Before traveling to Vietnam three years ago, I wondered what kind of a reception we would get from the people there. I had heard the Vietnamese people liked Americans, but was skeptical because of the military conflict in Southeast Asia that ended just forty plus years earlier. After our experience, I am convinced the Vietnamese love Americans.

    A poll was taken a few years ago that asked citizens from Vietnam how favorably they looked at fifty different countries. The United States was sixth out of these fifty. It was explained to me this was because of our common adversary; China. 

    I'm sure another factor is they love Americans to spend their dollars there.

    Whatever the reason, our experience in Central Vietnam was truly awesome!

    Logan, Kim and I arrived in September in Da Nang on an Asiana 747-400 from Seoul, South Korea and stayed in the cultural mecca of Hoi An.

Our chariot to Da Nang, Vietnam 

Kim and Logan at our hotel swimming pool. The hotel was called the Orchid Garden Hotel along the banks of the Thu Bon River.

If I have any complaints about Vietnam, it would be the oppressive heat/humidity. Other than that, it was the perfect vacation in a foreign country. Just be sure to take enough clothes for a change or two during the day.

The first thing we did, on the very first day, was to take a river cruise in nearly personal basket boats. Kim and Logan with their guide, and me with my guide, were just two of seemingly hundreds of tourists heading down the river. 

These boats were so much fun, literally! With paddles in the hands of the right person could spin in circles at a very high rate of speed. My guide allowed me to do this and, just like the teacups at Disneyland, probably went too fast for the person with me. She appeared to get light-headed and had to sit down. This is a video of Logan and Kim being spun by their guide.

While in our basket boats, we came across a fisherman that taught tourists how to cast a fishing net from his boat. Logan gave it a shot and did very well. The man was very friendly despite having half his foot missing. Apparently, according to our guides, he was the victim of an aerial bombing during the Vietnam conflict. No idea which side was responsible, and I didn't want to ask. Da Nang was just south of the division between the communist North and South Vietnam.

The city of Hoi An has a fantastic "ancient town" section that everyone who visits Central Vietnam must see. There are several spots plotted out on an available map to help tourists or other visitors navigate the attractions. Here are just a few of the spots we were able to hit. Ancient town covers just a few blocks so everything is within walking distance if you can stomach that same heat and humidity. The entire section is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kim and Logan in front of the Japanese Covered Bridge

Fujian Assembly Hall Gate

Fujian Assembly Hall

The cool thing about Hoi Ann ancient town is the Chinese and Japanese influences that have lasted for centuries and are virtually untouched. There are houses, temples and bridges you can photograph or explore. There are also shops to purchase genuine souvenirs from or places to buy a bowl of Pho.

Hoi An is also the site of a fantastic cultural show on a small island in the middle of the Thu Bon River. This show, which celebrates the origins of the city, has all the pageantry of a 4th of July celebration at home. It was incredibly enjoyable. The production is called the Hoi An Memories Show.

Vietnam has fantastically organized tours that will pick you up and bring you home after. One of the tours we took was to the My Son Hindu temple complex. The well-preserved buildings and temples were interesting to walk through and photograph. Here is a sampling of what is there.

Kim with tourists from around the globe exploring My Son.

Kim appreciating not only the temple she is admiring, but also appreciating where she is at the time. 

Kim and Logan in front of one of the temples.

In addition to seeing the temples, we were treated to musicians and singers performing traditional songs.

The other tour we took was to Ba Na Hills which is basically Disneyland in the mountains. Because of the altitude, actually much cooler.

To Get to Ba Na Hills there are several gondolas to take above the plush vegetation.

The amusement park was spotted with European like castles and various rides and attractions.

One of the biggest attractions is the Golden Bridge, which is held up by two giant stone looking hands. Here Kim and Logan pose on the bridge.

Picture showing how the bridge is suspended by the 'hand' supports.

There are several statues and artists depictions that you can climb on. Kim whispering sweet nothings into a rock.

Does this look like Vietnam? I don't think so.

A buhdha on the mountain at Ba Na Hills.

Da Nang Vietnam has several attractions worth seeing. It was relatively easy to get around by hop on/hop off busses and we took advantage. Here are just a few of the things we saw.

China Beach, just like in the television series, is on the South China Sea. Logan was the only one that went in, but described it as very nice.

Kim put her feet in, but that doesn't really count.

Logan will go into the water no matter where it is. Unfortunately, on this day he was the only one to have a swimsuit.

China Beach. We were there in September and the beach weather was beautiful.

The Zone 5 Military Museum in Da Nang is probably not for everyone. Kim and Logan were affected by the poignant displays and photographs from a war we spent nine years fighting. I enjoyed it for the military aspect, but was still bothered by some of what I saw. The museum is easy to get to by bus and very interesting to visit.

There is quite a collection of USA military vehicles either abandoned or captured by North Vietnam. 

The museum is actually on an active military base and we were watched closely the entire time we were there.

This blog is just scratching the surface of what one can see in Da Nang, Hoi an Vietnam. Overall, the people were incredibly friendly although communication was sometimes strained. In conclusion, a few more pictures with brief explanations. All of these things can be found on the web and worthy of further investigation and visiting if possible.

Dragon Carp Fountain in Da Nang near the Love Bridge. We saw it during the day, but at night it is lit up with alternating colors and actually acting as a fountain.

We happened to be in Hoi An during the time they celebrate their Chinese Lantern festival in a local garden/park. They had interesting food available that I personally was not brave enough to try and the most colorful lanterns both hanging and floating on water. It was really a treat to see and really not far from our hotel.

On the way to the Da Nang airport for our flight to Seoul, we stopped at the Da Nang Caves. It is a mixture of beautiful outside gardens and intriguing caves with all kinds of artwork and carvings. Here Kim and Logan pose for a quick picture.

Kim at Da Nang Caves.

Inside one of the caves at Da Nang Caves.

A picturesque temple at Da Nang Caves.

One of the larger caverns inside Da Nang Caves.

   All in all, central Vietnam is spectacular, and I feel we only scratched the surface of what there is to see and do. And this is just central Vietnam. 

To the north is the city of Hanoi, and from what I understand, it is equally impressive. In the future, we plan to visit Hanoi also.