The Quiet American x 3
As readers of this blog can probably tell, I journeyed to Vietnam recently. I liked it. Alot. Years ago I travelled to Macau, and found that very interesting too: a Mediterranean (Portuguese) city in Asia. Well, its similar in VN: French colonial architecture (in places), in Asia, and you can pay in US dollars. An unusual mix. Although I made an effort to pay in VN dollars (Dong)... I was in Vietnam after all, not Kansas. It is a dizzying place, a heady mix of intense humidity, whizzing motorscooters, stunning food, appealling local design and handcraft work, women wearing a gorgeous 'national dress' of a long silk blouse and silk pants, terrific coffee (although I'm not so sure about the weasel variant – beware of fakes – although they may be a safer bet), colourful lizards scurrying through the jungle – all set amidst a backdrop of 'tropical Frenchness'. Quite a unique mix. It made quite an impression. I had always wanted to travel there after reading The Quiet American as a youngster (still a favourite novel of mine, having re-read it recently).
There are significant efforts to grow and develop the Vietnamese tourism industry, which is a great 'earner' for the country. Saigon is the site of some recent yet rather faceless, bland 'vertical development' (which is, I guess, inevitable). But the French aspect to the city is captivating: 1920's French architecture (well, buildings built by local artisans in the 'French style'), some of which as been skillfully and deftly renovated (some not). Strolling down the tree-lined boulevards popping into a café for a quick bowl of phở, then another café for some great espresso – Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as it's now known, got a big 'tick' from me. A most interesting and determinedly 'alive' place.





Upon landing in Vietnam, the first thing I was keen to spy was a propaganda poster or three (and then have a bowl of steaming 

