lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Don't use the word shoot. Enjoy!

sensquid

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.

thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

I am a Vietnam Veteran, I recently went back for three week. It was a great trip. The people were friendly, the photography was awesome. I went with https://photoenrichment.com/ for two weeks and one week on my own.
You can see some of my photos here: http://www.thegroverphotography.com/Vietnam-2015

1963mca

What and Where to shoot............ memories, memories, most all bad.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Funny thing, I was there last year and really enjoyed it, I had a totally different impression of the people.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

That is a ridiculous statement. That would be similar to telling us not to visit Los Angeles, Chicago or New York because the food was terrible and the taxi drivers were crooks. Vietnam hosts millions of visitors a year since the war. It is as safe as any city/country provided the visitor uses common sense.

Dennis

jainnh

Hi Skip, Get back to VN every new years. If you would like , I would love to give you a call, or you call me. I can talk, and go on for hours, but my typing slows down after about 150 words. So let me know and we can set something up. John Alongi

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

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.

bobforman Loc: Anacortes, Washington State

Skip, Like many above, I spent a year there in 1968/69. More than aesthetic subjects to shoot, I would take photos of everything American, e.g. McDonalds, Chevrolet Dealerships, John Deer tractors, Starbucks, etc. The goal to show how much we are contributing to a country who for so many years thought we were capitalist pigs. Bob

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

Sounds like things haven't changed much. This is where I stayed for 5 months back in 1967. Don't recommend it. No pool and no room service.

VladNYC

Others must see ( for photographer)are Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa (Shapa) region for rice terraces. Unfortunately, rice fields are going be in worst conditions ( you ask about March). The best when their filled by water, green (young -June-August ) rice or yellow (ready-September) colors. Check it out.

Cootie 24 Loc: Richfield Springs , NY

It is a pretty country, no matter where you go. Keep your equipment bag right with you.. it will walk away real quick if you don't.
I was there last in " 68", Temples all over the place. Rice patties , and the Highlands make great photo's. the Tunnels in Chu Chi will blow your mind

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...here's where *I* stayed! LOL, air-conditioned and a nice target! For the OP...the place is beautiful, and, since they dragged my Cav Troop from the delta to the DMZ and back again, I'd recommend the Da Nang/Hue region...but there's plenty of photo-ops no matter where you are. Simply beautiful and I'll betcha *much* more beautiful now without the bomb craters and defoliating...I'd go back in a heartbeat, and say "hi" to my brothers in process...

Bobnewnan

Last time I saw Vietnam was in my rear view mirror in 1969. That's the best view, and only view, I want to remember!

tjpratt Loc: Ballard

How sad for you.