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After many years of European control by the French, pressure from the Chinese in the north and then what most of us know as The Vietnam War one would expect this to be a frosty nation with regard to foreigners. But not so. All along the main tourist route of the sea-horse shaped country, locals in the main stop-off points have become accustomed to tourism and the great wealth that it brings with it. Unfortunately this will always mean change but if you take yourself off of the main tourist route you'll be greatly surprised by the difference in the people.

I'd read that the people of the country reflect the weather - the in the north they can be cold a frosty and in the south warm and welcome. 

When asking about the politics of the country, a tour guide told me "On Mondays we are good Communists. We arrive at work, stand up and sign our nations songs and salute our flag. From Tuesday to Friday we are Capitalists since we work hard to earn as much money as possible. And then at the weekend, we are Socialists because we also like to party!"

You'll have to make your own mind up about that!

This second is a little different to the others since we're back populating - that is the idea for The Leaping Lemur was born in Hoi An but we didn't really know how to do it until afterwards, or what would be useful. So if you're travelling through and have anything you can contribute or update us on, please do.

Elli xx

Email info@TheLeapingLemur.com

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• Vietnam: The home of bahn mi!

  Da Lat on 2 Wheels A day with Easy Riders So how do 3 brothers, 2 partners, 2 kids and their Grand Dad get on two bikes? Impossible!  [more] Thien Duong Cave Paradise is a cave called "Paradise" A firm Vietnamese favourite but a little too far for most tourists. Not for these travellers! [more] The temples and tombs of Hue. Waiting for the ink to dry :-)

  Posted 28 Jun 2013, 00:36 by Elli Murr

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• Charities in Vietnam

  SOS Children provides children with a home, a family and a new mother in a purpose-built SOS Children's Village, where they can stay until they are ready for independent life.  SOS Children currently cares for 1,952 children in Vietnam at its 13 SOS Children's Villages throughout the country, and a further 272 youths at its 10 SOS Youth Homes, where young adults go to prepare for independence. [more]. Endangered Primate Rescue Centre. EPRC rescue and take-in primates that from around Vietnam as well as running an education/ visiting centre to help locals and foreigners understand these magnificent creatures. The aim is to rehabilitate the rescued primates and release them back into the wild where they belong. Volunteering at the EPRC gives you a unique opportunity to directly help endangered wildlife whilst sampling the highly cultured and welcoming country of Vietnam. You too could soon be near to the rarest primate in the world during the day and then enjoy some tasty cuisine (and possibly a ‘Bia Hoi’ or 2) in the evenings with a not so rare primate species. [more] MilkCare Foundation Until economic reforms in 1986, the Vietnamese government provided free schooling. Now, students must pay for "public" schooling in addition to other expenses such as school maintenance fees, textbooks, school uniforms. With an annual per capita income of less than $150 (US dollars) in rural areas, many families simply cannot afford to send their children to school. For these children--some abandoned and homeless--even basic nutrition and education remain only a dream. [more] Vets With A Mission is a group of Vietnam veterans and non-veterans who are dedicated to bringing healing, reconciliation and renewal to the people of Vietnam. We run many different projects from volunteering to donating and fund raising. Please visit us for [more] information. Mine Awareness Group We work with conflict-affected communities to identify their needs, removing land mines and unexploded ordnance, and helping those people in contaminated areas to live more safely. [more] More links to charities in Vietnam can be found [here]

  Posted 4 Jul 2013, 02:41 by Elli Murr

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• A sample from our facebook page. Follow us for regular updates.

  Garden of Reflection, Chiang Mai, Thailand:  There is no glory for a lazy person however good looking Temple, Krabi Thailand: Solitude and silent reflection seems to be moving with the times Almost Famous, Pai, Thailand: Toilet humour, bar humour and a great quiz.

  Posted 26 Jun 2013, 21:11 by Elli Murr

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