While we were in Hanoi we survived on La Vie bottled water. We had been prepared to only consume bottled water and warned to never go near the local water supply. I had heard horror stories of people becoming violently ill from brushing their teeth with their hotel's tap water or getting a drop or two of water from their shower in their mouth. So we arrived sufficiently nervous and ready to do all we could to only use bottled water.

Turns out that we really had no reason to be so nervous - bottled water is EVERYWHERE! Wherever we went - restaurants, shops, walking on the street, our hotel - you could request a small or large La Vie and be presented a refreshing and safe bottle of water. I actually never saw any other brand of water. La Vie must hold the water monopoly in Viet Nam. :)

We did use the bottled stuff to brush our teeth and it was strange to return home and be able to just turn on the tap and go! We would make Miss Ella's bottles with a mixture of the boiling hot water the hotel provided and room temperature or refrigerated La Vie. We did fine in the shower too. If you're going soon, just remember to keep your mouth shut (chew on some gum or a candy if this proves too difficult.)

My main reason for choosing this post to show a 'view of Viet Nam' was because Ella had a La Vie bottle in her hands for a good portion of our time there. They make the best in a pinch baby distractors! They are chew toys and noise makers and endless rolling fun. They are fun to bang on tables and to look at during diaper changes. Seeing a La Vie label makes me so nostalgic for our time in Viet Nam. I never actually saw an advertisement for La Vie, but I think our Ella would make the perfect La Vie model!