Vietnam

During my cruise around Asia in 2007, i managed to get the chance to go to go to the south of Vietnam, specifically Saigon and other places around that area. This was a great experience for me as i was able to witness the luxury of Asia from other countries, but here i was able to witness the reality. The culture and history of Vietnam is fascinating, but the country is still plagued by its past, which is shown both in its surroundings and people.

The Good

Vietnam is chocked full of history, which is guaranteed to keep any traveller interested for hours. One of the most interesting parts of history for me was the Legacy of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty of Vietnam who alledgedy had more than 50 wives. At this time, Divorce was not around, and i’m pretty sure that all of the wives would have had to maintain the respect for this emperor, so his life would have been amazing.

The Legend

Not only does Emperor Mang provide you with amazing stories, but the architecture and structure of his tomb (which has never been set foot in after he died) is awe-inspiring, especially the statues surrounding his area.

My photo of a part of his Tomb

A statue Hidden in Emperor Mang's Garden

The Bad

Lets just say that the overall manners that i witnessed in Vietnam were all that favourable. The best example would be to tell you that on one of the offered “tours” around Saigon were foolish attempts to fleece us of our money. To tell the truth though i wouldn’t blame them , at least they have the effort to try and raise money for their Family.

He's Sneaky

The Ugly

Vietnam is still recovering from the events of the Vietnam war. Buildings are still desecrated, bullet marks can be seen on the most important monuments where opposing forces have striked and the economy of the country has definitely been crippled by the events. This is a Prime example to show how long it could take a developing country to recover from a war that happened fifty years ago.

Normal To See

Furthermore, there are still ongoing consequences from the Americans decision to use the Agent Orange Chemical, originally used to catch out the North Vietnamese. The consequences include 400,000 deaths and disabilities, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. Despite all this , the Vietnamese cope with their new lifestyle and hope for the best.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vietnam was an amazing place to travel to, but it is not mainly for the sightseeing, more for the history and the reality of the after effects of war. I would recommend this to people who are interested in History and politics.

I'll Finish with This