Five Elements of a Farewell

As a conclusion to our Vietnam adventure, I've organised a few favourite photos loosely around the five elements cosmology concept just for fun.

Wood:

Wood makes me think of "Natural Fibres". The ubiquitous "non la" or conical hats woven from rattan, take on a new dimension in Hue. Each hat has a poem or painting inserted into the hat and it is mysteriously revealed when held up to the light. It is said that the poems reveal the temperament of the woman who wears it.

Also, a beautiful silk ao dai is quintessentially Vietnamese. It is both classic and exotic in one. And it looks so good, especially in silk, a fabric that goes back to Vietnam's legendary times!

Roadside stalls sell face masks, some in trendy colours, and rather amusingly, long (evening) gloves. These items I discovered, are worn to keep harsh sun off fashion conscious women, who prefer lighter skin (unlike we Aussies who bake ourselves on sandy beaches in order to achieve a healthy glow!) 

Last but not least is the wonderful hemp and indigo used with great skill by Hmong peoples. Fabrics imbued with magic!

Fire:

Chinese Duck & Baguettes

Always willing to explore local cooking, so fire for "Foods". Pho is a noodle soup served in a myriad of ways.  We tried pho in an amazing restaurant in Saigon that was filled with dark timber - rich painted panels, heavily carved furniture and mysterious interior decorations.  Broth was simmering in huge fiery pots near the restaurant door with additives chopped ready for each order.  We enjoyed local beer; Tiger was our favourite refreshment and wines, particularly French, were readily available.  Snake wine was an interesting delight available around the Mekong.  Said to have special properties; I think I'll stick to oysters, thanks! 

Of course, the French influence is evident!  Roadside stalls selling baguettes were everywhere and I even found some excellent lemon tarts in Hue.  

Local favourites for the pantry include nuoc mam (fish sauce), edible rice paper to wrap parcels of meats and vegies, and every imaginable seafood. Our favourite meal was a banquet of home cooked dishes served to us at Kim Bong Village on Cham Island, near Hoi An. Entertainment was provided by the owner's dog and friendly pet monkey.   

Earth: 

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see earth as "Pottery". Bat Trang pottery village, out from Hanoi, still produces high-fired stoneware. Items are built from locally available white clay and decorated in a traditional blue and white glaze. Further south, a low-fired terracotta can be found. Pale green or honey coloured celadon and crackle glazes are common. Had we not been near the end of our trip (and too close to luggage limits, oops!!), I might have considered tucking a few little pieces into my bags....

Metal:

To me, metal could mean "Strong Resolve", so my first thoughts on this topic were of that trusty steed, the motorbike. Locals use motorbike taxis, hawkers pursue you feverishly and amazing goods, including large, live animals, are transported to and from markets on them. One small bike seems to easily accommodate a whole family - at least 4 or 5. Given the somewhat "free & easy" approach to driving in Vietnam, especially by bus and truck drivers, we decided that being easyriders was not for us and gave any near-death experiences a wide berth! 

On the topic of strong resolve, Vietnam has a fascinating mix of religious conviction. Mostly Buddhist, culturally there is an exciting fusion of other faiths including Cao Daism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Confucianism and others such as Ancestor worship. Religious tolerance has not always been this way in Vietnam and there is a history of restrictions and persecutions going back over many centuries. We though, had the luxury of being treated as guests in pagodas, temples and churches, especially in the small Cao Dai temple in the Long Hais.

Water:

Water is part of the magic of Vietnam; it is a country noted for its "Rivers and Oceans". Water conjures up images of water puppets; mesmerizing performances with accompanying traditional music and song. Puppeteers stand waist deep in water, manipulating painted wooden puppets to tell stories of long ago.

Rice, a food staple, is grown in flooded paddy fields that stretch along the coast. Dotted through the fields were grave sites, which enable ancestors to participate in everyday activities. Water buffalo too, grazed in the fields waiting for plowing days. Children lazed on their backs; watching the herd, keeping it safe. That was until we stopped along the road, causing huge excitement and interest!

We were amazed to see coracles still in use in Vung Tau. I can only imagine how difficult they must be to maneuver in those choppy waters out in the Bay. What I don't seem to have is a picture of a woman who was rowing with her feet! I should try that one day - out on the river. I'd be sure to end up washed out to sea or going round in circles for hours.


We met some interesting locals (Is this Ren & Stimpy?)

Thus concludes a bit of an epic tale....(rather more than the 6 posts I initially limited myself to!).  However, we had fun, made some new discoveries, found some old friends and came home with a bag or two of textile treasures. Not to mention all those photos!  All the things that make travel fun. 

In the words of Alain de Botton (I think), a fulfilled traveller is about attitude, not where you've been or what you've done....  Makes perfect sense to me!
 

Enjoying Vietnam with Fellow Travellers in 2007