidence of it.
There are many discos along the beach at night. You have to be careful though, because alot of ladies of the night, hang around outside of them. Once they see you, they'll try to offer sex and pickpocket you. As soon as you see them, I just fist my money in my pocket, and if there a few of them, they grab just about everywhere.
During the day there are many hawkers selling shirts or just beggars. I saw one armless, legless man, walking up and down the beach asking money from each tourist. I had more sympathy for them, but its so overwhelming with children and just about everything else you can imagine constantly asking for money.
One night in one of the discos, a very attractive Vietnamese girl was playing pool. She had really nice clothes on, and looked better than any of the tourist or anyone else. This isn't so strange, as many of the women are like that. The strange part was when the next day I saw her in an old t-shirt and dirty clothes. She was selling t-shirts to the tourists during the day, and looked real poor. But at night, she was out partying and looking good. I think she was an exception to the rule though.
Next Journal Entry in Dalat, Vietnam:
January 8, 2001
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