Photography & Vietnam: Opinions please

adam* wrote in post #4992316
Are those places to visit?

Adam,,,,Xieng Khuang is drop dead beautiful..It is in the north of Laos, in the mountains. The Plain of Jars http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Plain_of_Jars is an amazing site well worth the look.

Savannakhet is in the south straddling Thailand and Vietnam..It is flatter with heaps of rivers..Savannakhet is Lao's bread basket but farming is hampered by the enormous amount of UXOs littering the countryside..

Both areas can be dangerous if you don't know where you are going because of the UXO problem..Take a guide and never walk off the beaten track.

I'm going to get on a bit of a rant here..Between 15-25 million UXOs litter Laos as a result of US bombing..Mainly cluster munitions..Laos, the most bombed country on this planet!!

Jurgen
Laos

yogestee wrote in post #4994736
Adam,,,,Xieng Khuang is drop dead beautiful..It is in the north of Laos, in the mountains. The Plain of Jars http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Plain_of_Jars is an amazing site well worth the look.

Savannakhet is in the south straddling Thailand and Vietnam..It is flatter with heaps of rivers..Savannakhet is Lao's bread basket but farming is hampered by the enormous amount of UXOs littering the countryside..

Both areas can be dangerous if you don't know where you are going because of the UXO problem..Take a guide and never walk off the beaten track.

I'm going to get on a bit of a rant here..Between 15-25 million UXOs litter Laos as a result of US bombing..Mainly cluster munitions..Laos, the most bombed country on this planet!!

Jurgen
Laos

Well, America's an easy country to hate, and deservedly so, but I don't think the OP was out to politicize anything.

Tonkin Gulf Incident – Prompted US escalation of war

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Image:Tonkingun​boats.jpg

Unlike you?

sjones wrote in post #4995507
Well, America's an easy country to hate, and deservedly so, but I don't think the OP was out to politicize anything.

WMWARD2 wrote in post #4996953
Tonkin Gulf Incident – Prompted US escalation of war

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Image:Tonkingun​boats.jpg

canonloader wrote in post #4997309
Unlike you?

True, can we keep political discussion out of this. If you have something to say about how it affected your opinion at the time then i'd be happy to hear but over PM.

yogestee wrote in post #4994736
Adam,,,,Xieng Khuang is drop dead beautiful..It is in the north of Laos, in the mountains. The Plain of Jars http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Plain_of_Jars is an amazing site well worth the look.

Savannakhet is in the south straddling Thailand and Vietnam..It is flatter with heaps of rivers..Savannakhet is Lao's bread basket but farming is hampered by the enormous amount of UXOs littering the countryside..

Both areas can be dangerous if you don't know where you are going because of the UXO problem..Take a guide and never walk off the beaten track.

I'm going to get on a bit of a rant here..Between 15-25 million UXOs litter Laos as a result of US bombing..Mainly cluster munitions..Laos, the most bombed country on this planet!!

Jurgen
Laos

I've heard amazing things so will most likely make it back. There's a high possibility i'll be living in Cambodia within the next few years so i'll make the trip over the border sometime. I've worked in a mine action centre in Cambodia and know of the problems, Laos' is even worse.

And guys, it's not political, Jurgen was just stating that the UXO problem was the result of US bombing - just a fact, not political debate.

adam* wrote in post #4997673
I've heard amazing things so will most likely make it back. There's a high possibility i'll be living in Cambodia within the next few years so i'll make the trip over the border sometime. I've worked in a mine action centre in Cambodia and know of the problems, Laos' is even worse.

And guys, it's not political, Jurgen was just stating that the UXO problem was the result of US bombing - just a fact, not political debate.

Adam,,,when you get to Cambodia look me up..We should still be in Vientiane in two or more years..My wife and I have signed 5 year contracts..

I'm sorry for my rant but I feel very strongly about the UXO problem here in Laos..The subject is now closed..

Jurgen
Laos

yogestee wrote in post #4998409
Adam,,,when you get to Cambodia look me up..We should still be in Vientiane in two or more years..My wife and I have signed 5 year contracts..

I'm sorry for my rant but I feel very strongly about the UXO problem here in Laos..The subject is now closed..

Jurgen
Laos

I definately will if I make it by then. Vientiane is somewhere I should explore further too, didn't get the best impression of it last time although I did have a great meal. There was alot of work going on in the centre and it wasn't the most pleasant smelling places as a result!

adam* wrote in post #4998496
I definately will if I make it by then. Vientiane is somewhere I should explore further too, didn't get the best impression of it last time although I did have a great meal. There was alot of work going on in the centre and it wasn't the most pleasant smelling places as a result!

Yeah,,,Vientiane still smells a tad,,,blend of freshly brewed coffee, croissants and open drains!!

adam* wrote in post #4997673
And guys, it's not political, Jurgen was just stating that the UXO problem was the result of US bombing - just a fact, not political debate.

Fair enough, but using words such as "deplorable" and "rant" are little bit more active than just stating the facts. That's all…

canonloader wrote in post #4997309
Unlike you?

Just to clarify, my comment in regards to "hating America" was facetious, as I'm a US citizen; but you are right, I was hypocritical for making the comment...my apologies.

sjones wrote in post #4998659
Fair enough, but using words such as "deplorable" and "rant" are little bit more active than just stating the facts. That's all…

I s'pose everyone has a need to feel strongly about something..

yogestee wrote in post #4998579
Yeah,,,Vientiane still smells a tad,,,blend of freshly brewed coffee, croissants and open drains!!

Open drains is the bit that stuck in my mind. By the time i'd finished travelling around S.E. Asia you get used to it though!

sjones wrote in post #4998659
Fair enough, but using words such as "deplorable" and "rant" are little bit more active than just stating the facts. That's all…

sjones wrote in post #4999118
Just to clarify, my comment in regards to "hating America" was facetious, as I'm a US citizen; but you are right, I was hypocritical for making the comment...my apologies.

yogestee wrote in post #5002166
I s'pose everyone has a need to feel strongly about something..

two Points:

1. Do not attach or embed images to this forum if you do not hold the copyright.
it is always o-kay to link.

2. The topic being brought up the OP is a good one that is photography related. However some of the subject matter is politically charged and as such some posts are crossing the line, no longer about photography or it's influence, but about the war and politics.
Politics as a subject is strictly Taboo on POTN. Please keep to the subject without allowing your one personal politics to color your discussion.
Rule of thumb, if you've managed to anger someone, than it's likely you've crossed the line into politics.

Interesting thread.
Adam, you could look into the management of the media in the current Iraq conflict and compare it to the lack of media management during the Vietnam War.
Have you seen "Control Room" by any chance? If not, do yourself a favor and watch it. It is an interesting view as seen by the eyes of various news media outlets during the first few days of the current Iraq conflict.
Also, I can possibly get you in contact with an American photographer who reported during the Vietnam War. PM me if you are interested.