Vietnam Trip 2010-11

First Steps in Asia - Trip to Vietnam

I journeyed to Vietnam for two weeks during the beginning of 2011.   The "socialist" Southeast Asian nation of 90 million people is bustling with activity.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is hot, humid, and a maze of streets crowded with legions of mopeds.  Cross the street at your own risk.  Traffic flows unabated.  You must be somewhat agile to navigate the busy roads, narrow alleys, and persistent street vendors.  The bright side is that Saigon is full of energy.  The tourist district is abundant with restaurants, bars, shops, and places to stay.
Highlights included:

• The War Remnants Museum (impressive US military planes and vehicles plus stunning war images),
• Reunification Palace (historic Vietnam War building),
• Ben Thanh Market (stuffed with local produce and a plethora of inexpensive, knock-off designer goods),
• and nightlife (Go2 Bar, etc).

Vietnam Mopeds

Ben Thahn Market Fruit

Reunification Palace in Saigon

Mind-blowing day trips from Saigon include the Mekong Delta and the VietCong tunnels.  The Mekong Delta trip takes one to another world where life revolves around the rivers.  The tour transports one through floating markets, makeshift abodes straddling the water, rice paper and coconut candy factories, and meandering tributaries.

The narrow VietCong tunnels of Cu Chi are astonishing.   The VietCong used creative guerrilla warfare to outfox the Americans in the Vietnam War.  Crawling through the narrow tunnels (even the larger ones tailored to Western tourists) induced claustrophobia and was a bit harrowing.

Mekong Delta River Woman

Mekong Delta Floating Market

Viet Cong Cu Cui Tunnels 

Nha Trang is a coastal city in South Central Vietnam with 350,000 people.  Nha Trang offers nice beaches, an accommodating tourist district (savory Pho noodles and tasty fruit juices), the Po Nagar Towers built in the 7th to 12th centuries, and lively nightlife, especially during New Years (Sailing Club).

Po Nagar Towers in Nha Trang

Nha Trang Beach

Nha Trang New Years

Other travelers gave positive reports about cities in the north such as the capital, Ha Noi.

Vietnam seems to be focused on catching up with the world rather than dwelling in the war of the past.  Capitalism is ubiquitous and the youth is eager to join the high-tech revolution, iPhones in tow.  One does not feel threatened even though poverty stares you in the face .  My guess is that the peaceful Buddhist culture encourages respect and safety.  People remain calm and quiet amid the chaos and traffic.

Traveling to Vietnam is a rustic adventure.  There are congested cities and sprawling jungles.  However, friendly locals will put a smile on your face and help you find your way in this wild land of mopeds and Pho noodles.


-BAM