Tracy has done such an amazing job taking the core theme of the Ho Chi Minh series of articles and distilling it into its core messages that she so eloquently expanded upon. Her observations on Vietnamese life and their ability to forgive are profound. She has elevated the discussion to a level much higher than I ever could. I am impressed and inspired to try to do better!
I can't tell you how much I learned from your research and posts, including those on Ho Chi Minh, but many others as well. Also thank you for your DMs and tips during our visit!
Frankly it was a bit overwhelming to experience Vietnam for the first time. I had so many thoughts and impressions, and I am still trying to make sense. I've traveled a bit in Asia (South Korea, Philippines, Japan), but never to Vietnam or the other southeast Asian countries. The history matters greatly to me, because I aim to learn as I travel. Yet history is so incredibly complicated, and there's just not enough time to do it justice when you're traveling as a tourist.
As I'm sure came out in what I wrote, I have very mixed feelings as an American. I was just a small child during the Vietnam War, so of course I don't remember any of it. But I do think we bear responsibility for the legacies our home country leaves in the world, and especially for what (as a democracy) we are doing currently and should do going forward. There's no excuse not to learn from the past, especially from terrible mistakes.
I hope you'll be inspired to keep writing for those of us who don't have the time or expertise or background -- much less long term on-the-ground real presence. Your readers can learn so much from your firsthand efforts to gather authentic sources, sift through the complexity (both factual and moral), and present events, personalities, and stories so vividly and comprehensibly. I certainly did.
Thank you for your writing so far and I hope well into the future!
Thanks, this was very well done & considered. It reflects many of my thoughts & experiences when we visited Vietnam c. 2016. Vibrant, friendly, seeing the War from their perspective, and learning some of the disheartening history of the VN in the 20C. Also, great food!
Tracy has done such an amazing job taking the core theme of the Ho Chi Minh series of articles and distilling it into its core messages that she so eloquently expanded upon. Her observations on Vietnamese life and their ability to forgive are profound. She has elevated the discussion to a level much higher than I ever could. I am impressed and inspired to try to do better!
I can't tell you how much I learned from your research and posts, including those on Ho Chi Minh, but many others as well. Also thank you for your DMs and tips during our visit!
Frankly it was a bit overwhelming to experience Vietnam for the first time. I had so many thoughts and impressions, and I am still trying to make sense. I've traveled a bit in Asia (South Korea, Philippines, Japan), but never to Vietnam or the other southeast Asian countries. The history matters greatly to me, because I aim to learn as I travel. Yet history is so incredibly complicated, and there's just not enough time to do it justice when you're traveling as a tourist.
As I'm sure came out in what I wrote, I have very mixed feelings as an American. I was just a small child during the Vietnam War, so of course I don't remember any of it. But I do think we bear responsibility for the legacies our home country leaves in the world, and especially for what (as a democracy) we are doing currently and should do going forward. There's no excuse not to learn from the past, especially from terrible mistakes.
I hope you'll be inspired to keep writing for those of us who don't have the time or expertise or background -- much less long term on-the-ground real presence. Your readers can learn so much from your firsthand efforts to gather authentic sources, sift through the complexity (both factual and moral), and present events, personalities, and stories so vividly and comprehensibly. I certainly did.
Thank you for your writing so far and I hope well into the future!
Thanks, this was very well done & considered. It reflects many of my thoughts & experiences when we visited Vietnam c. 2016. Vibrant, friendly, seeing the War from their perspective, and learning some of the disheartening history of the VN in the 20C. Also, great food!
Thank you Tracy. You've packed a lot of information into one piece, lots to explore further.
Fine essay. You really should turn on the option to become a paid subscriber.