I just booked a trip to Vietnam...

[Lott's Bandana]

...and will be there just after the election.

It will be interesting to see if the Vietnamese even pay attention.


Anyway, couple of nights in Saigon, couple of nights at Nha Trang (beach resort) and a night or two in Hanoi.

I've been to Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan recently and soon Vietnam. I keep thinking about South America, New Zealand or Eastern Europe, but every time I look at the cost of traveling, Asia always wins out...by a landslide.

Airfare (Business Class from Seattle): $1800.00
Hotels in downtown Saigon and Hanoi: $50.00 per night
Villa on the beach in Nha Trang: $100 per night
Flights from Saigon to Nha Trang and Nha Trang to Hanoi: $70.00

A bowl of Pho is about a buck.

Vet can confirm this, but everything I have ever read about Vietnam claims it is breathtakingly beautiful and it also appears the locals are much more welcoming than 40+ years ago. :very_drunk:

[Howzit]

Are you staying at the Hanoi Hilton?

[pphilfran]

I could handle seeing South Vietnam...but I would choke before I spent a penny in North Nam while the current regime is in place...

[SicEmBaylor]

I wouldn't set foot there if you paid me Bill Gates' fortune.

[olevetonahill]

I could handle seeing South Vietnam...but I would choke before I spent a penny in North Nam while the current regime is in place...


There is NO North or South , Its all one country now . While there are some beautiful places there Ill always remember the Mud, the stench and the ****in leeches
Most of the Locals were Glad we were there, Until Charlie came out at night,


I wouldn't set foot there if you paid me Bill Gates' fortune.

I've toyed with the Idea of going back, But Id rather go to DC and see the Wall


LB enjoy yourself When I was there Flyin was FREE got to see a Lot of the country out the side door of a Huey
Spent several days and nights In Nha Trang But it wernt a resort where I stayed, There were however a lot of good looking nurses :biggrin:

Oh and Saigon is Now called Ho Chi Min City

The Local Political officers will bust yer nuts fer callin it Saigon , Also Try to visit Chu Chi and take a tour of the Tunnels , I was to Big to be a Rat (Thank God)

Post Pics as often as you can , When ya get to Hanoi see if they will let you see the REAL Hanoi Hilton

[pphilfran]

There is NO North or South , Its all one country now . While there are some beautiful places there Ill always remember the Mud, the stench and the ****in leeches
Most of the Locals were Glad we were there, Until Charlie came out at night,



I've toyed with the Idea of going back, But Id rather go to DC and see the Wall


LB enjoy yourself When I was there Flyin was FREE got to see a Lot of the country out the side door of a Huey
Spent several days and nights In Nha Trang But it wernt a resort where I stayed, There were however a lot of good looking nurses :biggrin:

Oh and Saigon is Now called Ho Chi Min City

The Local Political officers will bust yer nuts fer callin it Saigon , Also Try to visit Chu Chi and take a tour of the Tunnels , I was to Big to be a Rat (Thank God)

Post Pics as often as you can , When ya get to Hanoi see if they will let you see the REAL Hanoi Hilton

Brain fart...I was thinking Korea...my bad...just call me chitheat...

[olevetonahill]

Brain fart...I was thinking Korea...my bad...just call me chitheat...

Heh, That said I too would have a hard time going North of Da Nang :anonymous:

[C&CDean]

...and will be there just after the election.

It will be interesting to see if the Vietnamese even pay attention.


Anyway, couple of nights in Saigon, couple of nights at Nha Trang (beach resort) and a night or two in Hanoi.

I've been to Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan recently and soon Vietnam. I keep thinking about South America, New Zealand or Eastern Europe, but every time I look at the cost of traveling, Asia always wins out...by a landslide.

Airfare (Business Class from Seattle): $1800.00
Hotels in downtown Saigon and Hanoi: $50.00 per night
Villa on the beach in Nha Trang: $100 per night
Flights from Saigon to Nha Trang and Nha Trang to Hanoi: $70.00

A bowl of Pho is about a buck.

Vet can confirm this, but everything I have ever read about Vietnam claims it is breathtakingly beautiful and it also appears the locals are much more welcoming than 40+ years ago. :very_drunk:

Good on you brother. I still ain't seen North ****ing Dakota. I'm going there...then Ireland, England, and the Scandavian countries before I check out anything FE. Have fun.

[Chuck Bao]

Sounds like a great trip, Lott's Bandana. November should be a good time to visit. Enjoy it and give us a report about your experiences.

Don't expect much color in reporting the US election. I was in Hanoi before the last presidential election and of course one of the most celebrated "residents" of the Hanoi Hilton was John McCain. But, most Vietnamese didn't really seem to care.

Your hotel will have Asian satellite TV so regardless of the channel, you'll watch the same US vid clip with translated voiceover in 6 different Asian languages. When I was there about 4 years ago, young Vietnamese were much more interested in pirated music and hanging out at the local internet shop and playing internet games. Probably today, they all have smart phones and text message each other while riding their scooters.

[usmc-sooner]

how much are the hookers?

[olevetonahill]

how much are the hookers?

Dont know about now, But back in da day Ya could get a Steam bath, BJ and a Massage fer 2 bucks :smug:

[MamaMia]

Have fun. Take photos to share with us and be safe. :)

[Soonerchaz]

We spent 17 days in Vietnam for our son's adoption. If you can swing it while in Hanoi...take a day trip to Ha Long Bay. Quite possibility the most spectacular thing I've seen. You can take a boat ride through all the rock formations and visit the floating villages.

Regardless...have a blast and enjoy the pho. Mmmmm...

[olevetonahill]

Ill leave it to you Chaz and others to feel all warm and fuzzy to thos mothe****ers ,

[MamaMia]

I wouldn't set foot there if you paid me Bill Gates' fortune. Oh come on Sic, a trip there may be the only chance you get for a woman to love you long time.

[olevetonahill]

Oh come on Sic, a trip there may be the only chance you get for a woman to love you long time.

:excitement:

[picasso]

There is NO North or South , Its all one country now . While there are some beautiful places there Ill always remember the Mud, the stench and the ****in leeches
Most of the Locals were Glad we were there, Until Charlie came out at night,



I've toyed with the Idea of going back, But Id rather go to DC and see the Wall


LB enjoy yourself When I was there Flyin was FREE got to see a Lot of the country out the side door of a Huey
Spent several days and nights In Nha Trang But it wernt a resort where I stayed, There were however a lot of good looking nurses :biggrin:

Oh and Saigon is Now called Ho Chi Min City

The Local Political officers will bust yer nuts fer callin it Saigon , Also Try to visit Chu Chi and take a tour of the Tunnels , I was to Big to be a Rat (Thank God)

Post Pics as often as you can , When ya get to Hanoi see if they will let you see the REAL Hanoi Hilton
Vet, I forget what outfit you were with there but have you ever read any of David Hackworth's books? Particuarly, Steel My Soldiers Hearts.

[olevetonahill]

Vet, I forget what outfit you were with there but have you ever read any of David Hackworth's books? Particuarly, Steel My Soldiers Hearts.

Naw. I dont read much about it
Did read Black Horse Riders by Philip Keith

True story about how a Tank Company went to the rescue of a company of Grunts who got surrounded by a bunch of NVA regulars. Dudes were about out of everything when the Calvary showed up. Yall should read it if ya can it talks about a typical day over there

[KantoSooner]

I enjoyed Vietnam as much as any place I travelled in SE Asia. Great food, friendly people, fantastic scenery.
Vet and others were there under very different circumstances, but it's a very American friendly place these days.
If you can, get a guide to show you the central market, especially the spice part. It's within walking distance of 'Pho 2,000' (visited by the Clintons, with their pictures up on the walls, so there's that hilarity). Also in the market, you can buy bales of 'solo' shirts (hint: they look just like 'polo' shirts) for about $5 a bale. Travel light, go buy your clothes and then turn 'em in to the hotel laundry to avoid any little fellow travellers and voila! new wardrobe by day 2.
also try the street cart croissants and cafe au lait. Better than Paris by a large margin.

Things to avoid: small shellfish. The small ones are caught in tidal wetlands and the like. And, shall we say, the sewage treatment facilities are not 21st century compliant.

Final: when you land in Saigon, notice the fighter plane revetments that still have faded peace signs spray painted on them. Kilroy was there.

[Lott's Bandana]

I enjoyed Vietnam as much as any place I travelled in SE Asia. Great food, friendly people, fantastic scenery.
Vet and others were there under very different circumstances, but it's a very American friendly place these days.
If you can, get a guide to show you the central market, especially the spice part. It's within walking distance of 'Pho 2,000' (visited by the Clintons, with their pictures up on the walls, so there's that hilarity). Also in the market, you can buy bales of 'solo' shirts (hint: they look just like 'polo' shirts) for about $5 a bale. Travel light, go buy your clothes and then turn 'em in to the hotel laundry to avoid any little fellow travellers and voila! new wardrobe by day 2.
also try the street cart croissants and cafe au lait. Better than Paris by a large margin.

Things to avoid: small shellfish. The small ones are caught in tidal wetlands and the like. And, shall we say, the sewage treatment facilities are not 21st century compliant.

Final: when you land in Saigon, notice the fighter plane revetments that still have faded peace signs spray painted on them. Kilroy was there.


Unlike Hawai'i, with its large (pun) Samoan population, I doubt very much they will have any shirts even remotely approaching my size! But I did learn in my travels to the Philippines that more than two shirts is unnecessary. Wear one, wash one, wear one...I washed them in the shower each night, walked in with it on, left it hanging to dry...within 5 minutes the humidity ruins a clean shirt so no sense in bringing several.

[KantoSooner]

Well, you can still buy the freshest black pepper that you ever experienced and size doesn't matter on that. Buy a pound or so and you'll be able to parcel it out to foodie friends and have Christmas taken care of for them.

I'm jealous of your trip.

[Lott's Bandana]

Feet Dry in about three hours. Pretty stinkin excited. 109 heat index and raining. Awesome.

So glad I did this.

[olevetonahill]

Feet Dry in about three hours. Pretty stinkin excited. 109 heat index and raining. Awesome.

So glad I did this.

You on yer way Home or just gettin there?
Pics bro

[olevetonahill]

So Bro, Ya gonna give us the story? Share some Pics?

[stoopified]

So Bro, Ya gonna give us the story? Share some Pics?I dunno,my Dad took two trips to Viet Nam in '67-68. and '71-'72 ,sent back very few photos and NO fun stories. Maybe things have changed a little?

[olevetonahill]

I dunno,my Dad took two trips to Viet Nam in '67-68. and '71-'72 ,sent back very few photos and NO fun stories. Maybe things have changed a little?

I know the feelin

[Lott's Bandana]

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7069/20121118dsc08168.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/837/20121118dsc08168.jpg/)


http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1390/20121118dsc08163.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/204/20121118dsc08163.jpg/)


http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9360/20121118dsc08180.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/20121118dsc08180.jpg/)


http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/1070/20121118dsc08170.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/20121118dsc08170.jpg/)

[olevetonahill]

Cool, Tell us yer story Bro
From those pics it dont look much Dif than it did over 40 years ago

[StoopTroup]

Did Vietnam love you long time? :wink:

[olevetonahill]

Oh and did you try any of that fruit? Sweet smellin aint it :triumphant:

[Lott's Bandana]

Cool, Tell us yer story Bro
From those pics it dont look much Dif than it did over 40 years ago

In the '60s everything was black and white?

[olevetonahill]

In the '60s everything was black and white?

Pretty much, Color film was spensive

[rock on sooner]

Cool, Tell us yer story Bro
From those pics it dont look much Dif than it did over 40 years ago

SSDD... Same S*** Different Day

Werent in Nam but was in Pakistan in the 60's. Have seen
pix from there now and nuthin changed. Pix bring back the
smells, too...

[olevetonahill]

SSDD... Same S*** Different Day

Werent in Nam but was in Pakistan in the 60's. Have seen
pix from there now and nuthin changed. Pix bring back the
smells, too...

Yea Ive got a Box of Pics from back then, Bout the only thing different is the vehicles are newer lookin

[rock on sooner]

Yea Ive got a Box of Pics from back then, Bout the only thing different is the vehicles are newer lookin

Nam is more advanced now than Raghead Land. Northwest Pakistan..
Peshawar..is about 30 miles from Kabul..Taliban and Al Queda run
around almost at will...lots of help from the Haqanni Network and
the ISI (Pak secret police). Some of news pics I see show some of
the same buses and cars (I swear) that were there when I was.
(History note..Peshawar is where Francis Gary Powers flew from..)

[Lott's Bandana]

Click on the image to see them bigger.


http://imageshack.us/a/img689/3366/20121118dsc08218.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/20121118dsc08218.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/7610/20121118dsc08216.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/20121118dsc08216.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/4766/20121118dsc08209.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/20121118dsc08209.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img571/9555/20121118dsc08193.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/20121118dsc08193.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img138/6083/20121118dsc08177.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/20121118dsc08177.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/3658/20121118dsc08158.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/87/20121118dsc08158.jpg/)

[olevetonahill]

Like I said, Dont look like much if anything has changed bro
Did you have a great time?

[Lott's Bandana]

Like I said, Dont look like much if anything has changed bro
Did you have a great time?

It was interesting, beautiful and worth the trip if only for the food. If I were to return, I would go to the mountains and also spend more time in Hanoi. The French influence in Hanoi gave it some charm and character that Saigon sorely lacked.

Otherwise, it was much like any other SEA country, without the sex trade, Americans and beggars...three things that were glaringly missing after previous trips to Thailand and the PI.

[Lott's Bandana]

http://imageshack.us/a/img32/521/20121124dsc08543.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/20121124dsc08543.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img84/4903/20121123dsc08462.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/20121123dsc08462.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img268/743/20121123dsc08417.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/20121123dsc08417.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img526/673/20121123dsc08402.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/20121123dsc08402.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img546/8826/20121122dsc08392.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/20121122dsc08392.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/7603/20121122dsc08359.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/20121122dsc08359.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img846/7582/20121122dsc08329.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/20121122dsc08329.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img833/4972/20121120dsc08296.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/20121120dsc08296.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img211/3906/20121118dsc082501.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/211/20121118dsc082501.jpg/)

[StoopTroup]

Very cool Butch. For those that think things haven't changed much....it look like Peace has improved things and there seems to be a whole lot less body bags.