Small, colorful plastic stools are iconic, and essential to Vietnamese street life, representing a culture of convenience, informality, and equality. Emerged in the 1990s, they offer a lightweight, durable, and easily storable solution for street vendors, allowing them to adapt to, or quickly pack up for, traffic and regulations. They are an evolution of the traditional ngồi bệt (sitting close to the ground/squatting) on mats or small wooden stools, making them a natural extension of Vietnamese comfort. The stools foster a sense of equality, as everyone, regardless of status, sits at the same level. There is a saying in Vietnam, "the lower the stool, the better the meal". reflecting the local belief that the best, most authentic street food is found at sidewalk stalls with tiny, low plastic chairs. Although they seem hard to sit in, you know once you do sit, you're in for a culinary delight. Have you ever seen these low plastic stools in person?

Scooters are the primary mode of transportation in Vietnam, with over 70 million registered motorbikes dominating the roads and culture. They are essential for navigating, transporting, and exploring, offering a fast, affordable way to travel, particularly in bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Traffic is chaotic, with, at times, erratic lane changes and heavy, fast-moving traffic, requiring constant vigilance and a "go with the flow" approach. They drive everywhere, even in small aisles of open air markets, on sidewalks and into shops. Pedestrians learn early on that the only way to cross the street is to confidently make eye contact, step into the street and move forward, never hesitating or backing up (a big no no), while the scooters maneuver their way around you. We were told it's like a pebble and water -- the water goes around the pebble, never stopping, and it all seems to work out. In the two weeks we were there, we did not witness even one accident. And the scooters carry everything -- entire families (we saw five on one scooter), deliveries, laundry, trays of Pho, piles of garbage bags and even family pets. Horns beep "I see you", not as a warning, and despite the chaos, it all seems to work. Have you ever driven a scooter?

Tet, which is Vietnam's name for the lunar New Year starts February 17, this year, and we were able to see the beautiful decorations and customs that happen before Tet. One of the most beautiful customs we were able to enjoy is the practice of people, particularly youth and women, to wear traditional Ao Dai (long dresses) and take professional or personal photos to capture the vibrant, festive atmosphere. This practice signifies a celebration of culture, the arrival of spring, and a desire to create lasting memories of youth and beauty. The parks, streets, markets and alleyways were filled with photo sessions, complete with gorgeous florals. The markets are filled with these gorgeous fragrant flowers, and when we spent the morning at Saigon Zoo, I would swear we were the only ones not posing for these photo sessions. Do you think this is a charming custom?