Since I’m still settling in and working like a dog here, I haven’t had a chance to get out to take many photos of life here in Saigon. And believe me, there are some facets of life here that have to be seen to be believed.
Until I have photographic evidence to share, I’ll hold off on deeper exploration of the quirks of the city and jump into what I consider the most enjoyable primer on Vietnam you can find. About three years ago, the hit BBC series Top Gear came to Vietnam. The adventure that followed managed to hit almost all of the wonderful elements of this country.
For those who aren’t familiar with Top Gear (i.e. most Americans), the show is a car show but not 
some drab, boring review detailing engine power and body style. They do get into those topics, but typically do it in the context of humorous challenges, such as the time host Jeremy Clarkson tried to outrun and outmaneuver a Challenger 2 tank with a Range Rover Sport. Or the time he raced a marathon runner across London during rush hour.
Anyway, for their Vietnam special it’s no cars, but all challenge and pretty much all comedy. In this 75 minute special, they highlight all that is odd, all that is wonderful, all that is frustrating and all that is beautiful in this country.
To avoid spoiling the humor like a Hollywood movie trailer would, I’ll be purposely vague here.
Using the standard mode of conveyance in Vietnam, the trio of hosts is tasked with traveling the length of Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Long Bay. It’s no small feat to travel 1000 miles in 8 days, especially during rainy season.
Their journey takes them through the major icons of Vietnam – Saigon, DaLat, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi. Along the way they eat Vietnamese food, including a shot that features a still beating snake heart. Well, most of them do. The closest host Richard Hammond gets to eating Vietnamese food is a bowl of Rice Krispies.
Even better than the everyday challenges the group faces on their way up through the nation is their tendency to screw with each other along the way.
After all of their struggles, humor, relaxation and more than an occasional rainstorm they end up in Ha Long Bay in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And when I say end up IN Ha Long Bay, I mean it. Their final challenge is to get to a bar on one of the floating villages in the aquatic paradise, reminiscent of the atolls of the film WaterWorld (you’re forgiven if you don’t remember the details of that film).
Anyone who wants to visit Vietnam, or just wants to laugh, should check this special episode out. It’s a nice way to get an overview of the country’s varied landscape as well as a hint of the people, food and traditions. It’s available on DVD, iTunes, Netflix and elsewhere. If you’re looking for it, it’s Series 12, Episode 8 but a search on Top Gear Vietnam should get you there, as well.
