Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Show

As I was walking down the street today, I noticed an interesting one string instrument in a shop. I stopped to look at it and and learned it was called a Dan Bau.  It wasn't very expensive so I bought it. Later this afternoon I attended a water puppet show and saw another Dan Bau being played. 

 

How Lo Prison: a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton

Today I visited the Hao Lo Prison museum; the place where many American pilots, shot down over North Vietnam were kept. The prison was actually built by the French to confine the Vietnam who defied French rule. The first part of the museum focuses on the museum under French control and emphasizes the brutal inhuman treatment of Vietnam prisoners by the French. The later part of the museum shows a much kinder scenario of the confinement of American prisoners.

How might this compare to the ways our country has chosen to portray its history?  What are some ways Americans are now looking at their history that are different from the way it has been portrayed in the past?  It always helps to take a closer look at yourself before you judge others. 

First Night in Hanoi

I had a very good and very  inexpensive dinner on my first night in Hanoi. It was hot and humid but that didn't keep the locals off the street on a Friday night. 

COPE Museum

The COPE Museum chronicles the continuing devastation brought about by the U.S. Bombing in Laos during the Vietnam "Conflict".  Exhibits include illustrations of how as much as 25% of U.S. Cluster bombs did not detonate when dropped and remain throughout Laos only to explode years later by unexpecting farmers or children. Other exhibits feature homemade artificial limbs that victims have fabricated after losing arms and/or legs from these explosions. 

 

 

Laos was declared a neutral country during the Vietnam Conflict but the CIA coordinated covert bombing missions in Laos despite these international agreements.  Many have debated the strategical impact of these bombing missions as well as the moral judgments.

I'm sure some of you have studied more than others about this part of our history. There are many complex issues to consider. My advice is to consider a range of perspectives before you form your own opinions. 

As an American, how does this part of our history affect your national identity?  What other parts of our history might trouble you?  How do these pieces of our history affect your identity as a global citizen?  What actions can you take to address these parts of our national image as you move forward as both an American and citizen of the world?

Village Featival

I spent one night in the small village of Naduang where they were having an annual festival. 

Weaving Silk

This shops raises its own silkworms and weaves the silk that will provide the fabric for clothing and other silk products. 

Paper and Silk Shop

The women working at this paper making shop first soak and pulverize pulp from banana trees to make their paper.