We started the morning at the Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda, and I have to say, it was such a beautiful and calming place to visit. The architecture was intricate and full of symbolism, representing different values in Buddhist philosophy. Watching people light incense and pray in silence was moving, especially after learning more about Buddhism earlier. Even though I’m not Buddhist, I left the pagoda feeling more calm and centered.
After a stop at the Independence Palace where we got to see the place where the inner operations discussed, we made our way to the War Remnants Museum, and the emotional weight of what we saw was incredibly moving. The Requiem photography exhibit was so raw, with powerful images of wartime tragedy that makes anyone stop and think. The one photo, in particular, showed a fallen North Vietnamese soldier with a note that an American soldier had once said he would’ve received a Medal of Honor had he been on the U.S. side. That moment made me reflect on how war dehumanizes people on both sides.
Earlier this week, we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels. Crawling through just 50 meters was exhausting, too. Say the least. It’s impossible to wrap my head around the fact that people lived and fought in those tunnels for years. That kind of resilience is hard to comprehend, and I left with a deep respect for the Vietnamese people and the hardships they endured.
If I had to take away one lesson from today, and from the country’s history overall, it would be how powerful perseverance can be, especially when rooted in a sense of purpose and community. Vietnam’s history is complex, painful, and inspiring all at once.
