People like myself are trickling back. Few are famous (singers, politicians). Others aren’t. First we played tourist. Then entrepreneur. And finally worker bees. Success stories are far and few in between.
But the Heineken are popped open. And the show must go on. No turning back. The engine of consumerism. The Genie is officially out of the bottle. Not yet at the scale of Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Thailand or India and China. But the signs are pointing that way: more brand names,
more Pavlovian shopaholic at the top tier. Automobile show rooms are snatching up visible street corners. A/C and shirt & tie salesman.
“Follow me, I will show you” while turning and walking away (technique).
How many cars will you buy today? Cash or cash?
With or without flood protection?
Viet expats go ahead with caution. Few stay on long-term unless the prospect of coming back to Western countries outweighed staying here
(divorcee or retiree).
At least, it beats competing for condo in Mexico with fellow AARP’s.
At least you nailed the food and the language aspects.
And there is still the rest of the country to be explored. Dalat and its hidden charm. Cha-pa and Hue.
Cities have their attractions and contradictions. Behind the facade and make-ups are young countrymen trying to make a buck to send back to the village. Hongkongese style. New York and LA style. Our urban century style.
Alienation and restlessness. Catcher in the Rye. Anything goes, until sunrise. Then the wheel churns again, spitting out residue, while keeping the juice.
Thang Nguyen 555 