This post features student writing and photography.
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At the very beginning of our trip, in Ho Chi Minh City, we visited the War Remnants Museum, a renowned exhibition of the terrible and lingering effects of the Vietnam War (known here as the American War). The museum’s message is especially heavy for Americans, because it tells the story from a different perspective—from the “other side.” This was our first reality check about the past and present regarding the war, showing us how horrible it really was, but the rest of our program brought surprising lessons in forgiveness and optimism from the people who lived through it.
On the War Remnants Museum:
The museum was very educational. There were many weapons and armored vehicles that were still in good condition. We also learned about a chemical called Agent Orange (dioxin) and the terrible effects it had on the people that are still lasting today. It was very sad. There was a young man there who had been harmed by Agent Orange, so he couldn’t see, but he was playing piano for everyone in the museum. Outside there was a prison where you could see all the torture mechanisms they used. It was very unpleasant to see what kind of pain was invoked there. The one I remember most was a long metal grate that was very pointy, where the warden would have the prisoners roll pretty much naked over and over on the grate. It’s very hard but necessary to realize how horrible the war was.
— Alec M.
On our new perspectives:
My impression of Vietnam prior to the trip was based on what my parents told me and what I learned in school, which was predominately focused on the war. I easily fell into the trap of the American superiority complex when thinking of Vietnam, believing that it was still ravaged by the war. Living in Vietnam for this month really changed my perspective.
After talking to locals, I learned there is a common theme within Vietnamese society: Being happy in the present but looking forward to the future. While it is important to know about the reasons, events, and impacts of the war, it is commendable how the Vietnamese have made a strong effort to leave the war in the past and look to developing their political, social, and economic structures while living today in peace. They remember the war, of course, but do not harp over it as much as America. The war was a major blemish on their past, and they want to leave it in the past. They want to forgive and live peacefully now as one people. Their spirit of forgiveness was so evident because they showed nothing but joy and generosity to us Americans, though you might expect them to have every reason to shun us.
Moreover, I studied Vietnam in my global perspectives class and saw that there was a relatively low Human Development Index and high wealth inequality. I did see that, as there were many poor families and communities. However, the people in those situations seemed happier than any average American community. This is the way they live, and they are content with that. Vietnam is rapidly growing its economy, and I believe that the Vietnamese will see a rise in their standard of living in the future. But seeing how they live now was a great eye opener for us. It was a lesson in being content and grateful for everything we have.
— Michael D.
And with that, our new perspectives on Vietnam and our new friendships with people here, we conclude our trip and board our flight today back across the ocean. We return home filled with knowledge and experiences that we could have gained no other way, but by spending a month living among the incredible people and scenery of rural Vietnam. We can’t wait to share more with you about all we’ve seen and done.
Tạm biệt Vietnam! See you again!
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