30 April Reunification Day here in Vietnam
38 years since the end of America’s war and conflict between
the North and South of Vietnam
38 years today since those vivid scenes of the last people
being airlifted from the roof of the American Embassy.
Today is a public holiday, the streets are deserted, all
business’s are closed, most small shops are closed. Reminiscent of NZ 5pm on labour Day
Local coffee shops are open, so I took the opportunity to
join Tue, my teaching assistant for a coffee and a chat. At times like this a
chat is really me asking questions and delving into the historical background
of Vietnam, and what and how this effects the people.
For most younger people, those younger than 40 who don’t
remember the conflict, it’s a day off work, and that itself is cause for
celebration.
For the older generation, those that fought beside the
Americans for the South, remember the war, a passing memory, and move on. Tue’s
father, being one such person.
For the Communists today is a day of celebration.
The taxis and the houses are adorned with Vietnamese flags.
The same flags that make an appearance for TET. The Vietnamese people seem very
patriotic
I find it intriguing that there is no animosity. Killing and
conflict, the effects of war are always extreme.
There were brutal killings of
whole villages, of women and children. The spraying of agent orange. I don’t
see an aged population, but that’s not saying they aren’t here. I do see a few
elderly people, around the homes, caring for the very young.
Tue’s father fought with the American’s. They lived in Hue
very close to the 17th parallel and the demilitarised zone. At the
end of the war the family of 9 was forced from their home, they lost everything
including the father’s tailor business. They fled further south, to be absorbed
into the provinces of people under similar circumstances, all coming to terms
with the conditions they were having to endure. The population in the south
were stripped of their assets, were frequently jailed, and on a whole were
starving. Times were exceedingly tough and it took possibly 11 years and the
Doi Moi period before the equilibrium began to flow to the south again. The Vietnamese are a very forgiving
nation.. Is this because they have been conquered before, French, Japanese,
Chinese? Are they pleased to be reunified and one nation? Are the after effects
of the war, the opening up of the country, better for everyone.
More questions and wonderings than I have answers for. What I
do know was that the coffee and the conversation as always, enlightening and
pleasant.
30 April 2013. Runification Day celebrating 38 years. Xin chao
Vietnam.
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