The couple on the right are from The Netherlands. They employed a travel agency in Vietnam, the two guys on the left, who met them in Hanoi and are half way down the coast on two motorcycles for an extended vacation that will end in HCMC. They have an itinerary that includes sites of historical significance, such as the battle of Quang Tri in 1972, that the leader is pointing out. He really knows Vietnam's history and was kind enough to let me enjoy some of his discussion. All their stops and hotels were booked in advance, made seamlessly through the internet. and emails.

Saleslady can put you this Toyota Camry for $80,000.  She is a university graduate who earns a salary of 5,000,000 vnd (Vietnam dong) or 238 usd (US dollars) per month. She gets no commission. I asked if Korean or other foreigners were the main customers. Surprisingly, she said on the contrary, they are mostly Vietnamese, but not a lot of sales per month. Found out later from other sources that high-ranking government officials make a killing by knowing in advance decisions that may effect the economy and thereby purchase land along a future road project, for example.

The Trans invited this writer to experience Tet on January 31, 2014 and to see the results of a donation earmarked to construct a bathroom for the family home in Haoi Nhon. Inexpensive airline tickets are to be found if one searches long enough and has a little luck. Taking off from Iowa on Jan. 23 on first leg to Detroit, then Inchon, Korea, and landing at Da Nang two days later for $821 through Cheap Fare Guru. There are three international airports in Vietnam: Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang