I can’t believe it’s already been three weeks since we all flew out of Washington D.C. When I look back at how I pictured Vietnam I realize that it was nothing like I expected it to be. Every turn has held different experiences and views of life. From the dense population and insane traffic of Hanoi, to the much more traditional, quiet city of Hoi An, and then back again to the modernity of Ho Chi Minh City it has been a whirlwind of change. I have loved this trip, and feel that I’ve begun to understand much more about this once totally foreign country; however, I am excited to return to the United States later today.
In my last post I made some assumptions about Ho Chi Minh City, and I would say for the most part they’ve held true. HCMC (Saigon) definitely represents the most highly developed portion of Vietnam and is very similar to major American metropolitan areas. Malls, hotels, businesses, and so much more dot the busy streets of this city both day and night. Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps with many cafes and bars staying open until 5:00 am or even 24 hours. But what lies under the surface of this city represents so much more than a basic model of Western civilization. I believe we are seeing a bit of history repeat itself here in Vietnam. Following the open door policy in 1986 Vietnam began to slowly experience economic growth. Shortly after the large increase in privatization, economic growth exploded. However, rapid economic expansion seems to come a the cost of many things that will inevitably lead to years of restructuring through trial and error. How do you build a nation back from the ashes, and into the 21st century?
Vietnam has come a very long way, as evident on the surfaces of Ho Chi Minh City. But underneath there are real problems: pollution, poverty, overcrowding, education, and an underrepresented legal system to name a few. Over our time here we have had the chance to glimpse some of these issues first hand, mainly in areas such as the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, and then general observations throughout the day. From these excursions I would say that my greatest takeaways have been the prevalence of pollution, low income per capita, and the largely apparent disregard for an organized legal system. From our perspective these three things are almost non existent problems when compared to this area of the world. However, when I think more about the things we’ve learned I believe we area seeing a country in a situation similar to the United States during the industrial revolution. Many of the problems I’ve identified under the surface here in Vietnam are tell tale characteristics of rapid expansion and urbanization. Over time these issues can and will improve through trial and error. Although it takes time, change such as this isn’t easy as evident in the United States today. Even over a century after our industrial revolution we are still perfecting our way of life, and I believe that 1986’s open door policy is just the beginning for this country.
What a wonderful experience this trip has been! I’d always wanted to come to Asia and travel to an area of the world I’d never seen before. I wanted to see a different way of life, and a different culture; I was not disappointed in the slightest! Although I’m sad for the journey to end, I’ll be more than happy to return to my home in another 24 hours.
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A Final Look At Vietnam
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