Good Morning, Vietnam
Horns honk, motorcycles flow through the streets like water, and here we are, halfway across Saigon’s busiest boulevard during rush hour. It sounds desperate and distressed; like salmon running upstream towards a certain death. Yet, this is Asia; not everything is as it seems.
Like much of Asia, Vietnam is a land of contrasts. Communist, yet embracing a free market economy. Traditionally conservative, yet expression is starting to break free. The only thing constant around here is change.
Take Mui Ne, on the southern coast. Once a quiet coastline known only to fishermen, Mui Ne has morphed into a high-end beach resort. Fancy resorts and guesthouses line the beach, and western influence drips from every palm frond. Adrenaline sports have found their way here too, with the constant high winds an ever-present playground for windsurfers and kiteboarders.
Take the Mekong Delta, the fertile depository of the 12th largest river in the world. Once only filled with rice paddies, the Mekong Delta has sprouted cities and a productive fishing industry. Although it is still largely rural, Southern Vietnam is the only spot on the Mekong between Tibet and the South China Sea where any development has taken hold.
Take Saigon, the former capital of South Vietnam, now known to the world as Ho Chi Minh City. This city of seven million positively hums. Business is booming here in the economic capital of Vietnam, and the place is starting to look like Hong Kong: high rises, neon, and construction projects stand as testament to the rise of capitalism.
We make it across the street in one piece. Despite the increasing similarities to the western world, things are still done differently here, including crossing the street. Saigon has three million bicycles, two million motorcycles, and 200,000 cars, and as far as I can tell, all of them are in use 24 hours a day. If you had to wait for a break in traffic, you would never get anywhere. As a result, a system has developed that goes against everything you were ever taught by your mother. Just step off the curb and gradually into traffic – as you creep slowly towards the other side, the cars, motos, and bikes avoid you. It works every time, but it never feels quite right.
Enjoy the Southern Vietnam Photo Gallery.
Enjoy the Southern Vietnam movies:
Mekong Canoe Trip.
Bird Song.
Mekong Buzz.
Boating the Delta.
Like much of Asia, Vietnam is a land of contrasts. Communist, yet embracing a free market economy. Traditionally conservative, yet expression is starting to break free. The only thing constant around here is change.
Take Mui Ne, on the southern coast. Once a quiet coastline known only to fishermen, Mui Ne has morphed into a high-end beach resort. Fancy resorts and guesthouses line the beach, and western influence drips from every palm frond. Adrenaline sports have found their way here too, with the constant high winds an ever-present playground for windsurfers and kiteboarders.
Take the Mekong Delta, the fertile depository of the 12th largest river in the world. Once only filled with rice paddies, the Mekong Delta has sprouted cities and a productive fishing industry. Although it is still largely rural, Southern Vietnam is the only spot on the Mekong between Tibet and the South China Sea where any development has taken hold.
Take Saigon, the former capital of South Vietnam, now known to the world as Ho Chi Minh City. This city of seven million positively hums. Business is booming here in the economic capital of Vietnam, and the place is starting to look like Hong Kong: high rises, neon, and construction projects stand as testament to the rise of capitalism.
We make it across the street in one piece. Despite the increasing similarities to the western world, things are still done differently here, including crossing the street. Saigon has three million bicycles, two million motorcycles, and 200,000 cars, and as far as I can tell, all of them are in use 24 hours a day. If you had to wait for a break in traffic, you would never get anywhere. As a result, a system has developed that goes against everything you were ever taught by your mother. Just step off the curb and gradually into traffic – as you creep slowly towards the other side, the cars, motos, and bikes avoid you. It works every time, but it never feels quite right.
Enjoy the Southern Vietnam Photo Gallery.
Enjoy the Southern Vietnam movies:
Mekong Canoe Trip.
Bird Song.
Mekong Buzz.
Boating the Delta.
posted by Scott and Lynn at 8:12 PM
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