Waking up this morning was difficult, but the idea of trying real Vietnamese food for the first time spurred me along. Once at the buffet, I filled my plate with many different fruits, meats, and noodles. I also got my first taste of Pho, a soup that’s freshly made with noodles, beef, and broth. The most amazing part of breakfast, however, was the view of the streets outside.

Hundreds of motorbikes whizzed by, weaving between cars and driving on the sidewalk. Among them, street vendors set up their stands, and vehicles weaved around pedestrians. This scene overwhelmed and amazed me. Later that day, on my tour of Ho Chi Minh City, my surroundings only got busier. This ordered chaos is what stood out to me on my tour. A good example of this is the massive tangles of wire along the telephone poles. It may be disordered, but it does function. The streets, the shops, the building faces, the telephone wires, the traffic- all were operating on a crazy level, yet functioning perfectly.

We also visited students at the University of Economics and Finance today. We all were received with the warmest welcome imaginable! I feel so lucky to have new friends that are so kind, respectful, and energetic. Listening to them speak about their academic pursuits illuminated the increasing globalization of Vietnam. Some students were pursuing international business, and others were planning to study around the world.

In addition to my interaction with the students, other signals of globalization in Vietnam stood out during the city tour. Not only did I see several international companies, such as Popeyes, Starbucks, and popular designer brands, but I also saw lots of English translations. Vietnam is opening up to global enterprise, accommodating international stakeholders by translating items like menus and billboards.

Tonight, we embarked on a boat cruise and enjoyed Vietnamese food and entertainment. It was a six course meal consisting of spring rolls, seasoned vegetables, fried fish, and more. I read about Vietnamese dining customs in Culture Smart: Vietnam. Its descriptions were spot on. The dining was family style, and the rice was served last, just as the book described. What surprised me most was the traditional performances, specifically the One Man Wonder. Three musicians played on the stage: the string player, the percussionist, and the One Man Wonder. As the first two played a steady melody, the O.M.W. took out a briefcase full of different instruments. He played one after the other. I couldn’t believe how good he was at each one! His last instrument was small and green. I did not know what it was, so I moved closer to get a better look. To my disbelief, it was a leaf. He stretched the edge and blew into it, creating melodies that were precise and beautiful. I was floored.

Today was full of amazing sights and tastes. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!