From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh — a day to reset myself.
Airport lounges: no more getting lost.
I woke up at 9:30 today. I hurriedly took a shower, brushed my teeth, and packed. Since the flight was at 1:00 PM, I called a bike at 10:15 and headed to the airport. I’ve realized again that this flight time is the best. Early morning flights are cheaper, but they’re really tough on your body. It was a bit more expensive, but I’m glad I chose this flight.
I arrived at the airport and ate in the lounge. I somehow remember Hanoi’s domestic terminal. The lounges are all gathered on the 2nd floor, and last time I didn’t know which lounge I should enter. So this time I understood immediately. Since they switched to a Priority Pass with QR code scanning, it’s become much easier.
A large aircraft journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh.
I took my time before boarding. This time it was a large Boeing aircraft. Even just traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, I thought it was amazing that they use such big planes. It made me realize just how many Vietnamese and foreigners are on the move.
I was in touch with Nga until just before leaving Hanoi. Until right before takeoff. I said bye while wondering what she might be doing. Her replies were much faster than usual. Or rather, for some reason she’s usually very slow to reply to me. Even though when we’re on a date she’ll immediately respond if a friend sends a notification.
Arrived in Ho Chi Minh, near Ben Thanh Market.
I flew Vietnam Airlines and arrived in Ho Chi Minh. I took a motorcycle taxi to a hostel near Ben Thanh Market. The location was excellent. After checking in I walked to OWNDAYS to have my glasses adjusted.
Then I ate ramen at Machida Shoten. I immediately saw Japanese people. I felt small and withdrawn. I can’t help but react like that. It’s a sad thing, I thought.
UNIQLO and the weakness of the Japanese yen
I bought winter clothes at UNIQLO. I could buy them in Thailand too, but the Thai baht is now around 4.7 and the Japanese yen has become extremely weak.
I decided to buy them in Vietnam. Recently the dong–yen rate has also dropped a lot and the value of the yen keeps falling. I feel I need to start earning in euros or dollars as soon as possible.
Travel staple: metronidazole
I walked back to the hostel and went to a nearby pharmacy. Right now I carry Augmentin and azithromycin as travel staples, and I plan to buy doxycycline in Thailand.
But I didn’t have one more drug: metronidazole. It’s effective against anaerobic bacteria and can be used for infections like giardia or other parasites. If watery diarrhea continues and fatty stools and bloating persist for days, parasites may be the cause. It’s also said to be effective if the appendix worsens and causes peritonitis. I decided to buy it as an emergency medication.
When I showed the translation device they nodded and I was able to buy it without any problem. I was really surprised how easily I could buy it. Medicine is truly important, so I’m glad I could get it.
Reset, new habits
I worked and wrote in my diary at a nearby café. Now that I’ve said goodbye to Nga, I feel I need to invest in myself and take actions to make my life better for my own sake. I want to reset myself, establish new habits, and enrich my life.
