Has a US carrier EVER made a port call to Vietnam?
I believe we visited back, when we supported one side here.
But this is the first visit since 1975, according to what I am reading.
I’m telling you Vietnam is very early in the process of opening up to America and the world. I get that there are a TON of things which can unexpectedly get in the way of relations between our two countries.
But I am cautiously optimistic. This place is NOT what I expected when I visited. Almost the exact opposite, in fact. There is a bit of a challenge for American visitors now, in that you must actually apply for a visa. Unlike the other countries in the area.
But the visa is for one entire year. And I am quite happy here at the moment.
Like I say, that could change. But it is worth a visit, if you are ready to be unexpectedly surprised.
Some surprizes will be good. Some will probably be bad. I had a cell phone taken right out of my hand when I was on a parked motorcycle. I had the REPLACEMENT phone grabbed on the exact same street a couple weeks later, but I had a good hold on that one, and kept it.
Other than snatch and grabs though, I was and have been very pleasantly surprised.
Again, this is not Thailand. This is not Cambodia. You won’t have that sort of experience here, and are basically wasting your time (and probably PO’ing the locals if you try). There are places which emphasize that sort of thing, but they are NOT the usual. Don’t come here expecting that sort of nightlife. It is here, but not a lot.
But there is quite a lot about this place I just am enchanted with.
I completely agree with the post which said we need to work to have an improving relationship.
I think there are also people on their side, who are saying the same thing about us.
Take another look at the place, people. It’s sort of special, to tell the truth.