With an abundance of the world's clothing being manufactured in the factories of Vietnam, it should not surprise one that there is a high sense of fashion awareness here. And those trends that are hot from the runways of New York or Paris make their way onto the streets of Saigon with rapidity. On the other hand, there are clearly those who have their own sense of combinations. These sisters found joy in trying on one local tradition.
Sometimes we feel like mis-fits here- the person who doesn't gawk at a person almost 2 meters tall is the exception indeed. But even amid the stares and the comments, chuckles, and such all made with the presumed guise of not being understood, we feel we belong here. When you are with those you love, you can feel at ease.
Life here is one of contrasts and sometimes mis-matches. On the one hand, one can often see people very snappily dressed, and the Paris fashion trends (which currently seems to be anything that allows a shoulder to peek through) quickly become prevalent, almost among all walks of life, but certainly among the working classes. On the other hand, sometimes you see what comes together in functionality and wonder if their husbands laid their clothes out for them! My long-time friend Rick was ever the dapper gentleman, in his north-woodsy way, when his wife was alive to make the fashion choices for him ahead of time. When she passed away, he was mostly trained, though one could occasionally find a trace of the gauche. Helping one another look one’s best however, strikes me as a wonderful manifestation of love.
But another lesson perhaps, is that mis-matches, stark contrasts, and even snide comments made under the guise of anonymity, should teach us not to judge unjustly or too quickly. Things will always seem different when you know the story behind the statement- be that "I am following the fashions" or "I could care less that I am wearing plaid and polka dots" or "Yes I am near 2 meters tall and can understand every word you say."
One of the key purposes of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as enunciated by President Thomas Monson is to provide for the poor and the needy. "The poor you have always with you" said Jesus, so I suspect this purpose will be a long term project. But we do see bright spots here and there. We are pleased to share in the work of our senior couples who work heavily in the role of humanitarian service. From the over 6 million dollars expended by LDS Charities in Vietnam over the past two decades have come many loads lifted, many hearts brightened, and a restoration of human dignity. Their work with providing clean water, mobility for the handicapped, vision care, basic sanitation needs, critical newborn care ("Helping Babies Breathe") and other projects is also centered on principles of self-reliance and personal capacity building, sustainability and appropriateness. Thus those who are helped are involved in the process and gain understanding that makes the donation enabling and ennobling, rather than one of condescension that destroys dignity and creates dependence.
Public assistance in Vietnam is available for those who are unable to work, or have limitations. In return for such help, they are often asked to sell lottery tickets, "vé số" to any who will buy. Often this occurs as people are setting in an open air cafe, or walking about the park. While I occasionally see people buying, I suspect more out of compassion now, the work must be highly discouraging, full of rejection.
Street musicians are relatively common here, but they are quite distinct from those one might see in a subway or crowded marketplace in the US or Europe. In the cities here, the musician is most often a singer or small ensemble of blind or otherwise handicapped individuals. They perform in front of a banner on a small stage with robust amplification, usually near a busy street corner. And rather than putting down a hat or instrument case for contributions, "charity boxes" are put by the side of the street, on the medians or other places, so that passing motorbikers can contribute a few đồng. The banner behind the performers will announce the supporting agency that is helping the class of handicapped individuals. Most often the performers appear near the end of the work week, I think hoping to coincide with payday, and they will play for hours, though always stopping before 10 pm, which seems to be the polite curfew. Since our apartment is above one of the busier intersections for such performance, we are grateful for this.
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| Handicapped gentleman selling "ve so" in the park each morning |
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| Social idealism is evident in the Soviet-influenced sculptures outside the Central Post Office, and in many other locations in the cities. |
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| Birdcage lighting in a local restaurant made me smile and wonder what other creative thoughts are "caged up" in our lives. |
I shall end this post here with one more musing on the ideals and the inequities we hold in our hearts, sing of in our anthems, and dream of in our speeches. There is a lot of that here- slogans and admonitions, and there may also be some solutions, but like most places, there are still hard problems- what to do about the inequality of opportunities and wealth, the inequities of health, disease, misfortune and choices, and how to keep men's hearts aware of one another and willing to help. Restraining greed, channeling charity, restoring dignity, ennobling the poor, humbling the proud, comforting the afflicted-- these are all gospel virtues, gospel impacts, that have to start in the heart, but may benefit from social structures and incentive. We are hopeful that over time here they will be felt and appreciated as the Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes part of the fabric of society, not a mis-fit.
