Vietnam – The Dragon of the East

Vietnam, a country in constant flux. It was hard for me to imagine that a little more than 35 years ago, this country was mired in conflict and tragedy. Only in 1986 did Vietnam overhaul its economy and opened to the outside world. And what a change that brought. Vietnam’s recent boom and development is staggering, with major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at the forefront of the country’s transformation and globalization. But at what cost is development? What will this mean to the age-old traditions and the people of Vietnam? Being in Vietnam I had always wondered would someone from the 1960s or 1970s even imagine what Vietnam would be like now? These are questions I could not answer after only one trip to Vietnam. 

Before going to Vietnam, my understanding of it was pretty much limited to Pho and Vietnam War. Now, Vietnam means so much more to me. The incredibly diverse food from North to Central to South Vietnam, the rich and fascinating history embodied in temples and ruins, and the steely resolve and genuine warmth of the Vietnamese people after enduring so much tragedy in the 20th century, left an indelible mark on me. Cảm ơn, Việt Nam, thank you for the hospitality, learning and fun!