Vietnam Photos

We were greeted by Anh and Hoo who are residence of the Village. Kids are supported by donations. Most have some hearing or learning dissabilities. These at risk children live on campus where all of their needs are met. Some are orphans while others are from large families that required one child to be removed to allow the families resources to cover the rest. The families visit often and most are from the immediate area of Danang. You can see the Village of hope website at

Fried spring rolls at a gourmet lunch in Saigon

Downtown Hanoi, just a couple of blocks from Ho che Min's final resting place.

Found this lady selling artwork that her uncle produces. Very nice ink drawings on silk. She spoke english enough to get the picture.

This U17B was seen at the war relic museum in Saigon. A place where the real trauma of the war is seen in vivid color.

Propaganda abounds in this museum. If you don't mind getting a little hot under the collar, some of the photos in this museum are a must see.

Bicycles and motorbikes are the only way to travel. I was told that over 3,000 motorbikes of 50cc or less are sold daily.

At 7:00am on a Hanoi street. If you have products to sell you use the transpotation that you have. This is a moderate load, not a huge load by any standards.

My wife and I stood just a click or so away from where I spent most of my time when not flying. The place was beutiful and clean. My wife asked why I didn't ever mention how wonderful it was. I guess I didn't value the environmental splendor when I was there last.

The ancient fortification known as the Citadile. Just about completely destroyed during the Vietnam/American war. It is quite impressive and full of history.

We saw some interesting sites, mostly human interest shots that reflect the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese.

We enjoyed a gormet lunch upon our arrival in Saigon. The meal included these heavenly spring rolls. All the food that we were presented was excellent.

Heip Duc is 30 or so miles inland and toward the south from DaNang. The school was recently built by Rotarians and the East Meets West Foundation. About 500 children attend the school. Two shifts are educated each day. Most are walked or bicycled to school by a parent or grandparent. A traffic jam is seen during the end or beginning of each shift.

Like Washington DC, Hanoi is the national capitol and the place that icons are displayed. Ho Chi Minh is the most important person in Vietnam's past. Everywere there are banners saying "Ho Chi Minh is forever in our hearts". His body is on display here.

These well behaved youngsters were waiting for our arrival to the school. After a few hours in the hot sun, they were a little restless but hung in there. They are clean and well mannered. Lovely children of Vietnam's future.

This lovely young lady greeted us in Hanoi and acted as out tour guide during the trip. She was from Saigon and had attended a Travel School to learn here trade. She speaks perfect english and is very knowledgeable of Vietnam history. She is wearing the traditional Ao Dai. My son, when he saw a picture of My Hanh, said he wanted to go to Vietnam the next time we go. I wonder why...

We noticed a huge push in construction. Some dwellings were fancy and included many archetectural hints of European as well as Chinese design. In Bat Trang, a small village south east of Hanoi, we enjoyed an entire village doing ceramics and porcelain. Bat means Porcelain bowl and Trang is town. This building was in the middle of the village

Just a few blocks from Ho Chi Minh's Memorial. Built in 1049, is a significant historical fixture built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong. He was heirless and dreamed that he had met the Goddess of Mercy and she had given him a son. He soon met a peasant girl who he wed and he gave him a son and heir. The One Pillar Pagoda was built to celebrate his gratitude for these events. The French destroyed it in 1945 as they left the country.

We visted what was left of the infamous Hanoi Hilton (Hoa Lo Prison). .Built by the French in 1896. It was needed as the Vietnamese were creating problems for the French. It was used during the Vietnam/American war to house prisoners of that war. Mostly aviators shot down on missions over Hanoi and other northern targets. I don't think that a couple of POW friends of mine would agree with the entire statement.

You can buy anything that you would ever dream of at the big Saigon Market called Cho Ben Thanh. Several of these large markets can be found in Saigon. Every food, electrical device, clothing or craft item that can be thought of is available here. The merchants are very helpful and always courteous.

The streets are very crouded with people going their way. this shot looks like a buch of people standing in the street. They are actually all on motorbikes and the sea is moving at a slow rate. Side streets are equally full and a continuous flow from the side streets with no lights affecting anyone. Everyone is cool, intent on getting were they need to go, in time. The cooperative nature of the vietnamese is obviously a very strong and admirable trait.

The beauty of Vietnam cannot be adequately captured in a photograph. Most of the beauty is in the people and what you get when you deal with them.

Located on West Lake (Ho Tay). One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. It features several very impressive funerery monuments for monks.

A lunch in Hanoi was enjoyed in this garden setting. The restaurant, Hua Sua, is a culinary school for street children. The meals are excellent with a french influence.

Tam ky is a small village south of DaNang on highway 1. It was a landmark for us when returning to Chu Lai after a sorte to the Firebases. If you look closely, you will see street lights and paved roads. This young lady, in her Ao Dais, the flowing silk blouse slit up the sides and worn over trousers. She is probably a high school student from the white Ao Dai.

Our hotel in Hanoi looked over this lake. Ho Tay is a lake formed from one of the overflows of the Red River. There are legends about it's formation that make siting there and looking at it even more enjoyable.

Hoi An, a charming Village that reminds me of Monterey, is known for it's textiles and tailoring. Many crafts are easily found here but mostly cotton and silk garmets are what is popular here.

While touring the Village of Hope, we spent time with some of the terrific children that make the school home.

We saw families picking up children everywhere we went. this fellow has two students and a younger child just along for the ride.

These happy Saigon students were caught enjoying a snack after school. Great little eateries are found on the streets everywhere in Saigon.

We visited a Rehabilitation hospital in Danang that specializes in Club Foot patients. The entire treatment for a patient is around $100 US. The mothers come and stay with their children during the course of the surgery and convalescence.

During a boat ride, we enjoyed some Hue Vietnamese food. This dish was shrimp and sauces rolled in rice paper and banana leaves and steamed. It was a little work to eat but was very tasty.

Our lunch in Hanoi included some of the best iced tea I have ever tasted. When the humidity is 100% and hotw well, iced tea can really bomb.

Ben Thanh market is a wonderful place for lunch. Pho (soup) can be had just about anywhere but is best at the marke. Fresh ingrediants, great taste.

We were lucky to meet Terry Anderson in Hanoi. He is a board member for the Vietnam Children's Fund. If you know of Terry Anderson's history as a

Meeting children at Village of Hope

A couple of years ago, I learned that a classmate of mine, from my years at U.C.S.F., was involved in missions to Cambodia. He asked if I might want to tag along and I said "Hell no". He is younger and wasn't called into service. He is a humanitarian who has deep convictions and a drive to help. I guess I really didn't. But it got me thinking about the country of Vietnam. Again, I found my thoughts not about my job or activities of 30 years prior, but about the people and the environment. I didn't know really why I wanted to return except that it was eating at me. Early in January, I learned of a group of Rotarians and members of a couple of non-profit organizations that were planning a trip. Most were people who had been active in building schools and such. I immediately signed on and told my wife about it. She was excited about the prospects of an adventure. I talked a Rotarian friend of mine to go. He had also served in the Americal Division during about the same time. He drug his wife along also.

When asked "Why are you going to Vietnam?". I didn't have a patented answer. I really did not know. I just knew that I needed to return and discover.

Hanoi was a short 30 minute ride north from the airport. We drove over the longest bridge in Vietnam. It crosses the Red River. Built by the Soviets during the early 70's, there was little evidence that it was a target during the war. You could see some perfectly round "reservoirs" of the 500lb variety in the fields, but this was about it. No big communist show, no military, just a lot of people happily going about their daily work.

From Hanoi we traveled to Danang in a new 767. The service and comfort that Vietnam Airlines affords it's passengers is better that what we are used to in the states. From Danang we separated from the tour. Most went to Marble Mountain and China Beach. They reported great shopping and very nice hotels and restaurants on China Beach. We traveled to Chu Lai, along Highway 1. Traveling about 20 miles an hour, due to the many motorbikes and bicycles on the road. We went through Tam Ky and all the little villages that I had flown over many times during my stay. When we arrived at Chu Lai, where I had spent my time, my wife declared it an oasis. She asked why I had not mentioned the beauty during earlier conversations. To tell you the truth, I do not remember it as beautiful. Probably something was lost in what we were doing at the time. The government is planning to promote the use of the preserved airport at Chu Lai. Some excellent beaches and nice places for golf courses abound.

From Danang we traveled to Hiep Duc for a ribbon cutting ceremony. A school had been built using the funds raised by a few of the people traveling with us. A super feeling of pride and of a need to get into this humanitarian activity.

Hue was next, the Citadel, more shrines and temples. A rain storm that wasn't near the monsoon type form what I remembered. Still, very wet and cool.

A flight from Hue to Saigon was next. Beautiful scenery, some great shopping, good food, excellent hotels and a lot of people. When I say a lot I mean grid lock at every intersection. The wall of motorbikes travels very slow but everyone manages with no outbursts. I could see Californian's getting into serious trouble here. We spent time looking at sites that I remember from war reports and pictures. The Presidential Palace (now a museum), Notre Dame, the old Post Office of the South Vietnam Government (now Socialists Republic). Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) is a place to visit for the vastness of the population. Over eight million people in one town.

After several days in Saigon, we had to pack up and leave Vietnam. Unlike 34 years ago, I really was saddened to leave. I plan to return in the very near future.

We managed to get back in one piece. Changed forever. I have been asked why I went back and now I can say this much.
Years ago I was sent and I went . I did what I was asked and I did it well. I am proud of that time. I do remember the absolute cruelty of it all. I remember the great cost to the Vietnamese that were trying to exist during the horrors of war that took place around them. I remember how we put it to the environment of South Vietnam. I can remember thinking of these things, but, when it was over for me, I came home. Not to dwell on the outcome or what went on. What I got out of going back is a knowledge that for the Vietnamese, life goes on as well. They are at peace, having normal lives, looking forward to the future and doing everything that can be done to make a living. The environment has survived, is supporting the people and it looks wonderful. The people seemed to be happy that we were there. The country is very young. 60% of the people are younger than 25 years. There are great needs in Vietnam but they have really done a lot, already, themselves. The entire country seemed to be electrified. Streets are paved everywhere. Water and sewer in cities seems good. Drainage systems are being installed all over the place. With the help of others, schools, water projects, hospitals and libraries are being built. We met with the East Meets West Foundation, Vietnam Children's Foundation, Friend's of Da Nang and the Dove Foundation. They are all doing great things for the people of Vietnam. What I got out of our return is that I need to be involved with Vietnam. I am proceeding with plans to fund, through a variety of sources, a water project and possibly a school in Southern Vietnam. Our local Rotary Club, East meets West Foundation , Vietnam vets organizations and some individuals will make it work. I feel like Vietnam is going to be a great country and will undoubtedly be free one day. Without a war, the way it should have happened all along.

I invite anyone who might want to talk about Vietnam or opportunities to do service there to get back to me. Send me an e-mail to: Dave Aronson