[ThanhPhero]

You should visit the country. This old soldier did that in 2003 and just keeps going back. It is a fine place to vacation and the people love Americans. You would be surprised at what the old soldiers from the other side have to say about what was right and wrong about that war. If you have any thought about seeing what has become of the country you fought in, you should go and see. Try to remember we did not fight the Vietnamese.

We fought the Communists. They learned some lessons from their failed collectivization efforts. Vietnamese, even Communists are nothing if not practical. Collectivization failed and they ditched it. They are still in charge but they are not real Communists any more. They more resemble Mafia in Sicily or 1950s New York City or Havana with an awareness that Viet Nam must become rich and thus capitalist in order to avoid becoming a province of China. You can't do that by toadying to China. They need America and America needs them. Even Clinton understood that. Obama was put off by the Americophilia of Viet Nam and relations retrogressed.

[redcatcherb412]

You should visit the country

That's OK, i'll let others love the place. I left too much there to give a flying fark about the country or its people.

[bigdaddy45]

Thanks for your post. Wise words indeed.

[the_individual2014]

Did Ho Chi Ming say that I rather smell French chit for 5 years than smell Chinese chit for 1000?

[cba123]

I agree.

I am American, but in have lived in Ho Chi Minh City for the last year.

Vietnam is a very interesting place. It is not like Thailand or Cambodia. Not like either one. At all.

It is communist, like China is. And they are definitely NOT pro China. Unlike every other country around here.

I did not originally intend to stay as long as I have. It is a very interesting place.

Think about visiting again. I am not saying you personally, but those reading.

This is not the country we were fighting in 50 years ago. That was two entire generations ago.

It is growing, and Americans seem to be rather highly regarded here.

Again it is not Thailand or Cambodia, but it is Vietnam.

[Uncle Sam 911]

56,000 dead Americans for NOTHING. I think loving the country is out of the question.

[huldah1776]

Thank you from a Nam Gold Star sister. My youngest bro was there for a bit and he loved it, but I can’t get the image of the woman he was staying with eating rats. Wonder if they have a middle class yet?