Bananas.org - View Single Post - The Opulence of Flowers in Vietnam is breathtaking.

Olafhenny · 01-07-2012, 10:32 PM

I cannot help comparing Vietnam to Mexico, which is much more wealthy.

After my first visit there I coined the phrase: "In Mexico everything is a little bit broke". The overall view
appears to be, that "if it holds together and looks nice, it is okay". My opinion on that has not really
changed during the next dozen or so visits there, though I have to qualify, that my experience is
entirely limited to the Mexican west coast. It may be different elsewhere int the country.

Vietnam, a much poorer country (money-wise) had a horrific start after finally getting rid of centuries
of foreign domination (in sequence: French,- Japanese,- British,- French,- American) it was finally left
with a country the central 1/3rd was completely defoliated, the 2000 km north - south stretch seemingly
dissected every 10 km or so by a west to east river, with practically all bridges bombed to smithereens.
The country had a huge problem. That is only compounded by the understandably xenophobic laws
enacted by the new government and the fact, that it is also quite totalitarien. Both are a deterrent to
badly needed foreign investment.

But the huge advantage this country has is a deep appreciation for quality. No matter how poor the
people are, everything they build is made to last and most of it will not have to be replaced within a
lifetime. In the long run that will give them "a foot up".

I believe, that a big part of the appreciation these photos receive is based on that solidity and
excellence in workmanship they reflect

01-07-2012, 10:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 297,528 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: The Opulence of Flowers in Vietnam is breathtaking. I cannot help comparing Vietnam to Mexico, which is much more wealthy. After my first visit there I coined the phrase: "In Mexico everything is a little bit broke". The overall view appears to be, that "if it holds together and looks nice, it is okay". My opinion on that has not really changed during the next dozen or so visits there, though I have to qualify, that my experience is entirely limited to the Mexican west coast. It may be different elsewhere int the country. Vietnam, a much poorer country (money-wise) had a horrific start after finally getting rid of centuries of foreign domination (in sequence: French,- Japanese,- British,- French,- American) it was finally left with a country the central 1/3rd was completely defoliated, the 2000 km north - south stretch seemingly dissected every 10 km or so by a west to east river, with practically all bridges bombed to smithereens. The country had a huge problem. That is only compounded by the understandably xenophobic laws enacted by the new government and the fact, that it is also quite totalitarien. Both are a deterrent to badly needed foreign investment. But the huge advantage this country has is a deep appreciation for quality. No matter how poor the people are, everything they build is made to last and most of it will not have to be replaced within a lifetime. In the long run that will give them "a foot up". I believe, that a big part of the appreciation these photos receive is based on that solidity and excellence in workmanship they reflect __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them. Last edited by Olafhenny : 01-07-2012 at 10:35 PM.