A rice farmer works his land behind a water buffalo
Jan paints a ceramic thimble at our first "happy stop"
Women carry heavy loads in Vietnam
Power wiring nest on Hanoi street
And it's not even rush hour on the streets of Hanoi
A peek into a cell like one John McCain was in at Hoa Lo Prison
John McCain's flight suit on display
Photo of John McCain revisiting prison in 2000
Photo of John McCain revisiting prison in 2000Well, Hanoi is behind us! We remembered why we have simply passed on this city in the past. The “American War,” as they call it, that is being taught in Vietnamese schools (and passed on through tour guides), was “caused by the United States so that the US would have a direct path to invading China”. And, of course, they say, the mighty Vietnamese army defeated the Americans and our efforts failed. Our guide was explaining this to a French Canadian. Nearly our entire group had taken off their “Whisper” devices and, therefore, only 4 or 5 of us heard him saying this. It did set the tone for the entire day, however. Our guide was around thirty years old and he made it very clear that he knew less than we did about the Vietnam War…he admitted that he wasn’t even alive then. But, when asked, he delivered what he was taught in Vietnamese schools…much to our dismay.
A little bit about the “Whisper:” The guide wears a microphone on his lapel and all the group guests have a right-ear earpiece connected to a 2x3 inch monitor worn around the neck. They work beautifully. You can hear the guide talking from as far away as 100-150 feet. You can not listen by simply unplugging your earpiece or by turning off your monitor. Most of our group of 25 decided early in the tour to unplug themselves from his “speeches”…especially when we visited the Hoa Lo Prison and saw that propaganda first hand.
The cells, by the way, all said only Vietnamese prisoners were kept there. They showed us, what they say, was John McCain’s flight suit, photo of his rescue (in which we could not identify anybody), a wall mounted photo of his 2000 return visit, and his cell (which was the largest cell in the prison…no way it was Mr. McCain’s prison cell where he spent all those years in solitary confinement. They said all the American pilots were kept together and they were given teatime every afternoon at 4 pm (no solitary or torture)…right! We also saw depictions of Vietnamese prisoners being tortured and viewed one of two French guillotines (circa 1869) they say were only used extensively in the early 1900’s. The cells we did see were tiny (except the one they claim was John McCain’s), damp, and dark with only a small barred door area to see through to the cement “bed.” Enough said.
Our sincerest thank you to all of you reading this who serve or have served your country. We tend not to always think of what “in harm’s way” can mean when you fight for your country. Freedom needs to be respected and cherished by each of us. Thanks be to every military servant who truly serves and loves our country.
Traffic, motor scooters, and rice paddies filled our eleven hour tour. Six of those hours were spent driving to and from the port of Hong Gai. We did visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the cottage where he lived the final years of his life. Although Vietnam borders China, the influence and “feel” is much closer to Thailand, with scrolls, monsters, and dragons everywhere.
The Seven Seas Regent Mariner overnighted at Hong Gai to allow the entire ship a shore excursion the following morning. That entry will follow.
Hanoi, Vietnam Fast facts:
87 million population in Vietnam; 6 million in Hanoi; 800,000 in DaNang
Most of the nation are farmers – 70% of income is from agriculture
Number 1 in world in cashew and pepper production
Number 2 in world in rice (Thailand #1) and coffee production (Brazil #1)
Number 5 in world in garment/textile industry
Only 2 crops per year in North Vietnam (near Red River), but 3 crops in South Vietnam (near the Mekong Delta)
Only 30% of population has faith – 20% Buddhist, 10% Christian, remainder no faith at all
French ruled Vietnam until 1945. Strong French influence in buildings. On prior visits to this country, many spoke French. Not this time.
A little bit about the “Whisper:” The guide wears a microphone on his lapel and all the group guests have a right-ear earpiece connected to a 2x3 inch monitor worn around the neck. They work beautifully. You can hear the guide talking from as far away as 100-150 feet. You can not listen by simply unplugging your earpiece or by turning off your monitor. Most of our group of 25 decided early in the tour to unplug themselves from his “speeches”…especially when we visited the Hoa Lo Prison and saw that propaganda first hand.
The cells, by the way, all said only Vietnamese prisoners were kept there. They showed us, what they say, was John McCain’s flight suit, photo of his rescue (in which we could not identify anybody), a wall mounted photo of his 2000 return visit, and his cell (which was the largest cell in the prison…no way it was Mr. McCain’s prison cell where he spent all those years in solitary confinement. They said all the American pilots were kept together and they were given teatime every afternoon at 4 pm (no solitary or torture)…right! We also saw depictions of Vietnamese prisoners being tortured and viewed one of two French guillotines (circa 1869) they say were only used extensively in the early 1900’s. The cells we did see were tiny (except the one they claim was John McCain’s), damp, and dark with only a small barred door area to see through to the cement “bed.” Enough said.
Our sincerest thank you to all of you reading this who serve or have served your country. We tend not to always think of what “in harm’s way” can mean when you fight for your country. Freedom needs to be respected and cherished by each of us. Thanks be to every military servant who truly serves and loves our country.
Traffic, motor scooters, and rice paddies filled our eleven hour tour. Six of those hours were spent driving to and from the port of Hong Gai. We did visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the cottage where he lived the final years of his life. Although Vietnam borders China, the influence and “feel” is much closer to Thailand, with scrolls, monsters, and dragons everywhere.
The Seven Seas Regent Mariner overnighted at Hong Gai to allow the entire ship a shore excursion the following morning. That entry will follow.
Hanoi, Vietnam Fast facts:
87 million population in Vietnam; 6 million in Hanoi; 800,000 in DaNang
Most of the nation are farmers – 70% of income is from agriculture
Number 1 in world in cashew and pepper production
Number 2 in world in rice (Thailand #1) and coffee production (Brazil #1)
Number 5 in world in garment/textile industry
Only 2 crops per year in North Vietnam (near Red River), but 3 crops in South Vietnam (near the Mekong Delta)
Only 30% of population has faith – 20% Buddhist, 10% Christian, remainder no faith at all
French ruled Vietnam until 1945. Strong French influence in buildings. On prior visits to this country, many spoke French. Not this time.
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