As I’ve been in Vietnam for over a week I have seen a lot of similarities and differences between the two countries. One major example is how they get around. Almost everyone rides a motorbike in Vietnam which is the polar opposite of the US. This can be challenging when crossing the street because they don’t stop at crosswalks they just go around me when I am walking. This is super intimidating, but I have to walk at a constant pace and hope none of them hit me. The main reason behind the use of motorbike over cars is because of the cost. Most people in Vietnam simply cannot afford to drive a car, so they must buy a motorbike instead.

In addition to transportation, I also noticed that my Vietnamese friends have a chip on the back of their identification card. This is so the government can track them wherever they go. They seemed to be ok with this, but also I wasn’t sure if they were allowed to speak out against the government. Because, when I was in the classes and would ask them how they felt about the government, they would always say positive attributes. However, I can’t imagine that everyone is satisfied with what the government is doing. It seems that they are not able to speak their mind. Plus, we did learn that there is a lot of censorship online and the government polices what is posted quite thoroughly. This is a lot different from living in Pittsburgh where protest happen all of the time. Additionally, the protesters do not face any repercussions from the government. As long as they fill out the necessary forms they are able to do what they want to do. To me, this really illustrates the freedoms I have in America and how I take them for granted. For example, I simply do not acknowledge that I can have an open conversation with my friends and family members about politics without having to watch what I say.

As far as priorities go, it seems like there is a higher priority on increasing energy and infrastructure here in Vietnam compared to the US which already has most of this built up. It also seems like people in the US are more focused on social issues and reform rather than establishing a new infrastructure. This illustrates the differences between a developing country and an evolved country. Reinforcing my point that I take for granted what I have in America, I never have to be concerned about the lack of energy or if there will be a road where I need to go. I simply turn on the light switch or hop in my car. It really makes me appreciate what I have in America and the privileges that I have.