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Abstract -
The American view of Vietnam is stuck in 1975. As a teacher I have never discussed Vietnam after 1975. The last image I show my students is the helicopter leaving the roof of the building in Saigon. I went to Vietnam to learn how the country is today and its journey from 1975 to 2019. My topic is to teach how Vietnam has changed since 1975. I learned that Vietnam has moved forward, creating a vastly different society than what is remembered by most Americans in 1975. Most of the battle sites are gone; many are parks and places of peace. The Vietnamese people I encountered show no anger or hostility towards Americans. In fact the Vietnamese welcome all people and want more Americans to visit their country. The country’s economy is growing and is becoming more global. It is a young country with over 70% of its population born after 1975. The young people in Vietnam are interested in moving their country into the global economy and changing the “war image” that the world has of its nation. Through my presentations, my website, my interviews with the Vietnamese, and my documentary clips, I hope to convey a better understanding of the country and encourage all teachers to teach Vietnam beyond 1975.
Bridget Newbury (Federspiel)
My Fulbright project is centered on showing how Vietnam has changed since 1975, the end of the Vietnam War.
As a teacher, I always teach the Vietnam War but I don't spend any time showing how Vietnam is today. In fact, most Americans only think of Vietnam in respect to the war. They have no idea of what the nation is like today. And, as I researched, there was little information about Vietnam for teachers to use.
For the past 14 years my students have collected veterans' stories for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. I used a similar technique to gather information about Vietnam. I interviewed 10 local Vietnam veterans in Ohio and asked them where they served, what were their big memories of Vietnam and what did they want to know about the country today. While in Vietnam, I traveled to many of the sites where the veterans served and videoed the sites today.
Finally, while in Vietnam I taught at Hanoi University and Hanoi Star secondary school. I shared several activities that I conducted with the students and teachers.
At the bottom of this page is a link to an interview explaining my purpose for applying to the Fulbright DAT program.
Below is my summative report and action plan about my Fulbright DAT experience.
Hanoi
Hanoi
After a long plane ride (20 hours total), and a bumpy start to my Fulbright, I explored the area on Sunday, January 6. This is a sign near Truc Boc Lake. I found a nice coffee shop (Highlands) to sit and watch the crowds.
Memorial in Truc Boc Lake to the capture of John McCain
Memorial in Truc Boc Lake to the capture of John McCain
Although this memorial is to commemorate the capture of Major John McCain during the war, it has become a symbol of the US/Vietnam relations to maintain peace.
Below is a video about Hanoi and the war memorials in the city.
I visited the "Hanoi Hilton" where the American POWs were held
Most information and exhibits were about the French use of the prison during imperialism.
The exhibits on the POWs was minimal although there was a wall of remembrance that include POWs that returned to Vietnam later.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
I traveled to HCMC for 5 days. I was able to find many sites related to the war era. The city has a population of 10 million.
Imperial Palace in Ho Chi Minh City
Imperial Palace in Ho Chi Minh City
This palace was where the North finally took control of the South. The famous photo is in the middle.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Posters on the street
Posters on the street
There are lots of reminders about the government and to support it. Posters, like this one above, are everywhere.
Old French Post Office building.
Old French Post Office building.
This was built during the French imperisalism. It is now a tourist site.
Catholic church
Catholic church
This church is in the center of HCMC.
Saigon River
Saigon River
This is a view of the city from the river.
Opera House
Opera House
Tet 2019
Tet 2019
Everyone is getting ready for the New Year's celebration. It begins on Feb. 4th and lasts until the 10th
Traffic
Traffic
Ten million people - 8 million motorbikes!
Reminders
Reminders
There are constant reminders as to the victory of the war.
Memorials to the war
Memorials to the war
Lots of statutes around the city reminding people of the war.
Below is a short video of the skyline of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) at night. Notice the traffic below. Saigon is a city of over 9 million people.
McDonald's first opened last year in 2018. It is not very popular yet.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh
His picture is found in every building, everywhere
Lots of shopping
T-shirts
Markets
Stuff
Biking
Biking
Sometimes it is good just to go out with complete strangers and create memories. This is an international group of tourists (Spain, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Australia, Korea and U.S.A.) enjoying a day biking.
The power point above summarizes highlights of my Fulbright DAT. The video below is an interview I had prior to my trip.
Interview Dec 2018 Bridget.mp4Report abuse