Why Vietnam?

I got this question a lot, over the years I was talking about taking the trip right up until I left. It's a very fair question, without a simple answer.

I got the idea for this trip as an undergraduate at Indiana University. One of my favorite professors taught a full semester course on the Vietnam War, and one day I decided to sit in on the lecture. On that particular day, a local Vietnam War veteran was doing a guest presentation on a recent trip back to Vietnam, complete with stories and pictures. 

He was clear that his war experience was terrible, but his trip back was wonderful. He had expected all of the people he met to harbor anger about the war and hold it against him, but he said that the reception he received was very different. He said everywhere he went, people were incredible welcoming, even when they found out that he had fought with the United States. He said people thanked him for coming to visit, and had encouraged him to return. He talked about the growing tourism infrastructure and the beautiful scenery and affordable hotels. I think every student in the room left wanting to visit Vietnam - I certainly did, and have ever since.

As someone who was born after the end of the Vietnam War, I have a wildly different orientation than those who lived through that era. As my mother explained repeatedly, she grew up watching stories about the Vietnam War on the evening news, and will forever associate Vietnam with horrific scenes that remain etched in her memory. I know other people, including some who were born here and left during the war and people who were drafted to serve, who were also a bit puzzled as to why I wanted to come here. I fully respect that, and I won't attempt to change anyone's views. 

Certainly, it would be naïve to say that Vietnam's appeal as the travel destination begins and ends with beautiful scenery and nice people and fun things to do. However, I think it would be a mistake for me to take the other extreme position, and only think of Vietnam as a place of war and horror. 

With all this in mind, I came to Vietnam with open arms and an open mind, eager to view it embrace all that is beautiful and remain cognizant of the history that shaped it.