Author: Annabel Southey

Seventeen days ago, Vietnam Orange’s memory-making time began as we piled onto a bus for Tullamarine. It was a special moment, knowing that the next time we were back at the South Road gates we would be getting off a bus bonded through our shared experiences. Tomorrow is that day, and that’s exactly what will happen because we have had the happiest and most special adventures together. 

We feel privileged to have been entrusted by you to explore Vietnam with your child, and thank you sincerely. We have spent hours over endless bowls of rice, green papaya salads and Vietnamese iced-coffees marvelling at how well the group has gotten along, their desire to learn and discuss the implications of sites visited and sights seen, and their willingness to give absolutely everything a go with genuine optimism. As we are, you too should be enormously proud of your child.

My job has been made so easy through the incredible efforts given by Barry Hill, Chris Hyde, and our much-adored trip guide, Sunny Le. Barry looked after us all with care, attention and hydralyte as the first-aid officer, and Chris spent many hours each evening putting together this creative, thoughtful, high-quality blog. You will also hear lots about the gorgeous Sunny who kept us all laughing constantly and bent over backwards to give us the best time possible. I am so grateful to all three for their time, experience, positivity and company.

Once your child has caught up on some sleep, we hope you enjoy their stories.

Annabel Southey

  
  

Vietnam Orange have had a big day out exploring Hue by bicycle and are about to board the Reunification Express overnight train to Vietnam’s capital city, Ha Noi.  Today’s post will be edited on the train and listed first thing tomorrow morning. We’re all well and happy and looking forward to adventures in a new city.

Learning the Hue

  
Today we left one beautiful town (Hoi An) and headed to another beautiful town (Hue). On the Hue, we stopped at the magnificent Marble Mountain for abseiling. Some of us knew the techniques to find an easy Hue down while others had to overcome some mental barriers before the right Hue was accomplished. After lunch, a comfortable bus took us to our next destination. On the bus we got a chance to reflect on things that we have learnt about Vietnam…

Thiago Claus: I’ve learnt that in the villages of the Mekong Delta, people are very inventive and never throw anything out before making full use of it.
Matt Newman: I’ve learnt that no matter what the circumstances are, Vietnamese people always seem to be happy and grateful for what they have. 
Bailey Allen: I’ve learnt that the Vietnamese people are very forgiving, despite events such as the American War.
Amy Lyon: I’ve learnt that the majority of Vietnamese people are always willing to put others before themselves, even if it causes them discomfort. 
Rhys Siebert: I’ve learnt the value of money and how little influence it has on the happiness of the Vietnamese.
Nick Adshead: I’ve learnt that there is no shame in living or celebrating a simple life.

  

Aaron Herlinger: I’ve learnt that Vietnamese people show an appreciation for what they have, however little that may be.
Jack Keenan: I’ve learnt some implications of capitalism on a developing country, such as the homogeneity of the retail industry and the competition that results.
Meg Cairns: I’ve learnt what sustainable living can look like. For example, the many uses of the coconut tree: 

 

Max Bruten: I’ve learnt how after a 17-year war that determined the political stance of the country (communism -> socialism), Vietnam is still very much a capitalist country. For example, the irony of being able to barter and purchase a communist t-shirt intrigued me.
Jay Mautone: I’ve learnt that communities in the developing world are grateful for the smaller things in life, whereas back in Melbourne we tend to take these for granted.
Imogen O’Leary Quereshi: I’ve learnt how difficult it is to navigate Vietnamese traffic, where the laws appear quite relaxed.

  

Jessi Esplan: I’ve learnt that the Deo family show their appreciation differently to typical Australians. They were quiet and modest in their gratitude for their new house as opposed to being over-the-top with their facial expressions and excitement.

  

Grace Viglione: I’ve learnt that we shouldn’t complain about what we don’t have, and should appreciate all that we do. For example, the quality of our housing, access to fresh water, and a clean environment are all things I’ve previously taken for granted.
Duncan McKenzie: I’ve learnt that there is always a happy side to dark and challenging situations. Although the orphanage was confronting, it was still good to play with the children and put a smile on their faces.

  

Noah Jaffrey: I’ve learnt that you don’t need to understand the same language to share happiness. When I was with seven-year-old Tung in the village, I didn’t understand what he was saying but we still communicated on a deep level.
Ry’annah Hack: I’ve learnt how universal a smile is. Whenever I walked down the street and smiled, someone would smile back.
Elise Kervin: I’ve learnt that when many Vietnamese shopkeepers find out we’re from Australia, they immediately think of kangaroos and then ask if we’re from Melbourne or Sydney as if they’re the only two cities. Before I came here, I knew about the war, some food and the conical hats, so it’s probably quite similar.
Rose Jowett Smith: I’ve learnt that when you’re walking down the street, the Vietnamese pedestrians are very friendly and say “xin chao.” I don’t really notice the equivalent in Australia. It’s really nice to experience such friendliness.
Mr Hyde: I’ve learnt that Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country. The people, the food, the cities, the rural areas, the market places. The beauty and diversity must be (and certainly has been by this group) fully embraced to harness an uplifting experience.
Mr Hill: I’ve learnt that people who have very little are often the most happy and content. Also, wherever kids from different places meet they laugh the same way and always find a game to play together.
Miss Southey: I’ve learnt that we often hold a misconception that because a country is, relative to Australia, poor in terms of finances and infrastructure, it must follow that they are poor in every way. Vietnamese people are so rich in cultural and social values. They are resilient, intelligent, and ingenuitive, making them far from poor.