Journey of a Lifetime: Saigon & Mekong Delta, Vietnam
How does it feel to experience a place you’ve been to countless times for the first time?
And discover that you know almost nothing of what they are?
November 14–18
To be honest, I’ve visited Ho Chi Minh many times before. It’s the neighboring country of Cambodia, and my dad likes to buy his construction materials from there — much cheaper and more variety of materials (he’s a civil engineer).
However, the way I explored Vietnam with SAS, on my own, with friends from everywhere around the world… was different, I didn’t make an effort to think that it would be different until I experienced the difference. I realized I missed a lot while I was in Saigon all those times. I was just eating, mall trips and some parks. They were good times but when I explored Saigon this time, I appreciated everything more. It’s like I took on new lenses.
I think that was the time I gained the ability to look at things with a sense of appreciation and gratefulness, to be excited for things even if I’ve experienced it before. I realized I have lived a much happier and healthier lifestyle with this new outlook.
I admired the beauty of the water puppet show, the big parks, architectures, the vintage art galleries and the craziness of Ben Thanh market street restaurants just to name a few. About the craziness of the Ben Thanh market, in the evening — at exactly 6.30 or somewhat late afternoon, one side of Ben Thanh market road closed, in order to make space for street vendors and night stalls to rush in. They were like a military charge! They set up their tents, food prep, kitchen, and everything to be ready before 7.00 when the tourists would flood in for some authentic Vietnamese cuisine or shop for some souvenirs!
This time, I was able to visit a Vietnamese economics university as well as a biotech development facility of Ho Chi Minh. It was crazy! I didn’t realize how far behind Cambodia is in terms of agricultural development until I toured the facility filled with high tech equipment ready to be used for research into improving Vietnam’s agriculture! I made a few Vietnamese friends at Economics University. It was a private school but recognized by the Vietnamese government.
One friend, Do Ha, really helped me in understanding the Vietnamese economy and political structure. Because of her, I actually was able to understand my neighboring country’s economic development much better. It was also an introduction to my understanding of the Mekong Delta.
I visited the Mekong Delta after learning about the lecture. I took a bus to have food and listen to Vietnamese folk music. Then, take a motorboat trip to a Pomelo farm for lunch, later on, take a bamboo boat trip down streams to a local village house to see how coconut is utilized — sugar, oil, coconut water and so no.
On that trip, I also managed to get a 3 hours ride around different districts in and around Saigon toured by an ex-soldier. He was old and he said he fought in the Khmer Rouge struggle in Cambodia in 1980. I wasn’t sure maybe I misheard because Khmer Rouge ended in 1979 or maybe it was prolonged into 1980 and afterward. I was surprised but not too skeptical, it was a year apart only.
As we drove from the edges back towards the city center of Saigon, I could see the wealth gap in effect. There were cow stalls, pig pens, and wooden shacks right in front of city houses, and behind those shacks, were bright lights of the skyscrapers in Ho Chi Minh.
I felt like I was in a real-life version of some dystopian novel for a moment. I mean the districts were named District 1, 2, 3 and so on with district 1 being the wealthiest. Also, the country was under communism officially. So…yeah it barely but pretty much built my case.
Overall, I just feel like, through SAS, I experienced this city…which I’ve visited countless times before… as if I was there for the first time all over again.
I really felt appreciative, and a new curiosity was burning inside me. The awareness and realization of how little I know of the places I visited.
Since then, I increased my attention to the cultural background and the history of the places I visit — even Cambodia, my home. This attitude really paid off because I found a new fondness and a sense of proud admiration for my country and its abundance of knowledge and natural beauties.
You should try developing this “experience it as if it’s your first time all over again” perspective!
It really makes life more vibrant.
