We began the day with an interesting lesson on the theory of Buddhism and its history in Vietnam. I have always loved learning about religion in history class, and much of what we discussed was a good refresher on what I already understood about Buddhist philosophies. In Vietnam, worshippers practice under the Mahayana branch of Buddhism, which worships many different forms of Buddha and allows any follower to reach nirvana or enlightenment. I found this philosophy and the eight principles of Buddhism very beautiful and unique. Visiting the Jade Emperor pagoda and watching locals worship the different Buddhas and gods was an incredibly immersive experience in Vietnamese culture. The building and its architecture were absolutely stunning and truly a sight to behold. After leaving the pagoda, we visited the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum in the afternoon.

The Independence Palace was lined with beautiful furniture and decorations. The palace hosted incredible views and an interesting history of government affairs in Vietnam during the war. While the palace showed a calmer side of the war, the War Remnants Museum showed the horrible impacts of warfare in Vietnam. The entire second floor was dedicated to victims of American war crimes and Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, which was incredibly emotional. The photos of the wounded and disabled Vietnamese affected by the fighting truly exemplified the impact of the war on the people. I read that of the three million Vietnamese killed during the war, around two million were simple civilians. The devastating impacts of the battles waged in Vietnam were felt throughout the entire museum visit, and I am thankful to have seen this perspective. Overall, today was a very informative day on the history of Vietnam that I wanted to understand more about before returning home, so I am very grateful for the experience.