In search of #time ... #traveling to #vietnam #asia

IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME… North Vietnam


Even if in Western Europe I'm still regarded as a total stranger sometimes (especially when I mention my country of origin, Romania), in Southeast Asia I encountered no prejudice whatsoever - quite the opposite: people there made me feel welcome right away.

The official reason for my voyage was a dear Cambodian friend I met years ago in Los Angeles. But why just go to Phnom Penh when I could tour several Asian countries? Always in search of new challenges, I thus decided to extend my Asian trip to 3 weeks and first go to Bangkok, dying to finally experience the famous/infamous metropolis.
However, to make sure the itinerary would be highly original, I’d soon leave Bangkok for Hanoi, eager to meet my friend's friend and get to know North Vietnam.

What I recall upon my arrival in Hanoi... my surprise at the kindness and politeness of the people - from the bus driver to the hotel staff. Even my passport was looked at with utmost curiosity and interest - I was no longer a citizen of a former communist country currently plagued by corruption (here the Western European stereotypes could continue), I was an European obviously interested in the Vietnamese culture & people, hence my 5 nights stay in their Old Quarter hotel. (Always refreshing to escape the European stereotypes!)

The bustling Old Quarter on a Friday night delighted me - little did I know that the next days would only enhance that feeling of joy… My new Vietnamese friend dedicated her entire day to showing me the temples and pagodas of the city, the Citadel Museum and national monuments - with Uncle Ho (Chi Min) as the undisputed protagonist (the Mausoleum, the exhibitions about the Revolution or the post Vietnam war artworks).

Eastern Europe, just like China, Cuba and Vietnam have a common history that hasn't left them untouched… by no means. I guess it's the way each of these states has dealt with and been able to transform (or disguise) the traces of socialism that makes all the difference… maybe that's why there's this empathy and mutual understanding between the Balkan countries - we know it takes so long for things to change, for mentalities to get updated, for a system to finally allow some type of development…

However, it’s not my background that made me feel closer to the Vietnamese - it was the hospitality and the moments we shared, the food and thecordiality: all that thanks to a new and unconditionally won friend. I truly believe that's what makes a journey cathartic - experiencing firsthand, understanding how people live and find hope in the positive aspects of life: the tranquility of the Buddhist temples, the natural wonders around Halong Bay and Trang An, where time seemed to have stopped...
Actually, I chose to lose all sense of European time in Vietnam and quickly adapted to the citylife (which also involves skillfully “managing” the infernal traffic!).

One day I just got on a local train and headed to the closest town, Ninh Binh. “Why?” asked the 2 English speakers on the train (students that decided to follow me on social media when they heard I was a longtime world traveler). My answer (“out of curiosity!”), was perhaps strange, but not that illogical to them: “you'll have quite a story for your friends”, the girl agreed.


That day I was thrilled to just walk 5 hours in that blessed sun, breathe fresh air, avoid the traffic-plagued streets and the colorful party banners promising great progress thanks to the new 5-year plan. Endless rice fields everywhere… the soothing view of the mountains on the horizon, a village with people greeting me every step of the way… tranquility… and timelessness. Maybe that's what the Old World lacks and craves for: time. Again, the feeling of literally “exiting” time was overwhelming...

Reality caught up with me when I laid eyes on other Europeans in the only cafe in Ninh Binh… we all had to catch the Hanoi train, the day was nearing its end... I had 10 more days to go and one more country to discover… but still, I wished time would never start ticking again.