Back to Vietnam

It was exactly 20 years ago that I first landed at the Noibai airport at Hanoi for my first visit to Vietnam. I was leading an international group of experts to try and map the energy sector of the country. We landed at the darkened airport in the evening and drove past a line of fighter planes before stopping at the terminal. The terminal was a simple shed and we soon cleared the formalities, exchanged a hundred dollars for a million dong in local currency and climbed into the only vehicle outside the terminal- a government van. The van drove us past the countryside and into the city of Hanoi to its only hotel- Hoa Binh hotel- which we were told meant Peace. It was an old building with large rooms but few creature comforts except a few forlorn mice. There were telephones but no one seemed to know how to operate them. Next morning, we trooped down for breakfast, only to find very spartan fare- the local soup. From then, one of the team was deputized to wake up early to get a few of the hot bagels from the street vendors. All visits to the government offices were in cyclobs-- we were quite a site every morning as the six of us climbed into a separate cyclob and led this parade from one government office to another.

But what a change twenty years makes. This time we landed at the gleaming international terminal which was far superior to most terminals in the west. We went through the customs and immigration in about ten minutes and were greeted by a line of taxis from at least three different operators. The road from the airport was well lit and broad signs on both sides advertised the latest wares. The Hilton hotel was one of seven five star hotels now operating in Hanoi and you were lucky to find a room such was the crush of tourists and businessmen. In the morning, we could dine on the most succulent of breakfasts. As we walked out of the hotel, we could see the grand Opera House next door which was advertising an opera that evening and a symphony performance sponsored by the Spanish embassy next week.

It is difficult to believe that a country can make such a major transition in just two decades. Vietnam is after all a country of 80 million and to take them into modernity within years is a real tribute to the policy makers and the politicians.

I wonder why at least in a few of our states in India this transition could not be made!