Battle Tours (Australia): 2007
A few statistics, some with comparisons to Australia for us to appreciate the differences, and of course, interesting bits & pieces (sourced mostly from guides, internet sources) to enlighten us and provide a background for our trip:
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Land of the Ascending Dragon
Capital: Hanoi
Area: 325,360 sq km (Australia has 7,617,930 sq km)
Climate: Tropical and monsoonal
Population: 85,262,356 (Australia has 20,434,176) (as at Jul 07)
Scenery: Vietnam has a long coast line facing the South China Sea. It stretches from the low, hot & steamy Mekong Delta in the South (Nam Bo), through central highlands (Trung Bo) and up into the cool mountainous regions and Red River Valley of the North (Bac Bo). Vietnam has common borders with Cambodia, Laos and China.
Culture: Vietnam is a Communist State. Culturally close to China, the Vietnamese are followers of Mahayana Buddhism, a Chinese evolved doctrine of the belief. They respect and follow Confucian teachings (moral & ethical principles), revere Taoism (preservation of natural balances eg yin & yang) and retain spiritualist traditions. Vietnam also has a representative group of Christians, largely Catholic; followers of Cao Dai, an eclectic religious mix (more later) and a small community of Hindus and Muslims.
Economy: Largely agriculturally based (rice growing represents 45%GNP) with a growing industrial sector (30%GNP); tourism and foreign investment have only been encouraged as recently as 1992. Vietnam has one of the lowest standards of living in the world, however we certainly saw evidence of strong and purposeful development in the areas we travelled, particularly in Saigon and Hanoi. What was particularly heartening was the attention given to public spaces and concern to preserve the past.
Currency: Dong with an exchange rate guaranteeing at least 15 minutes of millionaire status - less for the shoppers among us. US$1 purchased VDG16,225.
Ancient History: A fascinating mix of truth and legend, Vietnam's history can be traced back to tribes living in the Dong Song (or Red River delta) to times well before the Bronze Age. Southern migrations of these peoples, periods of Chinese domination, resistance to Malayo-Polynesian settlers and Khmer peoples has resulted in a complex yet interesting history.
Current History: French Colonialism 1858-1956; Japanese occupation 1945; American intervention 1965-1973; Communist State declared in 1973 with reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1976. In 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia in response to the activities of an expansionist Khmer Rouge regime backed by the Chinese. As a result it was ostracised internationally until its troops were withdrawn in 1989. The US lifted its embargo in 1992.
Vietnam: Itinerary
Itinerary: Flying into Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with excursions to Vung Tao for a Long Tan Commemoration Service, the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi. Flying on to Hoi An and driving on to Hue. Our flight to Hanoi was cancelled so we elected to bus it - something you have to do - just once. From Hanoi we travelled to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise around the islands. All up 19 days. We had booked our tour through Battle Tours and found our guides to be experienced and friendly, the hotels nice (those with pools especially so) and our fellow travellers very pleasant company.
Technical Details: Disappointingly, many of my photos turned out fuzzy. My camera had been repaired, which it seemed affected its focus. And, as you do, I didn't check the camera well enough before we left. Yes, I know! A poor workman blames his tools; but on reflection, always invest in the best quality equipment you can afford.
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| Hue Kites |
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Land of the Ascending Dragon
Capital: Hanoi
Area: 325,360 sq km (Australia has 7,617,930 sq km)
Climate: Tropical and monsoonal
Population: 85,262,356 (Australia has 20,434,176) (as at Jul 07)
Scenery: Vietnam has a long coast line facing the South China Sea. It stretches from the low, hot & steamy Mekong Delta in the South (Nam Bo), through central highlands (Trung Bo) and up into the cool mountainous regions and Red River Valley of the North (Bac Bo). Vietnam has common borders with Cambodia, Laos and China.
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| Cau Hai Lagoon |
People: Aprox 87% are ethnic Viets (Kinh) who are descended from the Hung or Lac originating from the Red River delta. Other significant groups are the Hoa (Chinese origin) who predominantly live in Cholon and the Mekong Delta, the Khmer (Cambodian heritage), who also live in the Mekong Delta and the Cham, who can be found on the central coast or Mekong Delta. Various important ethnic minorities, including the Muong are located in the central and northern highlands.
Culture: Vietnam is a Communist State. Culturally close to China, the Vietnamese are followers of Mahayana Buddhism, a Chinese evolved doctrine of the belief. They respect and follow Confucian teachings (moral & ethical principles), revere Taoism (preservation of natural balances eg yin & yang) and retain spiritualist traditions. Vietnam also has a representative group of Christians, largely Catholic; followers of Cao Dai, an eclectic religious mix (more later) and a small community of Hindus and Muslims.
Economy: Largely agriculturally based (rice growing represents 45%GNP) with a growing industrial sector (30%GNP); tourism and foreign investment have only been encouraged as recently as 1992. Vietnam has one of the lowest standards of living in the world, however we certainly saw evidence of strong and purposeful development in the areas we travelled, particularly in Saigon and Hanoi. What was particularly heartening was the attention given to public spaces and concern to preserve the past.
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| Street Stall - Cholon Style |
Ancient History: A fascinating mix of truth and legend, Vietnam's history can be traced back to tribes living in the Dong Song (or Red River delta) to times well before the Bronze Age. Southern migrations of these peoples, periods of Chinese domination, resistance to Malayo-Polynesian settlers and Khmer peoples has resulted in a complex yet interesting history.
Current History: French Colonialism 1858-1956; Japanese occupation 1945; American intervention 1965-1973; Communist State declared in 1973 with reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1976. In 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia in response to the activities of an expansionist Khmer Rouge regime backed by the Chinese. As a result it was ostracised internationally until its troops were withdrawn in 1989. The US lifted its embargo in 1992.
Vietnam: Itinerary
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| Halong Bay |
Technical Details: Disappointingly, many of my photos turned out fuzzy. My camera had been repaired, which it seemed affected its focus. And, as you do, I didn't check the camera well enough before we left. Yes, I know! A poor workman blames his tools; but on reflection, always invest in the best quality equipment you can afford.
