War end saw me re-situated at Penn State. Then, while in Grad School, after an educational film job, I read about Boat People. Their braving the odds at seas compelled me to “do” something. That something was a short detour from my Communication pursuit – “front-ending” my giving (time and energy as opposed to wealth which I had none, being on student loan).
One embarrassing incident: I had to pick up a waiter job upon returning. What section was my former film crew got seated? Mine.
Afterwards, I followed the Telecom trail for a good decade and a half (should have stayed on with AT &T as their data sales specialist during Y2K). Then I began exploring Vietnam, this time as an observer and a participant.
Post-war Vietnam moved full-speed ahead. Un-peeling layer after layer, one can find just about everything, even tacos and donuts (via expats’ import). Nation-wide, Vietnam mandated helmets and masks, measures which help reduce accident deaths and covid deaths. Post-war generation loves to “storm” whether it’s a Taiwanese company that polluted, or after a SEA game win. The bikes their new boots.
Upon returning – after being away long enough to experience reverse culture-shock – I noticed America as if for the first time e.g. material acquisition as a means to fill the void within : merchandise on Amazon Prime and fake news on facebook. And how one can go about his/her daily life, deprived of human contacts (even before covid). Having all the broadband connection yet none of the human connection, to me, is the saddest.
Thang Nguyen 555 