Vietnam as Land of Hope, Resilience, and Progress

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The most striking image that remains with me from my time in Vietnam is sitting on a bus and looking out the window to see children along the roadside raising their hands to form heart shapes toward us. Their eyes and smiles were so pure. In those children, I saw a hopeful future, not only for Vietnam but for the world. For me, that moment was a precious gift, a beautiful memory I will carry home.

During our meeting with the President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, Myrna V. Pagán (C) shared her impressions and memories of Vietnam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

That experience made me reflect: in a world filled with uncertainties, where many children are hesitant around strangers, in Vietnam they warmly welcome you, eager to shake hands, to take photos with foreigners. I was deeply touched by that.

When I heard the statistics about the sacrifices made during the war, my heart tightened. And yet, the Vietnamese people have overcome such loss to raise a generation as beautiful as lotus flowers. I recently learned that the lotus is Vietnam’s national flower, and rightfully so. The people here truly embody the lotus, resilient, and full of life.

I hope one day to return to Vietnam and bring my grandchildren to meet the young friends here. I am in the final chapter of my life, but the future belongs to the children, the seeds of both our nations.

Life becomes more beautiful when we share, when we treat one another with respect and love. That is the spirit I want to bring to the Vietnamese people, and it is also the very spirit the Vietnamese people have quietly given to me. I feel so grateful to be here in Vietnam. I wish I could stay longer, learn the language to communicate better. But even without speaking Vietnamese, my heart is already talking with you.

At first, I thought I would bring home a conical hat, a traditional symbol of Vietnam, as a souvenir. But now, I want to buy a motorbike helmet instead. To me, it better reflects the spirit of today’s Vietnam: youthful, modern, and always moving forward.

On April 17, we had an important meeting with the President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, where we received valuable updates about your country. I realized that our two countries are not only geographically distant, but have also long been separated by invisible walls of media and prejudice. That’s why being here, witnessing life firsthand, has been such a meaningful experience. From the people I met, I felt a deep sense of dedication, resilience, and hope for the future. That is the most powerful message I will take with me.

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