About Me

...but I knew I had to go back.

My name is Lloyd Trimble, I live in La Costa, California. I am building this website to tell my story about my travels and what it's like for a Westerner to travel in Vietnam. I want to write about the places I've been and the people I've met. Some, very special to me. I have a story about two small girls that I would like to save from a life of poverty and maybe worse.

In deciding to do this project, I didn't want to go on about my military experience, there are many websites about the war. Instead I'd rather talk about Vietnam today and what to expect if you decide to visit. I'll say briefly, that I was a grunt in the First Cav, Fifth Battalion, 7th Cavalry, Company E (Recon), November 1969 through November 1970. It made a huge impact on my life.

When I was there, I was rarely exposed to civilians. I never got to know the people and see how they live. Most of my time was spent near the Cambodian border, either in the jungle or on a fire base. Tay Ninh, Song Be, Phouc Vinh. Phouc Vinh is the one place where I did see civilians and it is also the place where my friend Richard Breck was killed.

Why did I want to go back to Vietnam again? It seems I've always been obsessed with Vietnam. At first it was bad dreams, no sleep and ugly thoughts but after some time (25 years) I began to come around. I met a girl named Angie Tran and we became friends. Knowing her started me thinking about Vietnam again and everything I missed seeing when I was there the first time. I wanted to see Vietnam and meet the people. Another friend gave me a book, "Up Country" by Nelson DeMille, a novel about a vet that went back and that book made me decide it was time to return to Vietnam again. I put the book down and started looking for airfares.

When I went in 2003 I had a complete change of mind and learned to love the people and enjoy the country. Since then I have been back in 2004 and 2005, 2006 & 2007. I have good friends there and I'm looking forward to returning often.

Eventually I would like to have some type of business in Vietnam. I've had some Vets interested in returning to the battlefield and they've asked me to help them. So I might start there.

I do recommend that if you are thinking of visiting Vietnam - do it!

I wasn't intending on building a website until just recently, so I imagine it will be under construction for many years, as I do plan on returning to Vietnam again and again.

UPDATE 2007 (failed expectations)
I have had another change of mind. Now, after going to Viet Nam 6 times, trying to help 2 orphans and a student, I realize it is almost impossible to help people there. There’s always someone else who benefits from your kind acts that you didn’t intend to include. I’ve put so much effort, time and money into it to only be disappointed, discouraged and hurt. A friend that lives there told me the only way to help a child is to buy them food and watch them eat it. I believe that now.

For me I think that one of the worst things in life is failed expectations. My friends tell me I’ve done some good but I feel very discouraged about it. Sure, I have had lots of fun in my travels and made some people happy, but I can’t see right now that anything long-lasting has come from my efforts.

I have met other Westerners who live and work in Viet Nam, and along with most of them, I agree it’s difficult to trust people. All the years of desperation and corruption, poverty and war have made most citizens cunning and out for themselves. One can hardly blame them. This is something I truly hate to say because it may offend some of my friends (please forgive me).
If you simply have the desire to help, there is ONE place you can donate and I feel 100% of your money will be used to help children. It is run by a group of American war vets and their friends, and it's called Friends of Vinh Son. I’ve met with them and have been to the orphanage and trust them. Watch out for other charities in Viet Nam, I’ve had bad experiences with many of them.

Still it’s an interesting country to visit with good food and many interesting places to see, I’m not saying don’t go. Just watch out for your heart and your wallet if you do.

Send me your comments or suggestions.