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Hanoi Journal
(Keith)
Hanoi has been a very pleasant surprise. Large Asian cities (so far) have been
fun and interesting, but only for short periods of time . . . they are also
noisy, polluted, and over crowded. The old quarter of Hanoi is a nice
retreat. It contains some very good restaurants; is very clean; and is
easily navigable.
Unexpectedly, as we have moved north in Vietnam we have found it more appealing. Hanoi seems to typify the current Vietnamese spirit of progress. Vietnam is currently undergoing radical political and economic changes and Hanoi is at the center of it. Hanoi was the capital during the height of Ho Chi Minh's communist reformation; Hanoi is now the capital of a country reshaping itself - this time to compete in the 21st century global market place.
We took two excursions from Hanoi which gave us ample opportunity to talk with several Vietnamese tour guides. Each of these guides spoke English fluently (as well as bits of other languages, e.g. French, Japanese) and was pursuing a degree in "tourism". One of our guides had aspirations of owning his own tour company and forming international partnerships with other tour groups . . . rather progressive thinking for a 25 year old living in a "communist" country!
Also of interest, at our hotel we saw Indian and American business men. The American was here from California to attend a Vietnamese sponsored conference on business opportunities in Vietnam. He told us that at the conference there were over 300 Vietnamese business people (from numerous industries, e.g. manufacturing, tourism, etc.) who are extremely interested in doing business internationally. We also see daily adds in their English paper looking for executives to live and work in Vietnam for respectable American companies such as Price Waterhouse Coopers, and KPMG.
Hanoi still has its share of developing country problems, as does Vietnam's existing industry. But as any person does, a country must learn the methods to achieve its goals. Vietnam seems to be aggressively moving forward to try to compete and contribute internationally.
(Lea)
As Keith said, we really enjoyed Vietnam increasingly as we traveled North. The
cities and people seem more relaxed, and there is more emphasis on their rich
history. In Hanoi we further explored this history with sights such as the Temple
of Literature, Vietnam's first university built in the 1000s. This is a peaceful
sight full of trees, grass and buildings where students from all backgrounds
studied. In the picture, I am standing by stones listing the
graduates.
I agree with Keith that Hanoi reflects the spirit we felt throughout Vietnam - a spirit of change with an emphasis on more international openness. Throughout the country every school child we met greeted us with a "hello" and normally "what is your name?" Almost all schoolchildren learn English in school and are excited to use it. In fact, at the Temple of Literature we arrived just as a field trip with about 100 kids showed up. Every single one stopped and smiled and said "hello!" One tour guide told us that when he went to school (late 1970s) all they were taught was history, specifically about Reunification; today he said they are learning fine arts, languages, sciences and computers. Every day the newspaper contains articles about visits and new agreements with other countries ranging from the United States to Russia. (Russia's President Putin was here in Hanoi the same time we were...we saw his motorcade enter the Presidential Palace.) Right now is an exciting time for Vietnam and its people, and I feel lucky to have visited during the beginnings of change!
Check out more Hanoi Photos.