Here I am up on the border with China/Vietnam. It is a fascinating place actually. I have always been interested in places where cultures cross. Maybe it is from my time as a young adult traveling to the border of Mexico and the US, being amazed at the changes which occur as you cross and imaginary line.
Here I am looking across from China to Vietnam. The river there is named the Red River or the 红河(Hong He) in Chinese and Hong Ha in Vietnamese. There was a battle which was fought here in the 1970's shortly after the Vietnam War ended between the US and N. Vietnam. The Vietnamese have never forgotten this and often look at it as a betrayal from their "big brother" China. The Chinese have said that the Americans fought for many years and killed many Vietnamese, and they love America now, but China only fought them for a few days and the Vietnamese hate them. Their may be some truth to this statement.
Enjoy the views across the red river!
Peace,
BigLance