TravelStream™ news feed for member eric on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/eric en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:28:14 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188999180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188999180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188999180/tpod.html Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:28:14 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Saigon, Vietnam

Hello,New Vietnam.  Quickly becoming westernized.  And modernized.  Wanting to catch up with the developing world.  Best found in Saigon.Saigon is the fastest changing city in Vietnam.  It has seen foreigners in large numbers for over three generations, going back to the 1950's.  Hanoi, by contrast, has only recently become familiar with outside visitors.There is a strong feeling of optimism in Saigon.  There are many opportunities for jobs, education and marriage.  Many children today do not believe the stories of hardship told by their parents and grandparents.  The sufferings the country endured as recently as 1986 are simply not compatible with what the youth see today.  In 2007, Vietnam was recently upgraded from 'underdeveloped' to 'developing' status.  The previous terms of 3rd, 2nd and 1st world are becoming politically incorrect.The government quotes the population of Saigon at 8 million people.  But most people think the figure is higher.  Many young Vietnamese from the rural areas are moving to Saigon to make a better living.  And the ability to make choices independently of their families.  Some local guides I work with estimate Saigon at up to 10 million people. Saigon was originally a small dot on the periphery of the Khmer Empire.  300 years ago, Chinese merchants started setting up shop here.  Today, the Chinatown here, Cholon, is the largest in the world outside of China.  Several countries have occupied Vietnam over the last 2 millennium.  The Vietnamese philosophy was to incorporate the aspects of that culture which they liked and discard the rest. China occupied northern Vietnam for about 1,000 years, from the 1st-11th centuries.  TheVietnamese language is very similar to Chinese, notably with the different tones.  Confucianism was the dominant religion/philosophy for many centuries.  Traditional Vietnamese dress, with an emphasis on long silk robes, draws heavily from China.  And the cuisine in Hanoi, known for heavy sauces, compares similarly to that of Shanghai.France had a strong presence here for about 100 years, from 1868 to 1954.  Their civic planning is particularly noticeable in Saigon.  The wide boulevards and numerous roundabouts help the congestive traffic move smoothly.  French colonial architecture is visible throughout the country.  In Saigon, Notre Dame Cathedral is modeled after the original in Paris.  My favorite French influence?  The cuisine!  King Sihanouk of neighboring Cambodia put it succinctly, "I am an anti-colonialist, but if one must be colonized it is better to be colonized by gourmets."  The Vietnamese learned how to bake light baguettes and croissants!  Even the desserts are tasty too.Most recently, the US.  Perhaps the best aspect of American culture remaining is free enterprise.  Everybody here realizes that if the south had won the war, the country would have been better off economically.  As it is, though, change just started a little later.  Today, many Vietnamese dream of moving to the US.  When people here find out where I'm from, they overwhelmingly give the same response, "Oh, America #1" with a thumbs up!Kind of surprising, but true.  Of all the foreigners that visit Vietnam today, Americans seem to be among the best-received.  One reason, the Vietnamese put the past behind them.  A second, I believe, is their perception of economic and vocational opportunities available.Hip.  Dynamic.  Happening.  That's Saigon today.  And one reason you'll find the biggest expat community in Vietnam here.Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188715440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188715440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1188715440/tpod.html Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:24:45 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Ha Noi, Ha Nội, Vietnam

Hello,Perspective is a funny thing.  And one of my biggest lessons since coming to Vietnam.As an American, I thought April 30, 1975 was the official ending of the Vietnam war.  The day before, the last American helicopter made its (in)famous airlift from the embassy in Saigon.  On the 30th, two North Vietnamese tanks rolled through the gates of the Presidential Palace.  Both are famous images from the war.  Then president of South Vietnam, Duong Van Minh, went on radio to make the concession public.Exactly 30 years later, on April 30, 2005, I was backpacking in Hanoi.  It was good timing - I stumbled on a huge celebration.  Many public services and private companies were closed for 4 days.  Numerous red banners were hung across the streets.  The area around Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of the city, resembled a carnival fairgrounds.  Temporary booths were lined up around the lake.  They had food, games, service organizations and more.  A few stages were set up for music and dance performances.  Above the lake floated several colorful helium balloons.  At night, fireworks burst in the sky.  Just like the 4th of July back home.Two years later I'm back in Hanoi leading tours.  On September 2, 2007, a Vietnamese friend invited me over for an independence party.  I'm thoroughly confused.  How can a country celebrate its independence twice?So, now the Vietnamese perspective:  On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared independence.  France ended its colonial rule when it withdrew at the beginning of WWII.  Japan surrendered at the end of WWII.  So now Vietnam was independent, with no foreign control.  Yes, France did return.  But the conflict from1945-54 was considered the First Indochina War.  The conflict with the Americans termed the Second Indochina War.  In the end, Vietnam was still standing.  So its independence officially started September 2, 1945.So I asked my friend about April 30th?  Why is that date celebrated?  April 30, 1975 was Reunification.  The two conflicts between 1954 and 1975 were considered a civil war. A civil war?  I had a hard time wrapping my head around that.  Even more interesting are thedescriptions of the photos in the historical museums here.  North Vietnamese are frequently referred to as 'patriots' or 'liberators'.  The terms for the South Vietnamese are not so favorable.  Political leaders are called 'puppets' while soldiers are 'traitors'. Many of my passengers comment about the propaganda in the museums here.  It took me a long time to understand the terminology used.  As an American, it didn't make much sense.  But to my friend in Hanoi, it makes perfect sense.  Which is true?  It all depends on your perspective.  Perhaps both are.The evening of September 2, I walked around Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake again.  I found a big crowd gathered in the middle of a 5-way intersection.  Several gymnasts from a local school were on stage helping celebrate Vietnam's 62nd birthday. Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1218712620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1218712620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1218712620/tpod.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:06:42 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Hanoi, Vietnam

Hello,One of my favorite reasons for living and working in Asia:  the cuisine!!!  How much do I love thee?  Let me count thy ways:Delicious.  Because of the tropical climate, many more fragrant herbs and spices are available.  A quick look at the menus here show numerous variations of a given dish.  Even my  Vietnamese friend who runs a restaurant in America told me she can't cook as good as the food here.  The simple reason - availability.Healthy.  Very few chemicals like pesticides, hormones or preservatives are used.  The Vietnamese government has resisted farming technology in order to keep employment high.  So farmers can't treat their crops commercially, even if they wanted to.  And livestock run wild,  what we would call free-range, as opposed to being harvested in cages.  Agriculture is labor-intensive by design.Abundant.  Every street has cafes spilling out onto the sidewalk.  Whenever I'm hungry, I can just sit down and order.  Within minutes my meal is served.  The local markets are always stocked with rice, produce, fruit, meat, fish, spices and more.  Every morning, locals go to the market to buy fresh.Affordable.  I can eat meals in local restaurants for $1-2.  Even by local standards, the food is cheap.  When I did a homestay with a Vietnamese family of 7, their kitchen only had a  mini-fridge.  I looked inside - just a pitcher of water.  After every meal, the excess is just tossed out.I love eating street food here.  Many people ask me if it's safe.  The level of hygiene is definitely different than what westerners are used to.  But I've had fairly good luck so far.  As long as it looks clean and I see locals eating there, I'm willing to give it a look.The selection is amazing.  Most westerners have heard of pho, soup with flat rice noodles and thin slices of meat.  But when I simply as for 'sup' instead of 'pho,' I always get something different.  There are so many variations based on the type of rice noodle, the meat used and how its cut.  One is 'chao,' a rice porridge with a little minced meat and herbs.  Sounds pretty bland, but it's really quite good.One of their favorite dishes here is banh xeo.  It looks like an omelette but is made from a batter of rice flour, saffron or tumeric, water and salt.  Inside are minced shrimp and pork, bean sprouts and mushrooms.  It is cut into pieces like a pizza, then wrapped inside a leaf of lettuce along with basil and mint.  The resulting spring roll can be dipped into either peanut sauce or fish sauce.Sauteed dishes are also popular.  I think it's part of the French influence.  What the Vietnamese are adept at is mixing the spices.  For example, stir-fried chicken dish with lemongrass and chili.  The flavors they like are a balance of yin and yang foods.  In western culture, we would call it acidity and alkaline.  Another example, steamed rice garnished with slices of tomato and cucumber.People like to ask me what's the most exotic thing I've eaten here.  Pig's blood.  When I was invited by some locals to join them for lunch.  It's mixed with salt, sugar, herbs and a little minced, grilled pork.  It dries like jello.  Similar to Black Pudding in England.  How was it?  It's an acquired taste.  I'm glad I tried it, but don't want to do it again.  Dining in Vietnam is very social.  Families love to eat together.  And sometimes include  guests.  For me, one of the highlights of living here is getting invited by Vietnamese friends to their homes for meals.Usually, a bamboo mat is spread across the floor and the food set in the center.  Everybody sits on the periphery with their own set of bowl, glass and chopsticks.  Steamed rice and a thin  soup are staples.  Those are usually accompanied with plates of meat, fish and vegetables.  And lastly, small dipping bowls for flavor.  One of the most popular is fish sauce with minced chili and garlic.  Vietnamese boast that their fish sauce is the best in the world.  Other choices:  chili sauce, dark soy sauce, white soy sauce, plum sauce and vinegar. Vietnam has a few differences from western culture.  Rice is eaten last.  They consider it a filler instead of a complimentary dish.  Dessert is sliced fruit, like watermelon or oranges.  And green tea is served at the end.  And the males usually sit together, at the end furthest from the kitchen.  Gender equality is still lagging.What I like best - each dish is already cut into small pieces.  So everybody just selects what they like.  As long as you can coordinate the chopsticks from dish to bowl.  The incentive for tasty food has helped me learn fast.  My local friends are initially surprised at my proficiency...until they see my appetite.Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187097840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187097840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187097840/tpod.html Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:12:39 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Hoi An, Vietnam

Hello,Welcome to one of my favorite towns in all of Asia.  In spite of its small size, about 60,000  people, I have more friends here than anywhere else in Asia.Hoi An started about 300 years ago.  It was an important trading link between East and West.  It is located in central Vietnam, about halfway down the coast from Hanoi to Saigon.  First, Chinese merchants started setting up stops.  Then Japanese, Portugese, Dutch and more followed.  Each ethnic group developed its own little community within the town.Hoi An was built on the Thu Bon River, just 5 kilometers inland from the mouth of the EasternSea.  Most people know it as the South China Sea.  But Vietnam wants to be recognized separately from China.  Either way, the location provided safety from the typhoons that hit the coast every fall.Another natural 'disaster' happened instead.  The river silted up and changed direction.  There was no more access for boats from the Eastern Sea.  So Hoi An became a ghost town.One of my Vietnamese friends in America was born in Hoi An, but grew up in a big town 30 kilometers away.  I couldn't understand why she would possibly move away.  Now I do - "no way to make a living."Then, yet another interesting development.  The war.  Rough estimates are that one third of thecountry was bombed.  Towards the end of the war, even sites that had little or no military value were damaged.  Hoi An would likely have been a target, except that it was vacant.  So the Thu Bon River's change of direction actually helped save the town.When the country gained peace and stability, the government changed the river back to its original course.  People returned and trade resumed.  It is now one of the favorite spots for tourists.  I met a group from another tour company who had a three week holiday - all in Hoi An.Today, Hoi is best known for shopping.  Specifically hand-tailored clothes.  They are better to buy here than anywhere else in the country.  The prices are low because the central region of Vietnam is less economically developed.  And the time turnaround is fast - usually the next day.  Workers in the rural areas don't have as much to occupy themselves as their counterparts in the big cities.  So, in Hoi An tailors and seamstresses are happy to start work in the evening and continue until the garments are finished.But Hoi An appeals to even the non-shoppers.  I like to call Hoi An an outdoor museum.  It isone of the best places to wander in the whole country.  Architecturally, it is diverse and well-preserved.  Some of the most popular postcard scenes depict Hoi An: Chinese assembly halls, a Japanese covered bridge and traditional Vietnamese homes.  Vietnamese architecture uses dark wood and frequently incorporates 3 horizontal beams and 5 vertical beams.  5 for  each of the elements (metal, wood, earth, water & fire) and 3 for life (heaven, human & earth).Hoi An also has one of the best local markets in Vietnam.  I like to take my groups there when it's the busiest - 6AM in the morning.  That's when locals come to buy their food for the day.  Getting up that early isn't what most tourists want on their holiday.  But most of those that domake the effort end up raving about it afterwards.  Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187337120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187337120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1187337120/tpod.html Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:31:25 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Hoi An, Vietnam

Hello again,One of the reasons I like Hoi An so much is its traditional lifestyle.  The whole central region of Vietnam is less-developed than Saigon in the south and Hanoi in the north.  Culturally, it has been slow to westernize. Hoi An is possibly the most charming spot in the country.  At least UNESCO thinks so.  The entire old town has been protected as a heritage site.  But Hoi An also makes a great springboard into the countryside.  Within a short 5 kilometer radius, I found an abundance of traditional Vietnamese culture. 75% of Vietnam's population live in rural areas.  A majority of those make their livelihood by either farming or fishing.  Agriculture accounts for 5 of the top 7 sources of revenue for the country's GNP.A year ago, my company changed their itineraries by adding a half day of light farming outside Hoi An.  I found it really educational.  For example, Vietnamese fertilize their crops naturally instead of using chemicals.  After tilling the soil, they lay down wet seaweed from the river or burnt rice husks from the previous crop.  For me, one of the reasons why the food here is so delicious, healthy and affordable. The farming day was such a big hit, my company recently added a half day of light fishing.  Passengers can now paddle small coracle boats on the Thu Bon River and through its  tributaries filled with thick coconut groves.  They also learn how to cast fishing nets and retrieve their catch.  Larger fishing nets are lowered into and raised from the river by use of a foot-powered winch and pulleys.  It's a fun experience that many say they wouldn't have been able to find on their own.One of my favorite trips through Hoi An was a cycling tour.  We spent two mornings riding  bicycles along the smaller paths in the countryside.  Areas which buses couldn't access.  What did we find?- A drum workshop which uses buffalo skin- A bamboo workshop which makes place mats and floor mats- A cotton gin- A village ceremony to bless the upcoming crops- A pottery workshop where the clay is molded using foot power.  Finished pieces are fired in a small brick kiln.During one of my holidays here, a friend invited me to visit her island.  After taking a local ferry across the Thu Bon River, she gave me a tour of the neighborhood.  What did I see?- An at-home noodle factory.  Rice is ground and mixed with water and salt.  The gelatinousflour is hand-cut into noodles and sold by the kilo to locals.  Also, when more water is added, the batter makes rice paper.  Pour onto a steaming cloth, wait for 30 seconds, then set in the sun for 3 hours to dry.- A pig farm.  The animal waste is converted to methane for energy.- A fishing boat workshop.  Entirely hand-made from wood and metal, without any electricity or modern tools.- Narrow bamboo bridges strong enough to carry foot traffic and motorcycles across wide rivers.Perhaps my favorite of all:  children riding their bikes to/from school in their uniforms.  Collectively, these comprise an image of Vietnam which I think better reflect their traditional culture.  In Hoi An, it's just a short trek outside of the old town.  One of the reasons I like to explore on my own and encourage my passengers to do the same.Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1186055160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1186055160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1186055160/tpod.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:57:31 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Pak Beng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep

Sah bai dee,Greetings from Laos.  The only land-locked country in SE Asia.The height of the Lao kingdom was between the 15th and 17th centuries.  The same time the Thais were establishing themselves southwest.  Of all the countries in the region, Laos and Thailand are the most similar.  Their languages compare similarly to Spanish-Italian.  Some travelers to Bangkok may have seen the famed Emerald Buddha.  It's a two-foot statue, cloaked in gold, found inside Wat Phra Kaew of the Royal Palace.  300 years ago, the Emerald Buddha was housed in Vientiane, the modern capital of Laos.Northern Laos is very mountainous.  With an average altitude of 700 meters above sea level, it has one of the more pleasing climates in the region.  It is mineral-rich with deposits of gold, zinc, iron, coal and more.  Laos' largest natural resource is hydro-electric power from the Mekong River.  It sells electricity to its more populous neighbors Thailand and Vietnam.The Mighty Mekong originates up in Tibet.  It starts as just a little creek.  By the time it reaches Laos, it has a strong current and measures up to 300 meters across.  The Mekong eventually travels 4,500 meters through 7 countries when it reaches the Vietnam delta.The main tourist destination in northern Laos is Luang Prabang.  It is a charming city most  easily accessed by plane.  Another route is by boat down the Mekong River.  For those who have the time, it is a relaxing trip.  And a great introduction to two features of Lao culture - peaceful and slow.  Ideal for those who want a break from the fast pace of western culture.Welcome to 'Lao Time.'  Where restaurants take an hour to serve meals.  And things happen whenever they happen.  Sometimes my passengers comment, "I wish I had come here before it became discovered."  My response - "go to Laos."Pak Beng is one of several tiny villages in northern Laos.  It is located on the Mekong River, midway between the border of Thailand and Luang Prabang.  An ideal stop for tourists goingboth directions.Most of Pak Beng's commerce today is the collection of hotels and restaurants catering to the overnight boat travelers.  So some of its cultural beauty is disappearing.  However, it does provide a springboard to more remote villages.  The Laos People's Democratic Republic recognizes over 160 different ethnic groups.  On my last tour through Pak Beng, our boat randomly stopped at a couple of villages.  All my passengers loved it.  It's the kind of experience you can't list in an itinerary.  I have personally visited about 20 countries.  Of those, the people in Laos are probably the most kind.  Eric
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Halong Bay, Vietnam

Hello,Magical.  Mystical.  Enchanting.  So many superlatives to describe this site.  And all true.Ha Long Bay is located about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi.  It makes a wonderful day trip and even better overnight for those that have the time.  Many passengers call it the highlight of their tour to Vietnam. There are two reasons Ha Long Bay is important.  Its stunning natural beauty and strategic  location.Ha Long Bay's natural beauty is unmatched in the country.  The bay actually is a collection of over 3,000 islands spread over 1,500 square kilometers.  They are made of limestone and formed tectonically, by movement of the earth's plates.  Because of the limestone, the sea isunusually salty.  Every swimmer notices that when they first jump in. Except for that, it is very safe.  No predators like sharks or whales.  The sea bed is very shallow.  Throughout the entire bay, the depth only ranges from 8-15 meters.  At low tide, careless boats run onto sandbars.Ha Long Bay was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.  It was also a finalist in the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, named in 2007.  Movie buffs may remember the 1992 film, Indochine, starring Catherine Deneuve.  It was shot in Vietnam with three scenes set in Ha Long Bay.  Indochine won several 'best foreign film' awards including an Oscar, Golden Globe and NBR.  The story itself is tragic.  But the costumes and scenery are spectacular.My company's tours used to take a day trip to Ha Long Bay.  But the feedback from many passengers was that a 4 hour cruise was just not enough.  So, now many of our itineraries include an overnight stay on a junk.  24 hours is a much better way to take it all in.  With extra time, you can hike inside large caves, to the top of some of the mountains and visit floating fishing villages.The second reason Ha Long Bay is important is its strategic location.  Haiphong city is the third largest city in Vietnam with 1.6 million people.  It is the largest port in the country.  Because of its close proximity to Hong Kong, Haiphong is a primary location for trade and tourism.During the war, Haiphong was one of the more heavily bombed areas.  Along with the road  connecting it to Hanoi.  One of the American strategies was to disrupt the supply linesfrom Russia.Further back in time, Ha Long Bay was a point of foreign invasion.  When Vietnam declared independence from China in 1010, the Mongolians invaded three times.  Each attack came at Ha Long Bay.  But every one was repelled.Have I ever mentioned the Vietnamese ingenuity?  During one attack, they hid inside the largecaves.  When the Mongolians landed, the Vietnamese flanked them.  Another time, they planted large wooden poles into the floor bed.  When the Mongolian boats encountered low tide, they were left immobile and vulnerable.Today, Ha Long bay is much safer.  The government authorized communities of floating villages.  They are nearly self-sufficient, with floating schools, police stations and more.  Theprimary reason is help ease the congestion on the mainland.  Now there is a new generation of Vietnamese that only know life on water.  And can enjoy it 24 hours a day.Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1193896080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1193896080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1193896080/tpod.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:47:21 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Vinh, Vietnam

Here's one of my favorite jokes in Vietnam.When I meet locals, they are usually surprised a foreigner can speak their language.  The country was isolated from the rest of the world for several years.  Up until 1992, it was illegal for Vietnamese to even talk to westerners.  So now they are quite eager to connect.  Some of the first questions they ask: "where did you learn Vietnamese?" and "where are you from?"It's fun to see their responses.  So I often let my new friends take control of the conversation.   When they ask my name, I answer, "Nguyen Sinh Cung."  Inevitably they stop.  After a confusing pause, they ask again.  This time I get a definite reaction.  Most of the time, they recoil.  Then smile when they realize I'm trying to pull a fast one.  Occasionally, though, they get steamed.  Nguyen Sinh Cung is the one name you'll never find in Vietnam today.  It is the birth name given to a man more commonly known as Ho Chi Minh.I have had some big surprises traveling through Vietnam.  One of them is how wrong my initial perceptions of Ho Chi Minh were.First, HCM was just the leader of North Vietnam.  Then I visited HCM's mausoleum.  My expectations weren't that high.  What did impress me was the Vietnamese around me - how much awe and respect they had for the experience.  Afterwards, I went to the HCM museum.  In every group photo, all the attention points toward Ho Chi Minh.  It's similar to photos of JFK and Muhammad Ali.So I starting asking Vietnamese what they think of Ho Chi Minh.  I always get the same  response: "Ho Chi Minh number 1!"  Accompanied with a big thumbs up.  Every local I've ever asked can tell me how many times they've made a pilgrimage to HCM's mausoleum.  What year it was, how old they were and so on. In North Vietnam, yes, this makes sense.  But how about South Vietnam, which lost the war?  Same same.  Many South Vietnamese lost family members and their old lifestyle.  There is still some resentment that the North imposed their culture on them.  But, in spite of it all, evenSouth Vietnamese give HCM the thumbs up!  They may disagree with his methods.  But he still gave the country its independence.My second misperception:  Ho Chi Minh was a communist.  That was the official reason America entered the war.  To stop the spread of communism.A brief background.  HCM was born in 1890 in Vinh, located in central Vietnam.  There he saw how Vietnamese were exploited by the French under the Nguyen dynasty.  He traveled to many countries including France, America, Russia and China.  Repeatedly, he saw how minorities were oppressed.  This was one of his driving forces in returning to Vietnam and creating an independent country.In 1945, HCM declared independence.  This was after the French had left and Japan lost WWII. What few people know is that HCM actually called on the US for recognition and aid.  It was only after he was rebuffed that he approached Russia.  Inside the HCM museum, there is a pre-1954 photo of him in the jungle with American OSS (later CIA) agents.  My interpretation: first and foremost Ho Chi Minh was a nationalist.  Communism was his best available vehicle for an independent country.One of the reasons why Ho Chi Minh is so widely respected is that he lived a humble life.   When he became president of North Vietnam, the party gave him the Presidential Palace to live in.  It was a glorious colonial building that housed the former French Governor Generals.  But heturned it down.  Instead, he stayed in a simple house.  He couldn't justify living so extravagantly when so many of his countrymen were poor and starving.  By contrast, the leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, lived a luxurious lifestyle.  His palace featured a casino, discotheque and private movie theater among other things.Today, Ho Chi Minh is affectionately called Bac Ho.  Translated: uncle to every Vietnamese.  His birth home of Vinh doesn't get many foreign tourists.  But is an important visit for domestic travelers.Eric
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Da Nang, Vietnam

Hello,The coastline of Vietnam extends over 3,000 kilometers in length.  Many people consider the most beautiful strip to be the 100 kilometers along Da Nang in central Vietnam.  Most tour companies include this drive in their itineraries.  Even the speed tours that like to fly through the country will take the time to drive this distance.Some of you may remember Da Nang from the war.  It was where American soldiers first landed in 1965.  It is also home of the fabled China Beach, where GIs took leave.  The funny thing is, nobody today knows exactly where it was.  The beach in Da Nang covers about 15 kilometers.  When the Americans packed up, they took all their maps.  The Vietnamese had no interest in that area.  Even returning servicemen can't tell.  I've asked several but they all say the same thing.  None of the sites they return to 40+ years later look familiar.  The mystery continues.  But several vendors claim to have found it.Da Nang provided a logical spot to deploy troops.  It was located about a day's drive south of the DeMilitarized Zone.  The three mountain passes between them provided natural protection.  The deep water port offered easy access for boats.  So the Americans built an airstrip, which isstill used today for international flights.Another reason to visit Da Nang is sculpture.  It is home to the best collection of Cham sculpture in the world.  The Cham civilization occupied central Vietnam from the 1st to the 17th centuries.  It was heavily influenced by India.  The sandstone carvings reflect the numerous Hindu gods which were paid homage.  The Cham culture was very similar to the Angkor Empire in Cambodia.  Both reached their apex between the 9-13th centuries and feuded together.More modern sculpture can also be found in Da Nang.  Marble Mountain is a collection of 5  mountains comprised of, surprise, marble.  Each is named after a different element: wood, metal, earth, fire and water.  Those elements are important to Buddhism.  In every shrine, you'll find a representative of each.  For example, burning incense for fire.  Quarried marble is carved and polished into beautiful statues.  Artists today sell a wide selection of traditional (buddhas) and modern (jumping dolphins) pieces.Eric
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1230539820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1230539820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eric/asia_2007-08/1230539820/tpod.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:38:02 -0400 My (non-commercial) travels as a tour leader through SE Asia.

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Saigon, Vietnam

Hello again,They say a picture's worth a 1,000 words.  An understatement, I think.  How can words capture the energy behind sheer joy and excitement?Vietnam is one of the rising tigers in SE Asia.  Some of the familiar countries include Japan, China, Korea and Thailand.  Passengers from Australia are calling Vietnam the 'new Bali' as far as a holiday destination.  Tourism is the #4 source of revenue for the country's GNP and growing fast.Economically, the country is prospering.  Many businesspeople are calling Vietnam the next China.  Every year since 2000, the country's GNP has grown over 7%.  And there's a strong optimism it will continue.  The infrastructure is still developing, which will improve transportationand trade.  Also, there's a huge work force of 86 million people.  With a low cost of labor, foreign corporations are looking to invest.  Textiles and electronics are huge.When Vietnam gained independence in 1975, its troubles weren't over.  There were still internal problems, as well as conflicts with China and Cambodia.  In 1986, the country was broke and heavily dependent on Russia for aid.  In 1992, Vietnam enacted some economic reforms called 'Doi Moi.'  Since then, the country has started to grow.Now, sports.  Vietnam has been knocking on the door of the big SE Asian tigers.  At the 2008summer Olympics, 13 athletes qualified for 8 competitions.  They brought home a medal (silver), its first since 1952.  They excelled at weightlifting, martial arts and gymnastics.  Vietnam is still competing for a spot in the 2010 World Cup. The FAA Cup is a prestigious, regional soccer tournament including 10 nations.  In thequalifying round, Vietnam easily beat lower-rated teams like Laos.  In the knockout stage, it surprised many by beating a stronger Singapore team to advance to the final against Thailand.Vietnam started the tournament with a loss to Thailand, 2-0.  For the final, they played two games, one in each country.  The winner is determined by the total aggregate score after both. December 24, 2008, I'm in Hanoi.  Vietnamese friends invite me out to dinner.  But we have tosearch many restaurants because everybody is watching the first leg in Thailand.  Vietnam wins 2-1 in a shocker!  Motorcycles swarm the streets.  Riders waving huge country flags.  Honking.  Shouting.  It was dangerous crossing the road.  It took me 40 minutes to walk a half mile home.December 28, 2008, I'm in Saigon on tour.  I take some passengers out to a restaurant to watch the second leg.  Vietnam is down 0-1 in stoppage time.  Seconds before the end, they score agoal to win the tournament.  Sheer pandamonium.  To get back to the hotel, we had to walk through one of the largest, most central intersections in the city.  We were amazed.  The energy was nothing we had ever seen before.  The happiest chaos I've ever seen.  Streets were blocked further than we could see from the roof top.  Police just sat back and watched.Can my words describe the thrill, the joy, the excitement?  No.  Not even close.  But hopefully these pictures can give a better idea.  It was an amazing experience to be part of the celebration.  One young man even wrapped a country flag around my neck.  A souvenir I still proudly have today.Eric
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