A 13 minute YouTube Slide Show with pictures of the 1 1/2 year army service in Saigon from the end of 61 till March ’63 and the visit on “Fleetwood” in 2006.
A chapter from my book SoloMan describes how I ended up in America and Vietnam and the unique life experience for me and my 1st wife in South East Asia: In Vietnam 1961-1963
A detailed journal of the 2006 Vietnam visit can be read at : www.cometosea.us/albums/log-Vietnam.htm
You Tube Slide show of travel to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos from First of January till end March 2010 with all the colorful scenes of the Lunar New Year decorations and activities.
In Cholon 1961
On arrival at Danang in April 2006
A-Hoy Jack,
With Great interest I read Richard McKenzie’s Aricle (Missing the Boat)in Yesterdays Vietweek. As a Yachty living in Vung Tau, I share the same frustration with you over this Sailing issue and the Goverment of Vietnam.
Similar to you, I arrived in Vietnam, the second time in March 2006, On my Hans Christian 38′ Cutter-riged Sloop “Valhalla”.
In the begining, my entry too Vietnam was smooth Sailing. I had recieved an Authorization Letter from the Hanoi Goverment through the vietnam Embassy in Brunei. I was excited too Set Sail!
But Two Weeks before my depature from Borneo, Valhalla was struck by Lighting. I damn near lost her too Fire, but the Kuala Belait Fire saved Her without too much of a mess. But all Electronics, including GPS, and Auto Pilots were fried. My departure was delaid a Month waiting for a West Marine order to arrive with replacements. Thought She was good to go when I Departed for Vung Tau. My luck was continueing a downward spiral. Out too Sea the first Night I discovered I had no Compass Light, and the Auto Pilot did not work. I had too maintain a Helm watch for the 5 Day passage too Vung Tau, and at Night I held a Flashlight in one Hand too see the Compass. I was exausted.
After about 6 Months I put Valhalla on the Hard, While I went off too Nigeria for a few Months on an Offshore Oil Job.
When I returned too Vietnam, I was devistated too find Valhalla had been Raped; there is just no other word to describe what the thieving Bastards had done too her.
Just about all was lost. Electronics, Air Conditioning, Generator, All Baterries, and every bit of cables and Wiring.
All Bronze Through-hull Fittings, and Seacocks. All Ground Tackle, and Deck Bronze Hardware, and 6 large Hawse Pipes with Cleats. But I was more of a mess than she was. I discovered I could still cry at 64 years of age.
Many year later, She is now almost Sea worthy again. But it has been a long, lonely Row too Hoe. And this is where my frustration with the Govt. gets continually more frustrating.
After all these Years I am unable to get approval to Sail my Boat within these beautiful Vietnam Waters. and Coastline.
Same as Richard, I ask why? I’m nearly ready too give-up and leave. Somtimes I believe, that is just what the Vietnamese People, and Goverment want us forieners, with our Boats too do.
Hope too hear from you Mate!
Cheers,
Ed
Mr. Ommen,
In this day and age, I should should probably address you as Jack but honestly, I gotta go with Mr. Ommen because you definitely earned my respect. A man going around the world by himself. I’m in awe!
To Ed (previous commenter),
I live about 30 kilometers from Vũng Tàu. Saw your comment after visiting this website from a link at expatsinvietnam.proboards.com by someone else that was impressed by Mr. Ommen’s photo album of his travels in Việt Nam. Make a long story short, are you still in Vũng Tàu? Ever heard of Seadrill? I got a Russian student (studying English to improve his pronunciation) working at that company.
Xin Tsao Dao
And ,chúc mừng năm mới. Is this your real name? After the famous warrior and good memories of Saigon landmarks. Cám ơn for your kind remarks, Jack is just fine.
I will forward your question for Ed to his e-mail address.
How I wish I could be in Vietnam during your Tết celebration.
Tam biet!
Hi Mr. Van Ommen,
I hope you are doing well and staying healthy with the Covid crisis in full swing.
Just reached out to you on Facebook by the way, hope that is OK.
Stumbled onto your website due to my interest in both sailing and Vietnamese history.
Saw your 1961 picture in Cholon. Is this the famous three-footed bridge featured in the first “Quiet American” move? If so, were you there with military or civilian duties?
All the Best,
Tom