Return to Vietnam

I served in Vietnam as an infantryman in the Australian Army during 1969/70 and walked "point" for the whole 365 days. We saw our fair share of action and in 1996 I decided to go back and have another look at Vietnam under more peaceful terms. I have traveled from Saigon to Hanoi and have visited such places as Con Thien or "The Meatgrinder" as it was known. I have stood on the airfield at Khe Sanh and wandered the bullet scarred streets of Hue and I must admit that I have grown very fond of the country and its people. I have been back seven times since 96 and plan to visit at least three times in 99. If you have ever thought about going back and having a look then it is now the time before the country changes too much and before old father time has the final say.

I have found no animosity towards those of us who fought there, the former NVA and VC that I have met and shared more than a few rice wines with have all stated "You did your job and we did ours" and I guess we cannot ask for anything else than that.