One of the more interesting things about traveling in later mid-life is that there is evidence of change in the world that has happened in my lifetime. I did not do a lot of world travel when I was younger. I understood, though, that there were places that you could not or probably should not have gone in the 1980s. I knew a family that went to Russia when it was still the Soviet Union. They were exceptional, though. Since then, it became much safer and easier to visit Russia, and then more recently it became more difficult again.
Colombia was a haven for drug king pins and a place that would have been extremely difficult or dangerous to visit when I was in high school and college. Now, it has become a popular tourist destination for Americans. At one point during my lifetime, Nicaragua was involved in a civil war, but it is not difficult to visit now. I visited Cambodia on this trip. When I was very young, it may have been the worst place in the world, but while it still a country still wracked by poverty, it is a welcoming, safe place to travel. Other places like Myanmar, Iran, and Somalia have become much more difficult or dangerous to visit in my lifetime.
Vietnam is one country that has become far easier to visit for American tourists. It is quickly becoming a trendy destination. Many travelers would say that Vietnam is now what Thailand was a couple of decades ago. By this they mean that Vietnam is still relatively cheaper and reputed to be a more “authentic” cultural experience.
My Aunt Bonnie had visited Vietnam with her partner, Russ. I believe Russ was a Vietnam vet. Aunt Bonnie was not all that excited about visiting Vietnam, but mentioned that she was pleasantly surprised at how much she enjoyed it. Their experience in that country was much different than mine, as they visited on a cruise. I took her advice, though, as a vote in favor of spending time in Vietnam.
Aunt Bonnie succumbed to lung cancer earlier this year. She was one of my greatest inspirations to go and see the world. Aunt Bonnie was all business, and also always very intentionally interested in what I and my family were doing. She was very matter of fact in her outlook. When we received a significant real estate inheritance from my late grandfather, she mentioned to me that it would have been a lot better to have received an inheritance like this at 50 (about my age at the time) than 80 (hers). Nevertheless, she patiently waited for circumstances to develop so that we could maximize what we received from this family gift. She got to make several nice trips with Russ and her daughter, Kendal, but the cancer took her much too soon afterward. I know she also read what I wrote about the places I had visited. I think she may have been the only early reader of my website. When many other family members looked at me sideways for making the trips I made, she always asked intently about them and encouraged me. I wish she could have made more trips herself, and I hope that she was able to vicariously enjoy some of mine. It goes to show, though, that when you are personally able to travel – when you have life and health – you should… assuming it is a priority for you.
I would argue also that when it is safe to visit a place you want to see, you ought to go see it. You never know when the world situation will change in a way that prevents you from doing so, even if personal circumstances do not. Vietnam seems to be making an effort to establish itself as a tourism destination. As time goes on, that is likely to alter the experience of traveling to Vietnam. I suppose that’s an unavoidable part of a place becoming more accessible. I found Vietnam quite accessible, welcoming, and easy to visit. I did have a few uncomfortable moments that were at least partly related to the past relationship between the United States and Vietnam, but on the whole I found it to be a pleasant destination – one I would gladly return to for further explorations.