Vietnam: What a Dollar Can Buy You

Vietnam is one of the best places to visit if you like beautiful scenery, friendly and gracious people, rich history, scrumpcious food, and bargain prices. They even accept US dollars everywhere—but you must sharpen your bargaining skills to secure the best deals. I am considering a return trip (along with a visit to Cambodia) with the group with whom I toured Viet Nam and Thailand in 2005.
Here is what $1 (Or 20,000 Viet Namese dong) will purchase in 2010:

• 1 Vietnamese conical hat (non la) (I bought one in Halong Bay last time)
• 7 liters of drinking water
• 2 tickets to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi
• 2 chilled Halida beers
• 1 day of bicycle rental
• 2 Vietnamese coffees with sweet condensed milk
• 15 minutes of air time on a Mobifone sim card
• 1 bowl of pho bo (they consume this at breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• 1 small load of laundry
• 250 grams of candied ginger
• 1 Chinese lantern made of bamboo and fabric
• 40 quail eggs
• 1.25 liters of gasoline