Vignettes via Vietnam

Hello to our friends and family,

Kafil and I have just returned from 2 weeks in Vietnam. As most of you would know we were in Hanoi, and the northern part of Vietnam, and then down to Hue and Hoi An, early last year.
We had an excellent time and couldn't wait to get back and visit Saigon and the Mekong Delta areas of southern Vietnam.

Saigon is a much more motorised city than the charming Hanoi. Motorbikes and scooters are the main form of transport and they scoot up over the paths and around you all the time.Crossing the road is an adventure as you step out in front of bikes and scooters as far as the eye can see, on major intersections.

We had an interesting morning, being driven on a cyclo, or pedal powered rickshaw. We had resisted such transport in the past, but the drivers were confident they could haul us around.


It is an ideal mode of transport as you can watch lifes passing parade at a leisurely pace, without the hassle of avoiding the traffic, and more importantly without getting hot and sweaty.

We visited historic temples including an 8 story pagoda and a temple dedicated to a goddess of Mercy Quan Am.
Like Singapore Vietnam, has a varied religious following which was evident in the temples, Gurdwaras and Mosques we visited, along with the Notre Dam Catholic church in the heart of the city.

We went to the obligatory war remnants museum, where there was some poignant, and disturbing photos of the "American"war and its aftermath. I don't usually seek out such places, however the effect of the 14 year war is so evident in the people and the countryside, I felt it was worth visiting. Which it was, a truly moving and interesting couple of hours.

Saigon, has some very wide boulevards, remnants of the occupation of the French, the most interesting buildings there were French and I will include some photos to show their faded grandeur.

The food in Vietnam, is great we loved the green mango , banana flower and
pomelo salads and all the varieties of rice paper rolls. the food and drink is cheap, and I had to force myself to partake in a few refreshing cocktails whilst we were there.
The Seafood is plentiful fresh and tasty and the misnamed shrimp, one of my favourite dishes.
(I would say they were very large prawns!)


We then went on a trip to the Mekong Delta, the "ricebowl" of Vietnam. The Mekong has 9 substantial tributaries which snake over south Vietnam; their presence means many people live and work on the river. We went to some vibrant river markets, where wholesalers sell products from their large barges to local sellers who then take it to the landed markets. the boats are typified by a large pole showing the item for sale hanging from it. The produce was mostly fruit and vegetables.


People who live on stilted shacks on the river, live in extremely poor conditions, they fish and eke out a living on the banks of the rivers.


However they are very friendly and happy to look at us looking at them. We visited a family sweet shop "factory" where they produced rice popcorn (delicious) especially when hot from the fire and covered in coconut caramel - Yum.
We also saw the intensive labour of rice paper being made by hand to be sold in rounds about
40 centimetres in diameter.



We stayed in two Mekong cities, Can tho and Chau Doc, where we visited a colourful Khmer
pagoda, with the friendliest young monks who were eager to practice their English with us.


We also spent 4 days on the island of Phu Quoc, a tropical island with beautiful beaches, and 85% covered by National Park.

Kafil and I stayed in a small bungalow room overlooking the sea, it was idyllic.
Phu Quoc is mostly visited by Vietnamese people and has just started to attract western visitors. The water at the beach was so warm it was like splashing around in a gigantic bath. A few ladies offered massages on the beach for the princely sum of $5.00.

Kafil and I hired a scooter, the first time in 23 years, that he and I had been on riding together. . I felt like I was in the movie "Easy Rider". It has spurred us on to consider a scooter here in Singapore to get around on. It was great to follow the coast line around on an almost deserted dirt road down to the southern most part of the island. The coast line was idyllic framed by wavering palm trees, and small fishing boats bobbing in the water.