Vietnam video now on YouTube

[Englishman2010]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Mv4...FBZa5BnmYcvYyx

I've put together this short photo/video of my recent trip to Southern and Central Vietnam. It is in the public domain, if you like it please feel free to share it on FB or any other sites to help increase my hits.

[Rosie1958]

I have just watched your video and I am now hooked on Vietnam! You have some great photos and no doubt some fantastic memories of your trip. The very first thing that struck me (besides the great beaches) was how clean the place looks. Got to ask, did you actually eat the snake? Thank you so much for taking the time to make the video and sharing it with the forum, it's very much appreciated and I'd give you rep but for some reason the site won't let me.

[Englishman2010]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Rosie The main towns and cities are a lot cleaner than the Phil's, people seem to take a bit more pride in the environment and use the litter bins, plus there are lots of street sweepers cleaning up the litter and dust.

Yes, I did eat the snake. It was OK, a bit like chicken, but there were a few too many bones in it for my liking. The frogs were far nicer

[grahamw48]

Wow !
What a beautiful place!

Thanks for taking the time and trouble Ian.

In some ways reminds me of the old Singapore from my youth....before the skyscrapers.

So much character, history, atmosphere and interesting things to see and do....and EAT. lol

[Rory]

Very well put together and the music is very fitting for the video.

[Englishman2010]

Thanks Graham and Rory

Yes I'd imagine Singapore was a bit like that before the Skyscrapers. It certainly feels more Far Eastern/Chinese than the Phils which has more of a Latin/American feel.

The food is very interesting, but nothing I'd turn my nose up at. I definitely enjoyed the food far more than in other Asian countries I've visited, mainly on account of the wonderful variety of fresh veg and herbs they use. Another good thing is the very small number of western fast food outlets. No need for any US burger rubbish, Vietnamese food is far more enjoyable. The only thing I really missed was McDonalds coffee, Vietnamese coffee is very good (I brought some beans home with me) but unfortunately they make it far too strong and sweet and then add a dollop of condensed milk for good measure

[juvyjones28]

nice slideshow

Vietnam is a beautiful country just like Philippines

[grahamw48]

Sounds like my kind of coffee Ian.

When I first went to the Phils....yes, initial impression was - South American banana republic.

Hardly surprising, what with 350 years of Spanish rule/ruination....then the Yanks finishing the job off with coca cola and fast food.

[Englishman2010]

nice slideshow

Vietnam is a beautiful country just like Philippines

Very true, I love the Phil's as well and have lots of great memories of my trips there, but after going there 8 times the rose tinted specs fell off a long time ago I'm sure I'd find fault with Vietnam or anywhere else if I went there often enough

[Englishman2010]

Sounds like my kind of coffee Ian.

When I first went to the Phils....yes, initial impression was - South American banana republic.

Hardly surprising, what with 350 years of Spanish rule/ruination....then the Yanks finishing the job off with coca cola and fast food.

That's sooo true Graham

As for the coffee, rather you than me I had to keep asking for a glass of hot water with my coffee so I could thin it down a bit. Fortunately I took a good supply of Coffeemate sachets I'd collected from McD's in Makati on my last visit to the Phil's

[grahamw48]

Hmm, thanks for reminding me to check those 3 year-old sachets of 'harvested' Coffeemate and other stuff in my suitcase.

[imagine]

wow amazing video, so much to see, i never imagined vietnam that way

thanks for sharing

[Terpe]

I watched your photo-vid and really enjoyed it. (added comment). Great job Ian and well done.
It's a super set of photo's and music track that creates an irresistible impulse to go there asap. Well it did for me.

Must say, everywhere looked clean, tidy and welcoming.

[stevie c]

Hi Ian what a fantastiv video i never knew that vietnam was such a beautifull & interesting country.

You sure have got me interested in visiting this awe inspiring country thanks foe sharing it with us.

[Englishman2010]

Hmm, thanks for reminding me to check those 3 year-old sachets of 'harvested' Coffeemate and other stuff in my suitcase.

I always help myself to any sachets of milk powder, tea bags, coffee, sweeteners, soaps, toothbrushes/paste and shampoo's ...etc. They come in very handy when I'm travelling, and helps cut down on baggage weight as there's no need to take half a dozen different bottles of shampoo, shower gel...etc.

When Emirates upgraded me to Business Class a few months ago, they had dozens of small tubes of Colgate in the posh Business Class loo's. Lets just say I've got enough Colgate to last me a good few more trips

[Englishman2010]

Thanks for your kind comments Imagine, Terpe and Stevie C

I don't want to become a bore, repeating how nice it was there, but I think you'll be surprised how different it is to when you were there in the past Terpe. It is very clear that the Gov't have invested heavily into the road infrastructure to attract manufacturing companies, and there has been a massive amount of private investment into business over there. Driving in the taxi from Da Nang to Hoi An, which is approx 30km, was along a 4 lane perfectly straight dual carriageway with hardly any traffic on it. Da Nang itself is full of brand new business parks, retail and entertainment parks. The roads from HCMC to the Mekong Delta and Vung Tao are just the same All of the towns I visited had extensive public parks and walkways with beautifully manicured gardens and nice rock ornaments. It's not as clean or sterile as Singapore, but on par with Brunei and the nicer parts of Malaysia and Hong Kong. I'm not daft enough to think the whole country is like that, if you venture into the poorer parts of towns, you still find millions of people living in squalid slums. However, it is very clear the Government means business, and I dare say that Vietnam will develop economically far quicker than the Phil's. Communism may have many flaws, but I'd imagine there is less corruption there than in some democracies

[Dedworth]

Excellent pics and soundtrack - nominated for an Academy Award

[Englishman2010]

Excellent pics and soundtrack - nominated for an Academy Award

Cheers Dedbut I won't book my flight to LA just yet

[grahamw48]

I always help myself to any sachets of milk powder, tea bags, coffee, sweeteners, soaps, toothbrushes/paste and shampoo's ...etc. They come in very handy when I'm travelling, and helps cut down on baggage weight as there's no need to take half a dozen different bottles of shampoo, shower gel...etc.

When Emirates upgraded me to Business Class a few months ago, they had dozens of small tubes of Colgate in the posh Business Class loo's. Lets just say I've got enough Colgate to last me a good few more trips

Oh me too, of course.