1st Time Since Vietnam War — Hanoi Takes Delivery Of U.S. Aircraft; Marks Key Milestone In U.S.-Vietnam Ties. Vietnam’s People’s Air Force (VPAF) has officially received its first batch of Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft from the United States, marking a key moment in its military history. The delivery, which took place on November 20, includes five of the twelve aircraft that are scheduled for delivery by 2025. This is the first time since the end of the Vietnam War that the country has inducted US-made fixed-wing aircraft into its arsenal. The handover ceremony took place at the Phan Thiet military airport in central Binh Thuan province. US Ambassador Marc Knapper and US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin B. Schneider joined Vietnam’s Air Defense Air Force (ADAF) Commander Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Hien. The arrival of the T-6C Texan II trainers is seen as a milestone in the growing bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Vietnam. The US Air Force highlighted in a statement that the delivery of these aircraft is a significant achievement for both nations. “The delivery signifies a milestone for the US Air Force and the Vietnam ADAF,” the statement read. The remaining seven T-6C aircraft are expected to arrive by 2025. The five T-6C trainers departed from the United States earlier in November, flying via Europe and the Middle East before arriving in Vietnam. According to the flight-tracking data from Flightradar24, the first aircraft landed in Vietnam on November 18 after a brief stopover in Bangkok. The T-6C aircraft will be stationed with the 920 Regiment at Phan Thiet military airport, which is located on the coast east of Ho Chi Minh City. “The arrival of the first T-6 aircraft to the Vietnam Air Defence Air Force represents the promise we made to assist in your air force modernization efforts,” General Kevin Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said. “This moment reflects our shared commitment to peace and the rule of law in the region.”

Travis, I totally understand if this post needs to be taken down. Does anyone know where to get some pot? Since I've been here I've been getting it at the My Ann bar strip area, where all the tourists go, and pick up a gram for 500k VND. They sell it behind the counter and they have a menu ranging from $500k to $1M VND per gram, which seems really steep. I heard it’s possible to find grams for 100k if you connect with the right people $500k for 5 grams seems about right. Any recommendations where I should go?

Hi, Will be in Danang in a few weeks time, being my first visit to Vietnam, would love to connect with any ladies available, if not, would appreciate your advice on which markets I can visit to get cashew nuts and other Viet stuff and have reasonable nice food court. I have read stuff in the Classroom and am well prepared but still a little nervous, after seeing some snatch thefts and taxi scams videos on youtube, I know Travis did mention its very safe in Danang (thanks for that!). Anything I can do to be more prepared? Should I take a self defense course before I land LOL

Since I’ve been traveling a lot in the past year, I have frequently instituted the stop and check procedure. Generally, I apply this to anywhere I sit or plop down luggage. When leaving airport seating, turn around and look at your seating area. When leaving your plane seat, inspect the seat, under the seat, and the pocket in front of it if you use that. When leaving a sleeper bus, inspect your seat and any trays or slots. Finally, with hotel rooms always do the room check before leaving. Look in every drawer, shake out the sheets/blankets, and even check the bathroom for forgotten items. With 9 months of traveling, I only lost 2 things, and my wife lost her glasses in Sapa. I lost a neck pillow that I think I put around my neck and it fell off as I was leaving a sleeper bus. The other possibility is leaving it on the seat I put it on, but I was insistent on not doing that. I also lost an awesome wire that could switch between Apple, type B, and type C. I was using it on a sleeper bus.

Heavy rain and wind in Da Nang today. As of now the airport is closed from 6a.m. on the morning of Oct. 27 to 4.am. Oct. 28. Likely heavy rain for the next 2 days. I will keep everyone updated. Weather is fine in Northern and Southern Vietnam.