I have a burning desire to travel, maybe go to Vietnam.

[babylonsister]

Might check out a tour, but am wondering if I'm alone. Let me know!

[Warpy]

1. Bourdain has made the country look really attractive

the times he's been there. The only complaint he has about it is that the Vietnamese are all such foodies. He's talked about retiring there.

I also know a few traumatized vets who have gone back to kill a few of their dragons. Seeing first hand that the war is totally over and the country is no longer being blown to bits along with kids from a number of countries has been very healing.

[babylonsister]

4. Bourdain and Vietnam are on here now.

I was in Thailand years ago and spoke to Aussies; they loved Vietnam, which is why it's been on my list to visit. Come with me!

[Warpy]

6. I would if my health weren't so wretchedly bad

Remember, I'm the one who took a dive in April and broke a leg on the way down. I'm on heart drugs but it could happen again.

[babylonsister]

8. Oh, Warpy, I didn't know that.

Heal the leg, be careful!

[GP6971]

2. Vietnam is not high on my list

Been all over Asia, except Vietnam, but never been to Europe before a couple of years ago. So much to see there. Wouldn't pass up the opportunity to travel to Vietnam though.

[jaysunb]

3. Believe it or not--I actually want to go back.

I'd like to see it under different circumstances than my "involuntary" sojourn of nearly 50 years ago. From all I can gather, they are progressive and productive as a country, and the beauty of the countryside is back to it's original form.
I see Vietnamese people here in S. Cal every day, ( they have actually taken over several local towns) and they travel back and forth like European immigrants of the past. They speak proudly of where their country is today and most seem to want to return some day.

I'd really like to go....

btw, I'll bet there are no ARVN flags flying to celebrate their "heritage."

[babylonsister]

5. So let's go! You would give a great

alternative history (not meant in a bad way). I know it would be fun and informative. And hot. But heh, I now live in FL.

[1939]

12. Vietnam vs Florida

Wet season is a lot like Florida. Dry season doesn't get quite as cold as Florida can get.

I have been back three times. In a sense, we won the war. We inadvertently trained up a large cadre of dedicated black marketeers that kept free enterprise going during the north's efforts at imposing Soviet style socialism on the south. They finally gave up and allowed free enterprise on everything except the largest businesses. This brought forth a gigantic boom in the availability of consumer products and you didn't have to pack toilet paper, shampoo, etc for your trip. I went in 93, 95, and 98 and you could see the improvement year to year.

Most of the people are very welcoming to Americans. Just smile a lot as they like to be around happy people who they consider "good luck".

[KingCharlemagne]

16. One of my Vietnamese ESL students hails from Quang Ngai City and he informed the

class while we were doing a unit on transportation that a bus ride in his hometown cost only $0.40 (minimum fare in Los Angeles now is $2.25. excluding extra transfers), and allows one to travel without restriction from one end of the city to the other. He showed us some pictures he had on his phone and it looked like paradise.

BTW, Tai is the hardest-working student I have ever had the privilege of teaching. His determination and perseverance have been an example to everyone in the class.

[yeoman6987]

7. I loved it!!!!!

Although be aware that the museums all talk about the American war and we were the enemy. It is a bit weird hearing that especially overseas.

[babylonsister]

9. Thanks! I really want to go!

Did you need to get a visa?

[yeoman6987]

18. Yes. At least I did five years ago

Requirements change of course but I think I would plan on needing one.

[SoCalDem]

10. My son and his wife are there right now.. They LOVE it..

.. They are in Da Nang

[yuiyoshida]

11. I love Vietnamese food...

Its up there with Thai, Korean, Japanese and great Chinese food. As far as visiting Vietnam, it might be amusing!!

I have Vietnamese friends, and they are all sweethearts! <3

[B Calm]

13. There is Greek Isle called Corfu that is beautiful. Haven't been back to Corfu since I was in

the Navy. You might want to Google it and check it out.

[OldEurope]

23. I love Corfu

and Greece in general. But it is very dfferent to Asia!

[AngryAmish]

14. Food is good, girls are pretty and you can shoot machine guns at Chu Chi

Fun place.

[jaysunb]

19. I was based at Chu Chi

7th Surgical Hospital, MASH. I'm told our old facilities are now a clinic.

I'm glad you enjoyed your time there.

[madokie]

15. Beings as I'm so old now and can't handle the 24 hour flight

so it won't happen but I'd like to travel to Vietnam and find myself, if that makes any sense that is.

[jaysunb]

21. Yep, the travel time has been a sticking point for me too.

I've considered breaking it into a three leg trip : Hawaii, 3 days. then to Manila for 3 and then on to Ho Chi Mihn City. But then, the cost becomes a problem.

Oh well...

[davidpdx]

17. Never been, but would like to go

I have been to Thailand once and the Philippines four times. Vietnam is about a five hour flight from Seoul I think. I have a friend who works there teaching business. If nothing pans out here for next year it is possible I'll teach in another country.

[cwydro]

20. I would love to visit

that country.

[bikebloke]

22. Top of my new bucket list.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka. It's the marathon flights that cause hesitation. Especially if you're only staying for 2 1/5 weeks.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

24. I would love to visit the Bay Of Halong

in northern Vietnam, which is supposed to be one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.



Da Lat, in the cooler hills in the south is supposed to be very picturesque.



As a lawyer in California, I had many Vietnamese clients and made many friends. I was in a relationship with a Vietnamese lady for about 15 years. I never heard a single good thing about the Vietnamese government, even though several of my friends considered themselves liberals and were registered Democrats. In fact, they would go back to Vietnam and bring back horror stories of how bad it was to live there under the communist authorities. They described it as an absolute hellhole for the people who have to live there. I guess American tourists don't have to be exposed to the terrors of life of a typical Vietnamese person, however.