Dear Tutu
I have been walking the streets of Saigon for over a week now, not just downtown but in Phu Nhuan, and thought I might better understand how I view it by attempting to describe it a little to you.
There is construction everywhere from small shops and hotels to many very tall buildings. At 0700 from the back of Chau my godaughter’s Vespa the streets are already crowded with motor bikes, people are at work on the sidewalk, little restaurants are busy, Vietnam has started another work day and in the window of a shop in Phu Nhuan I saw a Rolls Royce (RR) for sale. In town I saw a Bentley, the car for those who are too rich for a mere RR, parked outside the old French colonial era Brodard’s Cafe while the owner was inside buying a cake.
I know the recent Chinese experience contradicts my point but for how long can expansion at this rate and with this breadth continue. If we have learned that no economy rises forever when and with what consequences will things slow down here. Or will the decline start first in China, with their cooling economy and rising inflation, and here they will be dragged behind.
Many people I talk with are sending their children to Australia and Singapore for their undergraduate degrees. What impact will those that return make to the local condition.
All this is overlaid with the commercial flurry leading up to Tet, the lunar new year. Not far from Chau’s mother Yen’s home specialised shops are selling gift baskets with imported whiskey, cognac, chocolates, biscuits etc etc. They are also selling 3 litre bottles of Courvoiser, Jack Daniels and 21 year old Chivas.
On the other hand Chau pays a young uneducated Vietnamese / Cambodian girl to clean their house 3 times a week to help her out as she provides the sole support for her family.
Trying to think about this is confused by my experiences in the years I lived here, 1966 to 1975 and my love for Vietnam and admiration for the people I meet every day. What I think changes nothing for these people but it is interesting to try to understand one’s own life. So I guess I am back to the mirror of me.
I am happy to report I have exchanged emails with Claude Carlier.
My best wishes from Saigon where it is 33 degrees and a little humid.
John
Sent from my iPod
YOLO Take your smiles where you can find them