Epilogue

Our trip to Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos was very special.  This is an area of the world that, as kids growing up in the 60s, we never thought that we would visit.  And while the three countries are similar in many ways they each have very distinct characteristics.  They are all third-world countries but are much more economically advanced than other third-world countries we have visited.  Peru, Bolivia and Zimbabwe come to mind.

While each of the three countries are beautiful and the spectacular places we visited will remain in our memories forever as will the motor scooters.  It is impossible to explain the overwhelming vision of thousands of motor scooters on the roads in all three countries.  But when you get to the large cities they remind you of locusts swarming every possible piece of pavement.  And yet when you watch them on the streets it is like watching a beautifully choregraphed dance.  Hard to imagine but true.

All of the countries have Communist governments.  Vietnam has a population of over 90 million people – who own more than 30 million motor bikes.  Their family per capita income is $3,354 per year with a life expectancy for women of 75 and men 70.  Over 65% of the population was born after the Viet Nam war.

Cambodia has a population of over 15 million people with a family per capita income of $931 per year.  Life expectancy for women is 53 and men 59.  35% of the population is 16 or younger.

Laos has a population of 6.5 million people with a family per capita income of $1,200 per year.  Life expectancy is 65 for women and 61 for men.  It is one of the most heavily bombed countries in the world.

  

We were treated wonderfully in all three countries.   The message the local guides provided during our journeys did differ though on where we were.  In northern Viet Nam the message was very pro Ho Chi Minh and the government.  As we moved down to what used to be South Viet Nam the message changed a little, was not as pro government (but not really negative either) and Americans were treated with bit more respect.  In Cambodia the message was very anti government with tales of corruption.  In Laos the message was positive.

We also experienced major changes in weather as moved from city to city.  Hanoi was rainy and cool.  We all wore jackets as the high temperatures were in the mid 50s to mid 60s.  As we moved south it became hot and humid with highs and humidity reaching the mid 90s in Saigon.  The hot weather continued into Cambodia and cooled down some in Laos but at least the nights were cooler because of the mountains.

One of the things we observed was the influence of China.  Almost all of the economic growth is from China.  Ha Long Bay, the Dragon Bridge, Golden Bridge and other major resorts and casinos are all being developed at a rapid rate by the Chinese.  At home we often read that within ten years China will pass the United States as the leading economy in the world.  Most Americans don’t seem too concerned about this, or worse, don’t think it is a possibility.  After visiting this part of the world, and seeing the investment China is pouring into it, it is apparent that we really need to pay attention to it. It is real!

The Lunar New Year – February 5 – is a big celebration in all three countries but especially in Viet Nam. 

In all three countries toilets were called “Happy Houses”.