Reflecting on Life and Decisions Half a Century Post War's End: Insights from Vietnam's Youth
In contemporary Vietnam, the landscape is reshaped by the echoes of war and the adventures of rapid development. NPR's John Ruwitch took a dive into this transformed nation, speaking with young individuals who epitomize the generational shift set off by this transformation.
Take Bui Ngoc Cam Phuong, a vibrant 19-year-old attending college in Ho Chi Minh City, previously called Saigon. Little pleases her more than her burgeoning music career, where she combines experimental rap with the chaotic energy of life in the city.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
CI Pi: (Rapping in Vietnamese)
“I like to do, like, experimental rap.My lyrics are all about what I’m thinking as a young person, as a young adult in Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon.”
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
CI Pi: (Rapping in Vietnamese)
“And I got so many tasks in mind as a young person. What should I do? Yeah, many choices in life, and that’s all I write about.”
Youthful defiance is nothing new, but for many in this generation, the question "What should I do?" is a question able to be asked and answered with increasing options. Ci Pi grew up with grandparents who were swept up in the war, lacking the freedom to choose their path. Her parents, however, found their way in the city at a time when Vietnam struggled to rise from poverty.
CI Pi: “I feel like our generation, like, we do not have a specific path to follow. We can do whatever we want if — just if we have enough resources.”
One route remains elusive, though: choosing the path itself.
CI Pi: “Do I want the success of being famous and being a star? Or should I be a smart student and work in a literature field?”
No matter the choice she makes, Ci Pi knows that complacency isn't an option.
CI Pi: “Yes, because our country is still developing.”
This sense of duty extends beyond the confines of Saigon in a back alley in Hanoi where Ruwitch met the brain behind one of Vietnam's best-known Facebook pages.
(Speaking Vietnamese)
At 32, he wished to remain anonymous as his controversial posts could jeopardize his day job in software. This page, named Tifosi, reflects something real in his world. It was initially focused on football but gained popularity when it shifted to politics and society.
(Speaking Vietnamese)
He confessed that his passion for the page was unquenchable, stretching beyond a mere hobby. While aligning with the government, Tifosi can be ultranationalistic, voicing opinions on topics ranging from eating dog meat as a tradition to criticizing the idolization of Queen Elizabeth.
In the past, numerous influential blogs critiqued the authorities, many of which have been silenced or jailed in a continuing crackdown. Despite this, the creator of Tifosi views himself as a positive force, obeying rules while cherishing freedom of speech as long as it's accurate.
(Through interpreter) “My friends, family, coworkers, everyone has a pretty positive view of the state.”
This may be a common sentiment, but its veracity is hard to measure as the authorities become more adept at manipulating online narratives and quashing dissent. Tifosi may be popular, but he remains aware of the limits to his expression.
(Through interpreter) “My friends, family, coworkers, everyone has a pretty positive view of the state.”
The enigma of modern Vietnam unravels before us, portraying a generation of youth caught between blazing innovation and deep-rooted values, bravely finding their identity amid the confusion.
- The Vietnamese government faces the challenge of balancing the news and politics landscape, as evidenced by the popularity of controversial Facebook pages like Tifosi.
- In contemporary Vietnam, the government publishes news that often reflects a positive view of the state, but the veracity of this sentiment is questionable.
- Despite the ongoing crackdown on critical blogs and journalists, many Vietnamese individuals continue to question and challenge traditional values in areas such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and personal-growth.
- Young Vietnamese individuals like CI Pi are grappling with questions of personal-growth and career-development, choosing between traditional paths like literature or more unconventional ones like rapping.
- Bui Ngoc Cam Phuong, a 19-year-old rapper from Ho Chi Minh City, uses her music to reflect on the chaotic energy of life in contemporary Vietnam and the increasing options available to youth.
- In addition to music, the Vietnamese government is closely monitoring other areas of popular culture, including travel and sports, particularly universities like the NCAA basketball scene.
- Relationships between young Vietnamese individuals and their elders can be complex, with many struggling to reconcile the constraints of the past with the excitement of the present.
- Educational opportunities in Vietnam are expanding rapidly, offering students a chance to pursue degrees in a wide range of fields, including self-development and engineering.
- The government's influence extends beyond traditional channels, shaping the narrative in areas like lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty, encouraging a more conservative and traditionally Vietnamese aesthetic.
- For many young Vietnamese individuals, the desire to motivate and be motivated by others is a driving force behind their pursuit of personal-growth and career-development, ultimately shaping the future of their country.
