'A Trip Down the Culture Lane...'
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." - Marcus Garvey
Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a country with rich history and deep rooted culture welcomed me with open arms on a drizzly morning of June. The sun which had set behind the majestic mountains overlooking the Garden-City heritage themed Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport the previous evening had decided to resurface behind a fleet of green aeroplanes with the markings of Vietnam Airlines, parked in the east of Noi Bai International Airport. The red flag with a yellow star in the middle hoisted proudly on all the available posts in Noi Bai International Airport told a story of its own, a story I was keen to listen. But, the rising sun had already woken up my internal clock which had in turn convinced my stomach to produce digestive juices in anticipation of a sumptuous breakfast. Thus began the quest for some Vietnamese staple, Pho or the traditional Banh mi that would satisfy my morning cravings.
"Vietnamese cuisine is a testament to the country 's rich cultural heritage" - Anthony Bourdain
"Egg coffee is a Vietnamese special..." said Chang, a local tour guide with a beaming smile, just as I was about to dig into the first bite of the succulent Chicken Banh mi, laden with thinly cut pink slices of chicken, topped with fresh herbs and mayo.
"It was prepared for the first time in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang of Giang coffee, as a response to the shortage of milk during those war torn days. The egg coffee replaces milk with egg cream harmoniously combining the home grown coffee in the lush green mountains of Vietnam along with a pinch of sugar and aromatic spices. Its a must try as it has remained an integral part of our culture for over 70 years now..." Chang continued, as her chest swelled up with pride.
"That's some history..." I thought as I immediately made a mental note to definitely try it.
Vietnam is one of the largest producers of coffee in the world. From the vast variety of Robusta bearing a strong bitter taste to the more elusive Kopi Luwak, most of its coffee is grown around the Central Highlands plateau of Baon Ma Thuot, locally popular as the 'Regional Capital of Coffee'.
Along with its rich agricultural produce, this tropical Southeast Asian country has fought long and hard to earn and maintain an identity of its own, which was evident in the way people went about their business in Hanoi. Being the political and cultural capital of Vietnam, this city felt like it was stuck in a transitional phase where people were unable to let go of the past and at the same time had to embrace the modern changes of a fast paced world. I have often deliberated over the thought of the past being better than the present and the future. A thought with conflicting opinions and unending discussions, of course. The past traces a route map to the path of progress that mankind has chosen and the future holds unimaginable possibilities of exploration, beyond any road travelled before. The present is what maintains a balance between the two, allowing a person to pick a preference. The dilemma is of a choice between the known and unknown. It is subjective but once chosen, there is no going back.The person's thought process gets moulded in the realities of the choice made.
"In Vietnam, everyday life is infused with a vibrant cultural heritage." - John Shimkus
Trying to soothe my conflicted mind, I wandered towards my first stop in this ancient city, Văn Miếu - The Temple of Literature. Located at the heart of Hanoi, this prominent structure is dedicated to the great teachers, scholars, sages and philosophers like Confucius. Built by the rulers from the Ly dynasty in 1070AD, this temple celebrates the pursuit of knowledge through academia, research, discussion of literature and poetry and so on.
As I tried hard to graple with the cultural shift, my nostrils caught whiff of some freshly fried pork sausages neatly arranged on bamboo baskets being sold by a street hawker just outside the temple. I was immediately torn between my urge to satisfy my salivating mouth, begging me for a bite of that juicy minced meat mixed with a pinch of salt and aromated spices or further explore the so called quest for knowledge. The aftertaste of a breakfast Banh mi costing 40000 VND was still fresh. And finally, after a good two minutes of pleasing my eyes with the roasted golden brown colour of the sausage, I had to mustered all the strength at my disposal to pacify my taste buds and walk away towards the wide Great Gate of the ancient structure symbolising the epitome of knowledge. That 11th century architecture aroused a strange sense of curiosity, as if every pillar there had a memorable tale to tell. The 82 different sized giant tortoises mounted with stone steles, known as 'Doctor's stone tablets', contained the names of students who had passed the famed Đình examinations in different periods of time. Those tablets were a testament to the mysterious ways and depths to which people were ready to dive in search of the elusive wealth of knowledge - a gentle reminder that nothing comes easy in life. At the same time, the temple's three main entrances were without doors, symbolising the unrestricted and open access to knowledge - It is always available for anyone willing to look hard enough for it.
"Vietnamese culture is rich in traditions that have been passed down through generations" - Nguyen Tan Dung
And the best part is that the people of Vietnam would do anything possible to preserve their rich culture and pass it on to their next generation - a gift beyond comparison.
"Culture makes people understand each other better. And, if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers..." - Paulo Coelho
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