A geographical perspective

 

Image above: Vietnam in Google Maps and the amazing Street View capacity of Google Maps   https://www.google.com.au/maps/@17.0650985,105.637318,6z

Knowing without going

What does this place we are visiting look like? The wonders of spatial technology allow us to have a look at a place in amazing details before we ever go there. I am sure all of you use Google Maps (https://www.google.com.au/maps/@17.0650985,105.637318,6z)  all the time and know about the Street View tool that allows you to have a 360 degree look at street scenes across the world. Such scenes are usually available for settled areas in developed countries and large cities in less developed countries. As Vietnam is not a developed country (often called Least Economic Developed –LED) the Street  View coverage is generally limited to the large cities such as Ho Chi Min City and Hanoi.

To use Street View just click on the little figure at the right hand bottom of the screen and drag to a location on the map.

Remember it needs to be in the built-up area of Ho Chi Min City or Hanoi – however you will also find Street View images for Vung Tau and other places – have a play across the map to see where Street View has been developed.

 A street in Ho Chi Min City

A street in Hanoi

Vung Tau from a building

You can also get a satellite view for many of the areas we are visiting. These images are very useful to show road networks, agriculture, settlement patterns, topography (hilly or not), water bodies (rivers/swamps etc) and generally an overview of the landscape.

 Just click on the satellite box in the bottom left hand corner of the screen to turn the street map into a satellite image of the area on the screen.

 

I really recommend you use Google Maps and do some geography before we go – just out of interest to get an idea of the landscapes we will encounter.