Vietnam: The country is tropical and has made a remarkable recovery since the long period of wars the country endured.

Vietnam Trip

March 2010

VIETNAM

In Vietnam (a country of 87,000,000 today) the ongoing process of reunification and reconciliation is underway. titlehough the war ended in 1975 with the withdrawal of American troops, Vietnam is still a developing country. In 1976, the country was unified under the Communists as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Saigon became Ho Chi Minh City after the Communist leader declaring Vietnam independent. The Western and French Colonial influence are strongly evidenced in many urban areas. Buddhism is the main religion here, titlehough many are atheists due to the Communist influence, and about 10% are Christian, mostly Catholic.

1986 brought a new economy, a change from nationalization to self-ownership. The land was returned to the people to use…but not to own. They could own their home and their crops but not the land; it belonged to the government. This era brought a change in the people. They took pride in ownership and began to build new lives. 65% of Vietnam’s population is under 25 years. The war is not a memory to the younger population; they have heard stories from relatives, but animosity wasn’t apparent. We were very welcomed. Yes, there are horror stories/traces in the war museum, which I visited; however, war is ugly, and so are the results.

Vietnam’s progress in reducing poverty has far outstripped that of other countries (unlike what we saw in India). In the cities, streets have building sites, slum dwellings are being demolished and replaced by modern high and low-rise dwellings; new districts are being created in the suburbs to house the urban population. Country areas have clean water supplies, electricity and new services and facilities. Reservoirs are being built to ease water shortages, and new coal and gas fueled power stations are being opened. Transport and communications are improving daily. Entertainment facilities are expanding, supermarkets are appearing. Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of rice, coffee and peanuts.

Vietnam natives have weathered war after war, survived colonialism and communism, and are now dealing with our world of capitalism. Protective of their independence and sovereignty, the Vietnamese graciously welcome foreigners as guests.

Vietnam

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