Texas Chronicles - Part 2

Text and photos:Phan Quoc Vinh

Part 2:A drive around Dallas

I was cruising along at a top speed of around 130 km/h on a four-lane highway when suddenly I entered the city center with twelve lanes, filled with all kinds of vehicles, big and small, bumper to bumper. I had to constantly check my rearview mirror, glance at the side windows, watch out for cars behind me, and check my GPS to see where I was going. Above me, an oversized crane with flashing lights and blaring sirens appeared, which I hadn't noticed in time, forcing me to drive alongside it, feeling like I was about to be swallowed whole. Before the trip, I never imagined that Dallas would welcome a visitor from afar with such a stressful and nerve-wracking experience!

Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and the ninth largest in the United States. The city covers an area of ​​400 square miles (1036 km²) and is the county seat of Dallas County. Dallas is one of 11 world-class cities ranked by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. Founded in 1841 and officially recognized as a city on February 2, 1856, Dallas is known worldwide as a center for telecommunications, computer technology, banking, and transportation, despite not having direct access to seaports. Spanning numerous railroad routes, the city boasts many powerful industrial and financial corporations, and features Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a gateway connecting the world that many Vietnamese immigrants to the United States have used.

We stayed at the Magnolia Hotel, right in the heart of Dallas. Built in 1922 and situated in a prime location, the hotel was incredibly expensive, but thankfully we had some financial support for the trip. From there, it was just a short walk to the Commerce District – a major thoroughfare – and a few more steps to the John F. Kennedy Memorial. In memory of this extraordinary man, John F. Kennedy Memorial Square was dedicated to him on June 24, 1970. Since then, it has become an integral part of the city's urban landscape and a cultural heritage site visited by many.

Right next door is the old Dallas County Courthouse, built in 1892 with rough-textured red sandstone walls and marble, designed in the Romance style by architect Max A. Orlopp. In 1966, the courthouse was replaced by a newly constructed building nearby and renovated into a local history museum. In the distance, the clanging of trams pulling into the station to pick up passengers transported us back to the 1980s and 90s in Hanoi. The tram, subway, and bus system here is quite extensive to alleviate congestion on the main roads leading into the city center, so familiarizing ourselves with the public transportation guidebook would probably take a whole week!

Strolling down Main Street, we had dinner at a chain of Vietnamese restaurants called Pho Colonial and Banh Mi. Being able to order Vietnamese food and view paintings of our homeland was an attempt to find a sense of home in a foreign country. Unfortunately, the servers were Mexican, so we couldn't really chat with anyone. We just had to endure a huge bowl of pho that would take three people to finish, along with a bottle of Hue beer.

Dallas was quiet late at night, unlike the bustling atmosphere of the day. From around 8 p.m. onwards, the downtown area was so quiet you could barely count your footsteps. In the distance, a bright red fireball flickered, but it couldn't shake me off the drowsiness that overwhelmed me after a tiring day of challenges on the highway…

The next day, we visited the city's exhibition and convention center. This place often hosts large international conferences annually, sometimes attracting tens of thousands of attendees at once. Although we didn't have much time, we still managed to take some souvenir photos with the statues of cowboys herding cattle or posing next to the vibrant cherry blossoms of distant Japan blooming in America.

For those who love shopping, Galleria Dallas is a must-visit. This shopping paradise is located about 10 miles from downtown Dallas and is a must-see for anyone, with countless world-renowned brands spread across four floors, and of course, prices are international! There's even a free children's play area in Galleria Dallas, giving mothers the chance to leave their children with their husbands and have more time to shop. A special feature is the ice rink on the ground floor near the entrance, perfect for shoppers. For just $10, you can rent a pair of ice skates and practice your ice skating for 30 minutes.

For those who enjoy exploring nature, the Dallas World Aquarium will surely delight you. Opened in 1992, the Dallas World Aquarium is a large aquarium and zoo located in the historic western part of the city center. The zoo supports educational purposes and serves as a conservation area for many endangered species, as part of a breeding program in collaboration with other zoos worldwide. The Dallas World Aquarium became a member of the Association of Zoos and Marine Animals in 1997.

Here, visitors can see firsthand all kinds of freshwater and saltwater fish, rare birds such as pelicans, pheasants, red-crowned cranes, phoenixes, eagles…; and aquatic animals such as otters, water snakes, long-clawed crabs, lobsters… But the best part is standing in the glass tunnel and observing plump sharks, sharp swordfish, or stingrays swimming right above your head as if you were holding them in your arms.

One thing we appreciated about Dallas – despite being a bustling economic city with heavy traffic – is that the authorities maintain a free electric trolley system running around the main streets specifically for tourists. Riding in the trolley, weaving through the city's nooks and crannies, made Dallas feel more intimate and welcoming. Even on short routes, the drivers diligently served passengers, opening the doors at each stop to see off and welcome new ones. The trolley could be driven from both sides, so when reaching the end, the driver would carry the metal steering wheel to the opposite side and sit in the seat to begin a new round. It was a truly enjoyable experience, something not easily found in other industrial cities. And that alone was enough to make us fondly remember Dallas with its fast-paced rhythm and its hardworking, hospitable people.

Additional information:

Dallas is a city with a high density of cars, so tourists should avoid peak hours to prevent traffic jams. It's also important to research the roads beforehand to avoid getting lost. Using a GPS is recommended for directions; if you take a wrong turn, calmly follow the directions until you find the right route. Some roads have toll booths, so check those beforehand to plan your itinerary.

When parking at public parking spots, pay close attention to parking times, fees, and regulations. For example, some parking spots are reserved for Dallas residents commuting to work and require monthly passes; casual visitors are not permitted to park there.

If you want to visit many Vietnamese shops, restaurants, and supermarkets, you can drive to Arlington, about an hour from Dallas. This area has a large Vietnamese community, especially the "Ben Thanh Market" area with its many shops displaying Vietnamese signs and the Hiep Thai supermarket which sells a wide variety of goods.

The Thanh