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Hotspot: Vietnam

Over the last few centuries, Vietnam has been a political hotspot.

It has been occupied by China, France and Japan, been divided in half, hosted US troops, been at war with Cambodia and established itself as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Years on, Vietnam is still a hotspot, though now for a different reason.

The need for economic development has opened up many opportunities for the outside world and it is
becoming an increasingly popular destination amongst tourists and professionals alike, with its fascinating mix of modern technology, traditional culture and natural beauty.

A short term worker shares some observations from her time in Ho Chi Minh City…

Coffee

Did you know that Vietnam is the world’s 2nd largest producer of coffee? In Creative Access Nations like Vietnam, everyone needs to have a reason or job to be able to live there. I came to Vietnam as a professional worker, conducting research on the growing coffee industry, more specifi cally, on mouldy coffee beans.

Sheer Hard Work

I was struck by the sheer hard work of keeping a consistent Christian witness within a foreign workplace culture. We would turn up to work to fi nd our lab locked up or otherwise occupied, experienced the intricacies of workplace politics and the task of obtaining the many signatures and rubber stamps required to get anything done!

All of these new and changing frustrations had to be brought before the Lord every day, with no respite until we packed our briefcases and headed home. Even in these small matters, can it be that we have been a witness to our God?

And I realised why long termers spend their fi rst years in full time language study, rather than combining study and ministry from the outset. Despite my best intentions, I just didn’t have the energy and brain capacity to learn the culture, build relationships AND go to work every day, AND THEN sit down in the evenings (when I wasn’t out at dinner or coffee with my new friends) with lists of vocabulary and grammatical exercises.

The Younger Generation

The most outstanding feature is the initiative, enthusiasm and ambition of the younger generation. Their energy is nearly palpable and capacity for hard work astonishing, with multiple extracurricular activities. If you have some benefi cial skill or knowledge, such as being an English speaker, they will gladly seek you out!

A long termer commented that Vietnam is one of the few places that being an introvert is not a hindrance to building friendships – young people are confi dent in introducing themselves, and before
you know it, your diary is full of appointments to drink coffee. Perfect for those who like to “gossip the gospel”!

Ready to go?

Right now, young people still have a spirit of open exchange, wanting to share their culture with you and to learn of yours. Vietnam has the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia and soon these young people will be so successful and fulfi lled in their own identities, that they will think we have nothing of value to offer. And yet we have the Gospel.