This was the first time I visited Cao Bang as part of the team of Japa Vietnam. Before, I have visited several times the central regions of Vietnam in relation to an organization based in Okinawa that gives scholarships to Vietnamese children.

I was not expecting such a steep mountain road crossing through so many valleys where villages of mountain people were scattered and small rice fields were spread out. The scenery was often as beautiful as landscape paintings. No matter how deep the valleys were, children and adult ethnic people carrying goods and leading cattle caught my attention. Although I didn't know how far they had to walk, the distance from village to village must had been more than 10 km. Certainly, before cars were running there, ethnic people living in those mountains accustomed to walk on foot from place to place. What kind of an image they have about us running by car at their side? Will that be similar to the image of persons that walk into a house with their shoes on?

The staff of the provincial hospital came to greet us with unusual warmth. I was moved by the efforts an cooperation of Japa Vietnam members who during years continued to visit this faraway place to offer simple and friendly assistance to medical programs. During the welcoming meals we enjoyed together emptying the glasses of beer at a gulp as in my university years, long time ago. The people of Cao Bang like drinking, and the beautiful women doctors enjoyed drinking and eating with us. Lately I heard from a Vietnamese friend that people from the north make friends drinking.

Road construction from Cao Bang to Hanoi is very active now and will certainly promote tourism with an increase of Japanese visitors. I hope to visit Cao Bang again.