Along Hoi An, Vietnam’s riverside, numerous boat owners offer to rent their wooden vessels for journeys of an hour or more. Since Hoi An’s coastal position afforded it such a great trading fortune in centuries past, we were eager to explore the Mekong’s waters by boat. With a rate negotiated, we hopped onto the watercraft. TheContinue reading “Basket Boats, Chinese Fishing Nets & Non La Hats: A Thu Bon River Boat Ride From Hoi An, Vietnam”
Category Archives: Vietnam
Photo du Jour: A Kaleidoscope of Incense – Hué, Vietnam
The roadside stands just outside of Vietnam’s former imperial city, Hué, overflow with bundles of incense. When viewed en masse, these harlequin sticks resemble a textured kaleidoscope. The resulting cinnamon and sandalwood scent that wafts through the air is intoxicating.
Photo du Jour: Pedaling the Backroads of Vietnam’s Ben Tre Province
On a Sunday afternoon on which many celebrated the first day of the western New Year, these two Vietnamese ladies pedaled the lush, green backroads of Vietnam’s Ben Tre Province. Ben Tre is situated in the Mekong Delta.
Dog Tags and Medals for Sale in a Vietnamese Market
“All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.” François Fénelon On a bustling road leading to Hué’s once-grand Imperial City are sidewalk plots where vendors sell antique blue and white china, happy Buddha statues, and items reminding passersby of tragic chapters in Vietnam’s history. The items are harmoniously intermingled: North Vietnamese battle awards,Continue reading “Dog Tags and Medals for Sale in a Vietnamese Market”
Photo du Jour: An Imperial City Destroyed By War – Hué, Vietnam
Many of the walls of Hué’s Imperial Enclosure and Forbidden Purple City bear the scars of war from decades past. There are walls devoured by mortar rounds and brick façades pock-marked by bullets.
Photo du Jour: A Canine Convention on a Vietnamese Balcony
Hoi An, Vietnam’s Old Town is characterized by buildings painted in a creamy yellow hue, colorful lanterns, and moss-covered walls and balusters. Another ubiquitous detail are Vietnamese watchdogs. Some canines are calm and seemingly immune to the flurry of never-ending activity, whereas others — like the quartet featured here — can’t refrain from barking atContinue reading “Photo du Jour: A Canine Convention on a Vietnamese Balcony”
Sunset Sledding on Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam
Mui Ne, Vietnam’s sand dune landscape is like something out of The Arabian Nights, but with an Alpine twist. Gusts of wind pick up sand from the cinnamon-colored dunes, causing the grains to dance in the air, all while adventure-seeking travelers gleefully sled — and wipe out — on plastic toboggans.
Photo du Jour: Selling Paper Lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam
An evening stroll along the riverside in Hoi An, Vietnam, produces a number of fascinating images, to include this one of a vendor selling paper lanterns. For 20,000 Vietnamese Dong, (about $1 USD), we launched yellow and red lanterns out into the open water, all the while reflecting upon how lucky we are to beContinue reading “Photo du Jour: Selling Paper Lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam”
Travels With Tricia 