Ask me about Vietnam.

[bonthan]

Hey I am from Vietnam and I am willing to answer any question regarding history, politics, Vietnam war, etc. Things that you might not even find on the net. I will try my best and answer what I know. A little about me: My family live in South Vietnam before and after the war. After the war (I wasn't born yet), my dad was sent to re-education camp and my uncles sent to fight in Cambodia. My family joined the boat people and migrated to US in the late seventies. PS: I am NOT a communist so don't be afraid lol.

[slayer]

Oh no a Communist D: Jk jk... So are you Vietnamese? I did a big research paper over the Vietnam War when I was in summer school, and I read some stuff about the Americans using drugs during the Vietnam War. My question is this...did the North Vietnamese and/or the South Vietnamese use drugs during the war while fighting?

[Universal Mind]

Oh man, this could be interesting. I will try to put a big lid on the zillions of questions I have about Vietnam. I will ask just a few, at most. I would like to know the South Vietnamese perspective on America's role in the Vietnam War. How much of SV believed the Americans were there for a noble purpose? How many believe it now? Were the Americans much more brutal to the South Vietnamese than what we hear about? I have heard horror stories, like American soldiers would burn down entire villages they suspected of being Viet Kong. How many in SV were killed by Americans in the war? Those are all pretty close to being the same question, so don't feel like you need to go down them one by one. I am just trying to get an overall feel for how our war actions are perceived over there. I don't think our part in the war was really about South Vietnam. I think it was about dealing with the Soviet Union. I don't even think we were trying to win the war. The point was to have a long, horrific war to show the Soviets that we mean business so they would not send any more puppet governments to invade countries and spread communism. One more thing... What do the people of your country think of the hippy backlash that happened over here against the war? Do a lot of people in your country watch videos from Woodstock, Berkeley, Haight-Ashbury, and so forth? The counterculture over here went absolutely nuts against the war in very large numbers. The anti-war movement was enormous and extremely influential, and it produced a lot of incredibly good music. How familiar are you folks with that movement? Are you entertained by the protest music? Again, that is really one big question in the form of many. I am just trying to get a good description from you. Check out this Vietnam War protest song performed at the historic Woodstock music festival of 1969. Are you familiar with it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdeCxJmcAo

[Bayside]

I'm planning on backpacking through Asia soon, and will be taking a couple days/weeks/months break somewhere in Vietnam. What should I know about living there? Are there places that will take me in, or will I have to make camp somewhere? And any other tidbits you want to throw in that you think would come in handy would be nice.

[bonthan]

Oh no a Communist D: Jk jk... So are you Vietnamese? I did a big research paper over the Vietnam War when I was in summer school, and I read some stuff about the Americans using drugs during the Vietnam War. My question is this...did the North Vietnamese and/or the South Vietnamese use drugs during the war while fighting? I never heard of drugs being used against the enemies but if you mean drugs used by the soldiers to get themselves high then probably from a civillian perspective there's nothing wrong with that.

[bonthan]

Oh man, this could be interesting. I will try to put a big lid on the zillions of questions I have about Vietnam. I will ask just a few, at most. I would like to know the South Vietnamese perspective on America's role in the Vietnam War. How much of SV believed the Americans were there for a noble purpose? How many believe it now? Were the Americans much more brutal to the South Vietnamese than what we hear about? I have heard horror stories, like American soldiers would burn down entire villages they suspected of being Viet Kong. How many in SV were killed by Americans in the war? Those are all pretty close to being the same question, so don't feel like you need to go down them one by one. I am just trying to get an overall feel for how our war actions are perceived over there. I don't think our part in the war was really about South Vietnam. I think it was about dealing with the Soviet Union. I don't even think we were trying to win the war. The point was to have a long, horrific war to show the Soviets that we mean business so they would not send any more puppet governments to invade countries and spread communism. One more thing... What do the people of your country think of the hippy backlash that happened over here against the war? Do a lot of people in your country watch videos from Woodstock, Berkeley, Haight-Ashbury, and so forth? The counterculture over here went absolutely nuts against the war in very large numbers. The anti-war movement was enormous and extremely influential, and it produced a lot of incredibly good music. How familiar are you folks with that movement? Are you entertained by the protest music? Again, that is really one big question in the form of many. I am just trying to get a good description from you. Check out this Vietnam War protest song performed at the historic Woodstock music festival of 1969. Are you familiar with it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBdeCxJmcAo I would like to know the South Vietnamese perspective on America's role in the Vietnam War? -Most South Vietnamese are extremely grateful of the American presence there. Economy was booming, it was thought to believe that if South Vietnam keeps that trend, it economy will beat or at least rival South Korea. Back then Saigon was nicked named "pearl of the Far East". Just for your interest, this is the picture of Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City now) before 1975 when American occupied: http://clbnbtd.com/uploadtin/images/...71f7e80a_o.jpg Pictures of Saigon after 1975 is rare, because communists strictly confiscated or destroy them, here is one that takes very long to search for: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/...42d1816296.jpg But South Vietnam's love for America turned to despair after America withdrew from the war, you guys don't know how much pain and blood you guys caused by withdrawing from the war. North Vietnam claimed to have liberated South Vietnam from the oppression of the United States but they were there to punish. If you would like me to go into detail, I totally could. About the hippy protest thing. I didn't hear anybody mention it but we wanted to stand on our own anyway. And the music in South Vietnam was also booming too. And no, I am not familiar with the Youtube video, as I said, I am the new generation and I answer questions based on my dad and grandpa's experience. I know that Elvis was popular back then lol.

[bonthan]

I'm planning on backpacking through Asia soon, and will be taking a couple days/weeks/months break somewhere in Vietnam. What should I know about living there? Are there places that will take me in, or will I have to make camp somewhere? And any other tidbits you want to throw in that you think would come in handy would be nice. No, not camping lol. It has been more than thirty years after the war so it's a little better now. You won't last three hours camping lol. Do what a regular tourist does, go to a hotel. The authority over there knows that you are a foreign man and most likely would not mess with you. But whatever you do, beware of your actions, you cannot live like you do in this country. If someone, especially motorcycle drivers or clubs or bars people, cheated or scammed you of your money, suck it up and forget about your money or be smart and don't get scammed. My uncle went back to visit a few years ago and almost get stabbed because he was arguing back with a motocycle driver. Like I said, it's not a warzone, but it's also NOT a playground. The gangs in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) are not afraid to kill you and even the police won't give a damn. But aside from that, have fun. Also, I wanna add that at night, when there's less people. Don't hang around youths walking in groups. Don't pick a fight with anyone even if they are small, if you pick on a fight, you will have to face many of them. Edit: The most important thing should be your paperwork. By all means keep them like you keep your own nuts. Money ain't so big of a problem as there is so much inflation there that 1 US dollars = approx 15,000 Vietnamese dollars which can probably buy you a meal or two in smaller towns (Saigon is expensive). And when in "roadside" restaurants, you do not have to leave tips, most likely it will be stolen or taken by the owner rather than the waiter, especially if it's a foreign dollar.

[slayer]

I never heard of drugs being used against the enemies but if you mean drugs used by the soldiers to get themselves high then probably from a civillian perspective there's nothing wrong with that. I mean did they use drugs just to get high? Not use them on the enemy, but for themselves.

[bonthan]

I mean did they use drugs just to get high? Not use them on the enemy, but for themselves. That I don't know. But most likely yes, I mean c'mon, soldiers doing drugs happens in every war, not just particularly Vietnam. And considering that South Vietnam was at an economic peak, so it's a pretty big yes, but only a few of them though. But I know for sure that North Vietnamese soldiers didn't do drugs, they couldn't afford to LMAO!

[Universal Mind]

I would like to know the South Vietnamese perspective on America's role in the Vietnam War? -Most South Vietnamese are extremely grateful of the American presence there. Economy was booming, it was thought to believe that if South Vietnam keeps that trend, it economy will beat or at least rival South Korea. Back then Saigon was nicked named "pearl of the Far East". Just for your interest, this is the picture of Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City now) before 1975 when American occupied: http://clbnbtd.com/uploadtin/images/...71f7e80a_o.jpg Pictures of Saigon after 1975 is rare, because communists strictly confiscated or destroy them, here is one that takes very long to search for: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/...42d1816296.jpg But South Vietnam's love for America turned to despair after America withdrew from the war, you guys don't know how much pain and blood you guys caused by withdrawing from the war. North Vietnam claimed to have liberated South Vietnam from the oppression of the United States but they were there to punish. If you would like me to go into detail, I totally could. About the hippy protest thing. I didn't hear anybody mention it but we wanted to stand on our own anyway. And the music in South Vietnam was also booming too. And no, I am not familiar with the Youtube video, as I said, I am the new generation and I answer questions based on my dad and grandpa's experience. I know that Elvis was popular back then lol. I suspected that. I posted the protest stuff because I thought that might be a side the South Vietnamese aren't very familiar with. It is one of the most heated debate topics to ever hit our country. It was huge. I have a lot of questions about the way the war was fought, but I totally understand the need for the war. I have big time problems with oppressive governments, especially when they take over countries and impose totalitarian rule. The Soviet Union was a much bigger worry in terms of that. I think a whole lot of Americans assume pretty much no South Vietnamese wanted Americans in there, but that is an idea I can't make sense of beyond the way so many South Vietnamese were killed by Americans. You see, our soldiers had a great deal of trouble telling the difference between South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese soldiers and supporters. As a result, a ton of innocent South Vietnamese were killed. But aside from that, I would expect that our part in the war was and is appreciated. A lot of the hippies equated withdrawal with "peace". They put peace signs all over the place and made it their anthem. :peace: The real truth is that our withdrawal resulted in greatly increased brutality against the South Vietnamese because we were no longer there for protection. The protesters never comprehended that, even to this day. I still say, however, that a whole lot of phenomenal music resulted from the protest movement. The hippy Mecca was a section of San Francisco called Haight-Ashbury. Music was a big part of the culture. Some of the bands that got big in the Haight-Ashbury district, playing to the hippies on a regular basis, were The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother and the Holding Company (whose lead singer was Janis Joplin). I think those are three of the top ten best musical acts in history. I think they sound like retards when they start talking about politics, but I am a fanatic of their music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVsSKuxyaro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrU_m...e=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5sBb...e=channel_page

[bonthan]

I suspected that. I posted the protest stuff because I thought that might be a side the South Vietnamese aren't very familiar with. It is one of the most heated debate topics to ever hit our country. It was huge. I have a lot of questions about the way the war was fought, but I totally understand the need for the war. I have big time problems with oppressive governments, especially when they take over countries and impose totalitarian rule. The Soviet Union was a much bigger worry in terms of that. I think a whole lot of Americans assume pretty much no South Vietnamese wanted Americans in there, but that is an idea I can't make sense of beyond the way so many South Vietnamese were killed by Americans. You see, our soldiers had a great deal of trouble telling the difference between South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese soldiers and supporters. As a result, a ton of innocent South Vietnamese were killed. But aside from that, I would expect that our part in the war was and is appreciated. A lot of the hippies equated withdrawal with "peace". They put peace signs all over the place and made it their anthem. :peace: The real truth is that our withdrawal resulted in greatly increased brutality against the South Vietnamese because we were no longer there for protection. The protesters never comprehended that, even to this day. I still say, however, that a whole lot of phenomenal music resulted from the protest movement. The hippy Mecca was a section of San Francisco called Haight-Ashbury. Music was a big part of the culture. Some of the bands that got big in the Haight-Ashbury district, playing to the hippies on a regular basis, were The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother and the Holding Company (whose lead singer was Janis Joplin). I think those are three of the top ten best musical acts in history. I think they sound like retards when they start talking about politics, but I am a fanatic of their music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrU_m...e=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5sBb...e=channel_page Yep. The Viet Cong framed the South Vietnam as traitors because we fought with USA against North Vietnam but in fact, USSR was behind them all the time. I forgot to answer about the village burning one. Yep, it happens, but not intentionally. Based on my dad's experience, American soldiers did their job and only harm the civillians if necessary (of course, there's exceptions in ALL armies). But if a VC were to look for people who work for the US, they would go through more extreme measures. I am more familiar with Post war Vietnam because it is my own experience. You can't believe how brain-washed the people are now. And so much corruption that I would think about 90 percents of the government officials take bribes. That's why I can totally sympathize with the war in Iraq. No matter what reason the US are there for, they brought down Sadam. Just like back in Vietnam war, the US was not there just to help South Vietnam, but along the way they created prosperity and security until 1975.

[Robot_Butler]

My question is not anything serious. Vietnamese food is my favorite food on the planet. (Well, maybe second, after Italian. Maybe tied with Korean). I need to know how to make a good Banh Mi sandwich. Not the Pate kind, the kind with fresh pickled veggies, and grilled barbecue meat. I have not been able to figure out the right spices to use on the barbecued meat. It seems to be the same meat that most restaurants serve over rice or vermicelli. I know it is similar to Chinese five spice seasoning. I'm sure there is other great food in Vietnam that they don't serve in American restaurants. What is your favorite Vietnamese food that is not commonly served outside of the country? Generally, I avoid anything that tastes too much like fish sauce. I'm okay with a little in the background, but too much makes everything smell like butthole.

[bonthan]

You guys take a look at these pictures. http://media.canada.com/1a416bf6-61d...eedom01-01.jpg http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikiped...le_rescued.gif http://hanoi.travel/wiki/images/3/32...oat_people.jpg These boats and thousands others carrying millions of South Vietnamese attempting to cross the ocean after 1975. Of these millions of people, many succumbed to Thai pirates, many went down because of storms, many got caught and got killed by VietCong, a HUGE number died of hunger, a small percentage actually got pulled up by humanitarian ships, of these small percentage, a small number actually got brought to refuge in other countries like US. But even with the death toll, the people couldn't imagine what they have to face if they stay in South Vietnam. My grandpa went and luckily, he lived. Which is why I am here. But because of my grandpa escaping, they took my dad and sent him to re-education camp. I am not an activist or anything but seeing the American perspective against the war and the brain-washing in current Vietnam I thought that I have to speak up and let people know what was going on my an insider perspective.

[Marvo]

How is the war going?

[bonthan]

My question is not anything serious. Vietnamese food is my favorite food on the planet. (Well, maybe second, after Italian. Maybe tied with Korean). I need to know how to make a good Banh Mi sandwich. Not the Pate kind, the kind with fresh pickled veggies, and grilled barbecue meat. I have not been able to figure out the right spices to use on the barbecued meat. It seems to be the same meat that most restaurants serve over rice or vermicelli. I know it is similar to Chinese five spice seasoning. I'm sure there is other great food in Vietnam that they don't serve in American restaurants. What is your favorite Vietnamese food that is not commonly served outside of the country? Generally, I avoid anything that tastes too much like fish sauce. I'm okay with a little in the background, but too much makes everything smell like butthole. HAHAHAHA. Ok. The sandwich you are talking about, I really don't know how they make the meat you could try asking the restaurants but most likely they won't tell you. But listen, after you got the meat and chop it apart, but it in a bucket or something, add a LITTLE fish sauce (a little because fish sauce will smell like shit to you), then add quite a bit sugar and a LITTLE salt. You might wanna add some barbecue sauce. After putting those spices in, you make sure that all those meats are well spiced by using your hand and turn and mix the meat over and over, then close the lid of the bucket and put in the fridge for about a day so that the spices will really go into the meat (I don't know the word), then tada!, it's ready for barbecue, but you have to make sure the meat is well cooked, turn it over every two minutes or so. You could ask someone else for second opinion but that's how a regular vietnamese grill meat. But the Banh Mi meat you're talking about then that will be hard, you probably have to ask some restaurants people. Sorry Also my favorite food are the fruits. Most of them can't be grown in US. Also Vietnamese beef jerky beats American one by a thousand miles lol.

[bonthan]

How is the war going? The war has been over since 1975 lol.

[Marvo]

About time.

[Universal Mind]

That's why I can totally sympathize with the war in Iraq. No matter what reason the US are there for, they brought down Sadam. Just like back in Vietnam war, the US was not there just to help South Vietnam, but along the way they created prosperity and security until 1975. I totally agree. I have been about the only person on this site to argue for the war in Iraq. A few other people have had short stays here and argued for it. Taking down a tyrranical government and replacing it with a government where the voters have the power is something I always support.

[bonthan]

I totally agree. I have been about the only person on this site to argue for the war in Iraq. A few other people have had short stays here and argued for it. Taking down a tyrranical government and replacing it with a government where the voters have the power is something I always support. Then we can make two supporters then

[dajo]

I know someone who lives in cambodia (he's american), who has fought in the vietnam war and has kind of a different view. He has lived in southeast asia ever since.. I'll be back there in 3 weeks and I will make sure to ask him about some of the topics you've raised.

[bonthan]

I know someone who lives in cambodia (he's american), who has fought in the vietnam war and has kind of a different view. He has lived in southeast asia ever since.. I'll be back there in 3 weeks and I will make sure to ask him about some of the topics you've raised. Good to know.

[Liz]

Tell us about zen temples, please. What is a zazen (on a sign for the zen temple in my city)?

[Bayside]

No, not camping lol. It has been more than thirty years after the war so it's a little better now. You won't last three hours camping lol. Do what a regular tourist does, go to a hotel. The authority over there knows that you are a foreign man and most likely would not mess with you. But whatever you do, beware of your actions, you cannot live like you do in this country. If someone, especially motorcycle drivers or clubs or bars people, cheated or scammed you of your money, suck it up and forget about your money or be smart and don't get scammed. My uncle went back to visit a few years ago and almost get stabbed because he was arguing back with a motocycle driver. Like I said, it's not a warzone, but it's also NOT a playground. The gangs in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) are not afraid to kill you and even the police won't give a damn. But aside from that, have fun. Also, I wanna add that at night, when there's less people. Don't hang around youths walking in groups. Don't pick a fight with anyone even if they are small, if you pick on a fight, you will have to face many of them. Edit: The most important thing should be your paperwork. By all means keep them like you keep your own nuts. Money ain't so big of a problem as there is so much inflation there that 1 US dollars = approx 15,000 Vietnamese dollars which can probably buy you a meal or two in smaller towns (Saigon is expensive). And when in "roadside" restaurants, you do not have to leave tips, most likely it will be stolen or taken by the owner rather than the waiter, especially if it's a foreign dollar. Aha, sounds a little scary.... But I'm still really excited. I'll try to avoid being out at night time as best I can, I should be going with a group of like 10 or more people and I'm sure we'll stick together at all times, so it shouldn't be too sketchy. Thanks for the advice.

[bonthan]

Aha, sounds a little scary.... But I'm still really excited. I'll try to avoid being out at night time as best I can, I should be going with a group of like 10 or more people and I'm sure we'll stick together at all times, so it shouldn't be too sketchy. Thanks for the advice. What I mean about won't last long camping is because of mosquitos. Lots and lots and lots of mosquitos. Also some more tips for you: Night time isn't that bad, you don't really have to avoid it, considering the fact that you are traveling with many people. Just avoid dark and empty places, that's all. Considering in big city it's fairly crowded at nights. Be careful of pickpocketers. When you're on the streets, the traffic is very unorganized so don't expect drivers to avoid you. Also, most dogs and cats in Vietnam are not imunized so avoid petting them. Beware of stray dogs. Aside from that it's not too bad of a place to travel. Have fun.

[bonthan]

Tell us about zen temples, please. What is a zazen (on a sign for the zen temple in my city)? I don't know a crap about temple or church because I was pretty much an athiest in Vietnam so was my family. Sorry.