From the moment I stepped into Vietnam I knew this trip was going to be something to remember. After a long 30+ hours of travel we finally arrived at our hotel early Monday around 2am. The first day was spent meeting the people at UEF (University of Economics and Finance). The students there were great, and I had many great conversations about all sorts of things with them. A bus tour of the city showed me how diverse the city was. The city boasts a ton of greenery that adds to its beauty. The skyscrapers were scattered throughout but added a nice touch when present. The strong development is present here as Ho Chi Minh is a rapidly growing city.

Today was really the first day in my life where I’ve experienced this much of a culture shock. The first thing I noticed when I looked outside the hotel lobby was the insane traffic. Motorcycles and cars crowded the streets. They won’t stop for a crossing pedestrian, and you just have to weave through them. The first time I crossed the road it took me almost five minutes to gather the courage to attempt this. Back home I’m so used to the crosswalks and Ho Chi Minh City does not provide those. Another interesting cultural thing I noticed was how friendly the people were. From the UEF staff to the people on the street, everyone was nice. The welcoming ceremony by UEF was wonderful and it was evident they cared about us as foreigners. They embraced us with open arms and gave us a great welcome. This was a great feeling, and those staff members were super friendly. On top of the staff people in the streets would wave to us while we rode on the bus tour. Something interesting that probably would not happen in the US. I look forward to learning more about how the culture leads into its bustling lifestyle.