During the war, Vietnam defended itself using guerilla warfare, relying on stealth and sabotage to fight a superior military power. To support this, the Vietcong had a vast network of tunnels that lay beneath much of the country.
Travel
Going to other places and doing things.
Being a Ho Chi Minh Foodie
Whenever I land in a new country, the first thing I want to taste is the soul of the place. In Vietnam, that soul lives in bowls of steaming broth, cups of bitter coffee, and street food.
Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater
One unique experience you can have in Vietnam is the traditional water puppet show. It is believed to have originated as a form of entertainment in the 11th century in the northern Red River Delta.
Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
Museums remember in different ways. The War Remnants Museum tells its story with photographs, facts, and fragments of war. The Museum of Fine Arts , just across the city, remembers through painting and sculpture. Both left an impression on me, but in very different ways.
Saigon’s War Remnants Museum
Almost everyone’s heard of the Vietnam War. It’s taught in schools, dramatized in films, and many veterans are still alive today. But most people, including myself, don’t actually know much about it beyond a handful of images and slogans.
The Buddha Park in Vientiane
One of the most popular attractions in Vientiane is Wat Xieng Khouane Luang, more commonly known as the Buddha Park. Built in 1958 by the priest-shaman Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, it features over 200 sculptures inspired by both Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Vientiane’s Sparse Museums
After a full day visiting temples, we decided to change things up with a Museum Day, venturing out to the outskirts of Vientiane to dig deeper into Laos’ history. We wouldn’t just learn the general history, but the history they choose to tell.
The Last Temple: Wat Inpeng
Our Temple Day in Vientiane came to a close with a visit to Wat Inpeng, also known as the Temple of the Incarnation of Indra.
Statues of Wat Si Saket
Possibly the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket was once used as a headquarters by the invading Siam. Today, it houses more than 2000 Buddha statues of clay and silver. It also houses a small museum, despite still being an active temple.
Korean Pride vs. Irish Pride
As far back as I can remember I’ve been an ally. I’ve been involved with Pride events in many countries, often through my involvement with Dragon Burn. A few years ago I attended Pride in Dublin, and was surprised to see how different it was to Pride in other countries.