Sunday, February 5 – Our ship docked at Danang, which is a pretty large city and 50 years ago was a major port and airfield for the US troops in Viet Nam war. Today, there is no obvious sign of the prior US presence. The general impression is that the Viet Nam economy is capitalistic despite a communist government and is growing. They certainly are building a tourist industry.
We took a bus tour to Hoi Nan, a city that was built in the 1400’s, was a major trading center for years, was not touched by the War, and is now a tourist center. The streets and market were very clean and well maintained. Some lovely shops selling fabrics, embroidery, silk lanterns with wood frames, and other local crafts. Of course, we had the mandatory visit to a temple with all of the incense burning. On the way back to the ship, we visited a small very poor but typical village with a couple of family shrines, one going back 17 generations. Our tour guide emphasized the importance of education in their society with the opportunity for the best to go abroad to America and Europe for college, all expenses paid. They do have an obligation to the government when they return. The other point of emphasis was the respect for the parents and prior generations. Family is central to their lives.
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