My Lil’ Saigon

While the above statement might be true, I have failed to understand why everyone must assume that the path to becoming rich must be paved with environmental degradation.

In developing countries, environmental exploitation is not only assumed but accepted as a fact of life. This is due to the lack of money allocated to curbing degradation, in favor of social programs, infrastructure, and other programs. However, at a certain point, this must change.

Lately I have been reading about Vietnam receiving multi-billion dollar investment promises from Korea, Singapore, Japan, and possibly even Taiwan. With all this money coming in from other places, I would assume that it would be possible for at least some of it to be used to keep Vietnam from becoming as polluted as Chinese cities ( such as Beijing or Hong Kong). Instead of building another car assembly plant, how about we use some money to improve fuel quality and improve car exhaust systems? Why must improving environmental protection be viewed as a hinderance to progress. Does taking 4 months to improve the qualities of things really make it more difficult to attract foreign investment?

I know that some simple changes would improve the air quality greatly. I’d love to be able to see a bus go by without leaving a huge trail of black, particulate filled smoke. I suppose I’m just ranting, but I wonder if Vietnam couldn’t be a little original in its development, and make a commitment to reducing pollution while developing at a high speed. Maybe a commitment to mass transit would be great, or government subsidies for people who buy new trucks (with better engines) or improve the quality of the older cars/trucks.

Maybe I’m just pissed off that I can’t drive from my house to get some coffee without putting on a mask. Or that I will have to start covering my eyes because the air is so thick with particulates that my eyes get irritated just from a short drive.

Or maybe I’m just a country boy who has lived in the city for too long.

Pick your reason.

Not quite a forest, but it was a good walk until I got stung by 3 hornets.

Continuing on from the last part….

On Sunday Night Ly and her mother left me alone in Nha Trang. I was not to leave until late Tuesday night, so I did a few things on my own. Nothing too exciting, but I enjoyed my time.

The next morning I went to the Institute of Oceanography. I loved it. In my previous post I had some pictures, and now here are some more.

They have a large collection of specimens from the surrounding areas and also a lot of reef fish and historical information. I was quite nerdy all morning. I wish I had known the professor from the Insitute at the time I visited the museum, I probably would have had a more informative tour then.

Beyond the nerdy stuff, I used the afternoon to be lazy and drink some coffee, sit near the beach and relax, and do some reading and sleeping. When sunset approached, I went to Vin Pearl Land. Situated on an island within view of Nha Trang Beach, Vin Pearl land is an addition to the Vin Pearl Resort (which I hear is quite nice), and it is one of the first major amusement park in Nha Trang. They have a huge arcade, a few roller coasters, an concert hall, restaurants, a mall with stores (not a shopping mall, think of the other definition of mall), and a fancy pants bar/club, as well as other attractions.

Also they have the longest cable car in Vietnam, and maybe in South East Asia (not sure on this). It is pretty fun, but I can’t imagine using it too often. It is also the cheapest way to get there (I think the ferry might be cheaper but it doesn’t run so often).

On the last day of my trip I did… Nothing! My face was a bit burnt and greasy from sunscreen so I went to a spa and got a nice face cleansing with a massage. A bit girly, but I felt so great after it was done, I have no reservations about saying I would do it again. I went to the Daisy Spa, and the ladies who gave me the treatment were very nice and professional.

That’s all I have to say about Nha Trang at the moment. Next time I go it will be to Jungle beach, that is for sure. Next Vacation? Probably Con Dao Island to learn to dive.

Hello,

Working on the pictures not linking properly.

In the mean time please visit my FLICKR account.

I noticed I hadn’t upgraded my wordpress at all since I started and it seemed to mess with my new plugin, but now I need to fix the plugin for the newest version. So yeah, it might take me awhile. I’ll try to get it done quick though.

In other news, anyone in Vietnam want to work for an NGO and with me on marine issues?