Millions of travelers visit Vietnam on a yearly basis. In Southeast Asia, it’s somewhat of a hub for all kinds of visitors. Sure, there is the party scene but there is a ton of history too. So, it’s not rare to come across a diverse group of people from all over the world, Americans included.
Vietnam holds a special place in the heart of many visitors, yet Americans especially. Given our history, it’s hard to get away from stuff that slips under the radar of other nationalities. Oh the joys of being from the good, old US of A!
These are the ones you’ll recognize on your trip.
The Awkwardness
Let’s confront the elephant in the room – we went to war with Vietnam and lost. Considering the marches in the 60s and 70s, not everyone was happy about the invasion. And, that makes the history lesson all the more awkward. The Vietnamese are well within their rights to celebrate their history, yet it feels as if they are gloating at times. We want to put our hand up and say “excuse me, but…” yet we know it will make things worse. So, the US contingent soldiers on during the tour of the Cu Chi tunnels or the visit to the National War Museum.
The Traffic
We’re not trying to say for one minute that the traffic in Vietnam is less hectic than at home. Anybody who has been there knows New York or LA can’t hold a candle to the chaos that is Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. Still, we can’t help but feel a tinge of homesickness and respect when we spot brave men and women crossing the road. They jaywalk, they don’t look both ways, and they don’t give a damn! Back home, we’d have to contact the law office of George Salinas for legal advice after an accident. In Vietnam, they swerve around pedestrians like it’s second nature. That goes for the sidewalks too.
The Tipping
Leaving the US for a vacation is a freeing experience. Not having to work out 15% of a bill every time is like a holiday within a holiday. Plus, it’s a cost-effective way to save money. Maybe after a trip to Europe, we can all understand why the Brits are so keen on keeping their money in the pockets. Vietnam is different as it’s expected of tourists to contribute. We might get profiled and singled out for special treatment, yet it’s a nice reminder of home.
The Cuisine
It’s not as if the US is the only country that goes crazy for Vietnamese food, but we do have an affinity with it more than most. By the 1980s, over 250,000 Vietnamese people had move to the states and there are over 2 million of them now according to the latest consensus. So, Pho isn’t foreign to us and nor is bun thang or xoi; however, the difference between the real Hanoi stuff and the sort you find in a Days Inn motel is night and day. The same goes for the beer too.
What spoke to you during your time in Vietnam? Did you love it or hate it?
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