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Vietnam Even though more than 40 years had passed since the Vietnam War had ended, Vietnam remained stubbornly rooted in our 1960s/1970s memories as a war-ravaged nation.  Realistically, we knew it had changed.  But we were unprepared for the Vietnam of 2014. We began in Hanoi. The former capital of North Vietnam still has one foot anchored in the past but the other - propelled by its younger generation - is hurtling into the future.  We spent a day touring the highlights (with a free student guide), caught a water puppet show and hung out at rooftop  café.  But the best way to get to know this city is to walk it.  And we did. The city has a buzz - and it's not just from the coffee.  It is abuzz with change.  New shops and restaurants are opening daily.  Young people, anxious to practice their English, guilelessly approach willing tourists.  A big city with a small city feel. After an overnight cruise on nearby Halong Bay, we moved on (by overnight train) to Sapa, in the northwest highlands.  For three days we never saw the sun.  Low clouds, fathomless fog and persistent drizzle were our constant companions.  Nevertheless, we fell in love with this town and its indigenous people. Rocking back to Hanoi on another overnight train, we flew down to Da Nang - only to use it as a stepping stone to reach Hoi An and Hue.  Rain and clouds continued to hound us.  Nevertheless, we were seduced by Hoi An.  Yes, it is a touristy town (by Vietnamese standards) but with good reason.  Classic architecture, terrific food and plus we were able to snag a couple of nights at the small, atmospheric Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel.  From Hoi An we traveled by bus for a two-night stay in Hue.  Great sights surround this dodgy town.  And the rains were the steadiest here. From Da Nang we flew to Can Tho in the Mekong River delta.  A day-long delta tour and couple of nights in this town were all we could afford before heading (by bus) to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Saigon of 2014 definitely did not match our mental images of Saigon in the 1960s.  Not at all.  Saigon is on its way to be the next Hong Kong or Singapore - well on its way.  Colonial-style buildings are rapidly being displaced by high-rises.  Gucci and Louis Vuitton have already settled in.  A proposed subway system is gnawing apart the streets.  Change is everywhere. This trip began in the more provincial north and ended with a wallop in the 21st century south.  Our journey was a wonderful introduction to the varieties of peoples and places that this ribbon of a country contains.  Too much to cover in one trip. More time, more time, more time - this is the traveler's lament. Date(s): December 2014. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 1 - 111 of 111 Total. 5403 Visits.
1 Vietnam Map 2 Hanoi 3 Christmas in Hanoi 4 Christmas in Hanoi 5 Hanoi Street Food 6 Hanoi - Graduation Girls 7 Hanoi - The Huc Bridge 8 Hanoi - Boy in Park by Hoam Kiem Lake 9 Hanoi - Park friends 10 Water Puppet Theater 11 Hanoi - Outside St Jospehs Cathedral 12 Hanoi - Weazel Coffee 13 Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 14 Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 15 Tay Ho Pagoda - Hanoi 16 Hanoi - Temple of Literature 17 Hanoi - Temple of Literature 18 Hanoi - Prison "Hanoi Hilton" 19 Hanoi - Maison Centrale - John McCain Being Rescued 20 Hanoi - Coffee Shop Above Hoan Kiem Lake 21 Halong Bay - Treasure Junk The Treasure Junk - the cruise ship of Handspan Tours 22 Ha Long Bay - Aboard Treasure Junk 23 Ha Long Bay - Room aboard the Treasure Junk 24 Halong Bay - Treasure Junk Interior 25 Ha Long Bay 26 Ha Long Bay 27 Ha Long Bay 28 Ha Long Bay 29 Ha Long Bay - Floating Village 30 Ha Long Bay - Floating Village 31 Ha Long Bay - Pearl Oyster Farm 32 Pearl Oyster 33 Ha Long Bay 34 Sapa - Street Scene 35 Sapa - Central Market 36 Sapa - Central Market - Red Dzao Woman 37 Cat Cat Village 38 Cat Cat Village - Hmong girl 39 Cat Cat Village 40 Cat Cat Village 41 Indigo 42 Sapa Paradise View Hotel Our room on the top floor of the Sapa Paradise View Hotel 43 Hill Station Signature Restaurant Chef 44 Banana Flower 45 Hill Station Signature Restaurant Cooking Class 46 Shredding the Banana Flower 47 Hill Station Signature Restaurant 48 Hoi An - Exterior of Vinh Hung 1 Hotel 49 Hoi An - Vinh Hung 1 Hotel 50 Hoi An Riverfront with fishing net 51 Hoi An - Street Food 52 Hoi An - Silk Lanterns at night 53 Hoi An - Silk Lanterns 54 Hoi An - Japanese Covered Bridge 55 Hoi An - Street Vendors 56 Hoi An - At night 57 Hoi An 58 Hoi An 59 Hoi An 60 My Son 61 My Son 62 My Son 63 Near Hue - Incense Sticks 64 Tomb of Khai Dinh 65 Tomb of Khai Dinh 66 Tomb of Khai Dinh 67 Tomb of Khai Dinh 68 Hue - Temple 69 Hue - Thien Mu Temple 70 Vietnam 060 71 Hue - Moonlight Hotel 72 Hue - Moonlight Hotel 73 View from Moonlight Hotel in Hue 74 Hoi An - Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation 75 Assemby Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation 76 Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh Statue 77 Can Tho - On the Mekong 78 Can Tho - Pomelo Peeling 79 Can Tho - Pomelo Peeling 80 Cai Rang Floating Market 81 Cai Rang Floating Market 82 Phong Dien Floating Market 83 Mekong 84 Mekong Barber Shop 85 Mekong Monkey Bridge 86 Can Tho - View from Kim Tho Hotel 87 Mekong Rice Field 88 Mekong Lunch Spot 89 Saigon - Reunification Palace 90 Saigon - Reunification Palace 91 Saigon - Reunification Palace 92 Saigon - Post Office 93 Saigon - Post Office 94 Saigon - Post Office - Phones booths as ATMs 95 Saigon - Opera House 96 Saigon Street - Decorated for Tet 97 Saigon 98 Saigon Ice Cream Shop - Buche de Noel 99 Saigon - Child as Santa 100 Saigon - Buche de Noel Competition 101 Saigon - Rooftop view from Anpha Hotel 102 Saigon - Skyline and market view 103 Cu Chi Tunnel Entrance 104 Cu Chi Tunnel Entrance 105 Cu Chi Tunnel Entrance 106 Cu Chi Tunnel Exit 107 Cu Chi - Air vent disguised at termite mound 108 Cu Chi - Door Trap 109 Cu Chi - Bomb casings 110 Saigon - Skyline from the Saigon River 111 View of the Mekong from the air