In December 2011, after a year working in Singapore, I took the opportunity of its proximity to visit Vietnam - a 40-year wait to see a country that ever since June 8th 1972 had left a deep impression upon me. I was armed with plenty of advice before going, regarding the usual things - taxis, beggars, money for photos, sensitivities - I had 16 days in total visiting HCMC; Vung Tau; Hoi An; Hanoi; by train to Sa Pa; Halong Bay; Bat Trang.

I deliberately avoided touristy attractions, because I wanted to be amongst its people, in the alleys, down by the river, in the byways...all places where, IMO, the real hearbeat is.

My trip gave me enough insight to want to go back and see more, including the museums and 'attractions'. Everywhere I went I found the people, with very few exceptions, to be wonderfully friendly and receptive. The standard of food was quite variable, but it takes a little while to 'tune-in' and know what you like and what to ask for.

As a westerner, I knew I could always [afford to]dive into a 5-star hotel for a coupe or three nights if things got desperate, but never found the need to.

VN used to have a slogan 'Viet Nam is its people' - that was my experience. Photo opportunities abound.

Have a great time!

Vietnam is a photographers paradise. I was there as a Marine in 1969 and returned several years ago as a tourist. I started in Saigon and ended up in Hanoi. My favorite places for photography were Hue, Danang and Hanoi. I visited many of the small villages and everywhere were picture opportunities. There were some previous negative comments about the dangers in this country and that the people were not friendly. I found the opposite. I have never visited a more friendly country. You may be mobbed by young children wanting to try their English language skills and vend their products, but everyone was very friendly. We did not have a problem with crime, but I was more watchful in Saigon than in other parts of the country, due to rumors of pickpockets and purse/camera snatching. The warning about drinking the water does have some merit. We only drank sealed bottled water and avoided lettuce etc that would have been washed in contaminated water. Our group hiked 18 miles into the DMZ and were warned repeatedly of the possibility of unexploded ordinance, but did not have a problem. As for the friendliness of the Vietnamese, on this trek, we met an old man that may not have seen an American since the war. He told us his entire family was killed by American bombs in 1969, he then invited us into his house/shack for a meal. That is true forgiveness. You can also gets some great pictures in the Hmong villages. We did not have a problem with mosquitos, but did take malaria prophylaxis. Several of my group were taking Lariam and did have some strange yet known side effects (vivid nightmares, and near psychoic episodes). These side affects were not a result of my war experience there. I personally would never take that drug again.

Just a side note: while Larium (Mefloquine) is a propholaxis against the mild or moderate forms of Malaria (and does have a list of very unpleasant potential side effects), it is not a preventative for the more serious form. When I was in VietNam in the late 60s, the army used Primaquine which was provided in the mess halls. The dirty little secret was that while it would prevent the mild/moderate forms, it merely suppressed the symptoms of the serious form until the unlucky soldier that contracted it returned home after completing his tour, to discover he had malaria after discontinuing the drug. I never used it, relying instead on mosquito repellent and sleeping under netting, which is still good advice.