Vietnam Plus 3 Thursday May 9

Thursday (May 9) overview points

• Mekong Delta lecture
• Vietnamese numbers
• Glass Egg Media
• Street Food

Pictures

Journal

Today we first went to UEF for a special lecture. Our guest lecturer was Le Quang Minh. He has held many titles including president of a university. The lecture was about the history, culture, and economics of the Mekong Delta, or low-lying wet lands at the southern tip of Vietnam. Some interesting points: the area includes 50% of Vietnam’s rice production, it was the birthplace of the spring roll, the shrimp and rice industries compete because shrimp production uses salt water while rice production uses fresh water, shrimp farming has been devastating to mangrove forests as well as farmers, the shrimp industry has collapsed twice, the elevation of most of the Mekong Delta is less than 1 meter and could eventually drop underwater from flooding, and there is a temple which contains many gods from religions around the world. In Vietnamese language class, we learned the numbers one to a million. When writing numbers, Vietnamese people use a dot to indicate where Americans would put a comma. After lunch, we visited Glass Egg Media. The company is located near the top of a skyscraper. The office windows provided amazing views of the city. Glass Egg Media outsources 3D animations of cars and video game characters. While walking around the workplace, I could see that employees used 2D pictures as reference points for the 3D models. The company also owns a dating website for people in Vietnam but hopes to expand it globally. We listened to Phil Tran and CEO Steve Reid in the company conference room. Phil Tran and Steve Reid met in Ho Chi Minh City after Phil quit his old job. Later that evening, I ate street food for the first time. I got to try alligator and pig’s tongue!   

Vietnam Plus 3 Friday May 16

Friday (May 16) overview points

• soccer and basketball match
• free afternoon
• Farewell dinner and boat ride
• Ha's House
• One last goodbye

Pictures

 

Journal

I cannot believe that this is our last day! I wish our group could stay another week! The hardest part of leaving is having to say goodbye to all my new Vietnamese friends. Some of them have promised to stay in touch with me on Facebook. Trang and I are going to video chat each other sometime in the next couple weeks. The bus took our group to the Phu Tho sports center for a soccer and basketball match with the UEF students. The boys’ games and girls’ games alternated. I acted as goalie for my team. My first try did not turn out well. However, I learned from my mistakes and used my new-found confidence to become a much better asset to the Pitt team my second chance on court. In my case, I decided it was wise to sit out the basketball game. I gave out shirts to my UEF friends. Thắng gave me peanut butter candy from his hometown. After the game, I worked on my journal and rested for a couple hours. At night, our class was treated to a special dinner in a boat with the president of UEF and our language teacher. The dinner was very good and the boat sailed along the river for about an hour. Later that night, Scott and I went with Ha and Khoa to meet Ha’s parents and sister, Sam. Ha took us to the attic where she showed us her father’s collection of snake wine. The jars have been sitting in the same spot for over twenty years. Some other gifts that I received that today: a metal block from Di with our names engraved on the sides, a bracelet from Trang, a metal dream catcher from Tomoyouta, and chocolate from Tran.    

Vietnam Plus 3 Wednesday May 7

Wednesday (May 7)  overview points

MAY 7

• VSIP visit
• II-IV visit
• shopping center
• pho and karake

Pictures

 

Journal

Today we visited the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park, which is also home to II-IV. My small group was assigned VSIP for the company project, so I packed a notebook as well as sample questions. VSIP has six completed industrial parks throughout Vietnam. In total, Vietnam has 71 industrial parks. The governments of Vietnam and Singapore cooperated in founding VSIP [Becamex (Vietnam) 59% and Sembcorp (Singapore) 41%]. Companies located in VSIP pay for land, workers, customer service, park management, amenities, on-site customer service, and technical training. VSIP is unique among industrial parks in that it contains its own management board. The management board supervises language experts and on-site product clearance. Currently, VSIP holds 300 tenants and has generated 140,000 new jobs. I asked the marketing advisor, “What measures do you take to maintain a stable, loyal work force?” I learned that employees are allowed to go home for Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, and sometimes never return. David Baker, the chief engineer of II-IV, explained that he combats this issue by giving out a bonus after the holiday and providing bus tickets. II-IV got its name from the periodic table of elements. II-IV supplies defense contractors. Mr. Baker led us on a tour of two of his facilities. The bus took us to a restaurant and then a shopping center. Later, I took a nap and accidently missed karaoke.  I walked to a Pho restaurant with a couple other students who made the same mistake. The Pho was expensive but delicious.   

Vietnam Plus 3 Thursday May 15

Thursday (May 15) overview points

• History and Culture Class Part 3
• Language Testing
• Saying Goodbye
• Ice Cream and Street Food

Pictures

 

Thursday Journal

Today was the last history and culture class with Nguyen Ngoc Tho. We learned about the significance of yin and yang in Vietnamese culture. Yin and yang work together but are opposites like man and woman and day and night. Odd numbers are yang numbers and are considered good luck. The Mekong River used to contain eight river mouths. However, this was an even number so one more river mouth was created. Colors also have meaning. Red, blue, and yellow are yang colors, and white and black are yin colors. Red and blue are good, yellow is power, white is mourning, and black is death. This is why white is worn at funerals and yellow is worn by emperors. South and East are yang directions and West and North are yin directions. This is why people put their door on the East or South side of their house. House prices are lower when the door is on a yin side. Men and Women are thought to have three souls. Historically, talisman masters were used to treat sickness by calling back one of the souls they thought left the patient’s body. The professor also explained that Vietnamese ideology is shaped by Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The language teacher then walked in. We were put into groups and tested on what we learned throughout the trip. The students gave us leaves shaped into flowers and animals and then took pictures with us. When we were eating lunch, the advisors announced that we were not going to go to VinaAcecook because of Chinese protestors. At the hotel, some of us met up with UEF students and got ice-cream. We ordered street food later on motorbikes and went to a park.    

Vietnam Plus 3 Wednesday May 14

Wednesday (May 14) Overview

Today we went to the Cat Lai terminal. Our next stop was the War Remnants Museum. A family friend of Seth treated us to dinner. Later that night, Scott, Long, and I walked with UEF students to a plaza where we ate cream puffs and drank coconut juice.

Pictures

Journal

Today we went to the Cat Lai terminal, which is the headquarters of the Saigon Newport Corporation. It is state-owned and the navy is its governing body. There are branches throughout Vietnam. They have pilot, depot, IT, warehousing, barging, trucking, construction, and training services. The marketing director showed us the control room and then allowed us to drive on site.   This visit was of particular interest to me, because I want to study finance and supply chain management. I think it would be a dream job to someday handle operations in the control room. However, I was told the job can be more stressful than working as an air traffic controller. After we left the port, we went to the War Remnants Museum. Outside the main building, I saw American airplanes, helicopters, and boats with machine guns. The first floor of the museum contained pictures of Vietnam War protestors from around the world. There was also pictures of Ho Chi Minh meeting with American intellectuals who opposed the war. The second floor contained many war crime photographs. These included villages burned to the ground, soldiers holding Vietnamese prisoners, and deformed bodies. The effects of Agent Orange were especially hard to look at. A family friend of Seth, living in Vietnam, treated us to dinner. I wasn’t very hungry so I ordered Pho. Later that night, Scott, Long, and I walked with UEF students to a plaza where we ate cream puffs and drank coconut juice. A couple people who were selling drinks and food had to hide when police drove by. An older women hid behind me because of my size.  

Vietnam Plus 3 Monday May 5 + Tuesday May 6

May 5 and May 6 overview points

• Welcoming Ceremony
• Language Class
• US consulate
• Wrap and Roll Restaurant

• Urban Planning and Development Lecture 
• Phu My Hung Corporation
• Street Food

Pictures

Monday
Finally, the Vietnam trip is starting! I woke up excited and anxious to meet the students. They hosted our group at the UEF Tham Long Campus. The welcoming ceremony included traditional dance and singing along to Michael Jackson’s Heal the World. I took lots of “selfies” and group pictures. After the ceremony, we attended our first Vietnamese language class. Some of the UEF students joined us. The first lesson was on the alphabet and how to pronounce vowels. The Vietnamese language does not contain many words. Instead, meaning is conveyed through intonation. There are six tones. For example, the word ma can mean ghost, which, horse, grave, mother, or rice-seedling depending on the tone. Also, about two-thirds of words are derived from Chinese. After spending time at the University, Dr. Berman led the group to the US consulate. The officers explained that this area used to be the site of the US embassy before the Viet Cong attacked. We walked outside to a plaque commemorating the Americans who were killed during the attack. The plaque commemorating the Viet Cong attack is located right outside the consulate’s walls. Interestingly, it is tall enough to be visible from inside the compound. After the tour, we talked to some of the officers in a conference room. They conduct interviews with Vietnam citizens who want to live or study abroad in the United States. They also handle situations where Americans are sent to jail or loss their passports. Dr. Berman treated us to dinner at the Wrap and Roll Restaurant. Tables are supplied with meats and greens to wrap in rice paper. It was similar to making burritos but with Vietnamese food!

Tuesday

Today we attending a class on urban planning and development in Ho Chi Minh City. The country has quickly been transitioning from a “centrally plan based economy” to a “market based economy.” The country’s most recent endeavor is joining the Trans-Pacific Strategic Partnership Agreement, or TPP. HCMC is unquestionably the economic center of Vietnam. It “accounts for 58% of regional GDP” and “21.3% of national GDP.” Phu My Hung Corporation is responsible for the development of the Southern New Urban Area. We were given a chance to meet with specialists from Phu My Hung who showed us a promotional video and led us through the company’s history. They actually held a competition for the master plan of the area. We spotted a giant inflatable duck outside some of the windows and took pictures. This duck was also in Pittsburgh at the start of the year. We sat in a conference room where we were allowed to ask questions. Some of the students presented the specialists with gifts after the Q and A session. The group was then led on a tour of the Phu My Hung New Urban Area. The area is completely sustainable by containing schools, shopping malls, grocery stores, and houses and apartments. Many of the residents are foreigners. I was surprised by how expansive the area was. At night, some UEF students showed us a great restaurant near our hotel. We were seated outside and offered an assortment of food. Later, I rode on a motorbike for the first time.    

Vietnam Plus 3 Tuesday May 13

Tuesday (May 13) Overview

On Tuesday we attended part 2 of Nguyen Ngoc Tho’s lecture on Vietnam. We played games in Vietnamese language class. I went to the post office and then to the CO-OP (similar to Walmart). Scott and I rode to dinner with a couple UEF students. We ate at a vegetarian restaurant. Then, we rode to a pagoda where people were celebrating Buddha’s birthday. Lastly, we ordered bubble tea. 

 

 

Journal

     On Tuesday we attended part 2 of Nguyen Ngoc Tho’s lecture on Vietnam. He explained the cultural practices of different segments of Vietnam. The Khan Vai Love Market is held in Sapa of Northwest Vietnam. The men and women meet each other by dancing and then pair up later. Some of the people in the Mountainous North still practice Animism. The government tried to ban it but with disastrous effects. The woods and rivers, which were once sacred, were soon being polluted and destroyed. The government is now more open minded in an attempt to preserve the lands. Also, the teacher described the Red River Delta as the “cultural cradle of the Vietnamese people.” Historically, many people were isolated to their villages, which were surrounded with bamboo, with a Ben Gate as the only entrance. Now with roads and vehicles it only takes 20 minutes. The teacher also explained that the bad living conditions in the Central Coastline are due to poor cultivation and typhoons. After the lecture, we attended Vietnamese language class. We played two games with numbers and voted on who had the best punctuation. Unfortunately, I lost to my partner. I need to practice more in my room! The advisors decided to give the rest of the day to us, so I took some time to walk to the post office and then to the CO-OP (similar to Walmart). Scott and I rode to dinner with a couple UEF students. We ate at a vegetarian restaurant. Then, we rode to a pagoda where people were celebrating Buddha’s birthday. Lastly, we ordered bubble tea. 





Vietnam Plus 3 Monday May 12

Monday (May 12) Overview

We went to Vietnamese language class at Nguyen Dinh Chieu campus and learned about bargaining at the Ben Thanh Market. The market was huge and I bought some souvenirs. At 1:30 we went on a tour of a pagoda. Afterwards, we walked to a memorial in honor of a monk who set himself on fire. Later, a couple +3 students and I rode on motorbikes with UEF students to two restaurants and the Saigon River.

Pictures

Journal

     Today we did a lot of walking! The day started late at 8:45. We went to Vietnamese language class but this time at the Nguyen Dinh Chieu campus. The lesson was on numbers and bargaining to help prepare us for the Ben Thanh market. The market was immense. Ben Thanh is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City. Venders sold a little bit of everything including jewelry, t-shirts, hats, food, and sunglasses. I was prone to being grabbed and touched because everybody recognized that I was American! I bought a rice hat, Pho t-shirt, and Vietnamese coffee. After the UEF students explored the Ben Thanh market with us, they lead me and Long to a great Pho restaurant. Later, Long and I met up with the rest of the plus3 students and walked back to the hotel. At 1:30 we walked to a pagoda. Outside there were venders, but inside there was a giant, golden Buddha. It was required to take off your shoes before entering. The group was lead on a tour throughout the pagoda. One of the venders sold me Vietnamese calligraphy that meant, “learn from yesterday and be a better person today.” Then, Dr. Berman led the group to a memorial in honor of a monk who set himself on fire to protect the Buddhist religion. Later, Scott, Long, and I rode on motorbikes with UEF students to a snail restaurant. One dish was scary because you had to suck the snails out of their shells. We then rode to a “pizza vender.” The pizza was made of rice paper, cheese, and a meat. After we were full, we rode to the Saigon River and took pictures on a bridge.

Vietnam Plus 3 Sunday May 11

Sunday Overview

     On Sunday we went to the Vung Tau Province. We walked up to a statue of Jesus. The top of the statue gave us amazing views of the town and ocean. We were then given some time to swim in the ocean and relax on the beach.

Pictures

 

 

Journal

 

     Today we went to the Vung Tau Province. The bus ride was two and a half hours and many of us slept. We stopped next to a mountain near the ocean. At its peak was a statue of Jesus. The stairs to the top felt infinite, and by the end of the upward trek, many of us were drenched in sweat. Along the path there were many statues and benches. There were two canons next to the statue. It was possible to walk up the statue, but the line took a long time. What made the wait worthwhile was the amazing 360 degree views. After our hike, we ate at a seafood restaurant. I ate calamari, shrimp, and fish. We then rode to the beach entrance. I over paid for a towel and then put on my swimsuit. The sand was extremely hot so I sprinted to the water. The ocean was warmer than bathwater. I floated near the shore for about an hour watching people chuck mud at each other and chicken fight. The Vietnamese students saw we were having fun and tried to copy us. I played a little Frisbee and then rested on a lounge chair for about 45 minutes. We paid to use a shower. Afterwards, many people bought coconut juice, but because I hate the taste, I bought a lime flavored popsicle instead. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a small market. They were selling my favorite fruit, jackfruit. Today’s trip was a good opportunity for us to relax and have fun after a stressful, serious week. I ordered ramon noodles at the Diamond Mall for dinner.