Vietnam is a Communist country, but one would never know it from the commercial activity that has exploded since the 1990’s in Ho Chi Minh City – preferably Saigon by many of the Southern Vietnamese.  Construction and luxury car showrooms are everywhere and the population has grown significantly in the last few decades.  Early morning traffic was even evident as the ship pulled into the harbor —

Rush hour on the bridge.

Fabulous high rises on the cityscape.

Excursion buses lined up and ready to whisk us away;-)

The highlight of a trip to this area for those remembering news stories from the war era might be an excursion to the Mekong Delta and a ride on the Mekong River.  The. Mekong River runs over 3,000 miles beginning in China and finds its way through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam to the South China Sea.  It is called the River of Nine Dragons by the Vietnamese as it splits into nine distributaries forming the Delta before entering the Sea.  The Delta area is inhabited by 2/3 of Vietnam’s population and produces 2/3 of its rice.  It also supplies the country with most of its fruit and seafood.  There are floating river merchants, floating towns and villages on stilts.  And – very warm, welcoming people.

Yep! One of these is the transportation for the morning;-)

Hold on tight and cross your fingers.

Our lovely guide for the morning on the Mekong.

Some of those houses on stilts.

One thing you might find out, depending on the season of a visit, is that when it rains in Vietnam it doesn’t just rain – it comes down in sheets!!!  And – it can go from an OK sky to pouring with thunder and lightening.  If you are really lucky there might be some kind people to give you tea with a demonstration on honey making and the benefits of honey for your wellbeing – or tea and a fruit snack with wonderful musical entertainment.  All to keep one occupied while waiting for the rain to subside so you can get into that sampan to ride out of the jungle;-)!!!

Great ponchos – but a little late as already soaked to the bone;-)

Please keep those bees away from me.

Great local entertainment.  (Much happier than the beekeeper!)

Elephant ear fish anyone?!? It really is good wrapped in rice paper with a tangy sauce.

They managed to bail all the water out of the sampan for us to get in;-)

Maybe the most FUN part of the day!

Another ‘time capsule’ item about Viet Nam was seeing the tunnels, which were used by the Viet Cong to hide and organize forces.  Unfortunately, in an effort to give an experience without the masses of tourists, today’s excursion took us to a replica of the tunnels.  Perhaps it was enough of the picture – but a disappointment not to see the real thing.

Here we go – –

Bats, mosquitoes and darkness;-(

A visit to the War Remnants Museum is worth it – but one has to remember where this is and who is presenting it.  (The original name of the museum was the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes.)  Most of the museum is photography taken by press photographers from many countries.  Outside is a collection of equipment, planes, tanks and helicopters used during the war.  G took a walk back in time – –

G guarded many of these during his ‘stay’ in Okinawa.

G’s brother flew in these during his tour of duty.

The streets of Viet Nam are crowded and hectic, especially with those scooters.  At least here there were actually lanes specifically for them – –

Ready – set – go!

Unorganized chaos!

We’re outta here;-)

As some of those who lived through some portion of the Viet Nam war and remember all the news blaring into our homes every night on the nightly news – it was important to go and see some of the sights heard about.  It IS 50 years later and the sights have changed but many of the memories are still there.  Especially for the Vietnamese who had relatives who fought in any one of the various Vietnamese factions.  It was a civil war for them and many of their veterans wound up in the same circumstances as US soldiers who fought – not recognized and even imprisoned if they were on the wrong side.

E & G from a very sobering visit through Viet Nam – Hanoi to Saigon