Remembering a Terrible War

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

A visit to Vietnam is not complete without a history lesson on one of the most depressing and savage wars of the 20th century.  The Vietnam War (1955-1975) was a war the Americans fought in to prevent communists from taking over Vietnam.  They also feared if Vietnam would become communist it would start a domino affect and other countries in south east Asia would follow suit.  Well the Americans failed in their quest to eradicate communism in Vietnam.  The country is officially called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and a communist government rules.  Yet, as the fall of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe proves communist economic policies simply do not work.  During the early 80's many Vietnamese fled their country, due to communist oppression and poor economic policies, by the thousands and the "boat people," became an international issue much like the situation in Europe with all the refugees coming in from the middle east.  The only reason I believe that the communist governments in China and Vietnam have survived, and not fallen like they did in Europe, is because they eventually adopted western style, capitalistic economic systems.  American franchises like Starbucks, Mcdonalds, and Nike are being embraced by the Vietnamese, and American companies are setting up factories throughout the country because labour is cheap.  The Americans may have lost the Vietnam War but they are winning economically in Vietnam.  In the end money is a great peace maker.    

Nevertheless the "War Remnants Museum," is a must see in Ho Chi Minh City.  I think every leader considering war, in fact any country considering military action against someone, should spend a few hours there.  The pictures at the museum are startling and achingly graphic of how terrible war is. 

Cu Chi Tunnels

The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for theTết Offensive in 1968.

The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort.

Celia and visited the Cu Chi tunnels and were astounded at how small they were.  We also were shocked at the vicious booby traps that were set up near the tunnels.  It was very apparent that despite the Americans having all the latest and greatest military hardware at their disposal, that they could not defeat the Viet Cong because of their elaborate tunnel systems and ferocious determination to protect their homeland.

There were shelters near the tunnels allowing the Viet Cong some respite from being underground.

Booby traps like these were set up all over the Cu Chi area.

Openings to tunnels were ridiculously small and well camouflaged.

Celia going into an opening that was enlarged for tourists.

I had to crawl inside the tunnels because they were so small.  Not fun.

A model of what some of the tunnels looked like.

I am thankful that I have never had to experience war.  So far.  Pray for peace always.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Impressions of Vietnam

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

I went with Celia over our mid-term break to visit the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for five days.

We were based in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  It was an interesting experience to say the least.  

The symbols of communism are everywhere, but the symbols of western capitalism are more evident.  Note the Louis Vuitton store below and the work project (subway) is a joint Vietnam-Japan project.  Vietnam reminded me a lot of China.  The government may be communist, but the economic system is largely capitalist and western companies (American-European) are cashing in, in this new economic frontier.  With 90 million people and a growing economy Vietnam is a big market.

 Stores hawked communist/marxist/socialist symbols under a myriad of free market economy advertising.

Pictures and statues of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of communist government are everywhere in Vietnam and he is revered.  Yet...

... you can buy teeshirts that look like the Vietnam flag.  Note lovely model above.  Propaganda?  Or money making venture?  Both.  

 Ho Chi Minh City is overrun by motorbikes.  There are 43 million of them in the country.  The motorbikes help keep traffic moving.  More on the motorbikes in another blog.

 Typical shop in Ho Chi Minh.

Large walking plaza in Ho Chi Minh was a welcome respite from the packed sidewalks and roads of the city.

Note Starbucks.  The amount of motorbikes on the roads astonished me.

Ho Chi Minh City, like many up and coming places is a mish mash of old and glittering new.

The conical hat called the Non La is a national symbol.  Mainly worn by women it is a cheap hat that has a plastic sheath and works well as a sun and rain protector.

There were plenty of street vendors in Ho Chi Minh.  You could get fruit for 10 000-30 000 dong.  50 cents to $1.50.  I was a millionaire in Vietnam!

 This is the national dish.  Pho noodle soup is excellent.  Served with chicken, fish, or beef, and spiced up with leaves and other vegetables it is very nutritious as well.  And cheap.

 A lot of food is served wrapped in rice paper.  Here is Celia standing in front of rice paper being dried.

You can see the rice paper faintly.  It is pressed and dried in this bamboo contraption.

Fish served with a variety of green vegetables including leaves is a favourite Vietnamese dish.

Fruit is in abundance in Vietnam.  This is dragon fruit and in the back is lychee.

The Vietnam War is remembered in various places in Ho Chi Minh and surrounding areas.  More on the Vietnam War in another blog.

The Mekong Delta is not too far from Ho Chi Minh.  Boats like these with eyes is to scare alligators and other sea monsters away.

The delta has numerous islands and Celia and I went to visit one.  Later we stayed overnight at a typical Vietnamese home deep in the jungle.  The water is charitably called chocolate brown.  I say it is polluted.

We had some fruit served by this lady and were serenaded by some guys playing folk music.

Celia having a rest.

We travelled on a sampan boat up a narrow canal.  The above is a sampan with fish traps.

My love enjoying the ride.

The homestay was rustic but nice.

Biking through rural Vietnam.

A typical country home.

We went to a typical market.  The ladies there were amazed by my height and had a good time commenting about it.  I have been told a million times here in Asia that I am tall.  Actually I am not tall. Asians are just SHORT!

Typical country scenes.

Ladies weeding.

Biking with our guide and a German couple.  Ze are everyvhere ze Germans!

A boat on the Mekong delta.

Vietnam is a beautiful country with a tragic history.  Yet, my impression is that people there have moved on and are happy.  The communist government is in power yes, but it seems people are too busy living and making a living to really care.  The government's decision to allow economic freedom has helped the country a lot.  While the anti American vibe regarding the Vietnam war is maintained by the government, the people love Starbucks, Mcdonalds, and Nike shoes, all American stuff.  In fact Americans have set up various businesses here and employ thousands.  So what was the point of the Vietnam war?  We'll save that discussion for another day.

God bless you and have a great week.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk