Bruce, ex 3W3B will be active from Vietnam as XV9B.
He will operate on HF Bands plus 6m Band, CW, Digital modes.
QSL via E21EIC, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
CHAMP C. MUANGAMPHUN, P.O.BOX 1090 KASETSART UNIVERSITY, BANGKOK 10903, Thailand.
Vietnam. Steps of ascent
A country of impenetrable jungles and small mountains, standing on the land of ancient civilizations and stubbornly building socialism, which has begun a progressive movement up the ladder of economic recovery, a new tourist Mecca.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is located on the Indochina Peninsula, the south-eastern border of which is washed by the waters of the South China Sea. The whole country can be mentally divided into three parts: the north (Bac Bo), the center (Trung Bo) and the south (Nambo).
Mentions of the first settlements of the ancient Viets date back to the 7th century B.C. About six centuries after that, the first Vanlang state appeared on the land of modern Vietnam.
On the volcano of fighting
Throughout its history, the Vietnamese land has attracted conquerors of various colors. The more powerful neighbors: China, Mongolia, turned their eyes to the land of the Viets, advantageously located near the sea coast. This led to the fact that the people of Vietnam, instead of cultivating their not too fertile land, for many centuries engaged in its defense.
Particular activity in the conquest of the long-suffering country was undertaken by invaders in the XIX-XX centuries. Colonization by France from 1884 to 1954, occupation by Japan from 1940-45 brought the country to the brink of poverty. The First Indochina War, which took place in the period from 1946 to 1954, led to the liberation from colonial independence and the division of the country into two parts: North and South Vietnam.
But all this did not end either. The civil war between the new entities and the subsequent intervention of the world “gendarme” USA in the conflict led to a new outbreak of hostilities in Indochina. The Soviet Union indirectly took part in them as well, standing up in defense of the northern socialist state.
I would like to believe that now everything has calmed down in the long-suffering land of the ancient Viets. The Republic of Vietnam, which united the two parts of the country in 1976, is taking energetic steps in economic development and is already making its first successes.
Stairway to heaven
The people of this country are characterized by patience and stubbornness. Their symbol may be the national pointed hat, which serves to protect them from coconuts falling from the trees. Hitting the fruit causes pain, but the hat protects the person from death. So does the country: after going through wars, it has survived and is moving forward. The model for the SRV has been China, which claims to be a leader in the world economy.
Tourism has become the main source of national income. The most ancient historical monuments, the most beautiful places: Halong Bay, Cu Chi Tunnels, Tienmu Pagoda and many others attract tourists from all over the world.
The economic growth rate is evident. Chemical, heavy and light industries, machine building are getting back on their feet. The country is growing a web of hydroelectric power plants. There is oil, gas, coal in the bowels of the Vietnamese land. It speaks about great potential in the development of the state.
It should not be forgotten that the republic is still on the leading positions in export of coffee and rice.
The national currency is the Vietnamese dong. Money is made of plastic and is not afraid of external influences.
The Vietnamese paradox
This small nation of 92.7 million people is spread over an area of 331,210 square kilometers. Its capital is Hanoi, which is home to 7.6 million people who speak mostly Vietnamese. Natural population growth is limited by a decree of the Vietnamese leadership, which states that a family will have to pay a lot of money for the birth of a third child.
The National Assembly is the main body of the country, controlling all branches of government, including the President. Vietnam has a one-party system that operates in the spirit of Soviet times.
Vietnam is located in the zone of subequatorial monsoon climate. Weather in different parts is far from unequivocal. Warm, comfortable conditions in the south sometimes differ sharply from cooler conditions in the north. Before going on vacation in this country, it is necessary to know about the time of the beginning of the rainy season and possible typhoons, which are not rare here. The main peak of precipitation is from the end of May to the beginning of November.
The largest rivers in the region are the Mekong and the Hongkha. They flow into the South China Sea. The country's neighbors are China, Cambodia and Laos.
The flora and fauna is characterized, especially in the mountainous areas where there are rainforests, by its diversity.
A special attraction is the traffic on Vietnam's roads. A huge number of scooters, motorized vehicles, cars move in different directions without committing accidents.
Vietnamese people are a stunted nation. The height of 175 centimeters is respected by others.
Despite the addiction to smoking, this is a country of long-livers. One hundred or even one hundred and forty years of age is not a surprise here.