Who: Dan and Beth Whittemore of Denver, Colorado
Where: My Son Sanctuary monuments, in central Vietnam, west of Hoi An
Out and about: Our two-week visit to Vietnam was about learning, healing and helping. Vietnam has numerous sites to explore including these structures at My Son. The country is absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed the wonderful areas of Halong Bay, the Mekong Delta, the ancient imperial city of Hue, the urban areas of Hanoi and Saigon, the costal areas near Danang and Hoi An, and countless rural areas from the North to the South. Many Americans are apprehensive about vacationing in Vietnam. The monuments are about 1,000 years old and are similar to those of Angkor in Cambodia. This World heritage Site is Vietnam’s most important site of the ancient kingdom of Champa, which served as an intellectual and religious center. Most of the 70 structures were damaged during the American-Vietnam war, but the remaining 23 structures are being restored.
We live in the shadow of the Vietnam War. I lost two university friends; America lost numerous military personnel; the Vietnamese people lost numerous civilians and military personnel also.
Travel tip: Always share a smile. The local people are very friendly and happy to converse with Americans and other “foreigners.” Realize that the Vietnamese culture is Chinese-based and the historic culture includes Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. The country is a poor country by our standards, but the people are hard-working and ready, willing, and able to participate in the global economy. We received a warm welcome from everyone we encountered, including decorated war veterans and widows. Focusing on people, rather than politics, is the key to full enjoyment of Vietnam.
