Tire Tracks and Rice Fields

Khanh Hoa countryside.  Khanh Hoa Province is located on Vietnam's South Central Coast.  Nha Trang is Khanh Hoa's capital city and also has one of the largest ports on Vietnam's South Central Coast. 

Surfing Vietnam

This is my friend, Eric at our surf spot here in Vietnam.  Eric, from NY/California/Vietnam/Philippines and Albin, from Orebro, Sweden, are our only regular footers.  The left is a little short and gets you right into the washing machine, so it's mostly rights. Consequently, I've gotten pretty good at riding on my backhand.  Surf is sparse in Vietnam, but when it gets a pumping swell, it's definitely a fun wave.  There are several reef breaks all up and down the coast.  China Beach is a famous beach break.  Never been there!  Photo credit to Diana.

Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Ok, Ben is back. This shot is from 2012, just outside of Mui Ne, Vietnam at the sand dunes.  This little dude was our guide and showed us how to enjoy the dunes.  I was really sandy after doing a few jumps and rides down the hill on mats.  Mũi Né is a little beach strip in South Vietnam.  It's mostly resorts and restaurants, but there is a burgeoning kite surfing industry.  An interesting place and worth a few days in Vietnam.

Diamond Ay?

This picture was taken outside of Nha Trang, Vietnam in 2010 and pictured is my friend, Sam. We had a huge rainfall over a period of 4 days and when you get into the mountains, mudslides and falling rocks are frequent. Diamond Bay is a resort about 15 minutes outside of Nha Trang and this sign sits on the cliff face across from the entrance. As we were riding our motorbike out to Bai Dai beach, we noticed a giant boulder had slid down the mountain and crushed the B in Bay. It has since been fixed, but if you're driving through the mountains in Vietnam during rainy season, be careful!

The Shack at Bai Dai

This picture was taken in September 2011 at The Shack in Bai Dai Beach, Vietnam.  The waves at Bai Dai are wind generated beach breakers and can reach 1-3 meters in the high season of October through April.

Hoa Lo Prison Memorial Garden

This photo was taken in 2009 at Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, Vietnam. Hoa Lo Prison was used by the French to house Vietnamese revolutionaries and later gained infamy in America as the prison that American POWs sarcastically referred to as the "Hanoi Hilton." The memorial garden is a tribute to all of the Vietnamese who died at the hands of their French captors. The French were exceptionally brutal, keeping Vietnamese prisoners chained to a large, flat table by their ankles then torturing them and executing them by means of the guillotine. The words on the wall mean, "High Indomitable Patience - Eternal Glory."

Hanoi Propaganda

This photo was taken in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2009. The mural is propaganda for the Communist Party of Vietnam, hence the sickle and hammer logo in the top right. Under the mural, the words translate to, "Determination to successfully implement the resolution of the Party." In Vietnam, it is not uncommon to see Communist propaganda on walls near schools, police stations, and public meeting places. Sometimes, the murals feature various workers or students crowded around a teaching Ho Chi Minh.

Lone Boat

This photo was taken in 2010 on Nha Trang Bay in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Nha Trang is a coastal city in southwest Vietnam that is famous for it's beautiful bay. Nha Trang is consistently placed among the most beautiful bays on the entire world. It features clear water, beautiful reefs, and a cable car to Hon Tre Island. There are numerous islands dotting Nha Trang's coastline which are easily accessible by boat. Nha Trang was home to the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant as well as the 2010 Miss Earth Pageant.

Two Girls on a Beach

This photo was taken in 2009 at the former Demilitarized Zone of Vietnam(DMZ). The DMZ is located about 100 kilometers north of Hue and was established at the Geneva Conference of 1954. The DMZ was set at the halfway point and separated the communist controlled Democratic Republic of Vietnam(North Vietnam) and the imperial controlled Republic of Vietnam(South Vietnam.) Troops from either side were not permitted within 5 kilometers of the DMZ line.

Aqua Rocks

This photo was taken in 2010 at Mun Island in Vietnam. Vietnam is home to some of the best diving in Asia. It's clear water and natural coral reefs combined with low costs make it an ideal place to become a certified diver or even a dive instructor.

Ngoc Son Temple

This photo was taken in 2009 at the entrance to Ngoc Son Temple on the northern side of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ngoc Son means 'Jade Mountain' in Vietnamese and was built as a dedication to Tran Hung Dao, a Vietnamese military commander who defeated Kublai Khan's Mongol army twice in the 1280's. The victories over the mighty Khan are considered by military scholars to be one of the greatest military feats in history. To this day, Tran Hung Dao is revered by Vietnamese and has several shrines and temples erected in his honor.

Bai Dai Beach

This photo was taken in 2010 on the road from Nha Trang to Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Bai Dai or Long Beach is a 10 km stretch of beautiful beach just outside of Cam Ranh Airport. Bai Dai is the spot to surf in Nha Trang with swells reaching 4-6 feet and over 8 feet during storms. It's still relatively undeveloped with small food stalls and surfboard rentals available.

Khai Dinh Tomb

This photo was taken in 2009 at Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue, Vietnam. Emperor Khai Dinh was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Khai Dinh only reigned over Vietnam for 9 years (1916-1925) and was an unpopular ruler. He collaborated closely with French occupiers which was the main reason for his unpopularity. He was accused of living in luxury while the average people of Vietnam suffered horribly at the hands of the French. Only 15 years after Khai Dinh's rule was over would Ho Chi Minh become leader of the Vietnamese Independence Movement.

Anonymous Woman on a Bicycle

This picture was taken in 2009 near the Perfume River in Hue, Vietnam. Hue (pronounced, Whey) was Vietnam's Imperial Capital from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War, Hue was dealt major damage by Northern Vietnamese forces, who also perpetrated the Hue Massacre. Hue's historic monuments have resulted in it being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.