VIETNAM IS FLOURISHING
(Published in The Himalayan Times, April 24, 2014)
(Sandhya Regmi)
Throughout my stay abroad in Asia and
Europe I have been highly influenced by the literature and art of the host
country and —being a literary writer and artist myself—I’ve played my part to
introduce and promote Nepal’s literature and art through various available
means to those countries, particularly India, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and
Vietnam. Hence my visit abroad has always been special because it has been not
only for a vacation but also to represent Nepal internationally.
To me, literature and art are not only
instruments for expressing sentiments and providing entertainment, but also
benchmark for calibrating cultural and social prosperity of the nation and
impetus for political and social change. Moreover, I have always seen
possibilities of social networking and program for literary exchange and
interaction—in the global context. This on one hand gives opportunities to
writers and artists from different nations—with diverse cultural, social, and
religious background—to introduce themselves and their works to the
international world and on other hand serves as an intellectual forum to
express and discuss ideas, opinions, suggestions, and proposals to preserve and
promote our art, culture, language and literature.
In December 2013,
I was formally invited by the vice-dean of the Ho Chi Minh City University of
Humanities and Social Studies to participate and represent Nepal in the
international literary conference in HCMC Vietnam, where I had the pride of introducing
Nepali literature, prominent literary figures and Nepali literary masterpieces
to the vast literary world of Vietnam and beyond.
Many
foreigners still configure their imagination about Vietnam through the lens of
war, though Vietnam has overcome the hardships caused by almost 20-year long
war-destructions. Many
are unaware of how Vietnam got independence and reunification. The situation of
today’s Vietnam and its people, as I observed with my own eyes, make me believe
that the country is healing its wounds, reinventing itself and developing
rapidly with free market economy favourable for foreign investment. Its rapid
progress in infrastructure development could serve as an example for a developing
country like Nepal.
During my
journey, I saw Vietnam flourishing amidst captivating natural beauty and
tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, far from being
devastated, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its
islands and beaches are among the
finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is amongst the most delicious
and healthy in the region. Today, this gracious and graceful country is an
outstanding travel destination.
My trip to
Vietnam also opened my eyes to many interesting facts: Vietnam is the largest
exporter of cashews in the world, and the second largest exporter of rice;
despite being a developing country, its literacy rate is 94%; Vietnam has one
of the lowest unemployment rates among all developing countries, Vietnam has a
rich art, culture and literature background. The list goes on.
The War Remnant
Museum, filled with exhibits of descriptive histories of the American war in
Vietnam. The photograph of the heartbreaking events
during the war, the unbearable sufferings of the prisoners of war and of the
innocent victims of the Agent Orange (the toxic chemical spread by the American
aircrafts from 1961-71 in South Vietnam) left us feeling awfully gloomy. Our
heart got some solace after visiting the Reunification Palace, the Fine Art Museum,
the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and the renowned monument of uncle Ho Chi Minh in front
of the beautiful architecture of Saigon City Hall.
From Saigon the Petro
Express Hydrofoil took us in less than 2 hours to the nearest sea beach of ‘Vung
Tau’ Peninsula and to the seaside resort, from where we could enjoy the
majestic panoramic sea views. The romantic Lan Rung restaurant offered us fresh
lobsters and a variety of seafood performing the traditional Vietnamese Dragon
Dance as a preparation for the New Year Celebration.
The most
memorable part of my trip to Vietnam was the journey to Halong bay in northern
Vietnam next to Hanoi, 2 hours flight from Ho Chi Minh City, a place of extreme
natural beauty and serenity. We were traveling in the Imperial Cruise admiring
the majestic beauty of thousands of amazing limestone islands, islets and spectacular
rocks in the middle of the bay. Adventuring into caves and grottos climbing up
and into vast chambers to see the stalactites and stalagmites and hear the
folklore stories was amazing. We passed by the floating village which still
accommodates the fishing people, enjoyed kayaking in the vast ocean renting a
boat and even took
a tour to explore pearl farming in the island. An overnight stay in the cruise
was a remarkable experience with great service of hospitable staffs offering an
excellent blend of Vietnamese culinary delights and continental cuisine.
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