Two Tigers in the Same Cage: tradition vs. change in Culture

Traveling to both Hanoi and Halong Bay, I was able to observe both polarizing ends of the spectrum regarding life and culture in Vietnam. On one hand, there was life in the city of Hanoi. Teaming with energy and life, I was able to see the Vietmese people who were living at a fast pace while learning to adapt to the changes of contemporary life. Halong Bay coveyed a completely different story. The life of the people in the bay held strongly to an old culture and tradition that relied heavily on the resources of the sea.

From the moment the sun came up, the city of Hanoi came alive with the sounds of motorbikes and voices. People were prepared to sell what ever goods they had grown accustom to making. Thousands of shops lined the endless labryinth of roads and alleyways. There was a strong emphasis on cash and bartering. People were willing to do whatever was nesscary to make money and sustain themselves. Street vendors, through persistence, a friendly demeanor, and and an easy ability to impress, were able to barter with me and sell random items such as food, lighters, wallets, and hammocks. It was also evident that the  Vietnamese were beginning to find an attraction in brand marketing. While many stores were owned by individuals, a few coroporate brands were present in the landscape. This demonstrated Hanoi is willing to move into more contemporary lifestyles.

Halong bay offered a completely different cultural experience. The villagers lived on the water and worked together as a community to fish and ferry around tourist. Things were much simpler with the people of Halong Bay. Rather than concerning themselves with material brand name goods, they simply worked to bring in resources to the community to maintain their ability to fish. Everything seemed much more steeped in tradition. There was not a willingness to change with the times because everyone in that village fully embraced a sea going, communal lifestyle.

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