Today’s classes were on the culture of the Mekong delta.  We learned how it was a fishing culture.  It has a mix of 5 different ethnicities, three different types of Vietnamese, one that came from Cambodia, and a Chinese.   They have similar cultural values as the rest of the Vietnamese, honesty, family loyalty, and trustworthiness.  After that, language lessons continued from where they left off.  I have got the basics of meeting people down.  It has been a useful thing knowing some language.  Most of the people that I meet love that I can say hello, thank you, and negotiate the price a bit.

After the class, we again tried to visit the market, but because of the timing, we were unable to go.  We went to ACDI/VOCA, a non-governmental organization focused on growing cacao.  They teach farmers how to grow their own cacao plants and turn those cacao plants into cocoa.  They also provide the farmers with startup plants.

Finally we and the UEF kids went to the karaoke bar.  That was an experience that just doesn’t exist in America.  We paid a flat rate and that got us some singing time and any amount of food up to that price.  We sang all American songs and although there was only supposed to be one or two people singing, everyone at least sang the chorus for every song.  The UEF kids protested that they didn’t know the words but they managed to join in on most songs so I doubt they had never heard these songs before.

Day 5

Today, we learned about how the Vietnamese communicate. It is very similar to how other countries around the area communicate; they try for a win-win situation, they care very much about status, and much of this comes philosophy comes from the teachings of Confucius. After that, we learned how to count and interact with people at the market. It is very important to know how to deal with numbers because the Vietnamese bargain when they shop at small stands. Although most of them speak English, there are a few that don’t and so understanding what they are saying helps smooth out the process.
After that, we went to the US commercial service. This is a branch of the government that deals with helping businesses sell products and services to the Vietnamese. He is very connected to the financial sector in Vietnam and because he deals with the regulation, he was somewhat knowledgeable about the governmental sector. He helped us understand how the Government and the Vietnamese financial situation have changed recently. He was one of the most interesting talks we went to.
After that, we went to a dance class with the kids from UEF. We learned some western dances and got to know more of them better. After that, we went to a local street vender and had very good chicken and rice. My policy of don’t ask don’t tell when it comes to food here has resulted in some very delicious and varied meals. Finally, to finish of the day, we sat on the roof of the nicest hotel in HCMC and enjoyed the night.

day without classes

Today was the first that we didn’t have classes. Instead of going to the business college, we went to a business park. The business park, VSIP is a place where businesses congregate because they are offered a tax break and don’t have to deal with utilities. It is like renting an office building, except that usually it is factories in the area. I wonder why no one does this in America.
After visiting the business parks headquarters, we visited II-VI, an optics and semi-conductor company that is based in Pittsburgh but has a factory in VSIP. At II-Iv we saw how semi-conductors and lenses for were made. Most of the people working on the floor were women because they had smaller hands that could handle the equipment better.
After II-IV we had a delicious lunch at the hotel. I ate mollusk. It was good. Although we were scheduled to visit Acenx, the company that I researched, it was canceled because the guy we were meeting was out of the country. Instead we went to a bank. The visit started bad when the person talked in Vietnamese for 5 minutes. It got better once people asked some questions. We learned that the standard interest rate in Vietnam is 14% which is incredible.
After the bank, we went to a noodle shop and had delicious soup for dinner. For seven people, the total cost was 24 dollars. Everything is nice and cheap here in Vietnam, I think the sticker shock is going to be when I get back to the States.

Still jetlaged

Second day here and the company visits have started. Today we visited the Phu Me Hung Corporation, a land developer. They are taking a large section of land south of Ho Chi Minh City and are turning it into a nice city center. They then lease the space for companies. The city is nicer and cleaner than HCMC but the places are more expensive.

Preceding the company visit, we continued our lessons in the morning. We got a lecture in the history and statistics of HCMC. I could barely understand the presenter but the slides gave some interesting information. After that, we had language classes, still learning the basics. I forgot what we learned the day before but struggled through. The fact that I have sung before is helping me with the inclinations.

The food is still delicious, plentiful, and cheap. The canteen food is better than most restaurants.

First day awake

Well, after flying across the world, jet lag is catching up to me. Between that and the heat, I can barely keep my eyes open but I will until tonight

Besides that, fun first day of class. We were introduced by a puppet show and a song. By the end, we had started to make friends with the Vietnamese students.

This friendship was reinforced in the language class where we learned basic conversation. All in all, not a bad day.

15 hour flights are no fun.

First night here and I am already sweating like a pig

Bed for now

First

This is the start of something.

In four weeks, I will leave for Viet Nam. This is one of the few things that keep me going as finals week approaches.  More to follow

By the way, the group I am traveling with can be found at
http://www.vietnamplus3.pitt.edu/