Gift of Travel Part 2: From Hanoi to Danang to Saigon: Exploring Vietnam's Differences

    Almost everyone can afford a motorized bike in Hanoi. Pedestrians watch out!

Hanoi is North Vietnam, Danang is Central Vietnam, and Saigon is South. For although Vietnam is unified, each city has a different feel and a different place in the country's history. The differences continue for even narratives about Vietnam vary depending on who is speaking.  A guide from Hanoi offers a different take from a guide from Danang as does an expert lecturer or an experienced travel writer.

What they agree on is that Vietnam is a country that has a history of occupation. For a thousand years, Vietnam was part of China, for one hundred years, it was a French colony, for 20 years it was occupied by and at war with the US.  They all speak freely about the war with the US and the lasting impact of "chemicals" on the people as agent orange seeped into the ground water.

    Vietnam's first university, the Temple of Literature, a peaceful place in a busy, chaotic city.

 

They are less consistent when it comes to discussing communism. One guide lectures about communism and the virtues of Ho Chi Minh while another explains that Vietnam is communist in name only and has embraced China's model of capitalistic communism. To this communist country, foreign money has poured in, sparking a building boom, but poverty is everywhere. Luxury resorts built by foreign companies line the coast close to "China Beach" near Danang, with new resorts under construction. In Saigon, some high rise condos sell for $500,000 to $1 million US. However, with typical salaries around $100 to $200 a month, locals aren't buying these properties, leaving us wondering who is.

    High rises in Saigon and $1 million condos.

    Political signs in Saigon

    Chinese temple in Saigon.

   

    Water buffaloes and rice fields in central Vietnam.

    

    

    

    Business on the streets of the Old Quarter, Hanoi.

Probably the most important question is are we glad we visited Vietnam? We certainly are. It is a fast paced, welcoming, interesting country and we can't wait to compare it with Thailand and Singapore. Eating safely has been challenging during land tours but always easy on the ship. We travel with celiac cards in a variety of languages and our guides have been happy to hand the card off to chefs who can then figure out a celiac safe meal, like the lovely one pictured below.

Stay calm and keep traveling

    A beautiful gluten free rice noodle dish prepared for me at a Saigon hotel restaurant.