In Reply to: JBR Vietnam vs. Bali posted by Morning price on Wednesday, 14. April 2010 at 11:00 Bali Time:
(a) Food not as good...Food i had in Vietnam was fantastic. Especially in Hanoi and Hoi An. I'm sorry you missed out on what can be an amazing culinary experience.
(b) Culture as in ethnic groups...Sapa is famous for its hill-tribes and, omg the scenery there is spectacular.
Culture as in architecture, art works, music, dance, performance ... it's simply everywhere.
(c) Shopping not as good... Depends what you are shopping for. In Bali you cannot buy the beautiful hand-embroidered pieces, and lacquer paintings that you see in Vietnam
There are beautiful people in Vietnam, the same as there are in every country in the world. I'm particularly sorry you didn't meet them.
A couple of examples from my own experience:
Walking along a street in Sapa, and as a Black H'mong woman was about to overtake me we caught each other's eye and for no reason at all we started laughing. She took my hand and in harmonious silence we walked hand in hand until she turned down one street and i another.
Sitting in restaurants and feeling the light weight of a waitress's arm around my shoulder giving me a little hug.
Playing cards (snap!) at a station and noticing the curious boy drawing closer and closer. He watched for a while and then i gestured for him to join in. No common language but we shared in the joy and laughter of slamming our hands down on each others cards (and the other person's hand LOL)