Work Permit Woes

When I returned to Hanoi in the fall, I was informed of new policy the government was instituting: Work Permits. I’ve heard (as yet unsubstantiated by an internet search for reliable sources) that it is a way to deal with the problem of undocumented workers from China. While I understand Vietnam’s prerogative to protect its economy, it has been very frustrating trying to navigate all of the requirements to obtain a work permit. The biggest problem as been, since this is a new program, no one really knows what we need to have, and we keep learning about different documents we need to take to multiple places to have certified. And it takes a lot of time. It takes time for documents to get to Hanoi from the U.S. It takes time for them to be translated. It takes time for them to be certified.

We’ve been working on this since October, and I still don’t have my permit yet. It’s stressful, but I have been thankful for all the work people with LCMS WM, the NIN (National Institute of Nutrition), and at Bach Khoa have been willing to do to try and make this process as easy on me as possible.

And then there are those times when it all seems overwhelming and you look up to see this staring at you. It made me feel a little better.

The man on the rock

Every once in a while I see something that makes me think “I really, really wish I had my camera with me right now.” One of those moments occurred on the way to Church last Sunday. I was looking out of the bus window and saw a man sitting on top of a large boulder, smoking a cigarette. This in and of itself was not unusual; what made it picture worthy in my mind was that this took place in the median with cars, buses, and motorbikes whizzing past him on both sides.

I laughed at first, until we went past, and I looked back. I saw the sadness underneath.

The man was not just sitting on the boulder. He had a large piece of cardboard over a ratty looking backpack. I realized then why he was sitting the middle of the road. He had no where else to go.

[Disclaimer: the information in the following paragraph is based off of information I have only heard from other people. I haven’t had time to do a good internet search to verify this information, but I still want to include it in a post. I’ve been basing my thought processes on this information, so it is still pertinent for a personal blog but please don’t quote it as fact.] I heard recently that Vietnam had been moved off the developing countries list. If true, this would be a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but there are some serious ramifications as well. Some NGO work and Foreign Aid programs would end here, support some people here depend on. I was reminded by the man on the rock, and by the woman in the picture below, there is still much work to be done in Vietnam.



*Future blog post: The conundrum of trying to help without being condescending.

No Celebration is complete without a Dragon.

Last week marked the Grand Opening of Concordia International School Ha Noi (CISH)! Though there was a week full of activities to commemorate the event, the highlight was the Grand Opening Ceremony Friday afternoon at the school campus. The ceremony had all the elements. There were speeches by those who have worked for over 5 years to make this school a reality. There was a presentation and singing by the students this school will serve. There was cake and socializing. And most importantly, there was a Dragon.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. - Mohandas Gandhi

Post 23 - Sa Pa

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join Ted and a visiting group from Concordia NY for a trip to Sa Pa. We took the night train Saturday evening and arrived in Sa Pa at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. After breakfast at the hotel, we set off on a walking tour of local villages inhabited by Hmong and Dao, a couple of the ethnic minority groups in Viet Nam. The region has become more and more touristy over the years, and many of the local women and girls walked with us to trying to sell to us.



It was raining during the first part of our walk, but it cleared up as we walked to the Dao village where we stopped to eat lunch. The fog of the morning gave the area a mysterious quality that created a mystical ambiance, but I was glad the rain gave way to sun by the end of the afternoon so we could see the beautiful scenery.





After lunch we returned to the hotel and split into different groups to explore the town of Sa Pa before dinner. I joined a group that explored the market place. I was proud of myself for only buying two scarves despite how ubiquitous they were and my weakness for colorful shawls.

The next morning it was pouring rain, but about half the group refused to be daunted by something as paltry as the weather and set out on a hike to see Cat Cat village, the waterfall and a demonstration of the traditional dancers. Some of the students even joined in the dancing at the end of the show.



We left Sa Pa that afternoon and traveled to another village for another hike in the rain before driving to Lao Cai to see the Chinese boarder and eating dinner. After dinner we boarded the train to return to Hanoi. We were scheduled to arrive in Hanoi at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, but due to some problems with the tracks, we were delayed and didn’t get back until 11:30. But as one of my students said today when I told them this story, “that’s so Vietnam.”

 

Post 22 - What I love about Vietnam

They don't play Frisbee here so I am automatically considered a good player based solely on the fact that I know how to play.  Awesome.

Post 21

It is very hot and very humid in this country.  This is how I feel most of the time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7GJcKuVGm8

Except I am not dead.