For my Brothers and Sisters who fought in Vietnam - Would you go back on VACATION? If so, why.... and why not?

Better things to do, A lot better, and better memories to share!!!

that place was the center of all that was evil in 1968. I have told people who were going there that I could stand on Highway 1 between Tam Ky and Hoi An and point in any direction and say "Smith died there" or "Jones got shot there" all around the compass. Why would I do that?

As a young civilian, late 60's and early 70's, I was witness to how terrible many returning soldiers - veteran's of WAR, were treated. Some had lost limbs. The looks on their or perhaps your faces opened my eyes wide, my heart bled wth yours or theirs. To return, just can't put myself in your or their boots.

I WOULD WELCOME THE THOUGHT OF VISITING, BUT THE FINANCIAL STRAIN WOULD BE "TOO" MUCH FOR OUR FIIXED INCOME "BUDGET". I WOULD NOT REFER TO IT AS A "VACATION" or "HOLIDAY", BUT MORE OF A "REMINDER" OF HOW DUMB WE WERE or A "WAKE UP" CALL AS TO HOW "INHUMANE" WE ARE TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.

why not? We go to Germany, Italy, Japan, and China. I spent two years over there and lived with the Vietnamese for a year, they are fine folks. I never hated them although circumstances required me to kill as many as possible it was just part of the job. I feel sorry for anyone that can not just move on. Same thing in Germany although I did not fight there I had lots of encounters with former members of WWII German soldiers and former civilians under NAZI rule. Really good opportunity to understand circumstances and attitudes at that time.

I would love to see Vietnam l, 47 years after I left. The people have changed and the videos I see now, Vietnam is a beautiful country. I served in DaNang, I was with a Helicopter sqaudon, I saw the country from the air, back then, it was beautiful, I would love to see it now.
I harbor no ill wills against Vietnam, it wasn't their fault what happened almost 50 years ago!!

NO, TO MUCH MONEY, HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE TSA, CRAMPED UP FOR HOURS ON END AND MOSTLY BEING FORCE TO GO THROUGH HANOI AND DO THAT TOUR PLUS WE MOVED AROUND II CORP CONTINUALY SO I DID NOT BECOME ATTACHED TO ANY ONEBASE, TOWN OR CITY.......

I plan to return to Vietnam with my spouse for a vacation. The reason being, after watching a CNN segment of Anthony Bourdain interviews in Ho Chi Minh City, many of the interviewees were of a new generation who no nothing about war,. Vietnam now seems to be warm and inviting and I look forward to visiting and trying out the cuisine. Also, I want to visit any museums attributed to the Vietnam war.

I have studied and heard so much about the Vietnam war that visiting Nam would be a dream come true for me; such a visit would place all accounts into perspective.

To each their own motivation. I have some friends who want closure and felt it was the best way to close the circle for them. If you are going back to locate an old firebase you will most likely be disappointed as even Bien Hoa Army Base had been dismantled and the material used elsewhere. I went back the first time in 1996 and found the trip to bring back a lot of memories. Smells and sounds triggered much. Since retirement from the Army I have gone back to Vietnam for business 2-3 times per year and still do. In fact, I have traveled to Dien Bien Phu for a historical terrain walk twice. Even that area has built up over the years to the point that it is hard to identify the strong-points and sights of key battles. I took my wife to Vietnam over New Years a few years ago and she had no interest in war related sights so we played tourist and I enjoyed some of things we saw in the Delta and outside of Saigon. If someone is planning on a trip to Vietnam for whatever reason plan on a visit to Cambodia or to Luang Prabang Laos as well - it is a long way to Southeast Asia so take advantage of it.