V IS FOR VIETNAM! THE A- Z CHALLENGE.

V IS FOR VIETNAM!

THE A- Z CHALLENGE.

Vietnam is burned into the memory of many who remember the graphic images of the American War, (as the Vietnamese would call the Vietnam War ) that held us glued to our flickering black and white TVs of the 60s. We both knew a lot about its history- of French colonization, Japanese invasion, and civil war culminating in the bloodiest defeat of full scale American intervention. New Zealand's involvement  made sure we would: we had friends who fought there.

As idealistic teenagers of that era of hippies, flower power, long hair and anti-war demonstrations, our perceptions of Vietnam were formed, and still very negative when in early 2002 we looked at travelling to that country.

Our trip through Vietnam was to change completely our attitudes to travel. We learned to leave our preconceptions behind. It also raised the question in our mind, of how we can be at war in a country, and a few decades later be travellers there, welcomed by everyone we met.

Today is ANZAC Day, commemorating the landings on April 25th  1915 of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at what is now known as ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli, on the Dardanelles Peninsular, Turkey, a day of remembrance for all casualties fighting in our wars. It's fitting we remember Vietnam today.

And ask these questions-

Should the war have been fought?

What was our country doing there?

We still remember Vietnam as the most colorful country we have ever experienced.  These photos will tell you why. They are low resolution as very early digital photography days.

Temple in Hoi An.

Streets of Hoi An



Temple near Hue.



Women labourers, Hoi An.

Woman labourer, Hoi An.

Water puppet show, Hanoi.

V IS FOR VIETNAM! THE A- Z CHALLENGE.

Tweet