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Travel Pictures - SOUTH VIETNAM - September 2001
All images © Ron Miller

The travel photos begin at Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in South Vietnam and progress in a northerly direction to the hill station of Dalat and proceed along the coastline to Nha Trang, Danang, Hoi An, and eventually Hanoi in North Vietnam. The photos conclude with the stunning scenery of Halong Bay in the northeast corner of Vietnam.


Colorful vista from the rooftop of our hotel; at the time of the photo (2001), Saigon had a population of five million - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


Close-up view of the structures that give the city's skyline the appearance of upright dominos - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


Vietnamese construction practices (especially for dominoes) probably fall short of OSHA standards - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


You must be asking, "Why construct such a narrow building?" - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


I asked and was told that taxes in the new Vietnam are levied based on curb length! - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


In the center of the commercial district is Nguyen Hue Street with the Hotel Deville seen in the distance - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


The former Hotel de Ville de Saigon was constructed in 1908 and recently renamed the "People's Committee Building" in 1975; visitors today can only enjoy the facade since "the people" are prohibited from entering to witness exactly what is being done for the people - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


The lovely French Colonial architecture adds elegance to this "dark" statue of Ho Chi Minh - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


Throngs of curious Vietnamese congregate outside the Notre Dame Cathedral whose 190-foot-tall towers were completed in 1880 during French occupation - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


The typical family sedan in Vietnam has only two wheels with a design that allows passengers to fully take in the scenery - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


These freight and military ships are safely anchored on the banks of the Saigon River (or has the river also been renamed?) - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


The slum areas can look (and smell) particularly unpleasant at low tide - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam


Our Vietnamese guide (a translator for the Americans during the conflict) demonstrates how to access one of the Viet Cong's hidden tunnels used during the Vietnam War (or was it the American War?); the camouflaged cover can barely be seen on the ground directly in front of the guide; the openings were just wide enough for a Viet Cong soldier but too small for the average American soldier - Cu Chi Tunnels, South Vietnam


Brian crawling slowly within the underground labyrinth of passageways; this subterranean form of warfare was first developed against the French; Viet Cong soldiers lived completely hidden underground and came out only at night to terrorize the South Vietnamese - Cu Chi Tunnels, South Vietnam


View down to the lowlands from the twisting road that leads to the old French hill station of Dalat in the south-central highlands - near Dalat, South Vietnam


The cultivated highlands produce a variety of crops - near Dalat, South Vietnam


The hill station of Dalat, with its miniature Eiffel Tower, was once referred to as "Le Petite Paris"; Dalat is Vietnam's honeymoon capital and, situated at nearly 5,000 feet, has an average daytime temperatures in the 70's - an especially valuable commodity prior to air conditioning - Dalat, South Vietnam


The Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, constructed at the end of the 13th century, surmount a hilltop in the most arid region of Vietnam - Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, South Vietnam


These lovely ladies, in traditional dress, ascend the stairs to the the remains of the Hindu temple - Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, South Vietnam


A better shot of the colorful, traditional attire of the region - Po Klong Garai Cham Towers, South Vietnam


The coast of the China Sea normally has turquoise water except during the wet season when tropical downpours muddy the water - Nha Trang Beach, South Vietnam


Brian is being politely harassed by a rickshaw driver while strolling along the esplanade (war memorial in background) - Nha Trang Beach, South Vietnam


A view of the Long Son Pagoda and its white, hilltop Buddha. The swastika symbol, just to the right of the Buddha, is actually an ancient symbol used historically by many civilizations and religions - especially those cultures associated with the Indian subcontinent. Prior to its adoption by the Nazi Party, the swastika was used throughout the world without stigma - Nha Trang, South Vietnam


This opportunistic beggar awaits the foreign tourists who will be exiting a popular restaurant - Nha Trang, South Vietnam


An old ferry transports passengers along the Thu Bon River - Hoi An, South Vietnam


A "private" ferry is slowly paddled across the river - Hoi An, South Vietnam


The bustling riverfront of what most visitors agree is Vietnams most picturesque coastal town - Hoi An, South Vietnam


A close-up view of the boats that ply the Thu Bon River - Hoi An, South Vietnam


The famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An's symbol, was constructed in 1593 to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese quarter - Hoi An, South Vietnam


A variety of crafts are available for the tourists who visit Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Hoi An, South Vietnam


Perhaps a Vietnamese rock star in the making? - Hoi An, South Vietnam


A plethora of craftsman, including these master woodcarvers, work diligently on a small island on the Thu Bon River - Cam Kim Island, South Vietnam


A craftsman at work - Cam Kim Island, South Vietnam


Only by utilizing the evasive skills of James Bond could I escape the island's aggressive peddlers and relax with the children - Cam Kim Island, South Vietnam


Perhaps you donated some of the clothing worn by this young girl and child - Cam Kim Island, South Vietnam


Vietnam's most important Cham site, My Son, served as the intellectual and religious center of the Indian-influenced Kingdom of Champa - My Son, South Vietnam


This frightening ruin reveals some of the damage incurred during the war - My Son, South Vietnam


This busy roundabout efficiently handles a variety of transport - Danang, South Vietnam


Throngs of Vietnamese now play on the very beach where, only a few decades earlier, American soldiers were airlifted in for rest and relaxation - China Beach, South Vietnam


A large contingent of school girls and school boys pause to make use of valuable shade - Danang, Vietnam


While waiting for a train, this traffic backup reveals as much manpower as horsepower - Danang, Vietnam


Mother and son waiting for the train to pass; the mask is worn to protect the rider from dust - Danang, Vietnam


The motorcycles and bicycles far outnumber the trucks - but trucks always have the right-of-way! - Danang, Vietnam


Hazy vista from just south of the Hai Van Pass - near Hai Van Pass, South Vietnam


Close-up view of the bay side of Lang Co Beach - Lang Co Beach, South Vietnam


This vendor patrols the popular overlook of Lang Co Beach. Many Vietnamese women wear a face scarf for protection from the sun since they value pale, unfreckled skin; however, this gentleman is most likely wearing a mask for protection from the dust - near Lang Co Beach, South Vietnam


Photo of another vendor with the ocean side of Lang Co Beach visible in the background - near Lang Co Beach, South Vietnam


Delicious fresh seafood can be purchased at a cheap price on the beach. However, ice-cold drinks must substitute for air conditioning - Lang Co Beach, South Vietnam


MORE VIETNAM PICTURES



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All images © Ron Miller For authorized use of these photos, please contact Ron Miller at TheHappyCannibal@gmail.com