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Vietnam

R

radmoo

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Looking to TUGGERS for suggestions. Hubby served as US Army Chaplain 68-69 in 'Nam. We have been talking for a while about visiting and are ready to plan. Several issues, I am still f/t employed at age 61' he is 75 and retired. So we really cannot do much more than 14-18 days as my employer would not approve the time. We have good opportunity for a week tour Feb 2014, we would travel there and back on our own and stop in San Fran to visit grandkids. But we could only do nam, no Thailand or Cambodia. The other option is SE Asia cruise, unfortunately the itinerary that would work for us I not be ing offered by Princess until 2015. We do not want to delay too long as hubby isn't getting any younger although we are both in good health. Any thoughts, especially formal those who have traveled that part of the world would be greatly appreciated
 
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I too am a Vietnam veteran- '68-'69. I too have not returned. I want to, but so far have not 'pulled the trigger'. There is a closure awaiting there. It is a place that lurks in the memories of veterans that probably needs to be visited to close.

I offer no constructive help, only encouragement. Your husband should go while he is able, and you are willing to accompany him. I should go too, but don't know if I am ready. It's a long way to go for just a week, but if that's what you both have to devote to this, so be it. Many of our 'band of brothers' spent more.

All the best.

Jim
 
I graduated from college in 1968 and although I almost enlisted twice did not have to go to VN. For a host of unamed reasons my life was drastically changed by the war, but I did to VN 2 years ago (Hanoi). I also had several friends who went and never returned.

First of all, you need to realize that about 1/2 the population is under age 25. They have absolutely no recollection of the war. Except for a few attempts at government propaganda in places like Han Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), I was treated with respect and without animosity.

You do need a Visa which can be gotten on arrival but i would get it before you go. Where you go in VN probably depends on what your hubby wants to see. If you are in Hanoi, you dont want to miss the Military History Museum. They have on display all our vintage 68-72 war armaments. They even have a downed B 52 left as it was then in the middle of a small pond.

As for money, theirs is worthless once you leave VN. Convert only what you need and no more. You can get there several ways. HKG to VN or BKK to VN. I believe VN airways also flies from LA or SF. VN airways is a Delta partner.

I am sure it will be an emotional trip no matter what you do. I have had vets I know go there and they is what they have told me and it was very emotional to me as well.

If you take a taxi, I would be careful. I stayed at the Hilton Opera House in Hanoi (a gorgeous hotel) but my taxi driver from the airport tried to drop me at a Hotel about 3 miles away. If I had gotten out of the taxi, he would have been gone, but I asked the doorman if this was the Hilton and he said no. I also tried to overcharge me.

PM me if you have any specific questions.
 
Passepartout said:
I too am a Vietnam veteran- '68-'69. I too have not returned. I want to, but so far have not 'pulled the trigger'. There is a closure awaiting there. It is a place that lurks in the memories of veterans that probably needs to be visited to close.

I offer no constructive help, only encouragement. Your husband should go while he is able, and you are willing to accompany him. I should go too, but don't know if I am ready. It's a long way to go for just a week, but if that's what you both have to devote to this, so be it. Many of our 'band of brothers' spent more.

All the best.

Jim
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Thanks. I found fabulous tour on Travelzoo for only $999/person, land only, $1499 with air fro CA. But we really want to go biz class and we have sufficient miles to do so. Hubby was base din NahTrangh but traveled the country via. Chopper. This tour begins in Hanoi and ends in HCMC via Han Loi? Beach resort on South China Sea. Cruise would require travel from the ports to various sites. I think we need to do this,
 
We spent two weeks in VN last Jan on a tour with Odysseys Unlimited. It was a wonderful experience: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang and Hoi An, Hue, the Mekong Delta, and Saigon. Then we extended our trip to Angor Wat in Cambodia. I would urge you not to take a short cheap trip. The history is extensive. The people are wonderful.
 
patty5ia said:
We spent two weeks in VN last Jan on a tour with Odysseys Unlimited. It was a wonderful experience: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang and Hoi An, Hue, the Mekong Delta, and Saigon. Then we extended our trip to Angor Wat in Cambodia. I would urge you not to take a short cheap trip. The history is extensive. The people are wonderful.
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The short is due to fact that I cannot take more than 2 consecutive weeks vaca from work. And need to build in recoup time from flying as well as SF stopover to visit kids. If we wait until I retire, it may be 5 more years and hubby will be 80. This would really be a trip of closure for DH who has nightmares almost nightly of 'Nam. PTSD to be sure
 
Vietnam is a wonderful country, remember the war ended 38 years ago, there are people close to middle age that don't remember the war. People are friendly, the food is good, the beaches warm and inviting. Foreign tourism is changing things of course and you won't really be anything out of the ordinary in tourist regions like Danang, but it's nowhere as touristy as Thailand. I think it's southeast Asia's (semi-) hidden gem. Ironically I think it's one of the best countries for Americans to travel in, I don't know of anyone who had a bad time there.

When I go back to my other home in Australia I often spend a week in a resort in Vietnam with my family. Vietnam is replacing Bali for people in Oz as the "go to" spot overseas.
 
Not to be too presumptuous, but has your DH received treatment for PTSD? There is help available through the VA. My DH is also a veteran, not from the Viet Nam era, but did see some combat.
 
Not to knock your plans but I also was there in 68-69 on the Aircraft Carrier America on a 81/2 month tour. I lost three friends there and this is the last place I ever would want to go see! I also have heard stories of these trips making things worse forcing more memories maybe not wanted! :eek:

PHILL12
 
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radmoo said:
This would really be a trip of closure for DH who has nightmares almost nightly of 'Nam. PTSD to be sure
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What do the folks treating DH's PTSD say about returning? I am fortunately not affected, but would think that a person who has nightmares and is being treated for PTSD would run a chance of making it worse instead of getting closure.

If the doc's and psychologists say a visit would bring closure, I'd recommend being on the next plane headed there. Talk about a 'Freedom Bird!' However I'm not sure that would be the assured outcome.

As has been said, Vietnam is a completely different place than it was 45 years ago. The war is barely remembered and what is remembered is from the victor's point of view.

Still, I remember saying to myself back then/there, "This place is as close to paradise as I can imagine if only people weren't shooting at me." I hope it still is now that they aren't.

Jim
 
We have had inions on both sides of the coin. Given that modern Vietnam bares no resemblance to the w ar torn country of 45 years ago, we are hoping that the renaissance which has occurred will put a smile on hubby's face
 
On a trip like this, three weeks vs. two is a huge difference. Two time zone changes of that magnitude in two weeks would have people half our/your age in a tailspin for a week.

I suppose you've already inquired, but might your employer let you defer one week of current vacation to next year (and go then), or borrow a week from next year to use this year, or give you a one-week [unpaid] leave of absence? [I work for a very big company that would positively consider any of these.]

Even if "policy" is against this, would your manager realize the importance and request special consideration for you? Maybe realizing you'd be better when you return to work if you didn't have to do two super long trips in two weeks?

Is the issue that much absence from work because you're indispensable? If you must include visiting in SF, what if you agreed to check in by phone the day after you get back in the US? Or check in by email while traveling?

Finally, although it's not the most cost-effective, you could make a separate trip for the grandkids, or invite them to visit you.

Maybe there's a new idea here that will help.
 
I was a member in good standing of the Mekong Delta Yacht Club, 11/67-11/68 (VN vets will get my reference) and will go back hopefully before I'm too old. It is arguably one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth with equally wonderful people. I spent most of my time in the southern 1/4 of the country and was based for a bit out of Phu Quoc island which is now becoming the equal of the Thailand peninsula for resorts and that is where I will go. I have no interest in spending more than an overnight in Saigon and other than Hai Lon bay do not want to see anything in the north. I don't like the idea of a guided tour, just not for me, slurping pho and rolling up nem in lettuce leaves while sipping a ba me ba on the beach will work quite well. To the vets here, welcome home!
 
I can't give 1st hand experience, but DD just returned Thursday night from Vietnam. She had a wonderful trip after the 1st 3-4 days. She was very ill those days, combination of the all the travel meds, time zone changes and culture shock. She flew there alone but met up with her friend who is from Vietnam on college break so she stayed with a family. They nursed her back to health and enjoyed the remaining time there. She had 18 days which she was grateful for since she lost the those 1st few days.

She also said many of the young people know nothing about the war like she had learned. Maybe the Military Channel really does payoff in our home.

She did stay at a resort on the beach for 5 days but the bulk of the trip was in Ho Chi Minh City. She said the trip wouldn't have been enjoyable if she wasn't with someone who could speak the language, so taking a tour might be a good idea.

The visa was $100 and didn't take long to get, maybe a week.
 
isisdave said:
On a trip like this, three weeks vs. two is a huge difference. Two time zone changes of that magnitude in two weeks would have people half our/your age in a tailspin for a week.

I suppose you've already inquired, but might your employer let you defer one week of current vacation to next year (and go then), or borrow a week from next year to use this year, or give you a one-week [unpaid] leave of absence? [I work for a very big company that would positively consider any of these.]

Even if "policy" is against this, would your manager realize the importance and request special consideration for you? Maybe realizing you'd be better when you return to work if you didn't have to do two super long trips in two weeks?

Is the issue that much absence from work because you're indispensable? If you must include visiting in SF, what if you agreed to check in by phone the day after you get back in the US? Or check in by email while traveling?

Finally, although it's not the most cost-effective, you could make a separate trip for the grandkids, or invite them to visit you.

Maybe there's a new idea here that will help.
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No logic dictates where employer is concerned. No vaca array over, either. Basically it s verboten to take more than 2 consecutive weeks
 
radmoo said:
No logic dictates where employer is concerned. No vaca array over, either. Basically it s verboten to take more than 2 consecutive weeks
Click to expand...

How many days are the tours you're looking at? My only concerned is the major jet lag my DD is going through right now. She was fortunate to not have to work the day after she got home, but did have to work tonight. She is dragging.
 
VN

People react to "Jeg Lag" differently, but since you are flying buisness class, it should not be a problem. Just be sure to fly an airline with lay flat seats. I have flown to the Far East 5 or 6 times and it is clearly much easier to fly if you are in business class.
 
If you are a seasoned traveller used to places where English is not that common you'll do fine. A lot of kids learn English at school and if you pick up a few Vietnamese words there shouldn't be a problem. People will want to help a foreigner, just come armed with a smile. This is not an unbeaten path, a lot of tourists have preceded you.

That being said, a lot of tourists end up in Nha Trang, Danang and Sunrise Beach area and maybe Huế for their cultural experience. There's a lot more to Vietnam. air travel is cheap.

I'm generally not a gun person, but visiting the Cu Chi tunnels there's a shooting range where, for a price, you can fire an M60 machine gun or an AK-47. They've enlarged a few of the tunnels to fit Westerners (and newer generation Vietnamese), so it's interesting to go down in them.

But the food, simply incredible. I don't think I had a even a so-so meal there.
 
We are seasoned travelers, having toured several European areas on our own. And I speak French, German and can get by with Italian and Spanish. The land tour is a week and if airline will permit, we would start with few days in Bangkok. If not, we may just fly to Nam and get ourselves to Nha Trabg were hubby was based. And we will stop in SF on return. We do Bos/ SF several times a year, returning on red eye, hubby gets to come home and I take Blue Line directly o office. Thankfully my work is not brain surgery, lol
 
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