davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

Hello. From one ron to another Ron, I want to say thanks
for going over to Nam, and doing the dirty work when so many others would not. I did spend quite a few years in the
U.S.M.C.. And I just loved it.
seeya later Ron David (ron, ronny, david, Ronald & a whole bunch of other names

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

Hello. From one ron to another Ron, I want to say thanks
for going over to Nam and doing the dirty work when so many others would not. I did spend quite a few years in the
U.S.M.C.. And I just loved it.
seeya later Ron David (ron, ronny, david, Ronald & a whole bunch of other names

ajarnbill Loc: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Sorry One too many zeros. Make that 21,000 dong to the dollar.

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

It was great hearing from all who sent suggestions. All were helpful and much appreciated!

drg Loc: Portland, OR

I just got back from SE Asia which included Vietnam. What kind of photography do you like to do? How much time will you spend traveling?
Hanoi-Nice weather, very busy city, lots of good street photography opps, you might like the "hanoi hilton" prison. The prison, near the Ho Chi Minh memorial grounds, speaks of of the French and American Imperialists. It's interesting.
Halong Bay-Beautiful and photogenic..will you be spending a few nights on a boat? The weather should be nice around that time.
Hoian-Beautiful in its own right but rent some bicycles and take a ferry or ride across the cau cam nam bridge across to Cam Nam and other islands. There, you can ride your bike along desolate roads surrounded by rice paddies and other classic scenes of vietnam. Between Hoi An and Da Nang, you can hike the Marble Mountains which are very beautiful. The beach at Da Nang is quiet but clean. Saigon is busy and very westernized but fun. Near Saigon (which locals prefer to call it) you can visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and take a day trip to ride a boat in the Mekong Delta. I took my 70-200mm F/2.8, a travel tripod, 24-105mm, 14mm and Canon 6D. I think I got a lot of good shots but I am still in PP. I also went to parts of Thailand, Lao, Cambodia and Seoul on my way back to the "land of the free"! Try the Banh Xeo in Hoi An across the main bridge (cau an hoi) at wrap and roll and the "fresh beer". It really is fresh and good.

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

Excellent help. My preferences in shooting are candid people shots, culture, nature and landscape.

drg Loc: Portland, OR

It is the place to be for that for sure. What kind of gear are you taking? Hanoi has a reputation for snatching gear from people and purses etc. I bought a black rapid camera strap ripoff that worked wonderfully though it was very hot to wear all the time. Take some extra $1 bills to give to locals to get some nice face shots of people. I didn't volunteer the money but it made it easier to get the shot. Some people hate Americans and especially photogs but that is why you should have a good zoom lens! If you can make it, try to go to Sa Pa for the classic rice field shots. Vietnam has many wonderful national parks. We went to Cuc Phuong south of Hanoi and Cat Ba NP past Halong Bay. Monkey island is where we stayed.

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

I have a variety of lens but for caution, the reason you gave, and ease of transport I am planning on only taking my nikon 28-300. I may take my 50 mm, which is much faster, for night shots.

drg Loc: Portland, OR

I think those are good choices. Have fun and never take a taxi whose driver refuses to use the meter! Oh and make sure you get your visa to enter before you leave. If you intend to leave the Vietnam to travel to a neighboring country, you will need a visa that allows multiple entries. Please note that the visa is good from the date of application, NOT the date you receive it. Suerte mi amigo!

Atchy Loc: Essex England

Have a great time. We went last year and enjoyed every minute. All prices are negotiable. If you think what you're buying is a good price after you've negotiated buy it, if not walk away. You only get ripped off if you volunteer to. The south still call Saigon Saigon. The north refer to it as Ho Chi Minh City. Watch the roads, nothing will stop for you. See the 2 pics. She's on a crossing. Have fun.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Dear Ron, I wish you luck! as I spent 3 years, in that horrible place
1965-1967............I have no desire to back there, I was Special Forces back then, and in all my travels, that I love doing, vietnam , would never make my list.............be well!!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Travel Health recommendations (I do travel health consulting): See the CDC page at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/vietnam

Generally there are not serious health problems, but the Hepatitis A vaccine is very important to get before your trip. Ideally you get two shots - the second one six months after the first, but just one shot gives you 95% protection against Hepatitis A ("yellow jaundice" ), which you get from eating food contaminated with the virus from someone handling it. This is what we used to give the gamma-globulin shots for. The two shots gives lifetime protection. VERY important. A typhoid vaccination would also be good to get. Your family physician can get these for you. Traveler's diarrhea is not uncommon, and is usually caused by bacteria that are unfamiliar to our bodies. It usually responds quickly to some Imodium and some antibiotic such as Cipro or Bactrim - talk to your doctor about taking some with you. And be familiar with safe food and water rules. Avoid mosquito bites. I like to carry the DEET wipes with me and just use them if I am aware of mosquitoes being around. They are not greasy. Malaria is a potential problem, but malaria is spread by night-time biting mosquitoes, and most visitors to Vietnam don't spend a lot of time outdoors at night (not like visitors to Africa, for example). Dengue Fever is spread by day-time biting mosquitoes - Dengue is epidemic - ask if there is Dengue going around - if so, be aggressive about using repellent. You are going to have a great trip! Take some great photos! Eat some fantastic food, and meet some wonderful people! Bring us photos!

Also - see my video guide to travel health at: http://www.rainforesteducation.com/about2/travelhealth.htm

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I think, I would rather go to the caribbean.........

kwils Loc: Salem, Ma

I can't help with suggestions but just wanted to thank you for going there in the first place. I was in Germany in the USAF when you were in Vietnam. Luck of the draw I guess. I did return and lived there a few years as a civilian. Best of luck on your trip.

morris cowley Loc: australia

no problem