Have anyone been to Vietnam since they left? If so, what if any do you remember of it?

If you was born outside Vietnam and have made the hommage trip to Vietnam. What was your first impression? What impressions did your parents give and how it compares to yours.

Hope to hear your views on this topic.

Cheers


Lun

I have been back 4 times in the past 6 years. The first time I went was amazing as I didn't know what to expect. I left the country 20 years ago and couldn't remember hardly anything. i went to Vietnam via Thailand and was met by my aunt who still lives in Da Nang.

Since then I have been back to research family history and to visit old family friends. Been back to paid my respect to my Grandparents who I have never met, but had make their mark in Vietnams' independance from the French.

I have just been to vietnam for Tet this year and should be going back next year to tie up some unfinished business.

How did you find communicating in Vietnamese? I found it very difficult as I have never been to school or taught by my parents. I could only just understand 70% of what was spoken to me.

Where in Manchester do you live? Do you go to the old Temple on Oldham Road near the Chinese hypermarket? My father used to attend that temple a lot.

Your granparents should know my dad as he practically lived in that Temple and if it wasn't for the death of the old lady who is the priest. He would be still there volunteering.

I think you are lucky in some sense as your parents are teaching you Vietnamese properly. My Vietnamese is mixed up with some Cantonese and I didn't know until I was in Vietnam speaking to the local people.  I think it is good to be fluent in two languages. I wished I was, instead I only know bits and bob of other language such as Finnish, Mandarin.

Where in Vietnam did you go? I have been to quite a few places like Saigon,  Nha Trang, Hoi an, Hue, Da Nang, Hanoi, Quang Ninh (Cat Ba, Halong Bay), Sa Pa and a few other places I can't remember at the moment.

When I said about history, I was refering to my own family history. My Grandfather (Mum side) was the first Chinese to be accepted into the Vietnamese Conference (Don't ask what they mean, as I don't know). He was fighting along Uncle Ho and when he came to see my grandfather, he would allow my mother to play with his beard.

Anyway, I may get an opportunity to go to the prison where my grandfather was held before he was tortured to death by the French.

Your parents must be forgiving like mine as I too don't go to temple and have not idea what to do when I am in one. Saying that I have been in quite a few in my travels in the far east.

My home town would be Hanoi, but I spend some of my time either in Hospital or in the countryside where my mother worked.

I have been to Hai Phong, but it was 26 years ago. I could have gone this year, but the family I was visiting prevented me from going. It kinda spoilt my experience of Tet. I know they were looking out for me, but I can look after myself. I think they feel responsible for me as I am their guest of a member of their family who now lives in England.

I understand what you are saying, I had to do all this, considering I am not a member of their family. As least I can say that I did have to worry about fiding food to eat. As everybody was fight or inviting me to have a meal with them. It is a pity that I have got the stomach or time to entertain them all. Even the Hotel manager was feeding me, would you get this kid of service anywhere else?

Don't know what you think of Quang Ninh (Hai Phong is in this provience), but I found it boring after a week. I went to all the places that has been recommended by the guide book and the local and enjoyed them. After that there was nothing else. I might go to hai Phong next Summer if I can get away from family and friend. I don't hold too much hope as I will be picked up as soon as I land.

I didn't think too much of Cat Ba. Pobably because I didn't spend too much time there. I went on one of them trips organised in one of those cafes.

I suggest that the next time you go, take a week out and do some travelling around the country before you visit you relatives. You will appreciate the country better. I did it this way and now have a better appreciation of the people and country.

Hmmm... Don't know if my encyclopedia is in error, but it says Hải Phòng isn't in Quảng Ninh, because both are separate provinces.

Eh... If you post more, I just have more facts to check...



Eh... Nobody is perfect.



Nah... People already know there is only one person that is important to me...

Random fact: Hải Phòng is 3rd largest city in Vietnam measured by population.

Here me thinking that you only have eyes for me.

Thought I found some ammo against you Monni.

I was going to pick you up on the Livonian, but after a quick search on google. Found out that you are correct, but you could have used Latvian as well to describe the citizens of Latvia.

Damn it is going to hard to get you back.