Vietnam Feb 12, 2026

Back to Vietnam

   For a long time since my 1970 discharge from the USAF, I never thought about revisiting Vietnam at all. It wasn’t until 2025 that I was interested in seeing it again.  So,cutting to the chase, all of the planning and preparation finally arrived and our plan was set.  I felt fine about the whole thing and actually looked forward to seeing Vietnam again. To break up the trip we opted to go to Singapore via Fiji, taking 3 or 4 days to explore the island before continuing our flight to Singapore. .  One night in Singapore was good enough for me. I was anxious to set sail deeper into Southeast Asia.

   We were on board the Diamond Princess by noon. Checking in was a breeze as everything went smoothly. Our small group of seven processed in and headed for the 14th floor to sample the lunch buffet before inspecting our quarters, or staterooms as some call it. As we are budget travelers, it seemed more like quarters to me. We have a small balcony and I enjoy spending time watching the south China see roll by.

   we pulled out of Singapore about 6:00 PM, cruise all night, all the next day, and all night.  We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City about 7:00 AM the following day.

     Sometime during the full day at sea, I started feeling something different. I became more anxious, perhaps nervous. Thoughts began to consume me, and I had trouble focusing my thoughts. That evening at dinner, I informed our group about my anxiety and asked them not to mention anything about my presence in Vietnam in past years. I reason that with the US withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975 and the consequential over-running of the country by the North Vietnamese, there would be many generations of North Vietnamese people living here in the south. When the north took over, many, many South Vietnamese people were killed, imprisoned, or converted to communism. My reasoning was  that I could be susceptible to resentment or hostilities. , I began to wonder if I had made a smart decision to visit Vietnam.

   My wife, Debby, had created an itinerary that included a private tour of several highlights of the city. It felt strange to refer to this place as Ho Chi Minh City. During the war, it was called Saigon. I had been here a couple of times in 1970. During the past 50 years, the physical change to the city has been tremendous. One of our tours included a stop to a coffee shop on the 76th floor of a downtown high-rise. It provided amazing views of the city and reminded me a lot of looking down on Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower.  Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. I believe our guide said it has more than 12 million inhabitants. There are many high-rise apartments near downtown, the so-called, high rent district. He said there are 18 million motorbikes in the city, as well. I’m sure I did not see 18 million but I did see a lot!

   One of our visits included a Buddhist temple where, upon entering, we had to remove shoes and hats. I have no photographs of the inside because taking pictures was against the rules, as well. Our guide explained much of what we were looking at.  One smaller room was dedicated to the God of Hades.  People were coming in, bowing down, and praying there, as well. It was a strange custom to me. I believe our tour guide told us that 71% of Vietnam was Buddhists.   I did see Muslim and Hindus.. This is one country that could certainly use Jesus. Seeing this, makes me more appreciative of World, English Institute that reaches out to all the countries in the world teaching English to students using the Bible as their textbook.  I have had two students from here, myself. 

   Liam, our tour guide for the day, said his country wants to be neutral and wants no more war.  The French were here for many years and the U.S. was here for 20.  The war ended in 1975 with the withdrawal of the U.S.  Since that time  this it’s has been building and expanding amazingly quickly.  It makes me wonder where r all the money came from?

   Our guide kept calling the war, “the American war”.  Actually, we entered the war in the early 60’s at the freest of South Vietnam due to Communist aggression from the north.  It’s interesting how indoctrination works.  We became the bad guys, the aggressor, the invaders.  Liam also used the words, “When Vietnam won thje war”.  We DID withdraw from Vietnam.  

   Today, Liam said they hold no grudges and want peace.  China has a strong influence here but he said Vietnam wants to be neutral.  They like America and want to be like us.  They like our movies, our music, our language and our dress.

   Liam said Vietnam likes Obama because he came here once to visit the country.  They named a Pagoda after him when he came to pray to Buddha for a son.  (He actually had two daughters.). Oh, well.