u/Acceptable-Mess-8360

Hi everyone, I'm currently in Asia and have been battling a pretty bad cold for about a week. The problem is probably the air conditioning and the constantly running fans in restaurants that blow directly in your face as soon as you sit down. You end up sitting there drenched in a blast of air. I always have to turn these fans off or away. You're always sitting on the moped completely soaked with sweat, I just can't manage to put a jacket on in these temperatures. I've also tried sleeping without the air conditioning, but it's simply impossible. After half an hour, I have to shower. I've now set the air conditioning to 26 degrees Celsius with the lowest possible airflow. I don't have a fever, but I constantly have a scratchy throat and feel quite weak, which is why I've already had to cancel several appointments. I'm staying completely calm and taking it extremely easy. I've been lying in my hammock for two days now, but it's just not getting any better. It's very hot here at the moment, and I'm constantly sweating. What would you advise me to do to get better quickly?

I can already hear all the do-gooders screaming, but I'd like to share my thoughts on my first month and a half in Vietnam. I've traveled quite a bit in northern Vietnam, and what I've noticed everywhere is this: no matter where you are, what you buy, or what your problem is, you always get ripped off. You run out of gas on your moped, you buy some at a small shop, and they quote you a price that makes everyone else in the shop sit up and take notice and grin. Of course, you pay it because you want your problem solved. After you've filled up and driven off, they laugh at you. You buy a bottle of water or anything else, and you get ripped off. And it's done in such a blatant way that it's an insult. The second thing is the trash lying around everywhere. I'm currently in Phong Nha, and even here they've managed to pollute the crystal-clear river. You can see it quite clearly when you're swimming. Yesterday I spent the whole day riding my moped around, and the amount of trash lying around everywhere is, in my opinion, a catastrophe for the country. Yes, the food is delicious and the landscapes are beautiful. However, so much construction is being done that this probably won't be the case in ten years at the latest. Every little swimming spot in the forest is being turned into a tourist attraction with an entrance fee. I'm particularly interested in one thing: don't all these die-hard Vietnam fans see these things? Where do they get their rose-tinted glasses? How do they manage to completely block all this out? I'd really like to know. I also haven't experienced any kind of warmth here. People are only nice when they want your money or have just received it from you. And no, I don't accept the opinion that the people are poor and desperately need your money. I've traveled to many poor countries around the world, and nowhere have I noticed what I've described above as starkly as in Vietnam. You're sitting on the train, asleep, when someone sits down next to you and watches movies loudly or makes a video call. You're relaxing in a hammock, there's space everywhere, and someone lies down next to you and watches movies loudly on their phone. I could go on and on. It's certainly possible that the people in South Vietnam have a different mentality; I've only ever been to North Vietnam. I'll openly admit it, I've never really felt welcome here, more like I've been taken advantage of and very often ripped off. What are your experiences? Oh yes, I think I know exactly where this discussion is going. You're demanding your own mentality from the countries you visit; you clearly lack any understanding of the problems faced by the local population. I can already see these kinds of responses.

Hello everyone. I'll be in Phong Nha starting tomorrow and wanted to ask which cave tours are best there. I'm interested in all kinds of outdoor activities, so I'd appreciate any further tips. I'm 66, but still relatively fit, so it doesn't necessarily have to involve rappelling half a kilometer. Perhaps there are some nice hiking suggestions as well. I'd really appreciate your advice.