Well, after you celebrate the coming of the new year with the right show of fireworks in the Singapore River, seize the company of my dear cunhadinha (Mafalda) and two friends (and the Ana Paula), from Portugal, and we Vietnam to explore the North to the South Vietnam is a country of many faces and surprise. For the most part, gives us scenes of poverty, pollution and public disorder. Thousands of people live precariously, to eat on sidewalks, a lot of dirt and a transit 10 times more hellish than that of Sao Paulo. Are dozens and dozens of motorcycles, which ultimately swallow cars, coming and going in all directions and all the carrying and, sometimes up to 4 people, all without helmets (accessory totally relieved there). Cross a street? Adventure entitled to high doses of adrenaline. A "buzinaço" constant and deafening.

At the same time, Vietnam, shows us a series of landscapes that we filled eyes. We saw some temples, ruins and scenery of the war. In addition to enrich our knowledge with its past history and culture. Despite all the poverty that still exists there, hunger is something that the Vietnamese people is no more. These people come from all: eel, cow, pig, frog, snake, horse, cat and dog. Yeah, my people, there is buying a puppy at the fair as we buy chickens: duly processed and ready for the pot .... But that part I did not want to see, dispense, of course. There are a multitude of fruit (up to Jaca, custard apple and star fruit!) And many, many flowers of all kinds and colors.

Our adventure began in the capital, Hanoi, where he started the day well cedinho with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. After being searched and escorted by guards properly serious and concentrated, gélida and enters into a dark room where they could contemplate the inert body of former President (who died in 1969) in a rest so quiet that seemed only to sleep. We spent the rest of the day to visit points of interest. The night we were witnessing the Water Puppets Show, a traditional playhouse of puppets in the water.

Second day, Halong Bay, declared natural heritage by UNESCO. A beautiful contrast between the huge rock carvings and crystal clear waters. And habitat for some families of fishermen who live in their homes floating. Not only was better because time has not helped. The day was cloudy, and not just a little ofuscou the beauty of the landscape but also inhibited the advantage of a good bath of March.

Third day, followed towards Hue. The weather was even worse, storm. Our flight from Hanoi left very early (we all 4 in the morning!), But did not reach the destination. Explain: we were just a few meters to land at the airport of Hue when suddenly (and abruptly!) Solves our pilots take the plane back to the heights as the strong wind made the risky landing there. After a wait of 15 minutes for the improvement of time, it was decided to divert to Da Nang (the nearest airport). And, after a long wait at the airport of Da Nang, resolve put in a bus (in conditions not very comfortable, say) and followed 2 hours of land trip to Hue. We lost half a day we would have to know the city, arrived super tired and, not to mention the rain that did not give a break. After lunch, we tried to address the runoff and visited some places like the Imperial City and the tomb of King Tu Duc. But it was practically impossible to move, much less take photos or enjoy the magnificent temples, the sculptures and architecture there. At the end of the night, a private concert of traditional Vietnamese music scene as having a small barge and the Perfume River the scene. The final worth it.

Next stop: Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, if you prefer to keep. There are some signs of further development and civilization. Architecture more modern, more green space, more Western influences. For a time, until we ask why this is not the capital of Vietnam?

We visited the Cu Chi tunnels, one of the main scenarios of the American War. In dare the fields where the Vietnamese soldiers were concentrated, we saw several traps used at that time, the famous weapons and tunnels where they lived for many days of combat. That was almost an underground city where they had kitchen, hospital and more, interconnected by tunnels of land with about 5 meters in diameter only. A wet atmosphere, suffocating, muffled and totally dark where the only way to move was squatting. After a short test (and claustrophobic!) Walk down there we could understand the anguish that must have felt those men to live under those conditions the risk of being slaughtered at any time.

The second day in Ho Chi Minh, we did a boat tour of the waters (no longer crystal!) Of the Mekong Delta. Ali felt the memory of this very famous Favela of flooding in my city, Salvador. Almost a city made up of cuttings and stilts under the filthy waters of the river. The scenario is very close to destitution. Men, women and children to live in "shacks" (which we do not know how to remain erected) or in boats. But to get out of the boat for a walk the narrow lanes we realize that for many, it is an option (or style) of life. Is there any economy behind that facade. Some produce fresh coconut, others sweet banana, some popcorn rice, even pottery, bricks and a multitude of products that give rise to a floating market. It was a beautiful experience!

Our last day in Vietnam in reserved the most striking of our findings. We visited the Museum of War. 7 meeting rooms that include photographs and phrases in the horrors and suffering that occurred during the American War between the 60s and 70s. There we saw from the aircraft, weapons, various types of pumps, a rebuilding of prisons, scenes of torture, photographs of soldiers during the fighting, prisoners, the many families who were massacred free (men, women, children ... babies! ). Pictures of the survivors and their aftermath. The during and after the war. Many images speak for themselves there. And the vast majority of them in clashes. We left there with a feeling of emptiness in the chest, tears in her eyes, impunity, but much more informed, aware that you have to fight ourselves for a world increasingly better. It was a very tiring journey, because the program we had to be met in such a short time. But on the other hand, very rewarding from a historical, cultural, but above all, HUMAN.
Very funny, we were a small group with great animation.
Oh, and we can only speak a little bit of our guides. Three figuraças! In Hanoi, had the Long: A young Vietnamese, very friendly and well informed policy, historically and economically. I would like to pass on any information, a basic English but understandable, right with the words "yeah" at the beginning, middle and end of each sentence. But, sorry, we wanted to shoot was the same flashes of the cameras, connect the camcorder and run for the purchases. Mafalda was to be responsible for tudinho hear what he was talking about (and to ask questions, they answered promptly and with pleasure!) And then move in the "summary". Coitadinho:-D! In Hue, we were received by Lily. My god, after all that move to get to Hue, and then the rain destroys our tour, with patience we were a little limited. Here she comes across "Zen", to speak quite slowly and slowly with a gaping smile and static at the end of speeches. Surrender to understand the English (?) It. Even though it was only a day ... hehehe. And you finish in Ho Chi Minh, a former fighter-die-not-die of war. He was interpreter of Americans during the war. Phung, was the name of the Lord that could stop coughing when we passed some limited information (in the end he has only answered if we ask). There were times when we thought that the man was going to fall hard, too, smoked more than a chimney!
Well, and to finish, I hope that our travel companions arrived well in Portugal and, when they want to remind you of our time in Vietnam, already know: Spring Rolls !!!!! Hahahahahaha ...

See more on our adventures at
http://www.vietnamspirittravel.com/
http://www.travelhalongbay.com/
http://www.sapaadventure.com/