INTRODUCTION
The Vietnam War was obviously the big event going as we graduated from OCS. Many of us went to Nam while a few received assignments elsewhere. We were fortunate to have had no casualties from the war although some that may be suffering from Agent Orange might take exception to that comment. How many of us have returned? What is it like over there now? The people living in Vietnam are quick to point out Vietnam is a country not a war. I hope to show the country as it is now. You might want to compare/contrast my present day experience with your experiences.
The first part of my two week trip included visits to places I had never been to before. The last week was spent with my wife’s family. With that said, let’s get started…..
Glenn McCarley
Day 1 – May 9, The Trip to Vietnam
My son (Kevin) and his wife (Katie) slept at my house the night before the trip. It was a brief sleep if any at all as we loaded up our luggage in a van and left home at 3:30 a.m. CDT. At 7:00 a.m. EDT we were on the flight from Atlanta to San Francisco. From San Francisco we flew to Tokyo, then to Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon. A brief comment might be appropriate here concerning the name ‘Saigon’. The name of the city has been officially changed to ‘Ho Chi Minh City’ but I hope you don’t mind that I will stubbornly continue to use the name ‘Saigon’.
Processing out of the airport was fairly routine as government officials quickly checked our visas and passports. For those who have passed through Tan Son Nhat airport it is somewhat more modern than it was 50 years ago although no one would consider it to be a modern airport.
Whenever my wife (Thu) and I return to Vietnam we always tell her relatives not to meet us at the airport. As usual they did not heed our request and about ten of them showed up to greet us. It was great seeing them although we were pretty exhausted from the trip. It would be the only time we would see some of them as they had to get back to their work and families.
We loaded our stuff in a taxi and took the 30 minutes trip to our host’s house. Van (pronounced ‘Von’) lost her husband to a heart attach a little more than a year ago. The stay in her house will be a mixture of joy and sadness. Anyway, it was late in the evening and we were tired and ready for a good night’s sleep. I sipped a couple of beers and was out like a light bulb.
My son (Kevin) and his wife (Katie) slept at my house the night before the trip. It was a brief sleep if any at all as we loaded up our luggage in a van and left home at 3:30 a.m. CDT. At 7:00 a.m. EDT we were on the flight from Atlanta to San Francisco. From San Francisco we flew to Tokyo, then to Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon. A brief comment might be appropriate here concerning the name ‘Saigon’. The name of the city has been officially changed to ‘Ho Chi Minh City’ but I hope you don’t mind that I will stubbornly continue to use the name ‘Saigon’.
Processing out of the airport was fairly routine as government officials quickly checked our visas and passports. For those who have passed through Tan Son Nhat airport it is somewhat more modern than it was 50 years ago although no one would consider it to be a modern airport.
Whenever my wife (Thu) and I return to Vietnam we always tell her relatives not to meet us at the airport. As usual they did not heed our request and about ten of them showed up to greet us. It was great seeing them although we were pretty exhausted from the trip. It would be the only time we would see some of them as they had to get back to their work and families.
We loaded our stuff in a taxi and took the 30 minutes trip to our host’s house. Van (pronounced ‘Von’) lost her husband to a heart attach a little more than a year ago. The stay in her house will be a mixture of joy and sadness. Anyway, it was late in the evening and we were tired and ready for a good night’s sleep. I sipped a couple of beers and was out like a light bulb.
Day 2 – May 10, lost due to crossing international date line. Will pick up a day on the flight back.
Day 3 – May 11, A Relaxing Casual Day in Saigon
After a good night of sleep we went to the Saigon Market for some shopping. My wife had promised to buy some cloth material and have a few dresses made for our daughter. My wife does not want me around her when she is negotiating price as I am too quick to accept what I consider to be good prices. She usually gets another 10 to 20 percent off on whatever it is she is negotiating to buy. So while I did not see her buy the cloth material I am sure that she did.
Day 3 – May 11, A Relaxing Casual Day in Saigon
After a good night of sleep we went to the Saigon Market for some shopping. My wife had promised to buy some cloth material and have a few dresses made for our daughter. My wife does not want me around her when she is negotiating price as I am too quick to accept what I consider to be good prices. She usually gets another 10 to 20 percent off on whatever it is she is negotiating to buy. So while I did not see her buy the cloth material I am sure that she did.
I accompanied Kevin and Katie as they walked around looking for whatever struck their fancy. Katie has never been to Vietnam but had been advised to never accept the first offer. She was instructed to make counter offers significantly lower. She found a kimono that appealed to her and started negotiating. I think she got it down to the $15 to $20 range which she felt was a good price. I agreed, but what do I know about such things.
When I stepped outside the market I saw something that most of our group will recognize. Cyclos!! Yep, they still have them. Tourists love them.
After shopping it was time to eat. We were taken to Pho Kim Hung restaurant for lunch. Five of us ate lunch for $13 which was more than reasonable. It was a good lunch too with most of our group enjoying pho.
After lunch we went back to Van’s house. Kevin and Katie left on their own. Kevin wanted to get a cheap haircut and both wanted a massage. Kevin got a haircut for only $2.50 plus a $2.00 tip. It was a good haircut too, the kind that brings tears to Dennis Gehley’s eyes. They appeared pleased with their massages which only cost $7.00 each.
After lunch we went back to Van’s house. Kevin and Katie left on their own. Kevin wanted to get a cheap haircut and both wanted a massage. Kevin got a haircut for only $2.50 plus a $2.00 tip. It was a good haircut too, the kind that brings tears to Dennis Gehley’s eyes. They appeared pleased with their massages which only cost $7.00 each.
In the evening we went out for dinner to a nice restaurant near the Opera House. My wife’s brother, Anh Sau and his wife went with us. Anh Sau wanted the two of us to have a beer which is a personal tradition that we share. We both understand the word “cheer”, which is all it takes to enjoy one another’s company. A couple of Heinekens were brought out with a couple of glasses. A couple of large chunks of ice were placed in the glasses and the beer was poured over them. I seem to recall drinking beer in this manner almost 50 years ago.
Some things never change. Here’s to you Anh Sau, “Cheer”.
Some things never change. Here’s to you Anh Sau, “Cheer”.
After dinner Kevin, Katie, Thong (Van’s 12 year old son) and I stepped out to walk around downtown Saigon. It is really beautiful at night. The Rex Hotel, Caravelle Hotel, and several landmark Saigon buildings are in easy walking distance.
We returned to the restaurant to join the others. When everyone had completed dinner we left for Van’s house and a good night of sleep. Tomorrow we go to Da Nang, a city I am excited to visit for the first time.
We returned to the restaurant to join the others. When everyone had completed dinner we left for Van’s house and a good night of sleep. Tomorrow we go to Da Nang, a city I am excited to visit for the first time.
Day 4, May 12 – On to Da Nang
Before going to Vietnam we made arrangements through Saigon Tours for a 5 day / 4 night tour package that started with a flight from Saigon to Da Nang and ended with a return flight from Hue back to Saigon. The cost of the tour was $400 per person and included air fare, a van with driver and tour guide, hotel rooms, and meals. The tour guide was supposed to be able to speak English, however that did not happen. He spoke Vietnamese only.
Saturday morning we began the tour with the flight from Saigon to Da Nang. Those going on the tour included the four of us plus our Saigon host Van, her son Thong, and my wife’s niece Ngoc ( pronounced ‘Nyock’) who came up from my wife’s home town Sadec. After a one hour flight the seven of us were picked up at the airport and driven to a restaurant for lunch. We dined on dried fish rolls which could be dipped in soy sauce, and other fish related items.
After the lunch we checked into the Danaciti Hotel in Da Nang. The hotel rooms were comfortable but we had no intention of staying there long. After putting our luggage away we loaded up in the van for a trip to a Buddhist Pagoda. The trip offered an interesting view of the ocean and the city skyline. Through my interpreter, my wife, I asked the driver to pull over so I could take a couple of shots. The result was this…
Saturday morning we began the tour with the flight from Saigon to Da Nang. Those going on the tour included the four of us plus our Saigon host Van, her son Thong, and my wife’s niece Ngoc ( pronounced ‘Nyock’) who came up from my wife’s home town Sadec. After a one hour flight the seven of us were picked up at the airport and driven to a restaurant for lunch. We dined on dried fish rolls which could be dipped in soy sauce, and other fish related items.
After the lunch we checked into the Danaciti Hotel in Da Nang. The hotel rooms were comfortable but we had no intention of staying there long. After putting our luggage away we loaded up in the van for a trip to a Buddhist Pagoda. The trip offered an interesting view of the ocean and the city skyline. Through my interpreter, my wife, I asked the driver to pull over so I could take a couple of shots. The result was this…
Getting back in the van we continued on our trip to Linh Ung Pagoda. I know nothing about the Buddhist religion. However, I am always impressed with the beauty of their temples. This was no exception
We left the pagoda and rode back to the hotel to grab swim suits for a quick swim at one of Da Nang’s beautiful beaches. We had less than an hour available for swimming which was a bit of a disappointment. The beach was clean and the water temperature was perfect. We enjoyed the swim and would have enjoyed it even more if it had lasted about 3 hours. This was the first time that we noticed the schedule was packed with too many things and not enough time to enjoy them.
We left the beach, changed back into casual attire and rode to a cruise boat location. It was early evening which is a great time for a cruise on the Han River. Da Nang’s bridges provide spectacular changing night colors. The cruise boat took us past the famous Dragon Bridge, turned around and came back to a place near the dragon’s head. Unfortunately other cruise boats were in a better position than us, but we did get a good view of fire coming from the dragon head. Fire erupting from the dragon’s head occurs only on the weekends and we were there on a Saturday.
We left the beach, changed back into casual attire and rode to a cruise boat location. It was early evening which is a great time for a cruise on the Han River. Da Nang’s bridges provide spectacular changing night colors. The cruise boat took us past the famous Dragon Bridge, turned around and came back to a place near the dragon’s head. Unfortunately other cruise boats were in a better position than us, but we did get a good view of fire coming from the dragon head. Fire erupting from the dragon’s head occurs only on the weekends and we were there on a Saturday.
I could not help but wonder who came up with this idea? The shape of the bridge resembles the shape of a dragon going in and out of the water. All that was needed was the head and tail and you have a great tourist attraction. Very innovative. Would something like this be done in the U.S.? I doubt it. Tip of the hat to the Vietnamese.
After the dragon fire show was over our cruise boat headed back to the landing. While traveling back we were treated to a traditional dance by a young lady wearing the ao dai dress. Ao dai is worn for special occasions, church attendance, parties, etc. I am sure those stationed in Vietnam have seen it many times.
So what do you think of Da Nang? Were any of our classmates fortunate enough to be stationed there? I know Jim Wilson was. Others? How does this compare, or should I say contrast, with your time there? Tomorrow we will go to Ba Na Hills and Hoi An. Should be fun. |
Day 5, May 13 – Ba Na Hills and Hoi An
After a great breakfast we checked out of the Danaciti Hotel. As we drove out of town on a nice four lane highway we were forced to share the road with ironman triathlon competitors. The competitors were taking up two lanes and the routine traffic of autos, vans, and trucks were left with the lanes on the other side of the road. Policemen maintained traffic well. I believe this is the first time I have seen this kind of event and I certainly did not expect to see it here.
As we were leaving Da Nang I could not help but be amazed at how prosperous the city appeared to be. They are using the beaches and even the bridges to promote tourism. Building construction was evident everywhere. The roads were in good condition. Beach front hotels and apartments look similar to what you might see in Florida. This would be the last we would see of Da Nang, but it definitely made a favorable impression on us.
We pulled off the road a few miles out of Da Nang to stop at Quoc Hiep Stone Sculptures. The store had everything from small vases to large Buddhas to five foot high sculpted horses. Katie bought a small horse figurine to adorn her house in some manner.
As we were leaving Da Nang I could not help but be amazed at how prosperous the city appeared to be. They are using the beaches and even the bridges to promote tourism. Building construction was evident everywhere. The roads were in good condition. Beach front hotels and apartments look similar to what you might see in Florida. This would be the last we would see of Da Nang, but it definitely made a favorable impression on us.
We pulled off the road a few miles out of Da Nang to stop at Quoc Hiep Stone Sculptures. The store had everything from small vases to large Buddhas to five foot high sculpted horses. Katie bought a small horse figurine to adorn her house in some manner.
After lunch we continued on to Sun World at Ba Na Hills. This is an unusual resort area. A gondola ride takes you up to a hilltop resort. It is a significant enough change in altitude to drop the temperature 10 to 15 degrees lower than it was at the base. It is very comfortable when leaving the gondola. There are beautiful gardens, French and German style villages, street entertainers, restaurants, and hotels. It is beautiful, but of course it is not Vietnamese. Someone going to Vietnam to see Vietnam might not be pleased with this resort. However, if you want to see a world class beautiful resort then this is highly recommended.
After this shopping spree we climbed back into the van and continued on down the road. After just a few miles we stopped for lunch. We were fed another helping of fish. After the meal we walked by a small sidewalk vendor outside the restaurant. Van purchased a traditional Vietnamese cone shaped hat and models it here…. |
Once again we discovered that we had more to see than time to see it. We reluctantly rode the gondola back down to the base, climbed into the van and left for the trip to Hoi An. We were scheduled to park the van in Hoi An and walk around town for a couple of hours. However, after briefly walking through town Katie was too exhausted to continue so we altered the schedule a bit and checked into the Indochine Hotel. We stayed at the hotel for a couple of hours then left for dinner. We stopped at a small restaurant which was used primarily by the locals and ordered fish. It seems that we had been eating fish at every meal. This is when the cuisine rebellion started. Kevin and Katie asked to be driven into town so that they could eat something like pizza or maybe a hamburger and fries. Their tolerance for fish had been exceeded. We made arrangements to take them to town and agreed to meet up with them later.
After dinner we all met up in Hoi An and began to enjoy the town. The town is known for its quaint beauty. Many of the stores are two hundred years old. Open stores are visible to people walking in the streets. One particular section of town is closed off to motorized vehicles. Lanterns are mounted everywhere. The city is amazingly beautiful at night. I believe we could have enjoyed staying a week in Hoi An. However, our schedule calls for us to go to Hue tomorrow so we say goodbye to Hoi An.
After dinner we all met up in Hoi An and began to enjoy the town. The town is known for its quaint beauty. Many of the stores are two hundred years old. Open stores are visible to people walking in the streets. One particular section of town is closed off to motorized vehicles. Lanterns are mounted everywhere. The city is amazingly beautiful at night. I believe we could have enjoyed staying a week in Hoi An. However, our schedule calls for us to go to Hue tomorrow so we say goodbye to Hoi An.
Day 6, May 14 – The Historical Town of Hue
We ate breakfast at our hotel in Hoi An then loaded up the van and drove toward Hue. The drive was through an agricultural area. If you think of Vietnam and agriculture you think of rice paddies and that is exactly what I saw. Rice paddies, an occasional corn field, and a few small communities made up most of the scenery along the way. This scenery brought back memories of the rice paddies along the road my construction engineering battalion worked back in ’70 and ’71. The difference was the terrain in the Delta was flatter than what I saw on the road to Hue.
When we arrived in Hue we checked into the Huong Giang Hotel. This was the only hotel on the tour that we would stay two nights. Soon after checking in we were taken to the Citadel where 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty ruled from 1802 until 1945. The buildings where the king lived and ruled had yellow trim. Other buildings where support staff worked and lived would not contain yellow trim.
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Nine urns represent the sovereignty of the Nguyen kings. Each urn represents a particular king.
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A ceremonial performance was conducted while we were walking the grounds. The significance of the ceremony is a mystery to me. The uniforms and instruments would have been typical of that era.
Our tour guide informed us of the damage to the Citadel during the response to the Tet offensive of 1968. Certain buildings were completely demolished. We walked on grounds where buildings once stood. The demolished buildings will not be rebuilt. The wall damage shown here was a visible reminder of the fighting.
One of the interesting things about this tour was the opportunity to be king, in appearance of course. You could rent the costume and have your photo taken looking much like the kings did many years ago. We did not avail ourselves of the opportunity to be king but I did photograph someone who did.
On the way out we stopped for a group photo.
We left the Citadel and drove back to the hotel. It was time for dinner. By now my desire to consume fish was waning so I joined my son and his wife in the cuisine rebellion. The three of us left the hotel and walked around looking for a restaurant that might serve something to our liking. We found a restaurant appropriately named ‘The DMZ’. We checked their menu and found what we wanted. Their spaghetti was pretty good. I also enjoyed the Corona beer.
After dinner we were treated to some music on a dragon boat that would have been typical of the music the Nguyen kings would have heard. The singers were wearing the customary ao dai dress.
After dinner we were treated to some music on a dragon boat that would have been typical of the music the Nguyen kings would have heard. The singers were wearing the customary ao dai dress.
After the entertainment we rode back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we will explore a cave located in an area above the old DMZ. Should be interesting.
Day 7, May 15 – La Vang Church and Paradise Cave
For the first time on the tour we did not check out of the hotel after breakfast. We just piled in the van and headed out on the road. The first stop was at La Vang Catholic Church. The origin of the church goes back to around 1800. Catholics during that era were being executed so many living in the LaVang area hid out in the rain forest. Starvation and disease took its toll on the Catholics hiding out. Prayer and intercession of Mary were credited with rescuing the faithful. A shrine was built to commemorate the event. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Vietnamese Catholics.
We left La Vang Church and continued our journey, this time to Paradise Cave. The cave is located in what was North Vietnam when the country was divided. We were told that we would be taking a boat trip into the cave. It was a hot sunny day and we were not well protected from the sun. One or two in our group may have had a hat but most of us did not. Well that was just not going to work so when we got to the base site we bought caps and hats for everyone. Then we walked down to where the boats were kept and quickly discovered that the boats were covered. Oh well. We got in the boat and were taken to the cave. Most of the cave tour was taken while sitting in the boat. However, at the last of the tour we got out and walked around in a selected part of the cave that was ideally suited for elderly tourists.
On the way back to Hue we crossed over the river that was a dividing line between North and South Vietnam. The blue portion of the bridge would be in North Vietnam and the yellow portion would be in South Vietnam. I think I recall some conversation between classmates concerning Bailey bridges. I think this one qualifies.
Driving past the bridge there was another sign signifying the divide. Here we would be looking into South Vietnam. Note the traffic on the road. Cars and trucks occupied the two lanes while two wheeled vehicles used the shoulder. From my non-scientific survey of traffic it appears that about 60 percent of the vehicles were motorcycles, 20 percent were trucks and buses, and 20 percent were cars and vans. There are more cars and vans on the streets now than when we were stationed there, but two wheeled vehicles are still the most common form of transportation.
When we returned to the hotel it was time for dinner. Once again I joined Kevin and Katie in pursuit of a non-fish dinner. We walked around the street outside the hotel looking for a different restaurant. We did not look long as we were getting quite hungry. The DMZ Restaurant beckoned. The first floor of the restaurant had a camouflage colored ceiling. The fan was an upside down mini-helicopter attached to the ceiling. There was a pool table in the center of the room. All of that and they had great pizza. This was my kind of high class eating establishment.
Day 8, May 16 – Visit King Khai Dinh Then Fly to Saigon
We slept a little later than usual as we only had one item on the agenda prior to our flight to Saigon. After checking out of the hotel our guide took us to the tomb of King Khai Dinh, the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. It was a hot day and there were many steps to climb before we got to the tomb. I don’t know much about the king but they gave him a fairly elaborate send off. See photos.
We drove back into town, ate lunch, and sat around killing time. The flight was in the late afternoon. By the time the flight took off we were more than ready to go to Van’s house in Saigon. We settled in, unpacked, and prepared for the second phase of the trip. The second part of the vacation involves seeing my wife’s relatives and spending some time in Sadec and Saigon.
Tomorrow is another Saigon day.
Tomorrow is another Saigon day.
Day 9, May 17 - Another Relaxing Day in Saigon
There are some sites in Saigon that I have seen many times as have other members of the family. Since it was Katie’s first trip to Vietnam I thought I could spend an hour or two showing her around. First we stopped off at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for some morning coffee. After sipping our coffees we walked across the street to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral has been in existence since 1880 and is a beautiful building. However, as you can observe in this photo it appears that some major renovations are under way.
Next we walked past the cathedral and through a park. We had a good view of the old Presidential Palace where South Vietnamese presidents lived, planned the war, and entertained guests. It has been renamed the Unification Palace and has been turned into a museum. It remains much the same as it was in 1975 when the war ended. I have previously taken the tour of the building, but not this time.
In the afternoon one of my wife’s nephews, Thoi (pronounced ‘toy’) came by to see us. Thoi is a success story. He was raised by one parent in a dirt floor thatch roof covered hut. The one parent, his mom, is a poor money manager and can not go back home due to loans not paid. My wife and I paid for Thoi to go to college. After college he got a job working as a tour guide. He is soft spoken, does not complain, and is willing to get up at 2:00 in the morning if that is what the job requires. I have encouraged him to learn English better so that he can provide tour guide services to better tipping customers. His Vietnamese customers do not tip very well. We are proud of him.
Tomorrow we will go to my wife’s home town of Sadec.
Tomorrow we will go to my wife’s home town of Sadec.
Day 10, May 18 – Going to Sa Đéc
The drive down from Saigon to Sadec was easier than I remember in the past. The roads, especially immediately out of Saigon, were vastly improved. We had about 50 km of almost interstate quality road with much of it being elevated. Sadec is located in the Delta which means the wide Mekong River has to be crossed to get there. Many years ago ferries were used to cross the river. Ferries are still used in places but we had a fabulous bridge to take us over the river. Once you cross over the bridge you can go left to Vinh Long where I was stationed in ’71 or go right to Sadec. We took the road less traveled and went to Sadec. (apologies to Robert Frost)
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When we arrived in Sadec we stopped at Ngoc’s house and took our things up to the air-conditioned third floor. This would be our home for the time we stayed in Sadec. There are three floors in the house with the top two floors being bedrooms. The kitchen and a sitting area are on the ground floor. The front of the house opens up to a busy street. Across the street from the house is the Sadec Hospital.
There are two other nearby houses that belong to the family. Anh Sau’s house is behind Ngoc’s house. Three generations live in Anh Sau’s house. His son, son’s wife, and their two daughters share the house with Anh Sau and wife. They live in a two story house with the upstairs having two bedrooms. There is another bedroom on the ground floor behind the kitchen. All six appear to live comfortably in the house, and there are usually a few cousins hanging out there in the daytime.
Huynh Quoc Tien (pronounced ‘teen’, remember the first name is the family name in most Asian countries) and his family lived next door to Ngoc. Tien inherited the house from his father who in turn had inherited from his father. It was the house my wife grew up in. It was there in early 1972 that I sat on the back porch with her father and discussed the possibility of his daughter coming to America to live with me. As I look back on that moment I realize how difficult it must have been for him. Anyway, my wife’s father has passed away. Tien’s father has passed away. Tien, his wife, and daughter live in the house now.
By the time we had put our luggage away it was time to eat lunch. Chicken and French fries awaited us. This was a home cooked meal, not a restaurant meal. That made it all the better.
In the afternoon Tien offered to take me for a motorcycle ride around Sadec. I grabbed my camera and off we went. His young daughter rode in front of him and I sat behind him. Two, three, or four people riding on a motorcycle is not unusual in Vietnam. The adults are required to wear helmets and young people should wear helmets. On this trip Tien’s daughter did not wear one.
We rode across a small bridge and entered the downtown part of Sadec. A quick turn to the right and we entered the food market area. Items are displayed and sold from makeshift stores on the sidewalk The street was crowded with other motorcycles and pedestrians shopping for food. We were in the part of the market where fish is sold. As quickly as possible we navigated through that and entered the vegetable market. We were not interested in buying food. Tien just wanted to show the area to me. I guess he thought I might take a photo or two there. He was right.
There are two other nearby houses that belong to the family. Anh Sau’s house is behind Ngoc’s house. Three generations live in Anh Sau’s house. His son, son’s wife, and their two daughters share the house with Anh Sau and wife. They live in a two story house with the upstairs having two bedrooms. There is another bedroom on the ground floor behind the kitchen. All six appear to live comfortably in the house, and there are usually a few cousins hanging out there in the daytime.
Huynh Quoc Tien (pronounced ‘teen’, remember the first name is the family name in most Asian countries) and his family lived next door to Ngoc. Tien inherited the house from his father who in turn had inherited from his father. It was the house my wife grew up in. It was there in early 1972 that I sat on the back porch with her father and discussed the possibility of his daughter coming to America to live with me. As I look back on that moment I realize how difficult it must have been for him. Anyway, my wife’s father has passed away. Tien’s father has passed away. Tien, his wife, and daughter live in the house now.
By the time we had put our luggage away it was time to eat lunch. Chicken and French fries awaited us. This was a home cooked meal, not a restaurant meal. That made it all the better.
In the afternoon Tien offered to take me for a motorcycle ride around Sadec. I grabbed my camera and off we went. His young daughter rode in front of him and I sat behind him. Two, three, or four people riding on a motorcycle is not unusual in Vietnam. The adults are required to wear helmets and young people should wear helmets. On this trip Tien’s daughter did not wear one.
We rode across a small bridge and entered the downtown part of Sadec. A quick turn to the right and we entered the food market area. Items are displayed and sold from makeshift stores on the sidewalk The street was crowded with other motorcycles and pedestrians shopping for food. We were in the part of the market where fish is sold. As quickly as possible we navigated through that and entered the vegetable market. We were not interested in buying food. Tien just wanted to show the area to me. I guess he thought I might take a photo or two there. He was right.
We left the market area and rode out past a small narrow bridge. The bridge spans a tributary stream that feeds into the Mekong River. The stream is deep enough for boats to carry their cargo to the intended markets. We continued on out of town a short distance to a more scenic area by the Mekong River. There ferries carry vehicles and people across the river.
We continued our Sadec journey to an area where flowers are grown. Sadec is known in Vietnam for its flowers. The time immediately prior to Tet (New Years) the area is extremely busy with flowers being sent to the Saigon markets, as well as to other parts of the country. During Tet most households are decorated with flowers. Tet is behind us and I was wondering how busy the flower growing district would be. It was very busy. I do not know if these flowers are being grown for Tet or for sale during any time of year. Regardless, the flower area is busy and beautiful. This is one of many.
We continued our Sadec journey to an area where flowers are grown. Sadec is known in Vietnam for its flowers. The time immediately prior to Tet (New Years) the area is extremely busy with flowers being sent to the Saigon markets, as well as to other parts of the country. During Tet most households are decorated with flowers. Tet is behind us and I was wondering how busy the flower growing district would be. It was very busy. I do not know if these flowers are being grown for Tet or for sale during any time of year. Regardless, the flower area is busy and beautiful. This is one of many.
Day 11, May 19 – Paying Respect To Those No Longer With Us
The van we rented came by Ngoc’s house to pick us up at 9:00 in the morning. Ten of us piled in to take the trip to two cemeteries. My wife’s parents are buried in the My Loung Catholic Church cemetery. Her parents passed away a few years apart with her father passing away first. The church does not allow a family to reserve a place for spouses to be buried side by side. Thanks to a relative who lived in the area a grave site of pushed up dirt suddenly appeared next to my wife’s father. This essentially reserved the place for my wife’s mother. When she passed away the pushed up dirt grave site disappeared and my wife’s parents were buried side by side. A little chicanery can be helpful sometimes.
The trip to My Loung took a little more than an hour. The road there was parallel to the Mekong River and was only a short distant from it. When we arrived the first thing I noticed was that we would have to dodge water puddles and a huge pile of trash to enter the cemetery. It was totally disgusting. We assembled around her parents grave site and cleaned it up a bit. Then with hats removed a chant spoken in Vietnamese of course was recited. We piled back in the van and left.
The next stop was back in Sadec. During the last couple of years two beloved members of the family have passed away. They are buried a few feet away from each other with only a couple of grave sites in between. Tien’s mother, Coch is buried there. She was an amazing lady, a ‘Martha’ to those familiar with the Bible. In years past when my wife and I would visit she would cook meals for us and wash our clothes. She acted like she could not do enough for us. She did all of this with a smile on her face. Also, she raised three boys mostly on her own as her husband passed away much too soon. She waited too long to visit a doctor and by the time it was diagnosed the cancer was too far advanced. We miss her.
Van’s husband Nho is also buried there. Nho was the dreamer and the doer in the family. He was a hard worker, an optimist, and had an amazing generosity. During his career he worked at a wide range of jobs. At one time he was a restaurant manager. He most often worked as an electrical contractor. He even opened up a disco in Saigon which failed from lack of customers. He had overlooked the three necessary components of location, location, location. When he had a job he offered employment to members of the family. A little over a year ago while doing electrical contract work he suffered a heart attack and passed away a day later. His family misses him. I miss his smile and his friendship.
Tears were shed for both. Then we left.
The trip to My Loung took a little more than an hour. The road there was parallel to the Mekong River and was only a short distant from it. When we arrived the first thing I noticed was that we would have to dodge water puddles and a huge pile of trash to enter the cemetery. It was totally disgusting. We assembled around her parents grave site and cleaned it up a bit. Then with hats removed a chant spoken in Vietnamese of course was recited. We piled back in the van and left.
The next stop was back in Sadec. During the last couple of years two beloved members of the family have passed away. They are buried a few feet away from each other with only a couple of grave sites in between. Tien’s mother, Coch is buried there. She was an amazing lady, a ‘Martha’ to those familiar with the Bible. In years past when my wife and I would visit she would cook meals for us and wash our clothes. She acted like she could not do enough for us. She did all of this with a smile on her face. Also, she raised three boys mostly on her own as her husband passed away much too soon. She waited too long to visit a doctor and by the time it was diagnosed the cancer was too far advanced. We miss her.
Van’s husband Nho is also buried there. Nho was the dreamer and the doer in the family. He was a hard worker, an optimist, and had an amazing generosity. During his career he worked at a wide range of jobs. At one time he was a restaurant manager. He most often worked as an electrical contractor. He even opened up a disco in Saigon which failed from lack of customers. He had overlooked the three necessary components of location, location, location. When he had a job he offered employment to members of the family. A little over a year ago while doing electrical contract work he suffered a heart attack and passed away a day later. His family misses him. I miss his smile and his friendship.
Tears were shed for both. Then we left.
We went back to Ngoc’s house with nothing on the agenda for the rest of the day. We were invited to go out to a house owned by Van’s relatives. The house was only about 5 or 6 miles away. When we got out of the van we were told that some walking would be needed. To get to the house required walking or riding a two wheel vehicle up a trail. It was a walk of about a quarter mile. It was a scenic walk with a river on one side of the trail and a few houses on the other.
The house was only a few years old. It was comfortable with spacious rooms and air conditioning in the bedrooms. There was a large porch which was great for entertaining guests. The cost of building the house, not counting the land which the family already owned, was $30,000.
Van’s relatives were great hosts. Within a few minutes of arriving we were sipping coconut drink and eating a strange and delightful fruit that tasted somewhat like a pear. Then an hour later we had chicken for lunch. Everything that we ate was raised or grown there on the property. Mango, coconut, banana, lychee and other fruit trees whose name I can’t remember were in abundance. He also had vegetable in the garden and a few chickens could be seen walking around.
The house was only a few years old. It was comfortable with spacious rooms and air conditioning in the bedrooms. There was a large porch which was great for entertaining guests. The cost of building the house, not counting the land which the family already owned, was $30,000.
Van’s relatives were great hosts. Within a few minutes of arriving we were sipping coconut drink and eating a strange and delightful fruit that tasted somewhat like a pear. Then an hour later we had chicken for lunch. Everything that we ate was raised or grown there on the property. Mango, coconut, banana, lychee and other fruit trees whose name I can’t remember were in abundance. He also had vegetable in the garden and a few chickens could be seen walking around.
While land access to the house was via a trail the real access for anything bulky was from boats on the river. The river was about 40 feet from the front entrance gate. I noticed several cargo boats going up and down the river while we were there. Also, smaller boats like this one provided transportation for nearby neighbors. I even found an empty boat close to our host’s house. Would any of the classmates care to join me riding in a small river boat? I am sure it is perfectly safe.
After a few hours it was time to go back to Ngoc’s house. We thanked our hosts and headed back.
Yesterday I rode around Sadec and enjoyed the scenery. There was a small amount of time left today to take Kevin, Katie, and me around much the same route. We went by a local Buddhist temple. It was not huge like the one we went to near Da Nang, but it was every bit as beautiful.
Yesterday I rode around Sadec and enjoyed the scenery. There was a small amount of time left today to take Kevin, Katie, and me around much the same route. We went by a local Buddhist temple. It was not huge like the one we went to near Da Nang, but it was every bit as beautiful.
It had been an emotional morning, followed by a relaxing visit to the country. Tomorrow will be more of Sadec.
Day 12, May 20 – Another Casual Day In Sa Đéc
One of the things I wanted to do was be sure that I photographed everyone in the family that I could persuade to stand in front of the camera. I stepped out back, found a building that would provide a suitable background and took a few photos. Anh Sau’s daughter in law posed with her daughter. The last time I saw this girl she was a little kid. She is 15 now and practically grown. Her younger sister, aged 11, poses here with one of her cousins. This girl is a wonderful kid, was very helpful to us, and drives her parents crazy with her temper. I promised to put family photos on Facebook, which I have done.
After lunch we walked back over to the house. Within an hour we were greeted by more family members. Nho’s oldest son, by a previous marriage, came over with his family. Phong is also a success story. When you have hit bottom, then climb back up to having a normal life it’s a success. When he was in college he became addicted to heroin and was involved in the drug business. He was finally arrested and spent several years in prison. While in prison he dried up and is now leading a normal life. He is married to a lovely lady and they have twin sons. The sons are well mannered which means the parents are doing a good job with them. I am proud of Phong and his family. I should also mention that Nho deserves much credit for supporting his son through some tough times.
Later in the morning we decided to take the short walk over to the Sadec market. Most of us did not buy anything. The exception was Kevin who bought some flowers for his wife. With their anniversary coming up that was probably a good idea. For most of us the trip to the market gave us an excuse to get out of the house and led to us eating lunch in a nearby restaurant.
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By mid afternoon the guests had left and the rains arrived. I don’t think it is time for monsoon season, but it can’t be far off. We were treated, if ‘treated’ is the right word, to a monsoon type rain storm. It rained faster than it could drain off which means the streets were filled with water. I grabbed my camera, went to the front of the house, and observed mostly the riders on bicycles and motorcycles. Some were wearing rain apparel, while others just toughed it out. Here are a couple of examples that should bring back some memories to those that encountered Vietnam’s monsoon season...
The rain died down by late afternoon, although that was not obvious at the time. I thought it might continue. Tien approached me about taking me for a ride around on his motorcycle. You should know that I do not speak Vietnamese and Tien does not speak English. Therefore the communication between us was mostly me guessing what he was saying. I thought we were going to ride around Sadec for about 15 minutes. It was late in the day and it was still damp so I left my camera in the house. Actually he had in mind taking me to Vinh Long an hour drive away.
When we arrived in Vinh Long we went through the center of town and stopped at the Vinh Long Riverside Park. The park had clothing stores, restaurants, a stage show, street dancers, and a large flat area for skaters and those simply walking around. It was colorful, well lit, and a fun place to be. This was definitely not the Vinh Long I remember from ’70 and ’71. Of course when there is no war going on it is amazing what can be done. Hats off to the city of Vinh Long.
After eating dinner at a Vinh Long fast restaurant (Jollibee) we headed back to Sadec. We arrived back at 9:00 just in time for a ‘cheers’ event with my beer drinking buddies. The group included Tien, Anh Sau, Ngoc’s husband, Thoi, Kevin, and me. The conversation went something like this, “mumble, mumble, mumble… CHEERS”. Then we toast one another and take a sip. Then repeat, and repeat, and repeat. Not bad. I enjoyed it. So did Kevin and Anh Sau pictured.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to Sadec and go back to Saigon.
When we arrived in Vinh Long we went through the center of town and stopped at the Vinh Long Riverside Park. The park had clothing stores, restaurants, a stage show, street dancers, and a large flat area for skaters and those simply walking around. It was colorful, well lit, and a fun place to be. This was definitely not the Vinh Long I remember from ’70 and ’71. Of course when there is no war going on it is amazing what can be done. Hats off to the city of Vinh Long.
After eating dinner at a Vinh Long fast restaurant (Jollibee) we headed back to Sadec. We arrived back at 9:00 just in time for a ‘cheers’ event with my beer drinking buddies. The group included Tien, Anh Sau, Ngoc’s husband, Thoi, Kevin, and me. The conversation went something like this, “mumble, mumble, mumble… CHEERS”. Then we toast one another and take a sip. Then repeat, and repeat, and repeat. Not bad. I enjoyed it. So did Kevin and Anh Sau pictured.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to Sadec and go back to Saigon.
Day 13, May 21 – Going Back To Saigon
We woke up with little planned for our remaining hours in Sadec. After breakfast I grabbed my camera and walked approximately fifty yards down an alleyway behind the house to the river. Several cargo boats made there way through the water. There was nothing especially noteworthy about that just boats carrying cargo from point A to point B. There were no swift boats and no concern about what the boats might be delivering. Wonderfully boring.
After a few minutes of river observation I headed back to the house. We ate lunch and got our things together for the trip back to Saigon. At 2:00 the van arrived to pick us up. We said goodbye to our hosts and left Sadec. We picked up Van who had spent the night with her relatives and continued toward Saigon. We had a three hour uneventful trip.
When we arrived in Saigon Kevin started making plans for dinner. For some reason he wanted barbecue. You don’t usually associate Vietnam with barbecue, but Kevin found a restaurant on the internet that served American style barbecue. It also had some amazingly good reviews. He arranged for a taxi to pick us up and Kevin, Katie, and I went downtown to the TNT BBQ Restaurant. Kevin and Katie shared a barbecue plate for two and I had a barbecue sandwich. It was just as good as what you would find in a good restaurant here. Now I do not recommend going to Vietnam to get an American meal but if you ever find yourself in Saigon the TNT BBQ Restaurant is highly recommended. Google it.
After a thoroughly filling dinner we went back to Van’s house. Kevin and Katie went upstairs and I stayed downstairs with my wife and Van. At about 9:00 pm Ngoc’s oldest son, Thien and his fiancé arrived. Thien is a tall slender young man. He is very quiet and courteous. His lovely girlfriend Is also well mannered, rarely speaking. They had come over immediately after completing their workday. Thien sells smart phones in a Saigon store. He is at work about 12 hours a day except he gets off at 4:00 on Sundays. She works in a beauty salon from 8:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night every day of the week. She gets off two days a month. That’s it, that’s all they get off. They are planning their wedding for some time around November or December, 2019. My wife and I are invited and we will probably go.
After a short visit they left and it was time for all of us to get some sleep. We will do some shopping tomorrow. The friends and relatives back home are expecting gifts and we can’t let them down.
Day 14, May 22 – Some Last Minute Shopping In Saigon
The day began with Van preparing an eggs and coffee breakfast. She also obtained some fresh French bread from a nearby bakery. People line up to buy fresh bread at this bakery, it’s that good. The French may have left Vietnam but they left behind some good eating. The breakfast got us ready for some last minute shopping.
We did not have anything particular in mind, just that we needed to get something for friends and relatives. Katie especially wanted to do some more shopping. Van suggested that we go to the Crescent Mall. Kevin, Katie, and I took a taxi to the mall. The first thing that we noticed was that it was modern and big. The ground floor had every fragrance known to mankind. After sampling a few fragrances and checking the prices we walked around some more. Most of the stores that you see in American malls were there. Gap, Nike, Sony and many other familiar names were there. And that was the problem. We can shop at these stores in the states. So we ate some pizza at the fourth floor Pizza Hut and left.
We went back to the Saigon Market to look for Vietnamese items. Some small jewelry boxes, refrigerator magnet beer openers, and other trinkets with ‘Vietnam’ on it somewhere were all bought. Katie found a carved wooden elephant for her dad. With shopping complete we returned to the house. Nothing noteworthy occurred the rest of the afternoon.
In the evening we had a bottle of wine with dinner. The wine had been obtained by Nho in anticipation of our next trip to Vietnam. Nho did not drink alcoholic beverages, but he wanted us to have it. He was always thinking of others. We toasted Nho and enjoyed the wine with the meal. It was special.
We did not have anything particular in mind, just that we needed to get something for friends and relatives. Katie especially wanted to do some more shopping. Van suggested that we go to the Crescent Mall. Kevin, Katie, and I took a taxi to the mall. The first thing that we noticed was that it was modern and big. The ground floor had every fragrance known to mankind. After sampling a few fragrances and checking the prices we walked around some more. Most of the stores that you see in American malls were there. Gap, Nike, Sony and many other familiar names were there. And that was the problem. We can shop at these stores in the states. So we ate some pizza at the fourth floor Pizza Hut and left.
We went back to the Saigon Market to look for Vietnamese items. Some small jewelry boxes, refrigerator magnet beer openers, and other trinkets with ‘Vietnam’ on it somewhere were all bought. Katie found a carved wooden elephant for her dad. With shopping complete we returned to the house. Nothing noteworthy occurred the rest of the afternoon.
In the evening we had a bottle of wine with dinner. The wine had been obtained by Nho in anticipation of our next trip to Vietnam. Nho did not drink alcoholic beverages, but he wanted us to have it. He was always thinking of others. We toasted Nho and enjoyed the wine with the meal. It was special.
Day 15, May 23 – Last Day In Vietnam, Pack For The Trip Home
We woke up once again to a breakfast of eggs, French bread, and coffee. This time there was no need for shopping. My wife picked up the dresses that had been made for our daughter. The difficult task of packing began. I could pack in one hour easily but that is not the way it is done. My wife wants certain things to go in a certain way in this suitcase or maybe the other. I stay out of her way and it takes all day.
In the afternoon a few more of my wife’s relatives, a niece and her daughter, came over for a visit. It was good to see them. The daughter, Anh Thu was a teenager the last time we saw her. Now she is grown and has a job in the hair care business. She is doing well and we are proud of her.
In addition to packing there was another more significant issue for Kevin and Katie. It was the third anniversary of their marriage. Kevin lined up a special dining experience. They went to a restaurant named ‘Noir – dining in the dark’. The restaurant is totally dark. You are taken to your table by a totally blind waiter by placing your hands on his shoulder and following him. He knows the room and can take you to your designated table. You can order Asian, or western, or vegetables. Kevin and Katie ordered western. Several courses were brought out. The senses of touch, smell, and taste were used to enjoy the meal, but not sight. It was quite an experience for the two of them. It makes you appreciate how blessed we are. There are a couple of reasons for the existence of that restaurant. Of course it offers a unique experience to their customers, and it also provides jobs to people that might find it difficult to obtain one.
When they arrived back at the house the packing was almost complete. Ngoc’s son and his fiancé came by one more time. He brought some locks to use with the luggage. They stayed a few minutes, then had to leave. It was time for us to get some sleep and exit Vietnam.
When they arrived back at the house the packing was almost complete. Ngoc’s son and his fiancé came by one more time. He brought some locks to use with the luggage. They stayed a few minutes, then had to leave. It was time for us to get some sleep and exit Vietnam.
Day 16, May 24 – Getting On The Big Bird And Flying Home
We woke up at 3:15 to get ready for the short trip to the airport for our flight home. We had a couple of taxis waiting outside to take us, our luggage, and our hosts to the airport. Van, her son, Anh Sau, and his wife went with us to the airport. After a round of hugs and goodbyes we entered the airport. Van had been a super hostess. We got our passports and visas out one more time and went through the security check and boarding process. The first leg of the flight was to Tokyo, then to Denver for the customs check, then to Atlanta and an awaiting van to take us to beautiful Opelika, Alabama.
It was a fantastic vacation. I am glad we took it and I am glad to be back home. I will have one more ‘Return to Vietnam’ diary entry. I will make a few general observations and include some links to my Flickr site for anyone interested in seeing additional photos of the trip. Tomorrow.
It was a fantastic vacation. I am glad we took it and I am glad to be back home. I will have one more ‘Return to Vietnam’ diary entry. I will make a few general observations and include some links to my Flickr site for anyone interested in seeing additional photos of the trip. Tomorrow.
Looking back – Some General Observations
Hospitality and Courtesy
It is common courtesy to remove your shoes when entering someone’s house. We did this throughout the two weeks. When you are a guest at someone’s house it is likely that you will be offered refreshment of some kind. Most often you will be offered coconut juice. Other times you may be offered Coca cola, watermelon, mango or other fruits. When offered – enjoy!
Typical House
In the county where land can be purchased cheaper many houses are built on one floor. It is common for only bedrooms to have air conditioning. Most rooms have high ceilings with fans used to provide comfort. It is common to see houses with front rooms that can open to the outside. In the city it is much the same except two and three floor houses are more common. Houses are built very close to others. Upper floors are usually bedrooms while the ground floor is often a big open room with kitchen, dining, and a sitting area all combined. Many houses have spiral stairways connecting all floors. This can be difficult for those not accustomed to walking up and down in tight quarters.
Tourism
Tourism is being promoted in Vietnam. There are many beaches, improved transportation, and a desire by cities such as Da Nang to bring in the tourists. Hoi An and Hue appeared to have many tourists. Certain places in Saigon are known to attract back packers. Perhaps the success of nearby Thailand has influenced the Vietnamese. I look for it to become more prevalent in the future.
Now as a cautionary note I would say to anyone interested in going there you should leave expensive jewelry at home. There are some jewelry snatchers on motorcycle in Saigon. Most places are safe, but common safeguards are always wise.
Roads and Bridges
Full disclosure statement – my college degree is Civil Engineering, and my military experience in Vietnam was road upgrade and bridge construction. I say this so you will understand I probably look at roads and bridges differently than most. Now having said that I was impressed with the improvements that have been made in the roadways. The roads out of Saigon going to Sadec and Vinh Long were almost interstate quality for much of the way. The roads coming out of Da Nang were excellent four lane roads. There was a new huge bridge spanning the Mekong River that was near completion near My Loung. All of this improves living conditions for the citizens and fits in well with tourism as noted above.
Traffic
This is a fun subject. If you served in Vietnam you are aware that traffic especially in large cities was pure chaos. Improvements have been made in this area --- somewhat. Cities have traffic lights and I did see police writing out a few traffic violation tickets. Drivers stop their vehicles at traffic lights. Once the light turns green the larger vehicles bully their way through the intersections. Cars and vans fill in around the trucks and buses with motorcycles avoiding contact with the larger vehicles and going through as openings occur.
When we were driving out of Hue we were on a two lane road with half lane shoulders on both sides. The shoulders were routinely used by motorcycles. We met a large truck passing another large truck. The passing truck was in our lane of course and going only slightly faster than the truck it was passing. Our driver moved the van over to the shoulder and avoided disaster. He had a few choice words to say, all in Vietnamese with no interpretation needed.
I guess I would characterize the system as controlled chaos but it seems to work.
Internet and Smart Phone Use
I saw absolutely no difference in internet and smart phone use in Vietnam compared to the United States. Taxi drivers use GPS to drive you from points A to B. They have an Uber type service that will pick you up if you enter your address on their site. Kids there as here spend too much time on their smart phones. Like I said – no difference.
It is common courtesy to remove your shoes when entering someone’s house. We did this throughout the two weeks. When you are a guest at someone’s house it is likely that you will be offered refreshment of some kind. Most often you will be offered coconut juice. Other times you may be offered Coca cola, watermelon, mango or other fruits. When offered – enjoy!
Typical House
In the county where land can be purchased cheaper many houses are built on one floor. It is common for only bedrooms to have air conditioning. Most rooms have high ceilings with fans used to provide comfort. It is common to see houses with front rooms that can open to the outside. In the city it is much the same except two and three floor houses are more common. Houses are built very close to others. Upper floors are usually bedrooms while the ground floor is often a big open room with kitchen, dining, and a sitting area all combined. Many houses have spiral stairways connecting all floors. This can be difficult for those not accustomed to walking up and down in tight quarters.
Tourism
Tourism is being promoted in Vietnam. There are many beaches, improved transportation, and a desire by cities such as Da Nang to bring in the tourists. Hoi An and Hue appeared to have many tourists. Certain places in Saigon are known to attract back packers. Perhaps the success of nearby Thailand has influenced the Vietnamese. I look for it to become more prevalent in the future.
Now as a cautionary note I would say to anyone interested in going there you should leave expensive jewelry at home. There are some jewelry snatchers on motorcycle in Saigon. Most places are safe, but common safeguards are always wise.
Roads and Bridges
Full disclosure statement – my college degree is Civil Engineering, and my military experience in Vietnam was road upgrade and bridge construction. I say this so you will understand I probably look at roads and bridges differently than most. Now having said that I was impressed with the improvements that have been made in the roadways. The roads out of Saigon going to Sadec and Vinh Long were almost interstate quality for much of the way. The roads coming out of Da Nang were excellent four lane roads. There was a new huge bridge spanning the Mekong River that was near completion near My Loung. All of this improves living conditions for the citizens and fits in well with tourism as noted above.
Traffic
This is a fun subject. If you served in Vietnam you are aware that traffic especially in large cities was pure chaos. Improvements have been made in this area --- somewhat. Cities have traffic lights and I did see police writing out a few traffic violation tickets. Drivers stop their vehicles at traffic lights. Once the light turns green the larger vehicles bully their way through the intersections. Cars and vans fill in around the trucks and buses with motorcycles avoiding contact with the larger vehicles and going through as openings occur.
When we were driving out of Hue we were on a two lane road with half lane shoulders on both sides. The shoulders were routinely used by motorcycles. We met a large truck passing another large truck. The passing truck was in our lane of course and going only slightly faster than the truck it was passing. Our driver moved the van over to the shoulder and avoided disaster. He had a few choice words to say, all in Vietnamese with no interpretation needed.
I guess I would characterize the system as controlled chaos but it seems to work.
Internet and Smart Phone Use
I saw absolutely no difference in internet and smart phone use in Vietnam compared to the United States. Taxi drivers use GPS to drive you from points A to B. They have an Uber type service that will pick you up if you enter your address on their site. Kids there as here spend too much time on their smart phones. Like I said – no difference.
More Photos
I have put most of the photos used with this diary as well as others on my Flickr site. All classmates are cordially invited to peruse the site. The photos will be larger and better quality than we have on the email and website.
It is time for me to sign off by saying I hope to see YOU at the 50th reunion. “Fifty years and a wakeup”
Glenn
It is time for me to sign off by saying I hope to see YOU at the 50th reunion. “Fifty years and a wakeup”
Glenn
Click on the links, below, to see the photos.
More In-Laws (people photos) Da Nang and Ba Na Hills Hoi An and Hue Scenes from Saigon to Sa Đéc All albums including 22-Hotel’s 45th anniversary |