After experiencing the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and boating along the serene Halong Bay, my travels to Vietnam have been surreal. This experience has continued to surpass all my expectations and aspirations for what I wanted to gain from this study abroad program. Each location has been more fascinating and breathtaking than the other. My favorite destination so far has been Hoi An, which is a charming, quaint town located on the coast of the East Sea.
In Hoi An, we visited a silk factory and tailors where I bought custom made silk robes and dresses that perfectly fit my body. I enjoyed using my bargaining skills to negotiate the prices of these items. Despite my interest in bargaining and admiration for the work displayed, I felt uncomfortable witnessing the working conditions for making these products. In the US, we constantly hear about the tough work conditions, long hours, and low wages in Asian countries such as Vietnam; however, you can never be prepared to actually witness these conditions. The tour guides were very open and explained step by step of how textiles were produced. Especially in the silk factory, it was evident how hard they worked and the level of skill required. While going into these shops and businesses, the workers were always excited to see Americans and looked forward to having us come back for our fittings. Their work is incredibly meticulous and it was inspiring to see the high quality textiles produced. This experience has put life in perspective for me. We face stresses daily whether pertaining to school or work, however we sometimes overlook how lucky we are for all the opportunities provided.
I have been surprised and pleased that the Vietnamese are so friendly towards Americans. I did not anticipate that they would be so welcoming to Americans, especially since the Vietnam War ended only 30-40 years ago. Whether visiting the bamboo shop of the Vietcong or boating along the river, the locals have been so enthusiastic towards us throughout our stay. As our guide Vo conveyed, the Vietnamese love Americans due to the fact that we have a positive effect on the Vietnamese economy. Vietnam has increasingly become a popular tourist stop for Americans, which has helped Vietnam develop into a growing and competitive country.
After studying Vietnamese business and culture during this past fall semester, it has been amazing to have the opportunity to immerse myself into their lifestyle. I have one week left on my trip, and look forward to experiencing more of Vietnam!
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