We returned last night from a wonderful family vacation in southern Vietnam. We began our journey last Wednesday afternoon, flying from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon.
Day 1
We arrived in the late afternoon, evening. After checking into our hotel, we headed out for something to eat. We asked the hotel for a recommendation for some good Vietnamese food and they sent us to a great restaurant just a few streets away. The kids were not too thrilled to try but they really liked it - we all did. We liked it so much, we ate there again two days later. Craig's trying to get the kids to eat with chop sticks all the time - they got some good practice on this trip.
The first thing we noticed about Vietnam is the crazy amount of motorcycles and mopeds on the roads - and the crazy driving. The kids had fun trying to count all these motorized vehicles. It was also fun to see how many people they would fit on one or how much cargo - sometimes quite amazing.
Day 2
On our first full day, we headed out of the city a few hours for a tour down the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is home to over 17 million Vietnamese people and is the agricultural center of Vietnam.
On our van ride down, we saw much of the area around us - including the slums of Saigon. So many people are flocking to Saigon for work, as the city is now booming, but they live in these slums along the river until they find work.
We also passed miles and miles of beautiful rice fields. I believe Vietnam is the largest exporter of rice. It was interesting to learn about this process.
We also drove thru many, many little villages.
On our way we had one quick stop for a quick look at a local Buddhist temple.
The Mekong Delta is a large canal with many small islands and finger canals running off of it. The people live all along the canal (fisherman), and on the islands (agricultural).
When we arrived, we hopped on a boat and begun our journey down the canal.
The kids enjoyed some refreshment along the way, straight from the coconut - we'll, some of the kids enjoyed (notice Bryant face).
We disembarked on one of the islands and got to sample all the local, native fruits: mango, pomelo, jack fruit, star fruit, bananas, coconut, pineapple, and others I can't remember. Oh and honey, straight from the hive (with the bee's still on it!).
We road thru town on a horse cart - local transportation.
The kids got to hold a python - local wildlife.
We got onto smaller boats that rowed us thru a smaller finger canal.
We got back onto our bigger boat that took us to another island where we visited a coconut candy factory and then onto a late lunch.
Ashlyn was so excited about the menu!! Just kidding - Ashlyn is not a very adventurous eater. They menu was pre-selected for us and included quite a bit of seafood - not a favorite of our family. The kids were good about trying everything - even the crayfish.
Along the way back, we spotted a new houseboat option for Grandpa Bruschke!
That night we headed out to do some shopping and the kids were SO excited to spot a Tutti Fruit (a yogurt place we frequented in Danville) - dinner!
Day 3
We headed out early onto our next tour - Cu Chi tunnels - a few hours in another direction from the city. We all learned alot about the Vietnam war as we toured these tunnels used by the Viet Cong (communist) during the war. There are hundreds of meters of tunnels built under the ground that they lived in and used as passage ways during the war.
The tunnels themselves have been slightly enlarged for tourist but you can see from Dallin above how small the entrances were. It was amazing and sad to learn about how the people lived and some of the fighting tactics and things that happened during the war.
We got back to the city just in time for our appointment at the orphanage. We were able to take our toys that we had brought with us to donate to the children there. We toured the facility and learned much about the wonderful programs that the Christina Noble Foundation is doing for the children of Vietnam.
The kids were able to play with and interact with some of the children in the orphanage. This was a great experience for us and definitely a highlight of the trip.
That night was New Years Eve. We headed into town to see some of the French area and architecture from the era of French occupation in Vietnam.
The downtown was all lit up and bustling with people out celebrating.
We left and headed out for a long ride to the coast to a picturesque beach town, fishing village called Phan Thiet. What was suppose to be a three hour drive was in reality a five our drive - the traffic in Vietnam is horrendous!
After our long drive, the kids were excited to get out and play on the beach. Shell collecting was a highlight.
They also had fun playing in the water. It was weird to think that it was cold and snowy in some parts of the world!
Even Bryant, who rarely gets into the ocean, was jumping the waves. It was a nice beach with small waves, warm water, and soft sand.
A relaxing afternoon at the beach was such a nice repose from the crazy city and tour schedule.
That night we ate at another local restaurant recommended by our hotel - another winner! We ate right on the beach (you can't see it but it's behind us) and had some more tasty Vietnamese food.
Day 5
Another mellow day in Phan Thiet. It was Sunday but we were not able to attend church as it is not yet allowed in Vietnam. We had our own 'church' in the hotel and then headed out to see a few local sites and walk on the beach.
We walked up a hill and saw a Cham Tower (temple) build by the Cham people in the 9th century.
The view of the harbor and town below was beautiful.
We took a walk along the beach and saw how many of the local fishermen lived (right along the beach) - interspersed with resorts. Beautiful setting along the beach.
Day 6
Long drive back to Ho Chi Minh and then flight back home.
In all we had a wonderful trip. We felt lucky that everything fell into place as planned. Craig and I were so impressed with how well the kids did and how much commodore and bonding between them that seemed to happen. We feel blessed to be able to visit surrounding countries and have these experiences while we are here.
There are lots of decorations up all over the city and it's all red, red, red - and some gold. Everything has symbolism for the people - the decorations, the colors, the food, the gifts, etc. Apparently red scares the dragon away and is also the color of prosperity (as well as gold). Most all the New Year symbols have something to do with prosperity, wealth, good health and long life.
It was raining on the tour - it's been raining for four days straight - but in Singapore, rain doesn't stop anyone or anything.
This time of year, the people clean their homes top to bottom and buy all new clothes. They even buy new clothes, made out of paper, for their dead ancestors. They burn the clothes, along with all types of accessories and paper money, so that they will get them in heaven (or hell). They believe that everyone starts in hell and must work up to heaven. They have paper passports and plane tickets for hell, as well as hell money (to buy your way out), that you can burn for your ancestors to help them get out (my kids got a kick out of this stuff).
We visited a few bakeries where they were very busy preparing the traditional New Years food and treats. These pineapples cookies are popular this time of year. The pineapple is a symbol of good luck.
They also make all kinds of little cakes. However, they are not like US cakes. They are made with glutenous rice flour (very sticky), are not very sweet, and have fillings like coconut, lotus, or peanut.
I love the architecture in Chinatown - all the old Colonial English buildings. I can't get enough of it! 
Lunch! Chicken Rice is a famous chinese dish - and one that I'll eat. They also have duck and pork. I had the pork and it was quite delicious!
Much of the New Year celebrations have to do with the gods and making the gods happy and sending them gifts and money. In this Chinese temple (Buddhist), they have the gods all dressed up for the New Year and have oranges, pomelos, and gold for them on the alters.
I love these fortune sticks. They shake the can until a number comes out. The number they get correlates with their fortune for the day.
After the tour, I went down to visit the Chinese market. Apparently, great deals on food and a good place to shop.
Have I mentioned that they eat alot of fish here! Practically everything has some kind of seafood in it (that's why I stick with the chicken rice)
Or you can always go for a little frog soup???
