Viet Nam (Page 2): our guide did tell us to put toilet paper from the hotel in our pockets for use during the day!

plessner Loc: North Dakota

arch23 wrote:

The toilet paper is for when you leave an urban area. While in old Saigon go to Ton Son Nut area and see the airport and the old MACV/DAO bldg. Would be interesting to see how they are used now. I was among the initial cadre that set up the DAO when MACV closed down.

our guide did tell us to put toilet paper from the hotel in our pockets for use during the day!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

jfn007 wrote:

Back in 1968 and 1970-71 the government gave me tw... (show quote)

Yeah, I got my all expense paid trip there three times too. And have no desire to revisit. However, I still haven't forgiven the area around San Fransisco for my return celebration either.. lol

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Went earlier than and I too cannot recommend anywhere to go but I would avoid the AuShau Valley! If it is not hot and dusty is is hot and muggy!

jfn007 wrote:

Back in 1968 and 1970-71 the government gave me tw... (show quote)

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Drink beer! Drink lots of beer. On arriving in 1969 we were told to never, ever drink water not supplied by the military. Never drink Coke, or use ice cubes, or eat anything you didn't peal yourself. (Lots of other warnings, but none suitable for a family channel) But beer is fine. Brewing kills everything. Good advice for Mexico too

bettis1 Loc: Texas

In addition to the previous medical advice, be sure that your tetanus shots are up to date.

Bob

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

dcampbell52 wrote:

Yeah, I got my all expense paid trip there three times too. And have no desire to revisit.

Same. I think it's some sort of mental thing, 'cause I hear it's beautiful.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

wteffey wrote:

Drink beer! Drink lots of beer. On arriving in 1969 we were told to never, ever drink water not supplied by the military. Never drink Coke, or use ice cubes, or eat anything you didn't peal yourself. (Lots of other warnings, but none suitable for a family channel) But beer is fine. Brewing kills everything. Good advice for Mexico too

we were told to only drink beer in cans not tap beer as it could have water added to it---and heck a can of beer was around 50 cents! so ya drink lots of beer

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

wteffey wrote:

Drink beer! Drink lots of beer. On arriving in 1969 we were told to never, ever drink water not supplied by the military. Never drink Coke, or use ice cubes, or eat anything you didn't peal yourself. (Lots of other warnings, but none suitable for a family channel) But beer is fine. Brewing kills everything. Good advice for Mexico too

Yes, we used to drink San Miguel painted label.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

plessner wrote:

we were told to only drink beer in cans not tap beer as it could have water added to it---and heck a can of beer was around 50 cents! so ya drink lots of beer

Specifically, drink beer only directly from the bottle, not from a glass. Drinking anything from a glass or with ice is asking for trouble. It's a germ thing and applicable to many countries.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

nimbushopper wrote:

Yes, we used to drink San Miguel painted label.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

peterg wrote:

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I forgot to add that the instructions were to drink it from the bottle with your teeth clenched, then spit the pieces out.

daddybear Loc: Brunswick, NY

wteffey wrote:

Drink beer! Drink lots of beer. On arriving in 1969 we were told to never, ever drink water not supplied by the military. Never drink Coke, or use ice cubes, or eat anything you didn't peal yourself. (Lots of other warnings, but none suitable for a family channel) But beer is fine. Brewing kills everything. Good advice for Mexico too

I wonder if they still have "33" panther pee ? I also have no desire to go back. Can't anyway.
Daddybear

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

nimbushopper wrote:

Yes, we used to drink San Miguel painted label.

Yep, I was in the Philippines and enjoyed San Miguel alot. The exchange rate for the Dollar to Peso was crazy and made the beer something like $.03 a bottle. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell us that they didn't have quality control and some bottles might be 3.5% and others 20%... lol.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

actigner wrote:

I doubt that anything remains of your camp but when I was in Da Nang in February there were some concrete hangers still standing in the area of the Marble Mountain air base where I was at for four months 71-72. There are many more still standing at other former airbases since they were built very well. I was also in Saigon, Nha Trang and Ha Long Bay all of which have their own unique beauty. It was so much fun that I'm going back next March for three weeks just on my own. See attached.

I couldn't help noticing that the larger-than-life size statue of The Virgin Mother that was in front of the cathedral in Saigon is gone. There also seems to be a banner a hanging on the facade. It's a different world I guess.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

rdgreenwood wrote:

I couldn't help noticing that the larger-than-life size statue of The Virgin Mother that was in front of the cathedral in Saigon is gone. There also seems to be a banner a hanging on the facade. It's a different world I guess.

I was in Saigon in August 2011. The statue of the Blessed Mother was there but I think it was in a circle across from the entrance to the left of the margin of the photo. Can't attach photo as I am in LA and the hard drive in Boston.

You can take photos from the back of the cathedral but there are barricades to wandering about shooting. Will probably see bridal parties getting their pre-wedding photos outside. Very shiny and very expensive mall across from cathedral.