How do veterans of the Vietnam war feel when visiting Vietnam on holiday?
If U.S. and Australian Vietnam veterans are going to Vietnam since tourist visas were permitted, chances are, they are not going for a vacation as it is traditionally defined.Veterans that I know, Air Force, Navy, Marine and Army, are traveling to Vietnam for emotional reasons that serve to heal, resolve and understand the war.This has been true of other conflicts including Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and to this day, the last remaining veterans of World War II that fought in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific.It is anything but a "vacation".
Vietnam Veterans only question?
I know your question says Vietnam Vets only, but I think it applies to all conflicts. I am active duty now, have been for almost 5 years. I have been fortunate enough in my assignments to not have been down range. I count my blessings and pray for those who have as I have lost friends and friends currently serve there. What gets me though, is the people who talk and talk and talk. This has been my outlook on life since I was a young kid. "Those who talk the least, often have the most to say." Storytellers are just that. Real men (women, people, soldiers, etc.) do not need to justify their experiences by telling everyone they come across what they did in their lives. Growing up I never once heard my grandparents or any other relatives talk about their military experiences. They offered their advice when I chose to enlist. Finally though I must say, my grandmother who is in mid-80's has begun to tell me stories of WWII and she will tell me what little my grandfather had told her even though they served in the same comflict. To get back to your main question though. I let people who I know tell stories tell them and when I get a chance to hammer them when I know they're lying, I do. Why? Because every once and awhile it feels damn good to knock someone down a peg. Finally thank you for your service in Vietnam. I maybe only 26, but I have come to realize that that was a time when the country turned its back on the men and women of the armed forces and I hope and pray that will never happen again. SGT, USA
Why did John McCain visit Vietnam several times despite being inhumanly tortured? He even visits his prison with his son and openly encouraged the US-Vietnam relationship.
Because John McCain was one of those rare indiviuals who actually “ walk the talk” when it comes to knowing there are bigger things than our own problems or experiences. He got it that, even though not a soul on Earth, not even his former captors, would blame him for holding a lifelong world class grudge, doing so would contribute nothing to bettering the world and leaving it a better place for our having been here.That’s what it is going to take, more of that selfless mindset that values the greater good over the selfish needs of the individual, to effect real change in today’s world amid the current polarized political climate. Why do we expect less of ourselves and our leaders than we do of our children? When did “Sticks and Stones…..” morph into the inability to ignore verbal assaults intended as nothing more than “Payback” for the previous verbal asssult which was ITSELF payback for the previous previous verbal asssult? You get the idea?Wouldn’t it be impressively refreshing to see our leaders or even ourselves turn the other cheek instead and not waste valuable time that could be used in the pursuit of a better town, state, country, world?It amazes me when supporters of President Trump seem to take pride in the fact that the man has skin thinner than an onion and seems physiologically incapable of letting even the slightest verbal affront roll off his back? That IS NOT A SIGN OF TOUGHNESS!! IT IS A SIGN OF IMMATURITY AND SELF DOUBT THAT WE ADVISE OUR CHILDREN TO RISE ABOVE!!“ When the President is hit, he hits back twice as hard” is, first off, not even accurate as no one is actually physically hitting the President, and shows a level of immaturity that is breathtaking in both its scope and its acceptance.
What is it like to be a Vietnamese Vietnam veteran?
I know this! My dad’s older cousin is a Veteran of the Vietnam war, his last engagement of the war was the battle of Xuan Loc. He was actually shot in the ear lobe and the bullet took part of his helmet’s back side out. He did not talk much about his war, just told of the good times. Like how after months and months his unit got resupplied and they got rice, bamboo shoots and pork for a meal.He talk much about the richness of Saigon and made very snarky remarks about the troops from the other side. “They never did know hardship. It took me a year to march South ward, fighting all along the way. They even got leaves day where they can go back home! For us it was either win or buries our bones here.”
Why is Vietnam an unpopular country to visit among tourists?
I’m not sure whom you are talking to, but they seem to be unknowledgeable about the travel industry in Asia. The same goes for some of the answers you have already received. The fact is Vietnam is one of the hottest vacation destinations in Asia. It is one of the cheapest places in the world to vacation at any level of accommodation. There are an abundance of things to see, do and visit. The weather allows for year-round tourism. Best of all, the Vietnamese people are incredibly friendly. The only thing that holds people back from thinking that Vietnam is terrible tourist destination is the stigma of a war that ended over 30 years ago. By the way, many of the historic Vietnam War locations are now popular tourist attractions. Tourism in Vietnam has exploded the past few years and there’s nothing that can really stop further growth. Vietnam’s government has dumped billions of dollars into their tourist industry and even passed laws protecting tourists and foreigners. Vietnam Airlines just purchased a handful of 787’s to start making non-stop flights from the U.S. to HCMC or Hanoi. Vietnam is not just popular with the Viet Kieu. I've seen Tourists from Australia, Europe, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil and many other countries while I was in Vietnam. I have two uncles who were imprisoned in re-education camps for seven and eleven years respectively. They were beaten to near death. One had an eye ripped out. The other has permanent brain damage. Both of them have more reason than anyone I know for not ever visiting Vietnam. Yet, both have been vacationing there for years. If you know anyone who thinks Vietnam is an unpopular tourist location, then you know someone who chooses to be ignorant by living in the past. Vietnam has become an incredible country with incredible people. Many of the regulars in this section of Yahoo Answers will agree with me on this.