Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Vietnam has 2.5 mln osteomalacia sufferers

Monday, August 25, 2008

Vietnam has 2.5 mln osteomalacia sufferers

Vietnam, with a population of some 87 million, currently has 2.5 million osteomalacia sufferers, local newspaper Pioneer on Monday quoted the country's Ho Chi Minh City Osteomalacia Association as reporting.

Some 150,000 local osteomalacia patients have had their bones broken annually in recent years, said Le Anh Thu, chairwoman of the association in southern Ho Chi Minh City.

Osteomalacia is softening of bone, particularly in the sense of bone weakened by the loss of mineral and most notably by the depletion of calcium from bone. The disease may be caused by poor dietary intake or poor absorption of calcium and other minerals needed to harden bones. 　

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.