Photographing Vietnam. 2024. Part One

 The only unconquered and prosperous Communist nation on earth (besides the behemoth China), Vietnam welcomes tourists, especially American tourists. The people have slyly decided that they will revenge themselves on their former enemies by gouging them for everything from bottled water to hotel rooms. Still, it's a beautiful country if you don't look behind the lacquer. 


The Vietnamese enjoy having their pictures taken. Chinese tourists love taking photos of Vietnamese young women. These often wind up posted on bulletin boards at Chinese marriage bureaus, with spurious biographies attached. Here are a few more examples . . . 





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Grilled octopus tentacles are a street food specialty throughout much of Vietnam. The country basks in a long coastline that provides abundant seafood throughout the year.



Vietcong  soldiers are the national heroes of Vietnam. They initially brutalized the country after the American withdrawal in 1973, executing thousands who were viewed as 'passive' during the war. But by 1988 they were hustled out of office by pragmatic politicians who wanted to mend fences with America, mostly because China was licking its chops hungrily for a bite of the country.



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