27/4/25
We had coffee for breakfast. An email arrived asking us to confirm the ‘value’ of the shipment. They not only refused to accept that the value didn’t include VAT in the UK but it’s also customary (get it?) to add the shipping costs too. This gave a final valuation of our parcel of just shy of £350. The customs officer was unable to tell us what duties and fees we’d have to pay. We were getting a little worried that we were going to be scammed. This was turning out to be enormously expensive. We’d have to chalk it up as an ‘experience’.
To top things off the parcel wasn’t in Hà Nội after all. It was in fact in Leipzig. Customs processes start early and are completed before the parcel even arrives. Looking inside and checking the contents is just a formality. So we spent some time calculating the expected import taxes. There is a ‘free trade’ agreement between the UK and Vietnam, the UKVTA. It just replicates the EU agreement. Tariffs are being phased out by 2027.
Using the complex litany of documents and spreadsheets we determined that the rims would have a preferential tax fate of 19% and the tyres 16.8%. Instead of a Most Favoured Nation rate of 40%. Additionally there would be 8% VAT on top. The insane fact that some of the items in the shipment were made in Vietnam is sadly irrelevant without evidence of the prior export. We estimated the total cost of duties to be roundabout £100. Ouch.
We put this to the back of our mind, or somewhere between the middle and the back. Then took the electric E07 bus to the Vietnam Military History Museum. A majestic new building that only opened last year. In the grounds there were displays of fighter planes, tanks and other aircraft. Most of these were US built and were supplied to the ‘puppet’ forces. This terminology basically disguises the fact that the Vietnamese were killing each other. A sad realisation.
Inside there was a lengthy timeline of Vietnamese warfare. From before time, to modern day. There were many displays, videos and everything in between. Some focused on particular campaigns. Removing the French or repelling the Americans. It all culminated in a section on how the army works today. Including a recruitment area.
We walked across the multilane road outside. Despite being built last year, there were still no dropped curves. No crossing. We saw a disabled person in a wheelchair struggling. They’d just climbed a set of stairs to use the underpass. Vincom Mega Mall Smart City had a large supermarket. Frankie had a hankering for cocoa powder. All we could find was 99% cocoa and 1% chocolate flavouring. Annoying.
We took the bus to another large mall. Vincom Royal city was far more central and seemingly invisible. It took a second to realise it was mostly underground. We went to Decathlon to get Frankie some cycling mitts. There was a wide range of options but it still slightly puzzled us that there was less choice here than at home. We are clearly the kings of consumption.
We took another bus back home. Rush hour had hit. The road was rammed with a sea of scooters. The public transport was still efficient. If those people on scooters were in cars instead then this city would never move. One can only continue to dream of them all being on bicycles or in buses.
We bought a few bits for our dinner. We didn’t feel like we were being very inventive. We cooked another squash and sweet potato coconut curry. Fried tofu and aubergine, salad on the side. It had got surprisingly late. Frankie made chocolate pancakes for dessert. Chocolate tofu cream and crushed nuts on top. We finished off Code of Silence and continued to wonder where exactly Sirens was going with its story. The unknown wait for our package slipped back to the front of our minds.
Surly They Won't Make It 