Your Vietnam Adventure - 2009 Christian Health Aid Team Inc.

Your
Vietnam Adventure
With
Christian Health Aid Team Inc.
1
Map of Vietnam and adjoining countries.
2
Provinces in South Vietnam.
Vietnam weather chart
Hanoi (North)
Month
3
Danang (Centre)
Saigon (South)
Av.Temp
(C)
Av. rainfall
(mm)
Av.Temp
(C)
Av. rainfall
(mm)
Av.Temp
(C)
Av. rainfall
(mm)
January
17
18
22
101
27
15
February
18
28
22
31
28
4
March
20
38
24
12
29
13
April
24
81
27
18
30
42
May
28
197
29
47
29
221
June
30
238
30
42
29
331
July
30
322
30
99
28
314
August
29
343
28
117
28
268
September
28
252
26
447
27
334
October
26
98
24
530
27
268
November
22
42
22
221
27
114
December
19
21
21
208
27
56
Important Points for CHAT travel/visit to Ho Chi Minh
City
Passport/Visa:
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of your intended
stay/departure date from Vietnam.
NOTE: In Vietnam, the hotel will ask for your passport. They have to have them
available to show the Police.
All foreigners are required to register their place of residence in Vietnam with the
local police within 24 hours of arrival. If staying at a hotel this is done as part of
the normal check-in process and you’ll be requested to provide your passport to
the hotel for this purpose.
Visa: – you must obtain a ‘tourist’ visa prior to entering Vietnam.
NOTE: If you’re a passport holder for Malaysia or Singapore, you DO NOT
require a Visa for CHAT travel to Vietnam.
NOTE: If your passport/visa is lost or stolen it must be reported to the nearest
Australian Embassy or Consulate, as soon as possible.
Ho Chi Minh City details are:- Australian Consulate General, 20th Floor, Vincom
Centre, 47 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC.
If phoning on a Vietnamese phone/sim card the number is: 08 3521 8100.
If phoning on an Australian ‘roaming system’ or from outside Vietnam the
number is: +84 8 3521 8100.
Website address: www.hcmc.vietnam.embassy.gov.au .
You will need a new passport and visa re-issued. You must obtain a police report
of the incident from the local police office, which you need to submit to Vietnam
immigration authorities together with your request for a new visa. Processing may
take up to 4 working days and a fee is payable.
It’s a good idea to carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you
need a replacement passport/exit visa.
Departure Tax:
Departure tax is integrated with your airfares.
Travel Insurance: CHAT highly recommends each volunteer has personal travel
insurance whilst travelling in Vietnam. Check your travel insurance includes and
covers you for medical expenses for injury whilst doing volunteer work and when
travelling with CHAT.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): Before leaving Australia,
inform the department of your travel plans to Vietnam. In the worst case scenario
e.g. the bus crashes – who helps us, who lets our folks know? The department
will if you register with them.
Go to: http://www.dfat.gov.au/ Click on: ‘Travel Advice’. On next page, Click on:
‘Start Registration’. After completing the next page, Click on ‘Print Form’ down
the bottom. When your printer has done that, Click on: ‘Submit Registration’.
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It’s also your responsibility to read the DFAT website for current ‘Travel Advice in
Vietnam’. Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Vietnam .
This website provides important travel information – such as safety & security
and health issues (Refer to latest Summary of Health Issues in Vietnam –at end
of document).
Immunisation: Before leaving Australia, consult with your doctor or a specialised
travel clinic about your immunisation status for travelling to Vietnam and working
with CHAT.
CHAT highly recommends immunisation for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid,
Tetanus and Measles.
Ask about avian and swine flu, mosquito borne diseases, rubella and childhood
diseases, such as whooping cough, chicken pox. (Refer also to latest Summary
of Health Issues in Vietnam, at end of document).
NOTE:
Tell your doctor of your intended work with CHAT i.e. providing or assisting with
dental treatment to children and adults at orphanages/institutions in Vietnam. The
work environment of CHAT presents a high risk of contact with Hepatitis B.
Luggage: As a sensible precaution against tampering, lock your luggage.
Minimise your personal luggage.
Include a small overnight bag, backpack or similar to carry minimal
clothing/personal items from Ho Chi Minh City during your week of work with
CHAT in a country area.
Your suitcase luggage can’t fit on to the CHAT bus, therefore while away from Ho
Chi Minh City, it remains in safe keeping at CHAT HQ until return on Friday
evening/night.
NOTE: Very few items of clothing required – which you can rinse out at the end of
each day to be dry/mostly dry by next morning. Or you can use the hotel laundry
service, if available – but not guaranteed to be ready by early next morning.
NOTE: If travelling with a budget airline, you MUST pay for an extra10kgs
luggage for carrying your share of CHAT items to Vietnam. (This may not be
applicable if departure is other than Perth. Please check with your trip Leader).
If your travel booking is with Singapore Airlines through Tony Truong at Asia
World Travel and leaving from Perth, an automatic 30kgs luggage allowance is
provided at no extra cost (sufficient to carry both personal and at least 10kg
CHAT supplies). In addition 7kgs cabin luggage is permitted.
DO NOT carry in cabin luggage any bottles of greater size than 100ml.
(Otherwise, these will be confiscated as you pass through security check point).
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Personal luggage and CHAT supplies MUST be labelled:
Christian Health Aid Team,
c/o Saigon Garden Hotel,
781/D1 Le Hong Phong (noi dai)
Ward 12,
District 10.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
On return journey to Australia, no need to allocate weight for CHAT purposes.
Clothing: While working, all volunteers wear CHAT polo shirts.(It’s
recommended volunteers order polo shirts one size bigger than their usual size –
a loose fit is more comfortable in the heat and humidity in Vietnam).
Bottoms- pants/trousers, shorts or skirts worn at work MUST NOT be shorter
than just above knee.
Loose fitting cotton 3/4 length pants/trousers are comfortable and most often first
choice of volunteers.
Choose natural fabrics, due to the hot and humid weather.
Wear a comfortable shoe that protects your foot, such as sneakers or Crocs.
Limit the amount of clothing you take. Only light weight clothing is needed. Long
sleeved top/s (light weight cardigan) and long bottom/s recommended for
evening/night, to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Take a hat or buy one there.
Take your bathers if going to work near the coast.
Take suitable clothing to wear to a ‘posh’ restaurant for farewell dinner and
possible late partying.
Water: The water in Ho Chi Minh City is fluoridated (0.5 ppm which is the correct
level for that city’s current temperature). Its cleanliness cannot be guaranteed.
OK to wash yourself in. DO NOT DRINK unless boiled for minimum 10 minutes.
DO NOT BRUSH TEETH IN TAP WATER. Use bottled water and do not
buy/accept bottled water if seals are not intact.
Drink lots of water – you can easily get very dehydrated.
During CHAT work time, bottled water will be provided.
If you wash your toothbrush in tap water, then disinfect the brush with Savcol or
Oral B mouthwash containing triclosan (both taste foul, but are appropriate
antiseptics).
Ice: Beware of ice made from tap water. Ice cubes with a hole in the middle
(made by machines) are considered safe for drinks. Best to avoid ice-cubes in
drinks and drink preferably from a cold can/bottle. Before drinking directly from a
can/bottle be sure the drinking surface is clean – preferably wipe over with an
antiseptic.
Vietnamese Food: Fresh, flavoursome and delicious. Can be spicy and can be
‘chilli’ hot. Lots of rice and noodles, fresh vegetables and fruits, seafood, pork,
chicken, beef, nuts, bread and cakes. Lots of strange foods too like jellyfish,
chicken feet, frog legs, snails, crocodile, fortune eggs. There are
vegetarian/vegan diet foods available (gluten and tofu/bean curd are usual
sources of protein).
Vietnamese are very resourceful and use all that is edible in their cooking.
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Common condiments to main meals are:- fish sauce, soy and chilli dressings and
salt & lime.
Great opportunity to practise on use of chop sticks!
If you can’t or think you can’t stomach Vietnamese style foods then suggest you
bring some energy foods like muesli bars.
Note: There are chains of all fast food restaurants in central Ho Chi Minh City.
Fruit: Only eat fruit that you can peel yourself unless it is from a quality
restaurant. Try all fruits and juice drinks made from exotic fruits.
There are lots of varieties of bananas to try. Some are green when ripe.
Vegetables: Beware of vegetables that are uncooked and washed in tap water.
Street Vendors: Never buy food from street vendors. DO NOT buy drinks if seals
are not intact.
Street Rules: Streets in Ho Chi Minh City are crowded with non-stop traffic and
honking horns. Road rules are routinely ignored. Be alert when crossing streets
as traffic can appear from any direction. Once you put your foot onto the road to
cross just keep walking – the traffic will go around you, but don’t stop nor change
direction.
Don’t panic and don’t be afraid – you must be bold, careful and confident, but
also prudent e.g. do not keep walking where 4WD vehicles, buses or trucks are
involved.
Taxi drivers: Make sure the taxi has a ‘taxi sign’ on its roof. Make sure the taxi
driver turns the meter on when you drive off. Recommend use of VINASUN or
MAI LINH taxis which are reliable, have a reasonable fare and have a meter.
Be cautious of taxis from dubious companies with names that resemble the
reputable companies.
Have your hotel’s business card on you at all times as most taxi drivers don’t
speak English
Expect the taxi fare from the city centre (Rex Hotel/Ben Thanh Markets) to the
Saigon Garden Hotel to be approx.70-80,000VND. Same to/from airport and
Saigon Garden Hotel i.e. approx. 70-80,000VND.
Handbags: Beware of light-fingered rogues. Bag grabbers on motor bikes can
also be a problem. Do not carry much money, mobile phone or all your credit
cards in bags in case they are snatched. Carry hand bags on the side of your
body away from the road. Recommend to wear a money belt when shopping or in
the street; or use a large safety pin to close your pocket containing
money/valuables
Do not carry money or important items in the back pocket/s of trousers/pants/
skirts/shorts.
Lock essentials in suitcase before leaving hotel. Don’t leave important personal
items on the CHAT bus (take these with you).
During your CHAT trip it’s advisable to keep your personal belongings minimal as
secure place for handbags is not always available.
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Mobile phones: Either have a ‘roaming’ agreement with your provider before you
leave Australia or a cheaper option is to buy a SIM card on arrival in Vietnam, so
you can ring home/use internet. Unless your phone is locked by your provider
(Telstra/Optus), Australian mobile phones are compatible with Vietnam phone
providers.
SIM cards are available for purchase at many shops in Vietnam. The cost of a
SIM card ($5 - $50) is set by the phone company (e.g. Viettel) and not by the
shop. If they try to charge you extra, go to another shop.
Enter the Ho Chi Minh City Australian Consulate number into your phone: 08
3521 8100. Enter each group members’ phone number into your phone and
check that they work. Also enter the number you call if your credit card is lost or
stolen.
Remember to pack the charger for your mobile phone.
Money: The preferred method of payment everywhere throughout Vietnam is
cash i.e. Vietnamese dong (VND). In Vietnam, you’ll be a millionaire on exchange
of about 50 Australian dollars/50 US dollars.
Recommend you purchase about 500,000VND (AUD$25) for arrival in Vietnam.
Other than that, take Australian Dollars and exchange in Vietnam.
Visa (need pin number) and MasterCard are accepted at most large hotels,
department stores and restaurants in Vietnam cities. If credit card payment is not
accepted, cash payment in Vietnamese dong (VND), US dollars or Australian
dollars is required. Any change would be given back in Vietnamese dong (VND).
ATM machines are available in Ho Chi Minh City to access money, but do not
rely on these being available in country locations.
Recommend to carry on you for ‘day to day’ type expenses approx 1 million VND
(AUD $50) and top this up as required.
Don’t carry all your money on you at the same time.
Hotel Bill: Many hotels will require the bill be paid in Vietnamese cash or US
Dollars. Larger hotels will likely accept Visa and MasterCard. Be prepared to pay
an extra charge if paying by credit card.
The Saigon Garden Hotel accepts Visa (need pin number) and MasterCard credit
cards (no extra charge), but does not accept debit cards.
Computer: CHAT does not have a computer in Vietnam. Therefore bring your
own if you want a computer for any reason.
Internet: Access to internet is available in the lobby area at Saigon Garden Hotel
and other larger hotels. Also, available at internet cafes – unless our work
location is too remote.
Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera and camera battery charger. There
will be many great pictures and memories to capture.
Police: They have a Regular Police Force (yellow uniform), Traffic Police (blue
uniform) and a Tourist Police Force (green uniform). The Tourist Police are
mostly in the centre of the city. If they can’t speak English they can soon find
someone who can. They are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if
you need it. If you’re being pestered by a street sales person, say “No” in a loud
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voice and they will come over to help you. The vendor usually apologises and
walks away before the Tourist Police arrive.
Personal Safety/Local Laws: Petty theft in Vietnam is common including snatch
and grab of bags by thieves on motor bikes & bag slashing in crowded areas,
such as market places, supermarkets. Ensure your valuables are secured at all
times. Make copies of your important documents such as passport, airline tickets,
visa, credit cards, etc. and keep these in a special place.
Local laws apply and penalties, especially for drug related offences can be
severe, and may include the death penalty.
NOTE: Any problems with the law while in Vietnam, you can contact local CHAT
helpers Tram Truong 0913 741 714; or Thao Nguyen 0903 877 677.
Toilets: Although toilets in the city are modern, in some places where CHAT
visits the toilets can be ‘challenging’ - some are squat type; some are cleaner
than others; some do not flush and alongside these toilets you’ll find either a hose
fitted to a tap or a large container of water with a bowl/scoop which you pour to
push toilet waste through the system. In this process, hold up high the hose or
bowl/scoop containing water to create a force/flush of water. Some toilet systems
will not take too much paper so put used paper in bin beside toilet bowl.
If you go first, let the others know what it is like!! Be prepared and always BYO
paper and antiseptic wipes. Most toilet hand wash basins do not provide soap or
towels. Even if provided, do not use because cloth towels or wet soap sitting on
side of a basin can accumulate bacteria.
Sometimes there are no lights in toilets and as such the area can be quite dark.
Electricity: Power in Vietnam is 220volts. Take a ‘2 round pronged’ adaptor to
ensure you can use any electrical appliance/item you take with you. Two (2)
prong Australian plugs (with a push) will usually fit power sockets in Vietnam.
Prescription Medicines: For prescribed medications: please bring box with
dispensing labels. For ‘over the counter’ medications: 90% of items (including S3
& S4 drugs and antibiotics) can easily be purchased from local pharmacies
(except ibuprofen – which is not available in Vietnam). Local CHAT helpers can
help you buy pharmacy items/medications that you need. Vietnamese
supermarkets do not sell drugs.
The penalty for carrying drugs of addiction is hanging. If you must carry these
type drugs, get a letter from your GP or specialist. Also recommend you check
with the Vietnamese Embassy as to which drugs of addiction are permissible.
You may need to do some extra paperwork.
Seniority: The Vietnamese will refer to the oldest male – even when choosing a
meal at a restaurant. They call our President, David Booth “Grandfather”, which
he accepts as flattering as they call Ho Chi Minh only “Uncle Ho”!!
Local Custom: Don’t call the nuns “Sister”; or the priests “Father” (unless they
ask you to), as translated directly into Vietnamese that is too familiar.
Except for children, it is mandatory NOT to touch people’s heads.
There is no exception for doctors/dentists treating adults i.e. they must avoid
touching the head of adults – with the exception it should be OK if absolutely
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necessary e.g. the need to support the head of an adult for the procedure of
extracting a tooth from the upper jaw.
Clinical Practice: We expect Clinicians to practice according to the same
Government and National Registration Board (AHPRA) rules and standards we
work under in Australia. There is NO exception to this rule.
Professional Indemnity Insurance: All dentists and doctors must have
indemnity insurance that will cover them whilst working in a voluntary capacity
with CHAT in Vietnam.
NOTE for Dental Clinicians: If you have cover with an Insurance Provider other
than the Australian Dental Association (ADA), tell your Insurance Provider that at
no extra cost, ADA members with ADA indemnity insurance are covered (and
those working under their supervision) while working voluntarily with CHAT in
Vietnam. Your provider will probably offer to do the same.
Evidence of Dental/Medical Qualification and Current ‘unconditional’
Registration: All dental and medical clinicians joining CHAT must send with their
CHAT membership form a copy of their degree (or equivalent) and their current
and ‘unconditional’ professional registration. Vietnam Government officials
request this information and may visit our workplaces in Vietnam to watch our
work and request to check qualification and registration documents.
NOTE: General Nurses do not need to produce their qualification/current
registration if working as a dental assistant with CHAT.
CHAT Charitable Collections Licence & Letter of Agreement/Contract to
Work in South Vietnam: All volunteers carrying CHAT supplies into Vietnam
should also carry a copy of the above mentioned documents. This may make the
situation easier if questioned by Airport Customs about carrying our supplies into
Vietnam.
The Charitable Collections Licence explains who CHAT is and proof CHAT
travels for charitable cause.
The Letter of Agreement/Contract to Work in South Vietnam (written in
Vietnamese) explains CHAT is supported and guaranteed to work in South
Vietnam.
A copy of each document is attached to end of this document – for you to copy
and carry with you, if applicable.
On Arrival - Tan Son Nhut International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City:
Volunteers will sometimes be questioned by Customs about carrying CHAT
supplies and be told they need to pay a tax (in reality this is a bribe).
Show Customs for their consideration the documents Charitable Collections
Licence & Letter of Agreement/Contract to Work in South Vietnam.
If you’re still asked to pay a tax, offer $20 AUD. CHAT recommends volunteers
carry only a minimal amount of money with them, such as $20 AUD, so you can
tell Customs you have no more money than that. *Otherwise, the recommended
maximum amount is 1 million VND = approx $50 AUD. If this happens to you, tell
your Trip Leader who will reimburse you the amount paid from ground cost
monies.
*NOTE: Do not pay more than $50. If you continue to be hassled, contact local
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CHAT helper, Thao Nguyen (lawyer) for assistance on 0903 877 677.
On leaving the airport, you’ll need to take a taxi to your accommodation (Saigon
Garden Hotel or other). Recommend you hail a VINASUN taxi (reliable/have
meter) and show the driver the business card for the Saigon Garden Hotel (to
where you want to go). Check the driver starts the meter as you drive off. Expect
the taxi fare from airport to Saigon Garden Hotel to cost no more than 70 80,000VND ($4-5AUD).
At the Saigon Garden Hotel, there’s a porter/security guard, so if you have any
problems with the taxi fare, call the porter/security guard to assist.
Taxi drivers only take cash, so you need Vietnamese Dong or US Dollars for this
purpose. Make sure you have small denomination notes – VND or US Dollars
and don’t hand over big denominations and expect accurate change.
There are 3 money exchangers at the airport if needed. They are on the left as
you leave Customs area. The money exchanger furthest away has the best rates
(so worth the extra walk).
Donations to Poorly Funded Orphanages/ Institutions: At each poorly funded
orphanage/institution we visit/work CHAT donates from ground cost fees $100
AUD. Some places are very poor and in need and you may wish to personally
donate some money, food, clothes, toys etc. If so, please pass onto the Trip
Leader at time of goodbye/‘thank you’ speech (usually at end of clinical session
each day); or you may personally hand your donation to the Head of the
orphanage or institution.
CHAT volunteers of their own free will are permitted to take into Vietnam
donations of new and/or used clothing in good condition for children/others at
orphanages/institutions – sizes babies to adults.
However, be mindful of the weight involved in doing this. Either limit the amount
you take or book and pay for extra luggage allowance.
Work Locations in Vietnam: Vietnamese government authorities are strict about
foreign charity groups working in their country and as a result everything takes a
long time to finalise. CHAT often doesn’t find out where a team will be working
until just prior to departure from Australia. Sometimes our work location may not
be decided until arrival in Vietnam. Even then, this can be subject to change at
the very last minute. That is the way it is in Vietnam, the government authorities
plan where we work and this is largely out of the control of CHAT. We always
know we’ll work in poor and needy areas and more than likely be working away
from Ho Chi Minh City at a country location in South Vietnam.
CHAT Head Quarters:
Address: 433/5 Su Van Hanh,
Phuong (Ward) 12,
Quan (District) 10,
Ho Chi Minh City.
CHAT HQ is walking distance of Saigon Garden Hotel, which is our usual place
of accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (see section below ‘Accommodation in Ho
Chi Minh City’).
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WALKING DIRECTIONS/ROUTE:- at front of Saigon Garden Hotel, turn right (not
straight ahead), go to T junction & turn right, then next left and the next road
(main road) is Su Van Hanh street. Turn right into Su Van Hanh and 3 side
streets along on your left (approx 300 metres) is street no. 433 (HEM 433 SVH).
Enter this side street, look for no 5 (CHAT HQ) on your left (approx. 25 metres off
main Su Van Hanh street). See map below – District 10.
Things to Buy Before you go
Mouthwash: Savcol/new Oral B (or equivalent) mouthwash containing triclosan
(to disinfect your toothbrush if you’ve washed it under the tap).
Preparations in case of gastroenteritis:
Travelan tablets – may help prevent gastro problems. Contain cow colostrum
which helps prevent infection with E.Coli (commonest bug to cause
gastroenteritis).
Gastrostop or equiv. (Loperamide), in case you get diarrhoea that won’t stop.
Remember diarrhoea is nature’s way of getting rid of the bacteria causing it, so
don’t take medicine too soon.
Electrolyte replacement:
Glucose and electrolytes powder or tablets (Gastrolyte or Hydralyte) to replenish
for gastroenteritis/heavy perspiration. I like Blackberry flavoured one the best.
Antihistamines +/- cold flu tablets:
Take your own – if required.
Cream for allergies & heat rashes:
(Usually corticosteroid cream). Take your own – if required.
Mosquito repellent: Tropical strength, with high concentration of DEET. More
dilute concentrations or “natural” products are no good for repelling Vietnamese
mosquitoes. Use mosquito repellent at all times, both daytime and night. When
we go to the Mekong River region be especially vigilant about using repellent.
If you take a mosquito repellent in spray form, you have the added advantage of
being able to spray your hotel room.
Baby wipes without alcohol: in case you catch gastroenteritis. These are
kinder to a sore rear than toilet paper.
Paper Tissues/Toilet paper: few public toilets have toilet paper – so BYO.
Anti-bacterial wipes or gel: personal use to use in lieu of hand washing before
eating and after going to the loo, etc.
Most restaurants supply hand wipes to use before eating, but they don’t contain
antiseptic.
Above items likely to be cheapest at supermarkets or discount chemists.
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Money belt: Safer than a hand bag which can be snatched by a passing motor
cyclist/passenger. Keep credit cards and most money in your money belt. Get
one that is easy for you to access.
Alarm clock: Some people can use an alarm clock on their mobile phone. You’re
likely to need an alarm to wake you up after a hard day’s work. The heat in
Vietnam can also make you extra tired. Some hotel rooms do not have a window,
therefore you can’t see if it’s day or night.
Wine/Liquor/Beer: If you like to drink wine, buy this in Australia. The cost of wine
in Vietnam is very expensive, although local wine from the Dalat region in
Vietnam is reasonably priced.
NOTE: Wine purchased at discount sale price from a bottle shop will likely be
cheaper than ’duty free’ at the airport. Wine purchased outside the airport will
need to be packed into your suitcase luggage – as you are strictly NOT allowed
to carry with you on board the aircraft any item of more than 100ml volume.
Passengers to Vietnam are given duty free allowance of 2 litres of liquor below
22% vol. and 1.5 litres of liquor above 22% vol.
Beer is cheap in Vietnam - prices range from 25,000 to 60,000VND for bottle/can.
Ask for your beer to be cold, otherwise it will be served room temperature with a
glass filled with ice.
Hot drinks: Consider BYO kettle and adapter plug for use in your room. BYO
teabags, coffee, other hot drinks if you think you may not like the taste of
Vietnamese coffee, tea, etc. Otherwise hot drinks are cheap to buy at the hotel
bar.
Clinical items:
All volunteers need to take to Vietnam for their clinical use the following items:
• 3 boxes of gloves. If in-between sizes bring the larger size, as the smaller
size is difficult to don in the heat. (Currently as at April 2013, there is no
need to take sizes extra small, small and extra large – plenty in stock in
Vietnam)
Note: Volunteers may purchase gloves from Gabby Ly’s surgery – to
arrange, please telephone Practice Manager/ CHAT Treasurer, Hoang Bui
on 0403 970 124. Advise size and type of gloves e.g. powder free, low
powder, nitrile, latex.
• Masks. CHAT has plenty of ‘tie-on’ type in Vietnam. BYO if you wear a
different type.
• 1 bottle antibacterial hand gel. 375ml or 500ml size. Pack in your suitcase.
• Protective safety glasses.
In addition to the above, each clinician needs to take on loan to CHAT:
1) Any preferred instruments/items/materials and fibreoptic handpieces x 3,
adapter x 1 and spare globes x 2 (please mark for easy identification for
return to you at end of working week).
CHAT has adequate supply of non fibreoptic high and low speed
handpieces and adapters (couplings).
2) 6 high speed burs;
3) slow speed round burs -1 pkt each sizes 6-10;
4) headlamp.
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Donations to CHAT: CHAT is always grateful for donations of dental supplies
that are not past expiry date. CHAT always needs local anaesthetics (Lignocaine
Special, Articaine, Citanest and Mepivacaine (Scandonest)), GIC restorative
filling materials, sterile gauze and toothbrushes for children.
.
Working Days
In total, each CHAT visit is 8 days (Saturday to Saturday inclusive).
We usually depart Perth to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) very early Saturday
morning (about 2am) arriving in HCMC late Saturday morning (about 11am).
CHAT work starts at 1pm Saturday, when we prepare for our working week by
checking equipment, materials and other supplies.
On Sunday, we travel by hire bus to our country work destination. If country work
location is not too far away (2-3 hours travel time or less), we’ll depart early
Monday morning (about 6am).
In this event Sunday is a free day in Ho Chi Minh City.
Monday to Friday we work at a different orphanage/institution each day, before
finishing early/mid afternoon on Friday for return travel to Ho Chi Minh City.
On last Saturday morning, volunteers meet (about 11am) and work at CHAT HQ
until all equipment is checked, repaired as required or maintenance arranged,
supplies re-packed and inventory undertaken in readiness for the next CHAT trip.
Finishing time is (about 3pm), then you’re free to do your own thing –either head
home, stay and enjoy a holiday/tour or proceed with further travel.
Often the CHAT team will go out together for a farewell dinner on the last
Saturday night. This is optional.
The work is very tiring because we don’t work in air-conditioned comfort. Most of
the time though, we have access to cooling fans (ordinary circulating type fans).
We work in a ‘make-shift’ dental clinic e.g. a bench table is the dental chair.
We travel to a different work place each day, sometimes is quite a distance away,
which makes it a long day. The road trips can be rough and sometimes the road
and traffic conditions overwhelming.
As well as children, we treat Nuns, Monks, and Carers.
We mainly go to Catholic & Buddhist institutions – whoever needs our help.
Some orphanages are for children with disabilities, which adds to the challenge.
We ask that people be adaptable to the situation and carry out what is
reasonable dental treatment on a single day basis.
We think that patient consent is very important. If an orphan child - their carer or
Centre Manager gives consent. If the child has a parent, check if consent has
been obtained or get consent from the parent or carer if present.
We aim to have a maximum 17 people per team, including:- clinicians, final year
dental students, dental assistants and helpers, handyman, interpreters, medical
doctor and 1 or 2 local Vietnamese helpers.
14
A Typical Working Day
Always a team effort.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The typical CHAT work scene is a makeshift dental clinic
often outside on a veranda, patients on benches, operators usually stand to treat
patients which can cause them to experience strained and sore backs. There’s a
change of work location each day. Volunteers need to be ready to adapt and
improvise. It’s hard working in the hot and humid weather conditions in Vietnam.
It’s always a team effort with jobs to be done.
The commitment of each volunteer to work with CHAT is demanding and
challenging and often long daily hours need to be worked – sometimes as long as
12 hours or more.
Tour/sightseeing times are to be planned before and after your CHAT trip; and
each day before/after CHAT work hours.
The people however are very thankful for our help.
Breakfast - 7- 7.30am (or earlier depending on travel time required to clinic site).
The Saigon Garden Hotel offers a buffet breakfast with Vietnamese and Western
style foods, which is inclusive of our accommodation cost (although tea, coffee,
cocoa are at extra cost which you need to order/buy from hotel bar).
During your CHAT trip, if staying at a hotel with a Vietnamese breakfast only, the
food would include noodles, rice, eggs, soup with meat, bread/bagels, fruit, tea
coffee and bottled water.
Travel to clinical site. On arrival, the Leader, head dental assistant , handyman
and interpreter will liaise with local staff as to the best places for clinicians to work
and patients to wait. And, decide on a safe place for the autoclave and
instruments i.e. away from inquisitive children/people.
All volunteers help to carry dental gear from the bus to the work area. DO NOT
drag/roll equipment, supply boxes, other items – either carry or put on trolley for
taking from bus to work area.
Set up ready for work. All volunteers have jobs to do.
Triage and/or doctor set up their work area to get started as soon as possible.
Interpreters help in this area to get children in line ready to see dentist/doctor and
write out Patient Record Card for each child. Assist with translation jobs as
required.
Start autoclaves and set up steri area. Hien, our Vietnamese helper will do this.
Clinicians, dental assistants and helpers put patient benches, instrument tables,
etc into place.
Clinicians – set up dental equipment.
Dental assistants – set up benches and tables with instruments, materials, etc.
15
Helpers – jobs as delegated, such as fans, rubbish bins and ‘sharps’ containers
ready.
Handyman sets up power source, connects compressor, connects electrical
power cords to equipment, etc.
Dental students (with interpreter if available) will conduct TBI/DHE with children,
carers, parents, teachers, etc while the clinic is being set up.
Start clinical work. We usually work through until the patients at the site are
completed.
NOTE: It’s not always possible to see everyone seeking treatment due to lack of
time and/or fatigue of volunteers. This is part of what to expect in a working day.
This is disappointing but we always do our best.
Drink lots of bottled water to compensate for lots of perspiration.
Lunch is sometimes on site. If Buddhist, it may be vegetarian. Some dishes are
made to look like meat.
Thank you speech and donation/s are made at either lunch time or if no lunch
break, then at the end of the session. We have a basic speech that we use.
Finish work - about 3.30 pm (could be later depending on need).
Pack up and return gear to the bus.
If no lunch or lunch was just a snack, we go out for a late lunch/early tea, or we
go back to the hotel for a rest and plan for a night out. There is no compulsion to
join in if your plans are different or simply you’re tired and want an early night.
On one of our working days, we try to finish work early, so to do something
special such as: visit a temple, heritage area, national park, entertainment park
or go to the beach – depends which area the team is working.
Clinical Equipment and Materials Provided
Find out what is provided.
The CHAT equipment available is:4 x dental units (2 units have 1 line fitted with high speed fibre optic hose),
4 x suction units, 2 x compressor, 2 x generator, 3 x autoclaves, 1 x ultra sonic
scaler, 2 x UV curing lights, high speed handpieces, slow speed handpieces.
CHAT has a good range of the most commonly used restorative, exodontia and
minor oral surgery instruments and a good range of commonly used dental
materials and supplies.
NOTE: We probably don’t have everything you may want or usually use.
If you have any special preferences, please “Bring Your Own” on loan to CHAT.
Some materials are cheaper in Vietnam, some are unobtainable there. But part
of the experience of the trip is learning to be adaptable to what you find there.
16
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (District 10)
Saigon Garden Hotel Business Card.
Accommodation for your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is automatically
booked for you at the Saigon Garden Hotel, unless you request otherwise.
You would have advised your accommodation request on your CHAT
membership form.
On arrival at the hotel, mention to the reception staff that ‘Miss Thuy’
(pronounced Twee – our Vietnamese coordinator) has booked you in.
NOTE: Most often CHAT trips travel away from HCMC on Sunday (or very early
Monday) to work at a country location/s Monday to Friday.
This means accommodation at the Saigon Garden Hotel is required only on
arrival (e.g. first Saturday night), and not again until your arrival back in Ho Chi
Minh City the following Friday evening after your week of work at a country
location.
NOTE: Accommodation for your return to the Saigon Garden Hotel on Friday
evening is to be re-booked by you.
Saigon Garden Hotel :
Address : 781/D1 Le Hong Phong (noi dai),
Phuong (Ward) 12,
Quan (District) 10,
Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam.
Telephone: 84.8.3863 3266
E-mail: [email protected]
Web-site: www.saigongardenhotel.com
Make sure you always carry a hotel business card. These are available at the
hotel reception – so you can show taxi drivers/others where you want to go.
17
The hotel is equivalent to a 2 star rating in Australia. It’s located in District 10
which is not a tourist area. It is walking distance from CHAT headquarters at
433/5 Su Van Hanh (noi dai).
The hotel is clean and tidy and has 6 levels with a lift and staircase to all floors.
Bedrooms are serviced daily and all rooms have an ensuite (with hot/cold water,
shower, hand basin, toilet, power point. Soap, bath gel and shampoo are
supplied, otherwise bring your own toiletries).Bed and bath linen are provided.
Each room has an air conditioner, television, telephone and bar fridge, which
provides (for purchase) water, beer, soft drinks. In room snacks provided (for
purchase) are instant noodles and chips.
Rooms available are double, single or twin share, standard and deluxe type.
(Single rooms have a double bed.) Some rooms have only a small window, so
limited natural light. Tea and coffee facilities are not provided in all rooms and
even when provided the kettle may not work and/or tea bags, coffee sachets may
not be re-stocked.
Room service for food and drinks is available.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar area, plus a lounge and business area which
has 2 computers available for use.
A buffet breakfast with Vietnamese and Western style foods are provided as part
of our accommodation tariff.
Note: coffee and/or tea drinks will cost extra – make sure you pay for these at
the hotel bar and get your voucher before sitting for breakfast.
The cost of accommodation is your responsibility and is approx. $35 AUD per day
for bed & breakfast. You pay your bill when you finish your stay at the hotel.
Payment is by Vietnamese Dong or Visa (need a pin number) or MasterCard.
Debit cards are not accepted.
Entry and exit to & from the hotel is available 24 hours.
The hotel has a porter/security guard out the front, who will assist you with calling
a taxi and will assist if you have any difficulties communicating with the taxi driver
or any dispute about cost of the taxi fare.
The hotel can arrange laundering for you which is offered as an overnight
service, but cannot always be guaranteed.
Alternatively, you can take a small amount of laundry powder/use soap to wash
and rinse a small amount of clothes in the bath area of your hotel room. Wring
out and hang to dry in the air flow of air conditioning - they should be dry/almost
dry by morning.
There is a small shop nearby the hotel where you can buy cheap bottled water,
beer, soft drinks, ice cream, confectionery, SIM cards, etc.
Not so far away is a mouth watering bakery ‘Tous Les Jours’ on 3 Thang 2 St.
See map below - District 10.
18
There’s a cafe or two on your walk between Saigon Garden Hotel and CHAT HQ
to sit, relax, watch Vietnam go by and enjoy an exotic fruit juice, smoothie or a
Vietnamese iced coffee.
There is a supermarket BIG C at the T-Junction of Su Van Hanh and To Hien
Thanh. The distance is a walk (about 2km) on footpaths not in good condition
and/or partially blocked with parked motor bikes, road-side sellers, etc. It’s an
interesting/challenging walk, although you may prefer to hail a taxi.
Another supermarket is MAXIMART on 3 Thang 2 St (about 2km walk from hotel,
opposite direction from BIG C). See map below – District 10.
Get up early at least one morning 5-6am and walk about to see/experience
Vietnam awakening. It is truly fascinating.
At the park behind the Saigon Garden Hotel you’ll see some serious Tai Chi
exercise sessions.
Visit the nearby Viet Nam Quoc Temple (just around the corner from the hotel)
where early morning you’ll see lots of lotus flowers being sold. There are cages of
birds that get released. You get to hold a bird in your hand and you make a wish
when you release it. This is a ritual called ‘Tha Chim Phong Sinh’.
Anyone who does not stay at the Saigon Garden Hotel (e.g. staying with
family/friends), must meet other CHAT members at the front or lobby of the hotel
at the set/agreed time for work.
All foreigners are required to register their place of residence with the local police
within 24 hours of arrival. If staying at a hotel, this is done as part of normal
check-in process and you’ll be required to provide your passport to the hotel for
this purpose. The Saigon Garden Hotel and other hotels will request the keeping
of your passport during your stay.
Accommodation at our country work locations is secured for you by CHAT and
either booked in advance by Thuy, our Vietnamese co-ordinator or booked on
arrival there. All volunteers must stay together at the same hotel.
19
Map - District 10.
20
COMMON VIETNAMESE WORDS
For use in dental clinic:Come with me
Lie down
Open your mouth
Open wide
Bite together
Open
Bite
Close quickly
Swallow
A little sting
Are you OK
Keep very still
Does it hurt
Do you have a toothache
Which tooth
Top
Bottom
Sorry
Very good behaviour
Good
Please be quiet
dern day
nam day
har mien
har tor
cang lai
har
cang
cang nyan
nuok
dao mog chuk
kor showe khon
nam ian
kor daw khon
kor daw rrang khon
rrang now
trern
yuoi
xin lorry
zoi lam
zoi
eem lank
For day to day use:Hello
Goodbye
Please
No
How much
Too expensive
Thank you
You are welcome
1
2
3
Cheers
Drink
Delicious
Beautiful
Special
I don’t know
I don’t understand
I am lost
If you are having a massage
Hurt
Softer
Harder
21
chao
bye bye
lam ern
khon
bow new
mak kwa
cam ern
khon ko chi
mor
ha
ba
yo
oong
ngorn kwa
dep kwa
dak biet
toi khon biet
toi khon hieu
toi lark
daw
nyea nyea
marn marn
For the word “Hello”
Chao ong
“ “ Bar
“”Anh
“”Chii
“”Em
“”Shoo
For the word yes
Yar
(old man)
(old Woman)
(young man look older than you)
( young woman look older than you)
(younger person)
(Buddhist person)
(respond to an older person)
GETTING OUT AND ABOUT District 1 & more - HCMC.
Tour/sightseeing times for volunteers are before and after CHAT trip dates; and/or each
day before/after work hours.
Vietnam is a charming country and the people friendly.
Vietnam is a developing country so be prepared to often see poor people, low
hygienic conditions and litter in the streets/roadside and often no footpaths.
Ther’s a great web-site that has lots of helpful and interesting information on
‘what’s what’ in Ho Chi Minh City. Recommend you google/have a look at:
www.wikitravel.org/en/Ho_Chi_Minh_City , then click on: HCMC travel guide wikitravel .
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon – (take your pick – same place), is the largest city in
Vietnam and is very busy.
Good idea to visit the ‘Saigon Tourism Information Centre’ to get a free city map
from this office before you venture out for sightseeing. Located in the middle of
the city, diagonally opposite the Rex Hotel, at north-east corner of intersection Le
Loi and Nguyen Hue Boulevard.
Map of District 1, CBD.
22
Walk when possible to see/enjoy/take in the scenery along the way. It’s
recommended to go walking with at least one other person. You’ll see many
interesting things, places and people. The more you look the more you’ll see.
Carry a tourist city map to help you know what direction you’re walking. Ask for
help/directions/etc whenever necessary – there’s always someone to help guide
you. Some locals will speak English, plus tourist police (green uniforms, but only
in city centre) will help.
Carry a hotel business card and when you’ve had enough walking, hail a
VINASUN taxi to take you to your hotel. So it doesn’t matter/no stress if you get
lost! Think of it as fun and an adventure!
Notice the electrical wiring systems. Notice the lack of occupational, health and
safety standards being applied on building sites, etc as you walk about.
Admire the beautiful and old buildings and architecture in the city centre – such
as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Opera House and City Hall. (When in
the park in front of City Hall take a look at the bronze sculpture of Ho Chi Minh
reading to a young girl).
After staying in District 10 (non tourist area) during your time with CHAT, you’ll be
amazed at the wealth and growth of the central city of District 1. It has/is
changing rapidly over recent years. The buildings are world class but it’s sad as
this development results in the destruction of beautiful old buildings.
Be sure to go into hotels and shops for a look and be amazed. If you go into the
Rex Hotel, go to the original building and take the lift to the top floor for a great
view across the city. You can do the same at the Caravelle and Sheraton Hotels.
The ‘Chill Sky Bar’ on top floor at AB Tower (76a Le Lai St. D1) has great views
of Saigon. Drinks and eats at these and other ‘posh’ places are comparatively
expensive.
The Bitexco Financial Tower, located at 36 Ho Tung Mau St., District 1 is the
most exciting commercial development undertaken in all of Vietnam to date.
This skyscraper’s unique shape was inspired from the Vietnamese national flower
- the Lotus.
Pay 200,000VND to go to the 49th floor ‘observation deck’ which offers 360
degree sweeping views.
Have a body massage at the Blind Institute (185 Cong Quynh St. D 1) –cheap,
good, amazing.
After your massage walk the nearby streets and buy a Vietnamese lantern or two
to take home.
Markets: Ben Thanh Markets – Quach Thi Trang Square, D.1.
Hours: 5.30am – 5.30pm/ Night markets from 7.30pm.
Biggest and most popular. You can buy almost anything here - cheap and you
must barter. Start with an offer half of what was asked. Depending how much you
want the goods, raise your offer. If you think too expensive (mak kwa), then walk
23
away and they will follow after you if they accept your last offer. Bartering is not
rude, but expected.
For lacquer ware try shop 894-896 (west end of markets) – good
quality/cheapest.
Why not barter for a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai?
There’s lots of fruit, veg, tea leaves, coffee beans including weasel coffee beans
for sale, amongst many other food items.
Recommend NO eating at food places at the markets (although does depend on
the immune system of each individual).
Within the markets you can look and find set price shops.
: Saigon Square – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St (off Le Loi, not far from Ben
Thanh Markets).
Behind the Ben Thanh Markets, second street back at 95b Ly Tu Trong is a shop
called ‘titi’ which sells nice affordable everyday women’s clothing for size 12 or
smaller. Clothes are made on the premises so alterations are easy.
City Supermarket: located 1st floor in old tax building/now Tax Department
Store/Shopping Plaza, AKA Tax Shopping Centre, Thuong Xa Tax (at
intersection Le Loi and Nguyen Hue Boulevard - across the road from Rex Hotel).
NOTE: At supermarkets, you must put your handbags, etc into lockers supplied.
You get a key for your locker – no cost.
Up-Market shopping is everywhere in District 1 for clothes, art, silk,
decor/homewares, etc. – Walk streets of Dong Khoi and Le Thanh Ton and enter
as many shops as you want.
Visit Saigon Centre (corner Le Loi and Pasteur Streets) and Vincom (72 Le
Thanh Ton St.) and Diamond Plaza (34 Le Duan St.).
Coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and bars are abundant throughout the city.
Some recommendations from CHAT volunteers for where to eat in D.1:Ngon Restaurant – 138 Nam Ky Khoi St. (Vietnamese food)
Quan Au Ngon – 160 Pasteur St. (Vietnamese food)
Au Parc - 23 Han Thuyen St. (for lunch)
Lemongrass - 4 Nguyen Thiep St. (central city).
Ciao Bella – 11 Dong Du St. (for big meal Italian).
Fanny – 29-31Ton That Thiep St. (ice cream).
Temple Club – same address as Fanny – 1st floor – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
have been seen here! (try snails and northern style fish).
Pizza 4P’s - 8/15 Le Thanh Ton St. You need to go up a dark, dodgy looking
alley (up an incline) and turn left. Best to call for a booking – Tele : 3822 9838
Sushi Bar – 3 restaurants in District 1
Pho 2000 - 26a Le Thanh Ton.
Pho Hoa Pasteur – 260C Pasteur St.(for Pho soup)
Pho Ngan – 258b Pasteur St.
Note: Shops often close/relocate, therefore no guarantees these eating places
are located as stated above.
24
The flavours and freshness of Vietnamese food is unforgettable
Try Vietnam’s world famous dish ‘Pho’- pronounced “fur” (soup with meat and
noodles).
Try a lotus or bamboo shoot salad or/and a green papaya salad (with prawns or
whatever).
Try lots of foods, but be mindful the Vietnamese cooks are very resourceful and
you could find yourself eating almost anything.
Don’t leave town without tasting a Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk.
Have many fruit juice and/or smoothie drinks as possible – so fresh and delicious.
Tours: Go to: Saigontourist Travel Service, 45 Le Thanh Ton Street D1.
Tele: 8 38827 9279
Exotissimo, 64 Dong Du D1. Their website looks good –
www.exotissimo.com .
Places to see:
- Reunification Palace (135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia D1)
Open:7.30 -11am/1-4pm. Formerly the Presidential Palace and now a
place where time has stood still.(After this visit go to Au Parc Cafe for a
fruit juice/bite to eat - 23 Han Thuyen).
-War Remnants Museum (28 Vo Van Tan D.3) - ½ day tours available; or
allow a ½ day for a self guided tour.
Open: 7.30am – noon/1.30-5pm. Not for the faint-hearted.
- Notre Dame Cathedral (HanThuyen facing Dong Khoi D1)
Open: 9am-7pm/5pm Mass daily.
-Post Office – across the square from Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Visit China Town (District 5). The Chinese Temple with coils of incense
burning is a sight to see. Have your own coil put up to burn with a wish
and a blessing. Stay and walk around Chinatown/Cholon area for awhile.
-History Museum (2 NguyenBinh Khiem St. D.1)
Open:8am-11am/1.30pm-4.30pm
(not in city centre -next to Zoo, Botantical Gardens and Temple of King
Hung Vuong)
-Take an evening ferry trip on the Saigon River – a meal and
entertainment are provided.
-Take a ride on a cyclo/rickshaw – pay about 50,000VND (or less) per
hour. Agree on the price before you depart. Pay no-more than the agreed
price. The driver is likely to ask for more money than agreed on completion
of your ride.
25
-Cu Chi Tunnels – ½ day tour to see Viet Cong tunnels – choose either
Ben Duoc (tourist area/reconstructions) or Ben Dinh .
(If you book a car and driver for this tour, ask driver to stop at Cu Chi
Wildlife Rescue Station which is a rehabilitation centre for confiscated
animals from illegal trade. Open: 7.30-11.30am/ 1-4pm).
-1 day tour to Mekong Delta. This is the food bowl area of South Vietnam.
The people in this area may not be wealthy but they will never go hungry
for food.
Can do cycling tours in this area also.
After your visit to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, if you have any
recommendations to add to this section, please inform the CHAT Secretary,
Lyn Santich: [email protected] .
District 1 Map.
26
Vietnam
Introduction.
Despite Vietnam’s ongoing economic liberalisation and the pressures of rapid
development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilisation
and highly cultured society. Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the
sublime beauty of the country’s natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north
and the Mekong Delta in the south, the coastal strip and the brilliant green rice
paddies tended by women in conical hats. There are some divine beaches along
the coast while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by
dense, misty forests.
The country has discarded its post war fatigues and is experiencing a tourist
boom, coupled with the softening of government control. Vietnam offers an
opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty opening up to
the outside world.
Full country name:
Area:
Population:
Capital City:
People:
Language:
Religion:
Government:
President:
Prime Minister:
Time difference:
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
3,295,656 sq km.
90.3million (2012).
Hanoi.
85.8% ethnic Vietnamese, 3% ethnic Chinese, also Khmers,
Chams and members of over 50 ethno linguistic groups.
Vietnamese, Russian, French, Chinese, English and a
variety of Khmer and Laotian dialects.
Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable
Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaist, Muslim and Christian
minorities.
Communist State.
Truong Ton Song.
Nguyen Tan Dung.
One hour behind Perth and Singapore.
Three hours behind Sydney. (Four hours behind Sydney
during daylight saving).
Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon).
Population: 7.4 million (2009 Census).
Motor bikes: over 3.5 million (2010).
Average maximum temperature: 28º C (according to the book, but it has always
been 330C or over when I have been there).
Humidity: average 75%. (at least).
Seasons: May – November: wet season
December – April: dry season.
The first settlers of Saigon
In his book of literary works about the southern land in the 17th century when the
first Vietnamese settlers arrived, Le Quy Don wrote: “From the Can Gio Estuary,
27
the Soai Rap, Tieu (Small) and Dai (Grand) estuaries ... up (the rivers)”, the land
of Saigon remained deserted, covered by dense forests and marshes.
The 75 years between 1623 and 1698 may be regarded as the time in which
Saigon was founded. During this period, hundreds, and perhaps thousands of
Vietnamese families migrated from the Centre (the Inner Section) and the North
(the Outer Section) to settle in the plains of the Dong Nai and the Mekong rivers.
Nguyen Huu Canh (1650-1700), was a famous army commander and an
excellent administrator. He is credited for expanding the territories to the south
and laying foundations for Saigon-HCM City.
Modern Saigon - photo – Bitexco Financial Tower skyscraper.
Opened 31st October 2010, tallest building in Saigon, 262.5 metres in
height, 68 floors above ground, heli-pad on 52nd floor and observation
deck for visitors on 49th floor.
Saigon, now named Ho Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It's a
bustling, dynamic and industrious centre, the largest city in the country, the
economic capital and the cultural trendsetter. Ho Chi Minh City has several
excellent museums featuring everything from harrowing images of the war and
revolution to tribal and traditional costume. Outside, botanical gardens,
waterways, temples, pagodas and churches beckon and inspire. So within the
teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture.
28
Saigonese: People with a Difference
Saigon in the pre-modern and modern eras became a big cultural and economic
centre within Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Its’ 300-year culture has formed a
distinctive character for the “Saigonese”?
Left: City Hall
Right: a typical
street/traffic scene.
VIETNAM TIME LINE:
2000 B.C.
The North of Vietnam is the centre of an extensive Bronze Age
Civilization, located at Dong Son, south of the present Hanoi.
700 B.C.
In the plains of the Red and Black Rivers, a succession of Hung
kings rule over the Lac Viet, known in ancient Chinese records as
the Nan Yueh, or “Southern Viets”.
111 B.C.
Chinese conquest of Vietnam. Domination lasts one thousand years
despite numerous rebellions.
939 A.D.
Ngo Quyen defeats the Chinese and establishes the first
Vietnamese dynasty. Except for brief periods, Vietnam is
independent for nearly nine hundred years.
1010 A.D.
Hanoi, known then as Thank Long, or “Soaring Dragon”, becomes
the capital of Vietnam. In this century, the Vietnamese court
establishes the Temple of Literature, the civil service, the One Pillar
Pagoda, and the Tran Vu Buddhist Pagoda.
1627 A.D.
Alexandre de Rhodes, a French Jesuit missionary, writes grammar
of Vietnamese using Roman script, which over the centuries is
accepted as the quoc ngu, or “national script”. Protection of the
missionaries is given as a reason for repeated French invasions.
1802 A.D.
Nguyen Dynasty. With the help of both French and Thai armies,
Nguyen Anh defeats the populist Tay-Sons.
1858 A.D.
French troops attack Da ang.
1861 A.D.
Saigon falls to the French.
29
1883 A.D.
French consolidate rule over Vietnam. By 1893 the neighbouring
states of Laos and Cambodia have been added to the French
Empire and were known as Indochina.
1940 A.D.
Japanese invade Indochina and the French surrender to them.
1945 A.D.
Japanese surrender to Allies. The last Nguyen emperor, Bao Dai,
abdicates in favour of the Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh, who
proclaimed the formation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
However, the Allies decided that Vietnam should be divided into the
North (controlled by the Chinese) and the South under the Allies.
1946 A.D.
French troops shell Haiphong Harbour and re-enter Hanoi. The
Indochina war begins.
1950 A.D.
In January, the USSR and China recognised the independence of
Vietnam under the communist government of Ho Chi Minh. In
February, the USA, Britain and Australia recognised the pro-French
government led by Bao Dai.
1954 A.D.
French defeated at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam is temporarily
partitioned under the Geneva Accords where the North would be
communist and led by Ho Chi Minh and the South led by Ngo Dinh
Diem – strong opponent of communism and a Catholic.
1955 A.D.
The United States sends military advisors to South Vietnam as they
believed the Diem government was not strong enough to defeat the
communists.
1961 A.D.
US troops in South Vietnam number 3,200.
1968 A.D.
Tet Offensive (series of major surprise attacks by Vietcong and
North Vietnamese forces on cities, towns and provinces throughout
South Vietnam – a turning point in the Vietnam War). US troop
capacity at 500,000.
1973 A.D.
Paris Peace Agreements – provided for an immediate cease-fire
and signalled the withdrawal of US troops.
1975 A.D.
Saigon falls to North Vietnamese troops. Vietnam is re-united under
the communist regime in Hanoi. US imposes trade embargo.
Vietnam War Casualties:
North Vietnamese Army: between 1 million and 5 million KIA/MIA.
South Vietnamese Army: approx.1,250,000 KIA/MIA.
Vietnamese Civilians: between 2,000,000 and 3,500,000.
Approx 3 million affected by Agent Orange.
US Armed Forces: 58,238 KIA. 14,000MIA.
Australia: 520 KIA.
1978 A.D.
The Vietnamese respond to repeated Khmer Rouge incursions in
the Mekong Delta by invading Cambodia and driving Pol Pot’s
troops from Phnom Penh.
30
1979 A.D.
China invades North Vietnam with 600,000 troops, which are
quickly repulsed. US trade embargo widened to include all aid.
1987 A.D.
Vietnam promises to remove all troops from Cambodia by 1990.
President Reagan appoints retired General John W. Vessey Jr as a
special representative to discuss MIA (soldiers missing in action)
and other humanitarian issues. Movement is begun in Congress to
normalise relations with Hanoi.
1988 A.D.
Joint US and Vietnamese search teams cooperate in locating the
remains of missing American soldiers – and ongoing.
1990 A.D.
This was the first year since the end of World War II (1945) that
Vietnam was not officially at war with any other nation.
1995 A.D.
US re-established diplomatic relations with Hanoi – but trade
agreements were only signed in 2000.
SUMMARY OF HEALTH ISSUES IN VIETNAM – dated 20th June
2013.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive
measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations)
and disease outbreaks overseas.
The standard of medical facilities and care in Vietnam varies. Foreign private
medical clinics are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau and Da Nang
but may not meet Australian standards. Medical facilities and care at most public
hospitals, especially in areas outside Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, are poor and
medical evacuation to a major centre may be required for even relatively minor
operations. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment prior to providing medical
services, including for emergency care. Some hospitals may liaise with travel
insurance companies for payment; others may request upfront payment. We
strongly encourage you to take out travel insurance that will cover any medical
costs, including medical evacuation.
The mosquito-borne illness dengue fever is prevalent in Vietnam, particularly in
the south. There has been an increase in the number of cases reported and
deaths from dengue fever. The mosquito-borne illness malaria is also a risk in
some remote mountainous areas of Vietnam. We recommend you take measures
to avoid mosquito bites including using insect repellent at all times, day & night,
wear long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, ensure your accommodation is
mosquito proof and that you ask your doctor about whether you need to take
prophylaxis against malaria.
The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis is prevalent in Vietnam. A
Japanese encephalitis vaccine is registered for use and is currently available in
Australia. For further details please consult your travel clinic or doctor.
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Outbreaks of water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases
(including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis, meningitis, acute
watery diarrhoea, cholera, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), conjunctivitis,
avian and swine flu) occur in Vietnam, with serious outbreaks occurring from time
to time. We encourage you to discuss your vaccination requirements with your
doctor before travelling.
Normal hygiene precautions should be taken including careful/thorough and
frequent hand washing.
We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water with intact seals
and to avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food and unpasteurised dairy
products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea
or develop blisters/rashes.
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