In June we had a return visit from Frances Middleton. On this occasion her talk was about her visit to Vietnam. The main purpose of the visit was for her group to meet and see people, many of whom were disabled and helped by Traidcraft.
Traidcraft is an organisation founded on Christian principles and helps to fight poverty through trade. It works to promote trade justice for growers and producers in the poorest countries around the world.
The tour began in Hanoi which was formerly the capital of North Vietnam but on unification after the Vietnam War became the capital of the whole country. They were amazed at the number of street traders and the amount and variety of food on offer. They were also surprised how early in the day the business started.
Women in Vietnam wear a conical hat called a ‘Non ha’. Vietnam has a tropical climate and there are two seasons, dry and wet. The ideal feminine beauty standard is white skin, and the hat is therefore considered the best way to achieve this end.
One of any places of interest visited was the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. It was built in 1070 and is one of many dedicated to Confucius. The building is decorated outside at the bottom of each column with a dragon.
The group visited work places where products were being made, much of it from waste material. These places were attached to or very close to the workers’ homes (very much a cottage industry), and there was a strong smell of a substance like varnish. A guide was asked why the workers were so quiet, the answer given that they were only like that when visitors were around.
After Hanoi the group travelled south down the Mekong Delta and Ho Cho Minh City (Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam, where everyone seemed to own a moped.
The number of Vietnamese under 40 years old is much higher than those over 40 years. They seem to be a very resourceful people, but war has left a legacy of many disabled people who will need help for some time.
John Clark