Diary Entry Day 6: Beautiful People, The Virgin, A Whole Lot of Rain, and then some

By John Shebat de Silva

Photos by John Shebat de Silva

With just hardly a blink of an eye, the ‘In Search’ team has woken up to the sixth day. By 8.30am, we arrived at the DRD (Disability Resource & Development Centre) or ‘Life is Beautiful’, where we were to partake in our fifth session. While waiting for the programme to begin, we were led by fellow alumni traveller Eunice and Aunty Susan to learn how to display our names using the conventions of sign language.

Traveler Mumbi Munene posing with a member of the DRD club.

As the session formally began, we were informed that Ho Chi Minh City is not very accessible for the People with Disabilities (PWD), which we learnt to be the less stigmatising term. DRD functions as a sort of ‘clubhouse’ for the PWDs to build their confidence and self-esteem. The organisation welcomes people of all ages and all types of disabilities.

Amongst the many activities conducted by DRD are sourcing for financial support for education, preparing students to enter a working environment, enhancing everyday living skills such as cooking, and so forth.

What was a more refreshing take to the whole idea of this organisation is that it does not indulge in the conventional approach of promoting people with disabilities as victims. DRD takes initiatives to assist PWDs to fully participate in everyday activities such as attending martial arts practices. Matchmaking for PWDs is the next step for DRD. It is clear that DRD is not just an organisation whose goals are oriented to eliciting of public funding.

A lot of statistics were revealed to us throughout the session, especially concerning the numbers of PWDs and the many types of disabilities. Dr. Yeoh explained that sooner or later, everbody becomes disabled - some at birth, and some with age, and it is in our interest to create a disability-friendly environment. As the relatively casual discussion concluded, everyone was invited to dance with the folks at the centre. A joyous conclusion to a most invigorating talk.

The grotto at Huyen Si Church.

We departed the centre just before noon and headed off for lunch. The group divided into sub-groups according to their meal preferences; rice or noodles. After lunch, the group proceeded to the Huyen Si Catholic Church where we observed and discussed the history of the grotto and its importance, especially the figure of Mother Mary to the Catholics.

It began pouring as soon as we stepped out of the church. Everyone was drenched as we made our way back to Mai Vy Hotel by foot, some bearing rather expensive photography and videography equipment in their backpacks.

The Travelers and their makeshift 'umbrella'.

At around 2pm, we took part in our sixth and final session. This session was carried out at the hotel lobby where everyone gathered around to learn about sexual exploitations and human trafficking in Vietnam. Mr. L, from a local NGO, explained that one of the organisation’s many aims is to help put forward the notion or paradigm that these problems (and the people unconsciously perpetuating its production) ought to be viewed as victims instead of being “social evils”.

With the final session out of the way, everyone proceeded with their assignments for the day, naps, and continuing their city walkabouts. As tomorrow will be an early day as the troop will be departing for the Mekong Delta in the wee hours of the morning, some decided to do some very last-minute preparatory shopping. It has been an interesting day for the travellers of ‘In Search of’ - just another exhilarating day in the journal history.

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John de Silva is a 24 year-old Monashian majoring in International Studies. Though born in Kuala Lumpur, he likes to think of himself more as a ‘Penang-kia’ as he has spent most of his life on the island state up north.

The Wet Marionettes of Saigon

By John Shebat de Silva

‘In Search of Saigon’ is in Day One. By now every traveler has had a taste of pho and ‘legally’ jaywalked across notorious traffic conditions countless times. There was no doubt that we were all now in Ho Chi Minh City. However, as we reached our next destination some began to realise something rather familiar; the presence of a somewhat Chinese influence in the overall environment at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre. There were Chinese-esque lanterns hung above us and the traditional outfits donned by the front of house attendants looked the part too.

The team was set to witness this 50-minute cultural spectacle. The hall of the theatre was reasonably comfortable; air-conditioned and cushioned seats. The audience comprised largely of foreign tourists and some locals. The welcoming speech soon came on and explained in both Vietnamese and English that the origins of this cultural performance dates back eleven centuries. Lonely Planet claims that the art comes from the North and made its way to Saigon as tourism began to boom.

As the curtain drew open, the audience’s loud chatter was slowly replaced by the growing sound of classical instruments. The backdrop was also a familiar Chinese-influenced structure and large portions of the stage was in fact water. The first puppet soon made its appearance, wading through the murky water as it introduced itself as the narrator. Although the dialogue was entirely in Vietnamese, it doesn’t take much to understand that a lot of the spoken materials were humourous in nature and its delivery was often slapstick.

The purpose of the narrator however, does not present the story in any form of chronology. The entire performance consists of acts which primarily highlighted the traditions and cultural lives of the Vietnamese people. From ferocious yet graceful dragons ‘dancing’ on the water, to an elegant pair of phoenixes courting, the show reflected the many beliefs and practices of Vietnamese folks. The phoenix dance segment had audiences in awe when the legendary creature produced an egg which subsequently ‘hatched’ into a baby phoenix.

Segments of the performance such as the riding of buffalos, catching of frogs, rearing of ducks, and catching of foxes emphasised the role of agriculture in the traditional Vietnamese community. One segment which was particularly festive was the one where a man returns triumphantly to his native land after winning a national exam or competition.

Vietnamese legends and folklores were not left out. One segment was about King Le Loi and the turtle. Legend has it that King Le Loi who was at one point facing the threat of invasion by his enemies, was aided by the ‘God of the Sea’. The King was given a sword to ward off his enemies and when he had succeeded, a turtle was sent to claim the sword back.

The team’s Vietnamese student guides later explained the significance of the appearance of several animals in the performance. In Vietnam, each of the following animals represents a different attribute; the dragon symbolises power, the phoenix – grace, turtles means wisdom that comes with age, and the lion was a symbol of bravery.

Finally, the performance climaxed with a minor pyrotechnique display. The entire show was not only an excellent display of culture but also the talent and dedication of the ensemble comprising of musicians and puppeteers. 

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John de Silva is a 24 year-old Monashian majoring in International Studies. Though born in Kuala Lumpur, he likes to think of himself more as a ‘Penang-kia’ as he has spent most of his life on the island state up north.