Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City: Young and Noisy

Jan — Fri, 18 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Ho Chi Minh City

18 July 2003
Heavy Rain

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image for
photos of Ho Chi Minh City.

I am sitting in the lobby of the Riverside Hotel, a charming colonial style building with tile floors, Corinthian columns, and French provincial furniture. Recently renovated, the hotel overlooks the broad, container ship-filled Saigon River.

Bien Hoa: Wedding Report

Jan — Sun, 20 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Bien Hoa Vietnam
	Please click on the image for photos of Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

A one-hour motorbike ride from HCMC past Bien Hoa. My driver stops for directions a few times.

Tay Ninh: Towers and Temples

Jan — Mon, 21 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
	Please click on the image for photos of HCMC and Tay Ninh.

On my flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, I met Mi, a lovely young woman who was returning home from a business trip. Mi owns the Cara Nguyen Fashion Design Company. I called her and she invited me for lunch.

Dalat: Cool Climb

Jan — Tue, 22 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Dalat
Central Highlands
Vietnam

OK “Blinky.” Here's one for you....

Please click on the image for
photos of Dalat.

Flew from HCMC to Dalat... Hilltop city on a lake. Cool ... need sweater ... didn't bring one. Rain sometimes ... need a jacket ... didn't bring one. Chilly at night.

Nha Trang 1: Beach Sands and Hot Tub Mud

Jan — Wed, 23 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Dalat
Vietnam

My Dear Curious Friends,

Please click on the image for
photos of Nha Trang.

OK. I know more than a few of you are just aching to know the details of my "coffee date" in Dalat.

Nha Trang 2: A Sincere Proposal

Jan — Thu, 24 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Nha Trang
Vietnam

Now, here's a story:

Please click on the image for
more photos of Han.

In Nha Trang, I have breakfast at the rooftop restaurant of The Rainbow Hotel. The owner, a woman about my age is surprised and then happy when I insist on the Vietnamese breakfast of Pho -- delicious broth with noodles and vegetables, and a cup of filtered Vietnamese coffee.

Danang: Totally Awesome

Jan — Fri, 25 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Danang
Vietnam

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image for
photos of Danang and Marble Mountain.

The flight from Nha Trang to Danang was uneventful. At the Danang airport the drivers persuade me to hire a taxi for the trip to Hoi An.

Hoi An: Shirts

Jan — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Hoi An
Vietnam

Please click on the image for
photos of Hoi An.

At last Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town famous for its dozens of custom tailor shops. The driver brought me to a new hotel, with very comfortable guest rooms that surround an inviting swimming pool. The receptionist was apologetic when she quoted the rate of $15.00, including buffet breakfast.

Hue: Muffins and Mausoleums

Jan — Sun, 27 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Hue, Vietnam
29July 2003
Sunny, hot, breezy

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image for
photos of Hue, Vietnam.

I am sitting at the Mai Huong Patisserie, a small sidewalk cafe near an intersection of the main street. I am watching an unending stream of incessantly beeping motorbikes; police officers with whistles stop speeders! I am enjoying my favorite - iced Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Deeelicious.

Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh

Jan — Mon, 28 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Hanoi Vietnam
	Please click on the image for photos of Hanoi, Vietnam.

My most frequent question for other travelers is "What are the highlights?" I will answer that question regarding my brief visit to Hanoi, the end point of my journey from south to north in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.