The Truth About Vietnam

It's true what they say that in order for you to understand your own, you must see what's outside. I've come to realize this when I had the opportunity of going beyond the borders of the Philippines. Quite frankly, I didn't really know what to expect in Vietnam. In my mind, I was going to a place more or less similar to my own setting.

Ca Phe Sua Da

One of their street foods.

Lovely park

nice walkway especially for kids

My first step to this foreign nation was quite cold. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh around 3:00A.M. Philippine time and perhaps the knowledge of Vietnam being a Socialist Republic has already warned me of the strictness and difficult rules implemented on its people. Of course, there were no smiles from the Immigration check point. I thought, it's part of their job to be stiff, after all they had to check who's coming into their country. Any minute then I reminded myself, if there was anything suspicious about me that they'd put me somewhere hidden. I guess that was me being paranoid.

In spite of what I know and what I heard about the place, I find it quite interesting that the people in Vietnam are rather simple people. I mean sure there are elites in the place but majority live within their means, quite content with what they do and in any sense comfortable in their own skin.

I find these traits amazing and I am thinking these are some of the key points that make them excel economically leaving our country second.

1. The fact that they are a Socialist country. I have nothing against Democratic form of government because the freedom here compared to Vietnam is way different. But I think that it has helped discipline their people in terms of being loyal to the government and to have that sort of respect and trusting that the government is doing all the best they can for the country. Politics in the Philippines is too noisy and too ear deafening.

2. The fact that they are peaceful people. Except when you go to the market or encounter people disagreeing on something, in most cases, Vietnamese are peace loving people. Even if their streets are flooded with traffic and motorcycles going different directions at one time, they give way to others. They refrain from shouting or making huge noises during traffic.

3. The fact that most of them are business minded. You don't see a vacant space or vacant area anywhere in their streets. Its all flooded with outlet stores, shops, eatery, restaurants, inns and many others. Their buildings are tall and attached from end to end. So that, when you are shopping, you have no choice but to tour around the city to get the best bargains.

4. The fact that they implement and adhere to green living. I think there are more than five parks in Ho Chi Minh alone. There parks are amazing. Its full of huge trees, green grasses and tiled walkways. Some even have free equipment for exercise. It's really great. You don't have to worry about the heat of the sun because it's not too piercing.

5. The fact that they value their own products more than anything.Of course, designer items are usually made in Vietnam or Cambodia. But in terms of their coffee, tea, soup and all other food, they make sure foreigners get to taste their local cuisine. Starbucks surely don't have a place in Vietnam because their own coffee is simply the best.

6. The fact that their street food is healthier than McDo or Jollibee. Whether an executive or just a construction worker all eat in their sidewalk vendors. Why? You might ask. It's cheap and loaded with vegetables and great soup. They don't even drink soda afterwards. Instead, they go for Cha Da or Iced Tea without sugar or Ca Phe Sua Da or Ice Cold Coffee.

7. The fact that their policemen don't own guns. This was a surprise for me even because the police here in our city own guns, real guns. But in Ho Chi Minh, they only have the wooden stick called Batuta in our lingo. I think that this helps to avoid policemen taking advantage of the power they have. This makes them feel simply in level position with everybody else. Although, people are really cautious of policemen.

8. The fact that there are no terrorists in the country. I tell you, the in and out of foreigners, may it be from Europe, Japan, U.S. are thousands per day. We stayed in the backpacker's area in District 1 while we were there and so many different faces everyday come and go in this country. Many are around 20's and 30's and still others come in buses and tour packages that visit museums and landmarks in the city. I mean, is Vietnam the new tourist spot now? Really?

9. The fact that they preserve their history delicately. We went to the Reunification Palace in our third day in Ho Chi Minh and I was astounded how their story is still much handled with huge importance. The free tour guide in the palace showed us around with so much knowledge and very detailed information. She was wearing their national costume and giving us thorough narration about their very first leaders until the division of Hanoi and Saigon and then the reunification. (I will share this story on my next blog.)

10. The fact that they have gone through a genocide. I don't want to make a generalization. But I believe that the war in Vietnam made a big impact among its people. (I will talk more of this in my next blog.) Even now, you can still see people in the street with deformed faces or without hands or legs because of the war. It was really a tragic period in their history that I think they don't want to ever repeat. That is why now, they would like peace more than anything else.

US Military tanks during Vietnam War

Reunification Palace

Typical street with lots of shops from end to end