"Is my hair on fire?"
On New Years Eve (Tet - 17th February), the celebrations included an explosives display that sent burning embers showering over the crowd. I say explosives rather than fireworks because my understanding is that fireworks are designed to explode at an altitude of greater than 8ft off the ground. A little girl, close to tears, held onto Viks left leg in fear as we were coated in ash and embers. I held onto Viks right leg. The massive crowd surged as everybody ran for cover. So did Vik - with me and a small Vietnamese child attatched. Chuc Mung Nam Moi.
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forc... ... read more 
