Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: VOVNEWS.VN | 2008 – a remarkable year for US-Vietnamese relations - 2008 – a remarkable year for US-Vietnamese relations

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

VOVNEWS.VN | 2008 – a remarkable year for US-Vietnamese relations - 2008 – a remarkable year for US-Vietnamese relations

Aimee Kligman, an American foreign policy researcher, has praised the development of relations between the US and Vietnam, especially in 2008.
In her article entitled "2008 - a remarkable year for US-Vietnamese relations" published on the Examiner.com, Ms Kligman wrote: "Having been to Vietnam twice since 2004, I can vouch for the amazing push forward for better relations with the US and the success of the Vietnamese 'Doi Moi' policy, which means more or less "open door".
The author stressed that in the past, most Americans associated Vietnam with war, with a swampy land drowned in humid heat, and “it couldn't be the truth. One needs to only see the city of Saigon and Hanoi to understand”.
She thought it was also remarkable that for the first time, last year, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung came to the US. Bilateral cooperation has been established in trade, (with Vietnam exporting clothing, furnishings - home decor items made of bamboo is a big specialty) science, education, technology and security.
Ms Kilgman affirmed: “It is undeniable that in the region of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the safest country to visit in terms of terrorism: there isn't any”.
According to the US researcher, because of the recent economic downturn, it is not expected that trade volume will increase but vigorous cooperation is expected on all fronts. She held that the “1.5 million Vietnamese nationals residing in the US is an important source of income to the country and contribute to its technological advancement.”

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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.