Intro
South African, White, Afrikaans
What follows in my descriptions is very high-level and more idea-focused. If you what more detail you will have to Google.
History
Keep in mind that when I decided to go to Vietnam, I had the picture in my mind of Silvester Stalone movies fighting in the rice lands of Vietnam! What a surprise was waiting for me. Besides being exposed to their fully 1st world economy (leading in South East Asia) I found cities bigger as in western countries. ( I am not quoting any statistics here - you can Google) The point is, it is as "western" as can be.
One of the first things that I did was to watch all possible Vietnam War and Movies on Youtube (and others), and I gained a lot of historical background. WOW, if you think that only your country has suffered, you should check out Vietnam's history. I was fortunate to be there in Saigon when they celebrated Ho Chi Minh's unification of Vietnam and stood on the bridge to see all the fireworks and thousands of Vietnamese gathering and red flags throughout the city. He, Ho Chi Minh is like our (South Africa) Nelson Mandela. I have also visited some of their Monuments and saw some statues and inscriptions. Specialty the ones in Haiphong and Halong Bay. (See videos)
French, American and Chinese involvement
South African visits, Scholar exchange, and trade
Revelation:
One thing is for sure. The government has successfully deployed nation-building to make them very proud citizens. Despite their diversity (approx. 48 different cultures and strong North and South divisions) united them as Vietnamese nationals.
Secondly: I have come to understand why they commemorate their War Heros even on a religious level and their many common surnames deriving from that.
Thirdly: Without being political (is it possible?), I realized how much this is missing in current South Africa after 1994 with the situation that cities/towns. streets, parks, airports, etc, are renamed and Statues are removed because of our "Apartheid" history and relaced and or substituted. I realized how we missed Mandela's /de Klerk's dream and how we could have done it in a better way. Keep in mind the South African government/politicians visited Vietnam in the past to get some tips (Lessons Learn) from them!
Further research:
I am still busy tracing their ancestry from Noah and the Tower of Babel nations.
Recommended books:
Understanding Vietnam (Philip E. Lilienthal Book.) by Neil L. Jamieson
Qualities and values
Respect for Government and Police (See blog title South African)
Culture Shock? (See blog title South African)
.Recommended Books:
Cultural Integration and the Gospel in Vietnamese Mission Theology: A Paradigm… by Kimson Nguyen
The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-and How It Died Tower of Babel Budie Hodge |
Further research
In progress
No comments:
Post a Comment