My Vietnam

VietNamNet has an occasional weekend series entitled “My Vietnam”. In short, a foreigner outlines how he sees the country and gets to describe his relationship with it.

I’ve stepped up and you can read the full article here.

But the important bit is cut and pasted below.

I think it’s fair to say that I used to see Vietnam as somewhat rose-tinted.  Inrecasingly, however, it appears more black and white and increasingly I see good versus evil struggles at all levels.

Earlier in the series Michael Brosowski of the wonderful Blue Dragon NGO said:

My Vietnam is a complex country, where hope and sorrow co-exist…

I agree entirely.

I think Vietnam is damaged and it goes way beyond physical scars.  I think Vietnam often, understandably, acts out of fear.

But, in the end, it always seems to me that there is too much good here for it not to prevail. Long may that be the case.

Anyway, that snippet:

People often talk of Vietnam as a country of contrasts and they tend to mean rich and poor or city and countryside.

But I see it everywhere and in everything. I’ve been the victims of scams but also of humbling kindness. I’ve seen individuals who devote their lives to serving others for little reward and I’ve seen lazy and deceitful people who take.

I read of child traffickers, and poachers of near-extinct animals, and I can’t square such cruelty with the incredible, honest, warm people I meet every single day here.

I think this conflict is always at the heart of Vietnam. The country’s continued development could take either route. Vietnam can be a country of social responsibility, environmental concern and responsible and sustainable growth.

I am sure these ideals would have sat well with those that President Ho Chi Minh wished to build this nation on.

However, conversely, Vietnam’s continued growth could yet be characterised by greed, selfishness and cruelty.

But “My Vietnam” remains a place of warmth and smiles, kindness and humility. A place where ambition is honest and growth doesn’t come at the expense of warmth and beauty.

Finally, as a foreigner who loves Vietnam and now calls it home – I hope I will always be welcomed here.