| Ashau | |
 This
jungle valley runs down the center of the country from the Da Krong
River up by Khe Sanh down to south of Hue and was once a major leg
of the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail. It was here that the battle of
Hamburger Hill took place in 1969.
The valley is peaceful now but is still very
rugged and has changed little in spite of the major changes that are
happening throughout the rest of Vietnam. The valley is dotted with
small villages of ethnic people who continue to live as they have
for generations. Weathered women can still be seen in the hills
carrying their enormous burdens of firewood on their backs. Grass
huts are built on stilts to protect them from the wet season and
cool them during the hottest time of the year. Though this is one of
the poorest regions of Vietnam, I find it one of the most colorful. |
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