Below you will find some tidbits and information that I gathered along the way.Hope you have enjoyed this recap of a wonderful trip and a great experience.

Weather

Vietnam is a tropical country with ahumid monsoon climate.The average annual temperature is between 21 and 31 degrees Celsius.Humidity can reach up to 90% in the spring.South Vietnam has two seasons: raining from May to October and dry from November to April.The south typically varies in temperature by 3 degtees Celsius.North Vietnam has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.Autum is considered the most beautiful.

The humidity was always very high while we were there..The temperature is 82 - 106 degrees Fahreinheit , depending on whether the sun is out or not.The hotels do have air conditioning but it is on a key control so only if you are in the room is the air conditioning working.

Sun was very strong on Day 9, some people got sunburned.One person had to have medical attention in the airport for sun poisoning.She was extremely blistered and upset to her stomach.

Evidently, we were lucky though.We had several days of cloudy skies and some rain.If the sun had been shining at its brightest each day, I don't know if I could have tolerated it.I was always perspiring - day and night.Some days, we all had to take two or three showers if time permitted.

Restaurants and hotels almost always provide cleansing/refresher cloths which were very much appreciated.

Education

In the orphanages, the younger children are educated in-house.The older children attend school.Sometimes they have to walk several miles.

Population / Area

82 million people in 3330, 991 square kilometers.

Greetings

The Vietnamesegive more importance to their family name and put it first, then their middle name and finally their first name.

True to the conservative traditions in Vietnam, the Vietnamese are absolutely averse to any kind of physical contact in public, especially among the opposite sex. Hence they do not generally shake hands but bow down a little to greet each other.

History

Note:History of Vietnam dates back more than 4,000 years, however, the reliable source for Vietnam's history dates back to around 2,700 years. Whenever one talks of the history of Vietnam, the first word to come in mind is 'War'.

Vietnam was occupied by China from 1st to 10th century A.D. Vietnam was ruled by kings from 968 to 1945.In 1945 after the revolution,, the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam was founded when President HO Chi Mionh declared independence.Vietnam battled French colonialism from 1858 to the August Revolution in 1945 and from 1946 to the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954.Then, there was the Vietnam War from 1954 to Ho Chi Minh's victory in 1975.From 1975 until now, Vietnam has been working towards development.

Known as America's longest war, the 'Vietnam War' was a military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975. The main cause for the Vietnam War was the failure of Vietnamese nationalists to gain control of southern Vietnam during the struggle for independence from France in the First Indochina War (1946 - 1954). After claiming more than 2.5 million Southeast Asian lives, the Vietnam War finally ended on 30th April 1975 with the fall of the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces. History of Vietnam cannot be accounted without mentioning this terrible war of Vietnam.

The name Vietnam means the Viets of the South (Nam) or the south populated by the Viet the main ethnic group in Vietnam. It was the Chinese Emperor of the times, who gave this name to this historical country.

Ethnic Groups

There are 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. The Viet (or Kinh) people account for 88% of Vietnam's population and are mostly concentrated in the lowlands.Most of the country's 5.5 million ethnic minority peoples live in mountainous areas.

Religions

Major spiritual influences in Vietnam are Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and native religions (Ancestor, Mother Worships).Christianity arrived in the lat 18th century and now has the second largest religious following, after Buddhism.

Health Insurance / Health Issues

If you work for a company, they pay for your insurance.If you are unemployed, you must purchase your own insurance.A lot of people do have to go to social services to obtain help because they are unemployed and unable to purchase insurance.If you need an operation and have no insurance or money, it is not a good situation.Unless you have relatives that can help you, your chances are slim to none.

Smoking is allowed most everywhere.

Television / Internet

Most TV channels are Vietnamese.Occasionally, in the hotels, you will find HBO, movies or CNN.

There are internet shops everywhere where young people go to play games.You can also make international calls at a very minimum fee.

Most hotels had free internet.Some had a minimal fee.

Transportation

The main source of transportation is motor scooters.The women in their finest clothes, heels, long dresses and the men in suits on their way to work, etc.Everyone rides the scooters.Families have their children between them, in front of them and their belongings or purchases on the back of the scooter.The adults are required to wear helmets but the children are not.You see women holding babies and small children riding in front of their fathers on the scooters.It is truly amazing.They weave in and out of traffic.There is constant horn blowing and crossing the street takes a certain leap of faith.There are crosswalks but few lights so you take your life in your hands but the people driving the scooters seem to be able to manipulate just fine.

There is not regard for traffic patterns - they ride on the right, in the middle, on the left, wherever there is a space to get through.

I observed one person carrying a flat screen TV, one carrying loads of laundry, lumber, etc. on the back of their scooters.They balance very well through the traffic, surprisingly even though they may have their entire family (up to 5) on the scooter.It is hard to believe without actually observing.Anything they can tie on their scooter, they carry home.

Scooters are parked everywhere - on the sidewalks, in front of restaurants, inside shops, etc.

Very few vans, cars, trucks are on the roads.Gasoline is $12,500 dong per liter.

There is always someone offering you a ride on a scooter for a fee.This is probably not a smart idea, especially if you are a woman.

If I had to ride a scooter to work each day, I would probably be a nervous wreck.These people have developed a special technique.They dress well, wear their helmets and are seldom in an accident.They are always alert to their surroundings evidently.This, toa foreigner, is unbelievable - beyond description.

Land

Land is very valuable in Vietnam.The houses are built long and thin and up.Architecture is amazing.

Rice Fields

Numerous rice fields dot the highways.Water buffalo are still used in the rice fields but there is not the need as there was ten years ago.Most farm equipment is very primitive and done by hand, women, children and men.

Street Vendors

There are numerous street vendors everywhere.The police are cracking down on them (we had the opportunity to observe the police coming around and the people notifying each other that they were on their way - so the vendors could run and hide).Amazing how the word spread as were watching from the bus.

As we were riding, I observed a lot of people, mostly men, sitting around, either leaning up against their scooters (which are parked everywhere - on the curbs, in the shops, etc.) or just sitting at tables shooting the breeze.

New Construction

There is a lot of new construction going on in Vietnam, especially in the beach resorts, especially Danag.Evidently, very different than even two years ago according to one of the people that made the last trip.Lots of new hotels, restaurants, etc.

Currency/Money

The Vietnamese currency is the dong (VND).Notes come in 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong denominations

The Vietnamese Dong -Approximately 17,000 Dong equals a dollar depending on the exchange rate.The zeros can really get confusing.Ms. Butch provided us with a laminated dong schedule that was very helpful in determining the price in U S dollars.Very few coins are used.It is mostly all paper money.

Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and large shops.Dollars are accepted most everywhere.

Cuisine

The diet seems to consist mostly of rice, vegetables and fruit.Every meal contains these three elements.The bananas are small and delicious.Watermelon, papaya, pineapple and passion fruit are served frequently for dessert.Noodles, pasta, morning glory (a type of spinach), bean sprouts, pork (pigs are grown by farmers in the country and sold to markets), chicken and beef (which is usually a little tough) round out the meal.French fries are served, usually at the beginning of the meal.There are usually five or six courses.Chopsticks are used for everything except soup where large spoons are used.

The most famous Vietnamese dish is spring rolls either deep fried (known as cha gio) or served fresh (bi cuon/bo bia) with a combination of raw vegetables and meats. Pho (noodle soup) served with either chicken or beef, fresh green leaves, beans sprouts, and red chillies is also popular.

This definitely a different cuisine and some people had trouble adjusting.A few had to rely on snacks, etc. that they had brought from home.Two people got very ill with a stomach virus.Others just had mild stomach upsets.We were all very careful to only drink bottled water, not eating any fruit that we couldn't identify or had to peel and extremely careful about handwashing techniques for cleanliness.

Tea, similar to Chinese green tea, is one of the most common drinks in Vietnam. Coffee was introduced by the French and is usually strong, thick and served complete with drip filter, so you know it's fresh! If you ask for milk it will usually be sweet condensed milk. Home brewed rice wine is often offered to guests, but watch out - it is extremely alcoholic! Light lager style beers are common.

Government Officials

Vietnam is a socialist republic.The government officials wear green and are always very stern looking.They are helpful but not very friendly.Only prevalent in the cities.In the country, I saw very few.I did not see a lot at least not as many as I thought I would. There were a lot of security around the banks, major stores, etc.

Politics in Vietnam

Note: Vietnam is a communist state, with the Communist Party of Vietnam playing the central role in the politics of the country. There are no legal opposition parties in Vietnam, although several opposition groups do operate from overseas, supporting demonstrations and civil disobedience against the government. The Communist Party of Vietnam convenes a National Congress every 5 years to formulate policies and decide the future course of the country. The National Congress elects the Central Committee, which in turn elects the Politburo. Politburo appoints the General Secretary, highest position in the Party.

The National Assembly, a 498-member unicameral body, is elected through an universal suffrage for a five-year term. According to the Constitution, the National Assembly is the supreme organ of state and the only body with constitutional and legislative power. The National Assembly decides the country's domestic and foreign policies, the socio-economic challenges, and policies on defence and security of the nation. It also appoints the President of the State, the Prime Minister and the chief procurators of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam.

The Constitution of Vietnam guarantees all its citizens right to freedom of speech, press, assemble, demonstration; right to freedom of religion; equal rights between man and woman, the right to education and health care etc.

The Vietnamese People

Of course, Americans are an oddity so the Vietnames are very curious.But, everyone smiles and are very polite except in the markets where they push through with little regard for politeness.This does not mean they are rude, they are just in a hurry and their culture does not emphasize politeness in this type of situation.

Met one gentleman on an in-country flight that was very friendly.He explained what used to be North Vietnam and South Vietnam before the war.Of course, now they say North, Central and South Vietnam.He explained that when he and his family go on vacation, they go to a small island off of South Vietnam which is still very remote - no five star hotels but very relaxing.

A lot of children in poverty, if you're born poor, you usually stay poor.There is not much middle class.Either, rich or poor and most don't rise above their designated class.

The country life is much different than the city.Not as much access to social programs, living situations are not as convenient.

If a Vietnamese girl gets pregnant before marriage, her parents ask her to leave the house and she and the baby are shunned by friends.So, she usually winds up taking the baby to an orphanage.

Visas are relevantly hard to obtain - the government wants to make sure resident is returning to Vietnam.The resident has to give the government their papers for their property and advise them how much money they have in their bank accounts.Some Vietnamese have figured out how to get around this - they borrow the money, put it in a bank account and then pay it back if they leave the country and decide not to return.

Vietnamese wives are expected to take care of husband's parents and also live with them.The parents then help with the children if the woman orks.

It is interesting to note, that at night, families gather together around small tables and chairs on the street and eat together.Most Vietnamese are very small.They all seem to be very healthy and very few are obese.I think it might be all the vegetables and fruit that they consume.

Parents can only have two children in Vietnam.If one is born with special needs, it is usually abandoned at an orphanage so they can have another.

There are small shops everywhere offering pedicures, manicures and massages.

A lot of Vietnamese wear masks over their mouth, especially while on motor scooters.

The Vietnamese women do not want to get any darker than they are, so they cover up their legs and arms with long cloth stockings when they are in the sun.

Conical hats are seen everywhere.These hats are a tradition and are made with bamboo.They cost about a $1.00 on the streets.Very light weight.Thought only slightly about bringing one back - as I am so destructive, I knew I would never get it back home in one piece.

The people seem to have put the war torn past behind them and are clearly focused on a brighter future.

Massage parlors (some questionable), pedicures, manicures, spas, etc. were everywhere.Evidently, some of these are used for questionable activities.A couple of the girls had a questionable experience with their massage.

I don't think the Vietnamese people sweat.I seldom saw anyone that lived in the area with perspiration on them.Occasionally, some women would use a fan and a few men were wiping their brow with a handkerchief.But,otherwise, everyone seemed to be tolerating the heat very normally except me, I was sweating "buckets".

Ihave tried to express my feelings regarding the culture as I traveled.The days were hot, humid, and sometimes very trying.But, the experience was so very worthwhile.It was well worth the money I paid to experience an entirely different culture and learn a little about the social issues facing this country.They have come a long way but have a long way to go.In some ways, this country reminded me of my early childhood, no indoor plumbing and no modern conveniences like air conditioning.The poverty, medical conditions and lack of social programs are definitely a problem.

It is heart breaking to see children and the elderly living in such poor conditions with little hope of improvement.But, it is also a good thing that there are organizations like Brittany's Hope Foundation that provide little things to help the unfortunate.The excursions, meals and gifts provided brought so much hope to these people.Also, we as students, can appreciate our own situation much more.We have so much and they have so little.The least we can do is offer our service with some of their projects along with our love for "a day".

Although, I am not a "baby" person, I did appreciate the very poor conditions in which these children are raised.I am more of a young adult person and associated more with the special needs students.These students have so much potential that isn't being used because of lack of adaptive equipment, lack of medical attention, and lack of resources to increase their work performance.

Making friends, even with the language barrier, doesn't seem to be any trouble for me.I am fortunate in that respect and I formed some relationships with the nuns, the elderly and the special needs children.

I will never forget the young people that I made friends with.I hope to continue that long distance friendship though the internet and or letters with the help of our guides.I will think often of that little girl who said "I am very happy" when we visited her and took her on an excursion into the Golden Valley.It was heartbreaking to have to say goodbye from the bus as we were leaving.The effects of this trip will stay with me forever.Even though, I was hot, sweaty and tired, I felt that I contributed just a little bit to their happiness which made it all worthwhile.

I expected poverty and I expected humidity, but I don't think I ever expected the emotions that went through me.As an older adult, I wish I had had the opportunity to experience this when I was younger.It would have changed my whole life.Now, it will change what I have remaining and I hope that I can inform friends and relatives about just how rewarding it is to help others.

Overall, this experience was wonderful.Not only did I get to assist in projects that will help better the lives of the Vietnamese children and elderly but I got to see parts of Vietnam that were very historical in nature.During the war, it is hard to imagine our soldiers and what they had to go through in a foreign country, fighting for freedom, only to be defeated and return home without a victory.

The people of United States have certain beliefs and other cultures have certain beliefs.Sometimes, we don't always think about that.We think we are the only country and that our beliefs have to be right.That is just not always true.The Vietnamese people are strong people who have strong beliefs and a wonderful culture.

I got to experience only a small part of the culture but I am most grateful for the experience and am very glad that I took this trip.I met a lot of wonderful people, helped to perform some rewarding service projects and got to see some of the major tourist attractions - Marble Mountain, the China Sea, War Museum, Temples, etc.

Overall, a wonderful and rewarding experience.