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.
Vietnam
They won a war against the USA.
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 Year 2024 in Retrospect
This year, I finally took a leap I’d been dreaming of for years: I chose myself. I left behind a life of routine, and embraced the unknown as a nomad.