Travel advice: Vietnam & Hong Kong

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EvaLSeraphim_IHB

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I'll be leaving the comfy environs of Irvine for Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong. Aside from BK's former 'hood, what should I see and where should I eat? I'll only be a few days in each place. Thanks in advance.



Also, my stopover is in Taipei, so if there is something interesting in the airport, please let me know that too. :)
 
Hong Kong is a little bit bigger than The Irvine Ranch (400x Woodbury) Its population is about the size of Los Angeles.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1251876978]Very exciting, Eva. Business or pleasure? I bet Momo will have lots of good advice.</blockquote>


That is a hard question to answer. I'm basically along for the ride. While I had a choice to go or not go, I did not have a choice on either the location or the timing. (85F+ degrees and ~90% humidity are not my idea of a good time.) Since I doubt we will get back to either place, I'll certainly make the most of it.
 
[quote author="almon" date=1251883401]take the hydrofoil from hong kong to macau, soak up some colonial flavor</blockquote>


Thank you! We were looking at taking a day and going to Macau. Good to know its worth the time and money.
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1251876889]I'll be leaving the comfy environs of Irvine for Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong. Aside from BK's former 'hood, what should I see and where should I eat? I'll only be a few days in each place. Thanks in advance.



Also, my stopover is in Taipei, so if there is something interesting in the airport, please let me know that too. :)</blockquote>






Wow I really hope you have a great time! Im jealous. If you get the chance go to this place.. <a href="http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/index.asp">din tai fung</a>

Theres one in Hong Kong.. and Im told its amazing. We eat at the one in Pasadena almost weekly and Ive been told that the authentic ones in Hong Kong and China are much better.
 
[quote author="EvaLSeraphim" date=1251888312][quote author="almon" date=1251883401]take the hydrofoil from hong kong to macau, soak up some colonial flavor</blockquote>


Thank you! We were looking at taking a day and going to Macau. Good to know its worth the time and money.</blockquote>
just don't spend too much time at the casinos. macau has several cool places to visit.



on hong kong island, there are 2 things i like - take the tram from causeway bay (shopping and eating) to kennedy town (an older part of hong kong), then back to central, hop off and walk toward mid-level and take the world's longest escalator (think it comes down in morning and goes up in afternoon). the other is taking the peak tram to the peak before sunset and then take the #15 bus down the mountain.
 
[quote author="almon" date=1251883401]take the hydrofoil from hong kong to macau, soak up some colonial flavor</blockquote>


I don't know about that. IMHO, I would only go to Macau *after* you spent a day in the Disney there. If you think Disney is a waste of your time, then you got my point.
 
In Hong Hong there are fishermen and their families only allowed on land for several hours to conduct business. They lived on in their sampans for many generations. This particular population received limited education and considered coolie of modern day. A trip to see their 6'x12" boat (home) and how a family of 4 could live on such a restricted environment would be an interesting cultural experience.



<img src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2528524-Sampan_taking_off-Hong_Kong.jpg" alt="" />



House boat in Aberdeen. The large floating structure is a popular tourist destination restaurant.



<img src="http://www.burkhardt.org/asia2/harbor_w_house_boats_1c.JPG" alt="" />



Hong Kong and Kowloon are places of culture. The recent Disneyland and other new development in Macau were an attempt to cater to foreign tourist. IMO they are a waste of your precious time to see these western imports.



The mystery of the East is a lot more fascinating such as the temples where your fate is predicted by the joss stick at the Wong Tai Sin temple,



<img src="http://photos.igougo.com/images/p288531-Open_Area.jpg" alt="" />



night time flea market occupying several miles long closing off Temple street

<img src="http://www.hongkongextras.com/resources/_wsb_517x378_Temple+Street+Night+Market.jpg " alt="" />



the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (the most expensive high rise structure in the world built in 1984 with an escalator built precisely at 34.5 degree penetrating the atrium space for good feng shui and prosperity) with several giant light scoop reflector lens to bounce daylight into the dark atrium space blocked by the neighboring buildings.

<img src="http://www.e-architect.co.uk/hong_kong/jpgs/hong_kong_bank_foster_ianlambot7.jpg" alt="" />

<img src="http://traveldk.com/dkimages/honkon042modbui003_inlinelarge.jpg" alt="" />



China Bank skyscraper designed by IM Pei during the 80's commissioned by the Chinese government shaped like a sharp blade was an insult to the Hong Kong economy as well as bad chi harming other neighboring buildings (The metal panel joint lines on the facade aligned with the plaza floor pattern control joints).

<img src="http://www.suntecsuites.com.sg/newimages/locations/fullsize/hong_kong.jpg" alt="" />
 
All I know... Is that I expect a trip report with photos. No excuses this time! I'm still waiting for the one on Japan. Short trip = shorter story = less photos. You owe us one... EvaL... :P
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1251907530]All I know... Is that I expect a trip report with photos. No excuses this time! I'm still waiting for the one on Japan. Short trip = shorter story = less photos. You owe us one... EvaL... :P</blockquote>


I have been discouraged from bringing a laptop or net book, so it is unlikely you will get anything contemporaneous.



I might be able to put up a short Japan thing today / tomorrow depending on how things pan out today.
 
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