Scott has been doing work in Vietnam for the past two years.  This was my first opportunity to join him.  Scott had been working in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, formerly known as Saigon) before my arrival.  We flew from there to Danang for a few days before returning to HCMC.  Here are some snapshots of life in this southeast Asian country in 2015.

Traffic:  Most Vietnamese appear to get around by motorbike or bicycle, and the traffic patterns can best be described as “organized chaos.”  Sometimes drivers pay attention to lane markers on the pavement or to traffic signals, but other times they completely ignore them.  If the traffic is bad, the motorbike riders just jump the curb and drive on the sidewalks.  Watch out, pedestrians!

Many people wear masks and the women attempt to cover their entire bodies in order to avoid the effects of the sun, as white skin is highly prized.

 One example of motorbikes parking on the sidewalks, here outside a coffee shop.

We traveled between HCMC and Danang on Vietnam Airlines.  Security demands vary by airport, flights are often full, and flight attendants distribute a packaged hand wipe and a bottle of water to each passenger and then appear to disappear for the rest of the flight.

Danang is a major city on the central coast of Vietnam, where the Han River flows into the South China Sea.  We stayed in a new Novetel high rise on the river, with views of the ocean.  These photos were taken from the balcony on the 29^th floor, from our room, and from my walks along the Han River.

 

 We were in Danang for the third annual Vietnam Engineering Education Conference.  Major sponsors of the conference are ASU, Intel, and Pearson.  It is targeted at engineering faculty and students from around Vietnam, with a major emphasis on development of innovation and entrepreneurship in creating Vietnam of the future.  Keynote speakers and panelists included the US Consul General for Vietnam, the NSF program director for East Asia, the World Bank country director, and the Vietnam mission director for US AID.  Lots of interesting conversations with these fascinating people.

We took a side trip to the small village of Hoi An, via taxi.  Along the way, we passed several rice paddies.  Sometimes we saw people working or water buffalo grazing, or egrets standing about. (My photos aren't very good.)

The Japanese Bridge, built in the 700s, in the town of Hoi An.

Hoi An shops along a street in the old city center.  Hoi An is most known for its tailor shops.  Scott’s friend and former colleague, Chell Roberts, had a great time ordering suits, pants, and shirts.  All handmade and delivered to him at our hotel in Danang.

Lunch in Hoi An at the Morning Glory Cooking School and Market.  Morning glory is a local plant, sautéed like spinach with garlic—delicious!  Cooking is done in the middle of the restaurant.

On the drive to Hoi An, we passed Marble Mountains, known for the marble and limestone that are quarried there.  There were lots of shops selling huge carved pieces.  Here is one sample, on display in Danang.

The Vietnamese New Year (Tet) is celebrated for at least a week; this year it was the last part of February.  Signs of this year’s celebration of the Year of the Goat were still much in evidence.

 The Rex Hotel in HCMC is Scott’s home away from home.  He stays here so often, that the staff know him by sight/name, and he is welcomed back with the traditional fruit plus a plate of sweets created just for him. 

According to Wikipedia, the Rex Hotel was built in the late 1950s, during French colonial times, on the site of a 1927 auto dealership.  The first “guests” were American soldiers who were billeted here during the “American War.”  Daily American military briefings were held at the Rex.  

The hotel was taken over by the government at the end of the war and Reunification was announced from here.  The hotel was renovated and enlarged in 2003.  It is a beautiful property in the heart of the city.  These photos show our suite.

Saigon city center:  Walked around the area and visited the equivalent of Seattle’s Pike Place Market.  Busy place!  You can buy fish, produce, dried fruit, clothing, eyeglasses, etc. here.  I didn’t stay long since the crowds, smells, 90 degree temps and 50% humidity did me in!

 

Lunch at a “sidewalk café,” Vietnamese style:  sitting on "kindergarten" chairs and stools, enjoying a work break.

My favorite dish:  noodles with vegetables.

And, just for fun:  a toilet stall in the airport.

Oh, here are the finished products made to order in Hoi An:  Chell's suit and Scott's shoes.