This week, I add Vietnam to the list of places I have spent New Year’s. Happy 2019 everyone! In Hanoi, I got to experience some exquisite Vietnamese cuisine and visit the “Hanoi Hilton” where America soldiers (like John McCain) were held during the Vietnam War.
Yet by far my most favorite experience in this country was when out of the blue, a Vietnamese family “adopted me” for a day, taking me on a tour of Halong Bay and inviting me to share Korean BBQ with them.
This delightful encounter reminded me there are still people out there who do good things for others without expecting anything in return. Although we do not share the same faith – they are Buddhists (they took me to visit their temple) – I was greatly touched by their genuine spirit and kind hospitality.
