What do we know about Vietnam from a Western perspective? Perhaps we should change the question to: what are we shown about Vietnam? The answer-very little. What we are shown through the medium of TV and film consists of stereotypical attributes such as rice fields, conical hats and communist politics.
My visit to Vietnam in June of this year will try to go beyond this perception. It is important to try to see Hanoi from the lens of a Vietnamese citizen. I seek to explore their way of life and in particular answer important questions such as; how do they participate in their political arena? How do they feel about their government? What is their perception of the Western world and of globalisation? I want to bring their voices back and be able to share their experiences of the world.
More importantly, what can we, as academics, learn from the Vietnamese people and culture? Presently, we are presented with discourses of war, US foreign policy and devastating conflict. But how has the country moved on since then? In other words, how do we go about changing the narrative of that which we are subjected to.
One of the best aspects of human nature, is allowing a person from the other side of the world to teach us about ourselves. I want to use this experience to learn, not only about Vietnam, but about myself. It is important to use this opportunity to enhance my own sense of 'real life' and use concepts learnt over these last three years to apply my own analysis and enhance my own understanding.
I want to eliminate speculation and presumption and come back with a solid, comprehensive and holistic understanding and experience. In order to do so, it is important I fully immerse myself into the people, the culture and the history and engage with the students at the university.
