What's your favorite aspect about Vietnam?

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ZenZ

Vietnam is my favorite place on earth. I was born and raised in the Midwestern USA just as the US became involved in the Vietnam conflict. My oldest brother spent 2 years "in country" from 1968 - 1970. As a young boy, I can vividly remember being terrified that I too would someday have to go to this place and fight these people who I had never met. Fortunately, my brother came home alive, but never the same again. He never spoke of his experiences, but did bring with him a teddy bear for me. That bear became my best friend throughout my childhood yet always reminded me of a war and a people that I did not understand.

Many years later, and quite unintentionally, I fell in love and married someone from Vietnam who came to the USA at 18 years of age. I have traveled to Vietnam 3 times now to visit family and will be going back again in September of this year. I must admit that I was a bit nervous before my first trip largely due to the language barrier that I knew I would be facing, but I was quickly overtaken by the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Vietnam. I traveled extensively throughout southern Vietnam from Can Tho to Nha Trang, staying with friends and family and experiencing life as it really is in Vietnam.

Perhaps the most poignant experience for me happened on my first trip to Vietnam. One evening in late October, while returning by van from the Southern Mekong Delta to Saigon I realized that I was witnessing many of the same sights and places that my brother had seen some 30 years earlier. I was gazing out the window of the van as we came upon a flooded rice paddy. In the distance, just behind a line of palms, a new harvest moon was rising into the black sky, casting its silvery reflection into the water. Majestically in silhouette, a man in a conical hat standing at the back of long canoe, poled his boat through the rays of moonlight on his way somewhere to the south. Although the image lasted only a few moments, it will remain forever in my mind. I quickly realized that, while time had nearly stood still for that man in the rice field, my brother and I had experienced the same scene but saw it from perspectives that were worlds apart. As a young boy, Vietnam was a frightening place where many horrible things had happened but as a man, Vietnam was a wonderful country rich with culture and overflowing with warm, generous, and industrious people who are eager to make new friends.

I have traveled to many countries around the world but I always long to return to Vietnam. My friends in Vietnam are quick to remind me that their's is a poor country, but I counter that Vietnam is rich in culture. Around every corner, behind every tree, in the markets, on the rivers, from the mountains to the sea, in the cities and in the countryside Vietnam has many wonderful secrets hidden in the day to day life of a vibrant and proud people.

Each time I return to Vietnam, I am greeted by friendly people who never seem to forget me and are genuinely happy to see me. I discover new layers of culture that were hidden to me before. I see a country trying to keep pace with its rapid development yet holding on to its magnificently rich culture. I see modern cities and ancient villages, sometimes side-by-side. My mouth is flooded with tastes and textures so foreign yet so delicious. All of Vietnam has a sound, a din that belies the hustle and bustle of a hard working people not too busy to smile and say hello. There is abundant beauty everywhere from the wrinkled face of an old woman to the jet black eyes of a young child.

For westerners, Vietnam is waiting to be discovered again and is an adventure that should not be missed, but don't be afraid to venture off the beaten paths for that is where you will discover the true charm and beauty of the gem of the orient.

HelloKitty

I just visited Vietnam and loved it. Go to Hanoi - it's a gorgeous city and then take the tour to the Perfume Pagoda - it is really amazing and then go to Halong Bay on a Junk ship. The climate of the north is much nicer than the south.

ong jon

favorite aspect, thats easy, the people, warm friendly,humorous, and kind even in the most difficult of circustances [ co gan].
"trong long cua toi nha trang nha cua toi " nha trang is my favorite place to BE!.
i like going through the back alleys of sai gon,and riding down the thu bon river at sunset ,writing poetry and singing soft songs, but riding through the nghe an provence countryside on the back of a motor bike is ...special [ thien dang Chua].
after eating italian i like "muc chien" fried squid or "muc kho" & beer [dried squid and beer]..
there are so many pleasant memories but i guess the times i've spent with "my children" are the most special.. day la bac jo, het.

charger69golf

The best thing about the people in Vietnam is their sense of humour and their kindness. My favourite place to go would definately be Sapa which saddly enough alot of people miss. Getting to know and wander through the tribes peoples villages was absolutely amazing. The best food I ate was in Nha Trang. I went to a place called Lac Canh through the recommendation of the lonely planet guide and my partner and I ate there every night we stayed in Nha Trang even taking any new found friends there. I also found the boat cruise out of Nha Trang a fantastic adventure with lovely views and the snorkling was out of this world. A must see. A truely lovely country and I cant wait to get back there.

sheeny

That it's over!

â™¥ Luveniarâ™«

Why Vietnam? The only good thing that came out of that time was the music, and the soldiers who managed to make it home alive.
My favorite place to go is Ocean Shores, WA. I spent one incredible day with someone special there years ago, and I've gone a bunch of other times with my family and my husband. There used to be a great Mexican restaraunt out there, I don't know if it's still there. The sunsets there are the perfect view :)

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