Tourism in Vietnam during the war?

Question

I know Vietnam has recently emerged as popular tourist destination.

But I'm wondering how much tourism did Vietnam get during the war years. I'm talking about civilian tourists only not the thousands of soldiers who were sent by the army. Was it safe enough for the average tourist to come and visit. Or was it more like Iraq is now, only military personnel because visiting as a civilian would almost lead to certain death.

Answer 1

Technically, my Mother, Brother and I were tourists in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. My Brother and I are two of a very short list of American kids who were there during the War. We went there in 1971 to visit family while we could, and we were there long enough for me to start Kindergarten at the International private school near Tan Son Knut Airport. Although I was a kid at the time and it’s almost 35 years ago, I remember quite a bit from that trip.

I don’t recall ever feeling like I was in any danger while I was there. I never heard a gun fired, a bomb explode or even a fistfight breaking out. Most of the fighting was hundreds of miles away from Saigon during that time. Probably the only danger that I really had was riding in a moto-cyclo. The passengers sit in front on the moto-cyclos, which means you die if you get into an accident.

I was predominantly in Saigon, but we ventured from the city frequently. My Uncle’s estate was in the countryside, and I found out afterward that V.C. occupied the surrounding jungles. We went to Vung Tau Beach a few times. Along the way were jungles supposedly occupied by the V.C.

My aunt used to steal my other aunt’s moped and take me to Saigon Market (now Ben Thanh Market) a lot. We went to the zoo a lot, where I fed the elephants sugar cane stalks. Some of those elephants are still there today. There were no V.C. at either location, but the memories of those places have lasted me a lifetime.

Vietnam back then was certainly not a major tourist destination, but it was safe enough for a five-year-old American kid and a two-year-old American kid to visit.

msufiany - I beg to differ. I have my passport from when I was a kid, which has a South Vietnam visa stamped in it. That in mind, non-military visas to visit South Vietnam were being approved and non-military were visiting South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. However, South Vietnam was obviously not a popular tourist destination at the time.

Something else to think about is the benefits of being a U.S. citizen. Most Americans don't realize how easy it is for us to travel the world. Visas to enter any country in the world are easier to obtain as an American than from any other nationality. There are certain places that are not advised for Americans to travel, but no one can really stop you if you want to go. In fact, if you want to go to Iraq right now, odds are very good that you can a visa without much hassle.

Answer 2

The Vietnam War was much worse than the Iraqi War. Many Vietnamese citizens were trying to get OUT of Vietnam. They weren't taking pictures of Halong Bay! Also, most Vietnamese were not wealthy enough to take vacations. Wealthy Vietnamese probably would have left the country or worked to protect their investments. Tourism was not a top priority during the war for anyone.

The Vietnam War was quite brutal. It's kind of sick to think that someone would want to go on a TOUR of a nation in the midst of war... The "thousands of soldiers" weren't touring, either, though: Hence the name "soldiers". Both sides were fighting the war.

Answer 3

tourism during the war? u must b out of your mind!!

people came to vietnam for a purpose only. no international business and this country was not open to the world.

no visa given to any tourist. even the foreign media had a hard time getting entry permits.

many civilians left the country and tourism was not heard of.