Vietnam reunion. 2022

Vietnam Map and Trip overview :


I had an opportunity to visit Vietnam recently. My desire to see a new country, with rich history, got the needed impetus from my college reunion in Hanoi. I have many friends and colleagues from Vietnam so I was somewhat familiar with Vietnam. San Jose has the highest population of  Vietnamese origin people outside Vietnam, and has its own "Little Saigon", so it was wonderful to see it up, close and personal.  

I left for Vietnam on Thursday Dec 15 , and landed in Hanoi airport late evening on Dec 16.



 Vietnam Trip Overview


Day 1  (Dec 16) - Day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh




Gift shop on the way


Bai Dinh Pagoda :










Trang An river boat ride and caves:








Night Life in Hanoi





Day 2 and 3   (Dec 17/18) - Night stay on a Cruise Ship in Halong Bay and reunion grand Finale

Our gratitude goes to Amita and Rohit Verma, who were the host and organizers of the reunion. Rohit, a professor at Cornell University, took a 3 year special assignment to set up a world class university, VinUniversity in Hanoi. 



VinUniversity replica and our host, Rohit, passionately explaining out the plans and vision.


Highlight of the reunion was the overnight stay at the chartered cruise ship with scenic views, laughter, food, singing and dancing.






And excursions - kayaking and boat rides to the caves




Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditations on the cruise roof top








Dec 19/20/21 - Da Nang

Bana Hills - Sun World (Golden Bridge and around)

 







My Son temple remains from Indo Chinese Champa Kingdom (2nd Century AD - 11th Century AD) - A UNESCO World Heritage Center







Hoi An historic town and lanterns in Thu Bon river :



Da Nang sights - Lady Buddha status and Marble Mountain










Dec 22/23/24 - Ho Chi Min City (Saigon)















Cu Chi Tunnels and Booby Traps:

Entry to the underground tunnels (search for Cu Chi Tunnels) where Vietnam war resistance “viet cong” used to hide for months.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%E1%BB%A7_Chi_tunnels


Booby trap exhibits, used in guerrilla warfare during French and US war:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby_trap





Back home (Dec 24):






Comments

Y said…
Very nice blog Bimal. Awesome.
January 2, 2023 at 10:57 PM
StMikesISC85 said…
Nicely done. Excellent pictures!!
January 2, 2023 at 11:34 PM
Navin Gupta said…
Wow! This blog was quite some pleasant surprise from you! This is easy to read and very interesting! Keep it up!
January 4, 2023 at 10:38 AM
Prema Bisht said…
Nice place and beautiful pics 👌🙏
January 7, 2023 at 1:02 AM
Unknown said…
Just wow. So beautiful - thank you for sharing this so I can plan my trip there someday!
April 27, 2023 at 2:59 PM
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