Vietnam Travel Guide - lessons from decades of exploration

Last year I posted a video on this YouTube channel taking a look at Vietnam in the early 1990s when I led my first tour in the country. It was the start of something. I don’t lead tours in Vietnam very often but earlier this year I led our Vietnam by the Book tour - a 16 day experience designed around three books. It got me thinking about many things. I spent a lot of time exploring Vietnam preparing for the tour - I love the process of tour development in Vietnam and everywhere - research followed by travel. As Vietnam has evolved, the challenges and rewards of building interesting and meaningful tours also change.

In this video, I reflect on some of the lessons I’ve taken from three decades exploring Vietnam.
Thanks for your interest.

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For more, check the following Rusty Compass links -
Vietnam Travel Guide
Alternative Travel Guide to Hue

[deshr]

Always great to watch VN content like this because there is too much generic stuff on VN here these days. For example there are like 100 vlogs on the best Pho in Vietnam, 10 best places to visit, best Banh Mi etc etc. These old videos are little gems. Thanks a lot. Please keep your stories coming.

[DevineOne]

I came in 98 the first time. This brought back memories of Saigon. Back then it felt like a village and the roads didn't have the traffic they have now a days apart from when all the workers were coming home at 5pm.

[xecoTV]

Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic videos, bringing back lots of memories of the 1990s. As a Vietnamese born in late 1970s, living through the tough postwar time, your past and present comparing structure video is absolutely amazing. Your videos do mean a lot to me. ❤

[CoachBay]

Oh Mark... I first arrived in Saigon in 1993 to work. Your old footage brought back a lot of great memories. This was emotional. I just love Vietnam and I keep going back... Keep doing what you do! I am a big fan.

[blah]

Fantastic video! Almost brought tears to my eyes seeing the old footages of Vietnam. I left as a 13 year old kid in 1991 and still can't get Vietnam out of my mind everyday.

[Mouse]

I was probably one of those biking on the streets of Saint Gon in 1993! I was in my college years back then, and of course, most of us still rode a bicycle to school. Lovely footage and nostalgic too. Thank you!

[michaelmalone]

I first visited Viet Nam in 2000 and totally fell in love with the country, the food, the culture and the people. I've spoken to a friend who was in-country in 1970 and the stories and photos from Vung Tau in 2000 that I shared with him were more familiar to him than Vung Tau was to me in 2010. The pace of change has been staggering! Another interesting video with some great insights. Thank you for sharing the old footage and stories. Brings back great memories...Safe travels!

[locyentam]

I am so glad that I haved clicked this video and watched it. Amazing to see how VIETNAM has changed since it reopened its doors to the world. Watching your documentary video of Vietnam in 1993 makes me so emotional as many of my childhood memories just all of sudden come back. Thank you for sharing your experiences. 👍

[somethingontheroad]

What a beautiful video, bringing back so many fond memories of my first trip to Vietnam in 1991 - and many since. You have a special way of showing your love for the country and its people.

[thoughtprovoking]

That was a joy to watch! Very interesting to see the contrasting footage and to hear your perspective of the changes over the past three decades.

[sbachinin]

Surprised to find such a thoughful and intelligent video in this cursed genre of travel guides

[Swampzoid]

What a beautiful video. Such a fascinating country

[DaiCaThanh]

Great video, like watching a documentary. Bring back so much memories 30 years ago

[ngothuat]

Một video thật công phu, kỳ công. 30 năm, quá nhiều thay đổi. Tôi thích cuộc sồng 30 năm trước đây hơn tuy nhiên kinh tế thay đổi, đời sống nhân dân cũng đã tốt hơn. Nhà nước cũng quan tâm gìn giữ những danh lam thắng cảnh hơn so với khoảng 15 năm trước đây.. Tôi hy vọng có ngày nào đó sẽ đi tour Son Doong và Trường Sa.

[tuyetmai]

Video tuyệt vời, cảm ơn ông rất nhiều.

[ThangNguyenNhiVo]

I've always enjoyed your videos. Beautifully done. ❤️ Thank you.

[robertnew]

Marc you have to understand you are a very special and unique tourist! You speak nearly fluent Vietnamese and have read extensively about its wars, history and culture. No tourist is that accomplished! 7:41

[sirlancealotknight]

Really incredible video with truly priceless footage, thank you so much for your content!

[yamuiemata]

OMG this old footage is such gold mine

[phanle]

In 1993, with out smartphone, people so close to each other, & so elegant with a book on hand, surprisingly your Vietnamese at the end of clip so good!