This was my first trip to Vietnam.   Some highlights of the trip were (in no particular
order) --

1. Regarding the 4 countries that I visited during the 3 week period, the ones from
   poorest to richest were Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines, and Thailand.
2. To enter the country, it is necessary to have a visa ($50 to $60).   To leave, it is
   necessary to pay a "departure fee" ($20).
3. According to my friend in Vietnam, the reason why there are no McDonald's
   restaurants there is because McDonald's has a minimum gross domestic product
   ("GDP") requirement that Vietnam does not satisfy.
4. Women who wear long, white dresses and either white or light-colored slacks are
   students in either high school or college.   Girls wearing long, white dresses and dark
   blue slacks are students in junior high school.
5. In Saigon, there are approximately 7 million people and 14 million motorbikes.
6. Motorbikes used in Vietnam are produced by 4 different countries (in order of
   highest to lowest cost) -- Japan, United States, Vietnam, and Korea.
7. Around 13 people are killed every day while riding on motorbikes.
8. The currency is the "dong".   At that time, one U.S. dollar equaled approximately
   15,000 dong.
9. Coins are not used in Vietnam.   The bills include 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000,
   20000, 50000, and 100000.   (There might be higher bills, but they aren't regularly
   used.)
10. All bars close at midnight.   This differs from other countries where bars usually close
    at 2:00am, or later.
11. It is dangerous to take a motorbike-taxi ride after dark.   My friend was robbed
    when he did it during our trip.

Epilogue
On April 14, 2014, a friend who went to Cambodia and Vietnam during the previous
month emailed me tips about handling visas for the countries.   Here is the information
regarding Vietnam ...
Apply online before your trip.   Recommended: One month beforehand and get a
multiple entry visa at a cheapest cost (even you plan to go back to visit in a few months).
Do it one week before your trip.   You need to pay -- (1) Pay an online processing fee:
$24 (one month, multiple entry, normal processing 24 to 48 hrs); (2) Pay a visa stamping
fee at HCM airport: $65; and (3) Bring one passport photo.   The online service will
email you the "Vietnam airport visa pickup letter".   Print the letter and take one
passport photo with you.   You need to show the letter to an airline ticket agent when you
check in for your flight.   When you arrive at HCM airport, show the letter to the
immigration officer.   Pay $65 and submit the passport photo for your visa.  
(http://www.vietnamvisacorp.com/visa-fee.html)