Vietnam: Socialist Republic

I went to Vietnam at very short notice in 2018 to do a job for the World Bank. They wanted me to join a team writing a report for funding after Typhoon Damrey in November 2017. I flew Vietnam Airlines from London to Hanoi and then from Hanoi to Nha Trang. The airline was excellent.

The effect of the Typhoon

Not surprisingly, given what they have been through, the Vietnamese seem exceptionally resistant and resourceful. Over 100,000 houses were damaged by the storm, some completely flattened. But most families were back in their homes in time for the New Year on 5 February, less than 4 months after the storm.

The Job

My task was to calculate the need for housing reconstruction. Others on the team were reporting on transport, irrigation, agriculture, fisheries and economic development. Unfortunately, I pulled a calf muscle at dawn on day one running along Nha Trang beach, so I didn’t see as much of Vietnam as I would have liked. Nevertheless, I did go north up the coast and inland to the highlands to see the storm’s effects and the progress of recovery.

Reflections

Two things impressed me about Vietnam: how they manage to balance state control and entrepreneurial zeal, and, secondly, the nature of gender equality, where women hold their own and also manage to massage men’s egos. I loved Vietnam. I liked the food, the way the country is developing and the confidence and directness of the people. I wish I could have stayed a month and seen more.

Published 10 Apr 2018, 40 pages, ISBN 9781912460205