Vietnam - Fall - 2007

Vietnam - Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi Ahn
Well I have a tendency to write a lot. That's an understatement. So in the spirit of lists (which are becoming so popular now) here are some observations from my trip to Vietnam.

* On my first night I met up with an Irish friend from Korea who now lives in Hanoi. In that one night I got into a mild motorcycle accident, witnessed a street fight the size of a city block, and went to 3 ex-pat parties until 6 a.m.. It's definitely a night I will never forget..
* There are more swindlers in Vietnam to stick a shake at.
* There are limited traffic rules in Hanoi so crossing the street is an adventure in itself. Here is a video that documents the experience to a tee. This would be a great place to understand chaos theory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC4BN9kInXg
* The Vietnamese language just seems impossible to learn because it is so tonal. Though the writing system is an adapted version of the Latin alphabet.
* The upscale restaurants in Vietnam are to die for! It's a real treat trying out the French, Western, and Asian fusion cuisine.
* The other treat was sipping a Bia Hoi which translates to "Fresh Beer" on the streets of Hanoi. .. 15 cents a beer.
*Although Halong Bay is truly majestic, the number of tourists who are flooding the area is not controlled by the government. I'm afraid this does not bode well for the environment. You can start to see garbage floating in the water.
* The quaint trading port of Hoi Ahn located on the middle of the Vietnamese coast is famous for its Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese architectural structures.
* Hoi Ahn is famous for their tailors where you can buy great suits for a fraction of the cost. Everything is measured (impossible to buy off a rack) and you choose from a large selection of fabrics from all over the world. I don't think I'll need to shop for a couple of years.
* I'm a big fan of the Banh Mi. The Minimalist from the NYtimes should do a segment on this. It's basically a baguette with pork, cucumber and some spices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A1nh_m%C3%AC

I conclude this entry with something that I couldn't avoid thinking about in Vietnam - that is the unbelievable tragedy of the Vietnam War. I have a real respect for the human spirit and its ability to overcome the past. Free market reforms have been implemented in Vietnam, making it the 2nd fastest growing economy in the world. A natural political evolution brought peace, prosperity and capitalism to Vietnam, not American troops.