Vietnam Report (with lots of pics!)

[CoffeaRobusta]

I finally have a chance to sort through the 800+ photos I took while in Vietnam.

It was quite a trip. Visiting my Mom (she lives in Sweden so I don't get to see her much), family I have never met before, seeing where I was born, and talking to my Mom about what it was like when I was born has certainly given me lots to ponder for a while. During my two weeks there I met nice people, rude people, honest people, and swindlers. Seems much like anywhere else.

I can remember when I first visited Europe, I was struck by how different things were when compared to the US. Later visits showed me how similar we are. I think I can say now that I view differences and similarities at the same time. More importantly, I know know that when you want to make connections with others, focus on the similarities. I think that's why it was so good to bring a fishing pole. Many people in Vietnam fish, for recreation, work, or subsistence. It certainly opened some doors, and peaked the interest of those that shared a fishing interest. They were among the more decent people I met.

Well on to the pics...

One of the first places I fished was this cat fish farm. They were set up as a restruant where the patrons could sit outside, fish, drink beer, and have their catch cooked up if they wanted. The driver we hired for the day liked to fish too and he bagged the first fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip062.jpg

Not to be outdone, I bag one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip071.jpg

Hmmm.....catfish in a clay pot and Tiger beer
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip068.jpg

After the catfish pond, we went to a friends house near the Siagon river. My cousins fishing the river with me.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip104.jpg

South of Saigon is the city of Can Tho, wher I was born. They have a growing tourisim industry there for people looking of the Mekong experience.
Me boating on the Mekong Delta...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip132.jpg

Floating market....
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip140.jpg

Typical riverside home...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip144.jpg

You could see these fish traps everywhere
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip146.jpg

Snail eggs. These snails get pretty big and are edible. Yummm!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip156.jpg

Small beam trawler on the river...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip178.jpg

You can find almost any kind of water organisim for eats in the resturants...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip181.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip193.jpg


Down in Ca Mau, where most of my Viet family live. Grandmas house is in the upper right, across the river. We went across in the long-tailed boat pictured in the foreground.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip217.jpg

The catch that came out of a shrimp trap..
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip260.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip259.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip258.jpg

Another cousin helping me fish...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip267.jpg

Almost everywhere you look people have a fish pond. This one is behind my Aunts house. Where I was able to bag another catfish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip283.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip298.jpg

My cousin and I fished the canal in front of the house too. I caught nothing but he caught two tiny fish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip291.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip292.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip296.jpg

Hmmm....home cookin'. Just look out for that rice wine.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip320.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip315.jpg

Met this guy near Can Tho, on the way back to Saigon.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip373.jpg

Was he fishing for these?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip412.jpg

Back in Saigon, my Mom decided we all needed haircuts, and massage (no Boom boom though). Of course my four-year-old nephew got all the attention. Funny kid, he understands English, Vietnamese, and some Chinese, but only wants to speak Swedish.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip486.jpg

After recouping in Saigon, we boarded a sleeper bus to Mui Ne, a relatively new beach resort area. Mui Ne is (was?) a small fishing village, that was discovered by tourists about ten years ago. A solor eclipse drew thousands of people to the area when it was reported that it was the only place in Vietnam that one could view the full eclipse.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip546.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip629.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip630.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip675.jpg

Steaming and drying fish?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip550.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip551.jpg

Exploring the fairy springs in Mui Ne
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip570.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip571.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip577.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip579.jpg

Beach view from our resort.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip584.jpg

Near Mui Ne is Ta Cu Mountain. At the top is the largest reclining buddha found in Vietnam (49 m). You can walk or take the cable car (we chose cable car). This place was quite sureal. It really made me quiet inside.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip588.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip615.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip624.jpg

Example of the Champa culture that was there before the Vietnamese moved in.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip632.jpg

Lots of people like to fish. This guy didn't speak much English but we hit it off and I let him try my rod. He likes to fish too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip640.jpg

These kids showed my how to dig clams in the sand and gave me a small hook to use. Note the bamboo pole. I let them fish with my rod for awhile too.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip643.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip645.jpg

Some of the fish they caught...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip647.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip648.jpg

Finally I get one too...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip649.jpg

Young and old like to fish...Note the kite board sail in the background.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip683.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/AtomicWildBill/viet08trip684.jpg

It was with mixed feelings that I left Vietnam. Certainly happy to get back home (I love California, and missed my GF lots) but turning over lots in my mind about this half of my heritage. I may have to go back someday. Maybe do some work or research. Maybe just grab abackpack and do the whole SE asia thing. It was certainly the trip of a lifetime.

[tacklejunkie]

Sweet pics man. Lots of different little crazy fishes!
Looks like a fun trip!

[Ronira]

Amazing photos and a great narrative as well. I would really like to go there some day. Thanks for the great post.

[fish_sauce]

Thankyou for sharing the awesome photos and experience...:Shocked::Cool:

that picture of the reclined buddha sure brings back some long, distant childhood memory. i've been there before, but i can vaguely remember it...

sure does inspire me to plan a trip of my own to visit VN. It's been almost twenty years!!

[Troutman65]

Thanks for sharing your trip on FNN.:Cool: Great pics. They tell a story on their own. Welcome back

[Wingnut]

Man, I've been waiting for this report.
Excellent report and very well done! :Big Grin:
Those pics brings back some great memories from my youth. Even though I was pretty much a city boy growing up in Saigon (which is now called Ho Chi Minh City), I always love visiting relatives in the countryside.

One day, I'm going to make some time and visit the homeland... left there in 1975 and haven't been back.

That is great that you found the time to get some fishing in. I like the high-tech drag system that they have on those bamboo poles. :LOL:
I wonder if there are any Halibut in those waters... :Wink:

Thanks for sharing your experience. :Cool:

[steve092]

Thanks for the read and pictures!

[HEMAN]

Are you F'ing kidding me??? i was born in Can Tho too!!!!! i've never been back but these pics look awesome...
i look forward to being able to go back some one day even more now.. thanks CR..

mmm. my only question is.. err. you don't look too asian... background story??? just wondering..

[BakoBassin]

Fishing looks dangerous there...those dudes are wearing helmets in the last pic.

[Gmoney]

what a great post and pictures
thanks for sharing with us...especially those of us that have not experienced places like Vietnam
that is some beautiful countryside

thanks again....and i wish you well on your journey either here or there!
G$

[mstr fish]

Awesome report. One could only imagine the experiance unless experianced first hand. I am sure you will remember forever. Thanks for taking the time to report.....................fish

[4g63power]

awesome report and pic! sorry about no boom boom haha jk..thanks for posting

[usmcfisherman]

my dad was in nam 67-69.and wen they wernt fightn they fished and loved the place.
awsome report.

[CoffeaRobusta]

Sweet pics man. Lots of different little crazy fishes!
Looks like a fun trip!

Thanks, it was fun. I wish I knew what those little fishes were.


Amazing photos and a great narrative as well. I would really like to go there some day. Thanks for the great post.
Do it! Bring your rod too man. It's a different world, man.


Thankyou for sharing the awesome photos and experience...:Shocked::Cool:

that picture of the reclined buddha sure brings back some long, distant childhood memory. i've been there before, but i can vaguely remember it...

sure does inspire me to plan a trip of my own to visit VN. It's been almost twenty years!!
Try over 35 years for me with no memories. I wouldn't mind going back to that buddha and hiking up the mountain rather than takin the cable car.


Thanks for sharing your trip on FNN.:Cool: Great pics. They tell a story on their own. Welcome back
Thanks troutman....it's good to be back.


Man, I've been waiting for this report.
Excellent report and very well done! :Big Grin:
Those pics brings back some great memories from my youth. Even though I was pretty much a city boy growing up in Saigon (which is now called Ho Chi Minh City), I always love visiting relatives in the countryside.

One day, I'm going to make some time and visit the homeland... left there in 1975 and haven't been back.

That is great that you found the time to get some fishing in. I like the high-tech drag system that they have on those bamboo poles. :LOL:
I wonder if there are any Halibut in those waters... :Wink:

Thanks for sharing your experience. :Cool:
It's not quite the same place it was then, form what people tell me. looks like there's a rising middle class. But that's true for much of SE asia. I never did try one of those bamboo poles, but wouldn't mind tryin. Hey if there's halibut there, wingnut, I know you'll find them. ;)


Thanks for the read and pictures!
Thanks!


Are you F'ing kidding me??? i was born in Can Tho too!!!!! i've never been back but these pics look awesome...
i look forward to being able to go back some one day even more now.. thanks CR..

mmm. my only question is.. err. you don't look too asian... background story??? just wondering..
Story of my life. Nobody ever gets my ethnicity right. Mexican, native american, arab, one guy in Vietnam thought I was Japanese! Vietnamese mother, American dad....I guess I take after dad. Even my sister looks more asian than I. No shoot?! You were born in Can Tho too? Funny thing is I was only born there because my Mom was on here way back home to give me up to grandma. I guess I am lucky she changed her mind.


Fishing looks dangerous there...those dudes are wearing helmets in the last pic.
Yeah, I thought that was hilarious. I figure they didn't want them stolen off their scooters OR (and I like this one better) death by falling coconut is a real problem there.


what a great post and pictures
thanks for sharing with us...especially those of us that have not experienced places like Vietnam
that is some beautiful countryside

thanks again....and i wish you well on your journey either here or there!
G$
Thanks, I have traveled Europe, but a place like Vietnam was very new to me.


Awesome report. One could only imagine the experiance unless experianced first hand. I am sure you will remember forever. Thanks for taking the time to report.....................fish
I am sure I will too, at least my gut will. LOL.


awesome report and pic! sorry about no boom boom haha jk..thanks for posting
Yeah well, my GF probablly wouldn't care for me comin home with some std. It wasn't for lack of offers though. If you ever wander around Saigon at night as a lone male, you will get dozens of offers for "massage boom boom'. Even from the cyclo drivers!


my dad was in nam 67-69.and wen they wernt fightn they fished and loved the place.
awsome report.
Sweet, maybe your dad is my dad. juz kiddin. My dad went over there as a merchant sailor running victory ships and then he stayed there to operate a floating power plant near Vung Tao. The power plant supplied electricity to a nearby base. I'd love to go back and fish all over SE asia.

[Fisherman57]

Very cool report! Thank you for sharing this!

Is that a TEAM 57 shirt I see? TEAM 57 IN VIETMAN! WooHoo!

http://fishinghotpage.com/users/tmp3/viet08trip320aa.jpg

[sansou]

Truly a fascinating report on many levels.

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics.

[bruce watson]

That is one beautiful country. I remember how crystal clear the water of the South China Sea was.

[gavin310]

thanks for the great "story"! was a good read. it's great how fishing is completely cross-cultural and uniting. my girlfriend is from thailand and i'd like to visit, but she said it's illegal to fish in the ocean there. :Sad:

[olfishergal]

Really great read, I love the pics........thanks for sharing.........makes Nam seem more real to me. :Razz:
OFG

[Badfish2]

Looks like an adventure for sure, vietnamese women are hot

[BassEngineer]

Looks like a great experience...nice pics!

[soulsurfer]

Thanks CR......that was simply awesome....BTW, CR also stands for costa rica....now that's another place to go fishing ......

[aboos]

Thanks CR......that was simply awesome....BTW, CR also stands for costa rica....now that's another place to go fishing ......

and SURF!!!



nice pics CR!! thats awesome! thats kinda funny that someone thought you were japanese..as heman said, you dont look too asian haha. but i guess that comes with being hapa!

[flyngby]

Awesome Report!!!!!!

Looks like a fun filled adventure exploring your roots and being able to connect through a common interest that dates back 1,000's of years. Although technology has improved, the goal is the same.

Very nice of you to share your experience of meeting extended family, some culture, and again the common interest of all of us on this site.

Thanks for taking the time to share the experience!!!!!!!!!

Steve

PS we will hook up some how some where!!!!!

Steve

[shasta]

Cool post. I spent about a month in Cambodia earlier this year. I managed to go out ocean fishing one time, out of the port city of Sihanoukville. We didn’t catch huge numbers but it was a blast. Only $25 and that was all day, fishing gear, lunch and dinner. I also caught a few snakeheads, with my brother in-law, reminds me a lot of bass fishing. Funny thing that day there was a local kid with about 20 foot piece of bamboo, some line and a homemade frog lure catching more than three of us using western rigs combined.

Again cool post I have only been to Vietnam once, a couple of years ago, and want to go back. Was supposed to spend about a week there this time but I got outvoted by my wife and her family.

[CoffeaRobusta]

Is that a TEAM 57 shirt I see? TEAM 57 IN VIETMAN! WooHoo!

Heck ya...how could I not represent after all the kindness, and information sharing that comes from this site?

Truly a fascinating report on many levels.

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics.
It was a fascinating trip. I'm happy to share.

That is one beautiful country. I remember how crystal clear the water of the South China Sea was.
There was so much wind that it was blown out where I was. But it probably changes depending on the time of year.

thanks for the great "story"! was a good read. it's great how fishing is completely cross-cultural and uniting. my girlfriend is from thailand and i'd like to visit, but she said it's illegal to fish in the ocean there. :Sad:
Yeah, it's almost impossible to think of a culture that didn't fish. Not to doubt your girlfriend but check out this site. Megafishing Thailand (http://www.megafishingthailand.com/content/view/253/45/). I'd love to fish Thailand. My Mom is actually building a house in Thailand right now. How about it? You buy the plane tickets and I'll arrange for a place to stay.

Really great read, I love the pics........thanks for sharing.........makes Nam seem more real to me. :Razz:
OFG
No problem olfishergal.

Looks like an adventure for sure, vietnamese women are hot
They are a little easy on the eyes. Don't tell the gf I said that.

Looks like a great experience...nice pics!
Thanks! It was the experience of a lifetime.

Thanks CR......that was simply awesome....BTW, CR also stands for costa rica....now that's another place to go fishing ......
My gf has been to Costa Rica. Maybe that's my next trip.

thats kinda funny that someone thought you were japanese..
Ha Ha, yeah i think that night had more to do with how I was dressed -- slacks and a solid light blue button up shirt -- than my facial features. Too funny though.

Awesome Report!!!!!!

Steve

PS we will hook up some how some where!!!!!

Steve
Thanks. Heck yeah we will hook up. I've been hitting the Newport piers lately but i suspect you been on the water.

Cool post. I spent about a month in Cambodia earlier this year. I managed to go out ocean fishing one time, out of the port city of Sihanoukville. We didn’t catch huge numbers but it was a blast. Only $25 and that was all day, fishing gear, lunch and dinner. I also caught a few snakeheads, with my brother in-law, reminds me a lot of bass fishing. Funny thing that day there was a local kid with about 20 foot piece of bamboo, some line and a homemade frog lure catching more than three of us using western rigs combined.

Again cool post I have only been to Vietnam once, a couple of years ago, and want to go back. Was supposed to spend about a week there this time but I got outvoted by my wife and her family.
Sweet. I'd love to hook up some snakeheads. Maybe it's time to post your report. Oh wait maybe you did. I should search the posts....