Asia

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HALONG BAY TO SAIGON

I wake up to the sun shining in my small yet comfortable and air-conditioned cabin on a ‘junk’, which is the word for an old sailing ship that they’ve converted to a 10-room ship for tourists to enjoy the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. The bay is peaceful and full of tall limestone rock formations, and we navigated the Pearl Dragon through the rocks. There are fishermen all around us enjoying the plentiful waters, so they can make their living selling these fish to the villagers and local communities.

Today we visited a man named Mr. Viet in a small village. He invited all 8 of us into his home, played music for us, and served us his homemade rice wine, and hot tea, accompanied by fresh fruit. His wife helps earn money for the home by making rice paper that’s used for spring rolls, and she has to make 100 rice papers to sell to restaurants for about $5 USD. I made a few today, and it’s hot and takes a long time, but that’s life here. They work hard and are very content with a simple life.

In Hanoi, I walked alone on the street to find a great bowl of pho. One can smell lime, broth, and noodle combinations that tempt you to stop along any of the many small restaurants on the streets to get some of this delicious soup. Some Vietnamese eat pho for 2-3 meals a day. I found the one place recommended by the hotel, and they don’t mess around and ‘dine’ like we do in the States. There’s a list of pho choices on each table, you point to one, and it’s there in under 3 minutes on the table, along with the fish sauce, fresh limes, red chili peppers, and a red spicy sauce. You eat… you leave. They turn those tables 3 times in 30 minutes. A bowl of handmade noodles, fresh beef, scallions, onions, and lime is under $2.

Walking on the streets at 10 pm is not a problem, no one bothers you, the streets are clean, and people are friendly when you smile and make contact. I came across a bar that said “cheap and cheerful,” so I went in for a local beer, which costs under $1, and met 2 European people who were staying at a hostel. We share stories of travel and talk about the differences between us; a Swedish person, a German, and an American. Traveling is such an incredible eye-opening education, and one is never the same if you’re open to all you can learn and absorb.

VIETNAM, 2ND TIME AROUND

It’s my 2nd time here in 10 years, and I’m excited about what has changed and what I will be seeing for the first time. On my journey, we passed through Korea en route to Hanoi, and I learned from the people sitting next to me about the country, how it’s split, and their opinions and way of life. Before even landing in Hanoi, I got an understanding of Korea, and I’d like to return someday soon to experience their culture for myself.

The ride to the hotel at night was peaceful, and the streets were all very clean. Even at 11:30 at night, there are teenagers all around various corners of buildings sitting on small stools, eating ‘street food’ and laughing together, sharing the light from one corner streetlight and one other floodlight that is shining above the woman cooking pho, or sweet noodle soup, or whatever delicious mixture she’s created. It’s safe here, and the streets are quiet, lined with scooters parked on the sidewalk in good order, showing that they care about cleanliness, they have a sense of pride for their city, and they work together.