August 2023
The sponsors tour of 2023, saw three new faces joining us for the first time. Peter Saville & Ron & Marilyn Jones. Both Peter & Ron are Vietnam Veterans. Ron & Marg Swifte joining us for the second time. The other couple was John & Loretta Baker, they have been on most of these trips.
Suong & Peter Fryers met the group in a brand new 25 seater bus at the HCM airport, for the 2 hour trip to Vung Tau, and the Palace Hotel. After freshening up we headered to the back beach for a typical Vietnamese evening meal. Drank our Tiger beer with large ice cubes in our glass and great sea foods, sitting on small chairs with tables to match. A great way to get to met everyone.
(Below Vung Tau beach at 6.30am. Tu An inside the finished Temple.)
The morning after a delicious breakfast, I caught up with a few of the South Australian crew that I have met over the numerous times we are in Vung Tau at the same time, they have been using Suong as their tour guide for many years.
After breakfast, we were of to Tu An Pagoda. This year they required 45 children's back packs. We found a shop in Vung Tau. Ron Jones gave Suong an extra million dong towards the costs, as the 3 million dong given to the pagoda would certainly have be exceeded.
On arrival at Tu An we saw the finished Temple in all its glory. A extremley large Marble Budda greeted us on the entrance. Inside (photo above) was an enormous brass Budda with smaller ones on either side. The temple was overwhelming.
There was also a tribute to the late Sister Minh Hia, the person who started the Temple ten years earlier.
The new children's accomodation was also completed. The kitchen is still the same with massive pots of various foods, being cooked on open fires. We all enjoyed a beautiful vegetarian lunch cooked in this way.
Ron & Marilyn met the children they were sponsoring. Peter Saville was to met his sponsored child, for some unanswered question, they bought to him a different child.
Each year, we have more children start their schooling. due to the large amount of babies left outside the gates of Tu An from 2015-2018. DOVES will sponsor 58 children in 2023-24
(Photos below Ron & Marilyn, Suong with a group of children, the group waiting patiently with gifts of coffee and books with various readings given to everyone by Tu An. )
Day two started with a walk to the newly completed street fish market, very close to our hotel. Selling the morning catches at great prices. Onto our bus heading to Nui Dat & the Long Tan Cross. On the way we stopped at a Catholic Monument. A very popular place. Large statues took pride of place in the hills surrounding the Church.
Travelled then to Nui Dat. Little remains of the former army base of the Australian Task Force. During the Vietnam war it supported three army battalions, SAS, Helicopter Base, Artillery, including NZ personal who were a major party in helping the Australian soldiers during the Battle Of Long Tan.
You still get to see the landmarks, SAS Hill, Luscombe Bowl where the troops were entertained by Australian and International performers. The fomer helipad, and the airstrip. Across the road from the end of the airstrip was a small shop. We felt we should support it, so a cold beer was enjoyed by all of us. At a cost of 15,000 dong a beer.
Peter Saville could remember exactly where he and his battalion was, as it wasn't far from the end of the airstrip.
A visit to the Long Tan Cross where we placed some flowers near the cross, Suong had purchased earlier at the local market. After the cross, Ron Jones wanted to see the sight where he was based for a while, Fire Support Base Horse Shoe.
On the way back just outside of Baria we stopped at a very good outdoor restaurant Loc An. All customers have a private outdoor Pagoda, to have their meals and drinks in. Food was amazing, will remember this for next time.
In Vung Tau before going to our hotel we stopped at the Military Museum. This was a great place to visit. Uniforms, armour and arms going back hundreds of years. An amazing collection of weapons used through the centutries. Ron went through a journal, listing all the Australians lost druring the Vietnam War
(Photo of the boys with SAS hill in the background, with Ron & Marilyn going through the journal.)
Photo's from Loc An Resturant and the pool at Mui Ne Resort.
Day 4 say goodbye to Vung Tau. Our first stop on the way to Mui Ne is the Long Hai's. The Australian army had many battles with the Viet Cong here. A fairly steep climb to see the remains of the straffing on the vast rock formations caused by the helicopters seeking to drive out the enermy.
Before leaving the township of Long Hai we met with Mr Ngan. A previous Viet Cong Soldier, who has been in extremely bad health the last few years. He is virtually bed ridden these days. We were greeted by his son, who sat Nr Ngan up, when he reconised us, his eyes lit up and a big smile. Shook and held our hands. Each time when leaving, we think it's a final farewell. Although he still continues to hang on. All the boys gave him 500,000 dong each to help with medical etc.
The next stop was for lunch at Ho Tram, Hamptons Seafoord Resturant was another spectacular lunch destination, with a beatiful ocean setting. They built a new pier, that's the venue for many weddings and other events.
We arrive at Mui Ne late afternoon, time to and sit at the pool and beach side bar and restaurant. It was a great place watching a storm develop over the ocean. The storm came with much rain.
Again the breakfast was first class. A great array of food was offered and was enjoyed by all.
(Photos of John & Loretta, Hamptons Seafood Resturant & The pier the venue of numerous weddings & other events.)
A very big day ahead, travelling to Da Lat through the extensive mountain range. The first stop however was in Mui Ne at the Fairy Creek. This beautiful walk up the stream to these magnificent cliff faces with various coloured rocks & sands. Something you cannot see anywhere else.
After a coffee at the end of our walk, the next stop will be for lunch Bac Loc, before travelling to the renowned Dambri Water Falls.
Once at Dambri, you travel down, by the longest alpine roller coaster in Vietnam, travelling 1650 metres to get down to the falls. The water falls are spectacular, cascading hundreds of metres down four tiers.
You walk through the beautiful laid out gardens to get a closer view of the falls.
Walking through these gardens, you cross a swing bridge, everyone was holding on grimly, then to another beautiful lake with more gardens.
Then on the bus for a three hour trip to Da Lat. Arriving at 7.30, certainly a long travel day, although what we had seen was worth it.
(Photo's below walking through the Fairy Stream, John taking photos of Ron & Marg. Loretta & Marilyn on the roller coaster. The water falls and the swing bridge.)
The bar next door to our hotel, was closed due to a fire not long after our last visit in August. So across the road to another one. Then off to my normal spot, at the market watching the visitors shopping at the famous Da Lat night market. I always head here, the owner always reconises me and made us all welcomed, serving us nice cold beer. Had a nice meal then time for bed.
The early morning was a good time to walk the Xuan Lake, approx a 5 km walk. Breakfast at a small street stall.
On the bus for a few items at the market, including treats for the children. Once finished the bus stopped for two minutes to pick us up. The police were not happy, and fined the driver 500,000 dong. We all chipped in and gave him the money.
Ta Nung Orphanage wanted us to buy 50 kgs of chicken legs, so a visit to the supermarket. Then off to meet the children at Ta Nung. On the bus the girls packed treats for the children. The children were so happy to see us, & helped carry everything in.
(Photo's below Young children getting daily care, a new baby at Da Lat nursed by one of the older children. The children from Phat Buu. Bottom right the boys on their mattresses in their temporary room at St Micheal's)
After photos etc we head back towards Da Lat and visit the boys orphanage of St Micheals. The area where they previosly lived, had been pulled down and is getting rebuilt. All the boys now were sleeping on mattresses in the one room. They were in a playfull mood, running riot. Brother Joseph who I met the previous year was in the Philippines, it was up to a young brother trying to control them. Finally, photos taken and school reports recorded.
They supplied us a nice lunch, that gave us a chance to talk with the head brothers at St Micheal's.
In the evening we went up the mountains, to have dinner and see the minority mountain people do the famous fire dance. A great night.
The next morning before heading to Nha Trang, we went to a new park that had just opened in Da Lat a week earlier. They have a see through glass bottom bridge, stretching from one mountain side to the next. It also has a very large theme park. You walk through many various highlites, then onto an open vehicle that takes you to other areas of the park. each stop you get off and check out the highlights.
We will certainly re visit on our next trip.
(Photo's First three, Beautiful Parks, Glass Bridge & advertising, All enjoying Fire Dance Show.)
After leaving this beautiful park we headed back down the mountain to Seaside City of Nha Trang. After staying at the Asian Paradise Hotel every year, it was time for a change, this time staying at the Muong Thanh a 5-star Hotel. After a quick freshening up, we went to Cheers Bar to watch an Aussie Rules Football game, before heading out for dinner.
In the morning, we met Chau Vo was always helps with our visits to Nha Trang. Then , headed to the market, to buy goods for Kim Son Buddhist Pagoda., including candy for the children.This was the first time all the children were there to meet us. Normally waiting for a few children to get back from morning school. After photos etc, the children recieved their bags of candy they said their farewells, until next year. A vegitarian lunch then back to our hotel for free time, that being more Aussie Rules Football at Cheers Bar.
The evening we jumped into two taxis and headed for a the Fork'N Lekker Garden Cafe, ran by Sth Africans. Specialing in BBQ food. Served as meat platters with Sth African sausages, lamb chops , and other meats. Different and enjoyable.
(Photo's below Suong & Sister Dieu Phuc, the children from Kim Son & Han & Quynh.)
This morning we travel to the Catholic Centre of Phanxico. The girls numbers are down on previous years. Losing the kitchen and other structures a few years ago, due to a hurricane devestating the area. It was decided to cut the girls numbers until new bedrooms are built. These should be completed in 2024. The 13 girls made us extremely welcomed. As I was taking photos and recording school results, each girl in turn would talk in English telling the sponsors their name and a few facts about themselves. It was very impressive.
We then enjoyed lunch, prepared by the girls. After lunch, all the girls jumped on our bus to visit some of their homes.. Water wells are being installed to be shared by five homes. Also the Government are installing a badly needed toilet in each home.
On the way back to Phanxico, songs were sung with much fun and laughter. One beautiful young girl, Cao Thi Hue who could talk great English, (said she learnt from a mobile phone from the age of six) thanked DOVES for our continued support.
Photo's from top right, The new water well, Middle row, Girls from Phanxico, enjoying lunch. Bottom row, Hue signing then thanking DOVES and the sponsors, Bus trip back to Phanxico & Cao Thi Hue showing the DOVES card.
After a delightful evening meal at a traditional Old Style up market Vietnamese Resturant, Lang Nhon, we thanked & farewelled Chau Vo and her beautiful daughter and will see them in 2024
In the morning we travelled north to Quy Nhon, staying at the Seagull Hotel. This hotel offers magnificent views down the beach regardless of what room you are in. On the way to Quy Nhon we went out of our way to visit Vung Ro. This is a very beautiful bay with many fishing boats. It is sheltered by 3 high mountain ranges.
Vung Ro has history going back to the Vietnam War. Vung Ro was used to receive secret weapons from the North transfered by numberless trains. From 1964 to 1965 Vung Ro recieved 4 ships bringing thousands of tons of weapons and ammuntion to support the South Central Highlands battlefields. A supply ship was sunk with a loss of 22. The history is shown in various monuments. In 1997 it was recognized a National Historical and Culture Site.
For dinner we shared traditional prawn and meat wrapped in lettuce, very enjoyable , then made a visit to the local night market. Suong met her cousin who organised back packs for all the children from her village who DOVES sponsors. Normally Suong would buy books and pencils, she felt they needed these back packs.
The next day we loaded our larger cases on the bus, as at the end of the day it would head to HCM to meet us at the airport the next day. Then off to Suongs village to meet the family and children. On the way a purchase of treats was made. After photos etc the back packs and candy were given out. Everyone were extremely happy, except for one older boy who thought the designs on the back pack was a little girlie.
(Photo top left & right Vung Ro's fishing vilage and one of the monuments. Top centre & bottom right children happy wth their back backs. Bottom left beach at Quy Nhon, middle bottom John showing the children the spelling of Peter)
An early start after breakfast to the Cam Ranh Airport for our trip back to HCM. Our bus was there to meet us after the drivers overnight drive from Quy Nhon. We had an enjoyable lunch, then off to the War Remnants Museum. It is a great museum as seen through the eyes of the Vietnamese. There are four floors, you start at the top and work your way down to the ground floor. If you started reading all the information relating to the photos you could be there for many hours.
A few went to see the famous water puppet show.
It was a free night to do what you wanted. With Peter Saville we tried to find a sports bar that he went to five years ago. Walked the streets for an hour, only to find it had closed. Walking back we found his second choice by accident, "Phattys" a top Aussie place to follow all sports and enjoy good food.
In the morning we were off to the Mekong Delta. On arrival you board a small boat to take you to the island, then shown around to the various interesting sights & treats, first highlight was sipping on Honey Tea, it was delicious. Many other interesting sites on the island, other foods to sample, including coconut candy. Watch how they make it then you can taste. Then a canoe trip down the esturies of the Mekong, along with many other visitors. We were disappointed that the restaurant we used previously had closed. Although the main restaurant on the island was certainly a great replacement.
In the evening we boarded an open double decker bus to do a tour of HCM by night. This was truly a great way to seeing the magnificent lights cascading up and down the never ending buildings.
On return it was decided to go back to Phatty's for a drink and a meal.
(Photo below left Water Puppet Show, Fish for lunch at Mekong Detta, War Renments Museum, Sipping on Honey Tea, Making Coconut Candy, Entrance to one of the islands & the trip to the Mekong Islands)
Off to the Cu Chi tunnels was todays tour. We saw how he Viet Cong tunnelled hundreds of killometres under ground, the Cu Chi Tunnels was one of the larger ones. It was shown how the VC could have surprise attacks on their enemy then disappearing just as quickly. Viewed the extremely bad traps they used to kill or maim. Tasted tapioca with tea. Shown how they used the bombs that didn't explode, turning them into many different types of weapons they could reuse. Nobody took up the oportunity to fire the AK 47 or the M 60. Back early to enjoy a small lunch at the hotel.
The evening is a highlite of the tour. Visiting a floating restaurant on the Saigon River. Shared a smorgasbord meal. Were entertained by a group of Vietnamese Singers, followed by a magnificent fifteen minute of fireworks. A tremendous way to finish our trip.
Leaving the dock, the traffic was unbelievably bad. If you thought on a busy day in HCM was bad, just multiply that by ten or twenty times worse. The bus trip took 20 minutes to get there, and at least 90 minutes to get back. Although it did gave John a chance to thank our driver who was great for the entire trip. And to also give a special thank you to our number one tour guide and dear friend Suong.
A couple of drinks, then a goodbye to Ron & Marilyn, who were leaving early next morning. After breakfast, it was shopping for most. Peter wasn't to keen on the shopping. Then Suong came to pick me up as I was returning with her to Vung Tau. It was then goodbye to Peter Saville, Ron & Marg Swift & John & Loretta Baker, who were all travelling on the same plane back to Melbourne, of course after a little more shopping. Another most enjoable trip.
(Photo below left John thanking Suong for her dedication and friendship. Middle Fireworks and Floating Restaurant, Right Bottom John thanking our driver for his outstanding driving ability and his happy nature.
