Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho Floating Market

My first stop in Vietnam was Can Tho.  in total, I spent three nights there.  And frankly, I wouldn’t have spent that much time there, save for the head cold I was fighting.  There isn’t a lot to do or see in Can Tho other than the floating market.  And for anyone who hasn’t seen one before, they really are a must-do.

There are two floating markets in the Can Tho area and they are, as one might infer, markets on the water.  I signed up for a boat at 5:30am….what was I thinking!  

First Night in Vietnam

Cambodia / Vietnam Border Crossing at Ha Tien

I publish this first day’s account of Vietnam as an exercise in judging how different first impressions are from well-informed ones.  Later on, there will be many follow ups in which I probably retract all my initial observations.  I also want to share with fellow travelers my experiences at this border crossing.

First of all, I have to say that Vietnam has impressed me (mostly from the view out a bus window today).  I am generally impressed with the infrastructure and the hale, hearty look of the people I saw on my rural journey today.  For a country with such a large percentage of its population well below the (government idealized) poverty line, most everyone appeared happy and healthy.

I also feel like a child.  I know what I want, but don’t have the words to get any of it….so, I point, I pantomime, and I laugh.