I attended Quyen Thien Dac and the Nilsson Trio (Jazz) performance a while ago.
Cultural exchange. But “fant” or on-the-dime invention is not new here. Saigon traffic has already been jazzy, zigzagging at every turn.
I was with friends. He himself brought an ensemble of jazz men to Vietnam a while back.
Mighty proud of my friend who is multi-talented and multi-tasking.
I also noticed an “order in chaos” pattern here in Vietnam.
You might visit Nha Tho Duc Ba (Notre Dame de Saigon) and a taxi hop later, visit Lang Ong (the Grand General Temple). In one jazzy move, you embrace both a Church that glorifies the Maternal side of divinity, and a temple that honors a local patriarch who died a martyr death defending the city (of Gia Dinh) against invaders. Yin and yang, zigzagging at the highest level, both East and West. Young people are into Hospitality Management (to capitalize on booming tourism and the lack of service mentality, taken for granted in Thailand . Four-star price demands four-star service.
Thus, at the service level, we still have room for improvement.
But not to take away credits. Young Vietnamese, having completed their studies abroad are coming back. Reverse brain drain; just like their Indian and Chinese counterparts (my housemate was toasting a US-bound relative last night. She will be attend US College this Fall).
Marriott is here. So are Inter-Continental, Hyatt and Hilton. Chinese building boom (latest horse-shoe Sheraton for one) echoes here as well, since constructors need work.
Everyone is snapping up valuable real estate and talent.
Need a musician? Done. Hair and make up? Done.
Even M&A. Things might have slow down due to the Recession, but many are seeing opportunity in crisis (young expat filmmakers have given it a try).
This paradox has traditionally been a Vietnamese trademark: thriving in chaos. So Thien Dac personifies what everyone already knew: the positive spirit needed to rise above one’s humble circumstances.
It’s weather perfect last night. And I knew I was sitting in the middle of change, and perhaps, might be swept away by whatever comes with it.
Thang Nguyen 555 