Late November 2009
It was soon time to bid adieu to this lovely country. Our careers have taken us to many countries from the developed world and we always took joy in imbibing different cultures. But somehow Vietnam was more special. This country where basic communication was impossible without an interpreter and with its hot and sticky climes won our hearts and made us many lasting friends.
We never could put a finger on why it was so endearing.Was it the simple and trusting Vietnamese? Was it the hospitality? Was it because of the sheer intensity of their positive energy? Or was it their complete lack of any hangups or pretences? I think it was a combination of all the above points.
Our initial days in Hanoi were spent in a cocoon of splendor and luxury that was completely insulated from the real Vietnam. This paradise comprised 5 star living quarters, international brands for shopping, English speaking liveried staff and service of any kind just a phone call away. When we decided to stake out on our own we took a gargantuan leap to a different world comprising an incomprehensible staccato of Northern Vietnamese slang, crowded wet markets smelling of fresh meat and vegetables, a unique Vietnamese motorcycle transportation service called XE OM, ‘Made in Vietnam’ shops and so much more.
Our Vietnamese friends took it upon themselves to make this transition as easy as possible for us. They helped us find an airy and spacious house and made us flash cards containing practical phrases in Vietnamese to use in day to day life. With their help and some from ‘Google Translate’ we got by... and then we fell in love with this beautiful land
Everday I went for long walks pushing my daughter in the pram through our residential complex only to be stopped every few yards by friendly mothers and grandmothers, minding their playing children, wanting to admire my baby daughter. Somehow we pantomined our way through the story of my origins, my liking for Vietnam and my daughter’s accomplishments. I went for jogs around the lake in the green and airy community park. I left intructions for my nanny through google translate which was quite unnecessary as she always second guessed me. We sipped ca cao and cà phê in the coffee shops.
Our stint in Vietnam finally came to an end when my husband took up a job in a different country. I moved to India from where I continued to work on analyzeVietnam.
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