I had the most phenomenal experience at the Hanoi University of Agriculture. Before today, all I ever experienced was the token trip to the padi fields (which we will be visiting tomorrow). To say the least, the lecture at the university was so enlightening. Centered around the issue of sustainable development, it blows my mind to see the eco-consciousness of the population of Vietnam towards agriculture.
Perhaps it is the fact that new media is so readily available through the internet, and the Vietnam of today is so connected to the rest of the world in terms of telecommunications. Little wonder then that this notion of sustainable development and conscious consumption, both of which are en vogue global trends especially in the developed countries, is the mainstay for a country whose main source of revenue is agriculture - Vietnam is the world's second largest exporter of rice and coffee next to Thailand and Brazil.
It is great to know that a growing consciousness is present in this place, because whether it becomes and ideal or reality, the future generations can life in the hope of a world sans the route of mindless destruction that has plagued so many countries en route to development.
That was a little heavy, I know.
Cheers,
Miss Lim
P.S. We're off to Ha Long Bay tomorrow. Looking forward to the caves, but not the 3.5 hour drive......
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