Humanitarian holidays: 15 may school

To many, holidays are synonym of leisure, entertainment and farniente. To some, it is the perfect occasion to work for humanitarian organisations, act solidarily and volunteer for charities troughout Vietnam.

In Ho-Chi-Minh city's first district, for more than 20 years, the 15 May School provides tuition and shelter for ex-streetchildren. It aims at providing them with the best tools to get out of their pre-existing poor living condition.

The school is named from international children day. Its financial viability is made possible with the help from Vietnamese government, as well as private donors. Once a year, in may, the school organizes a special event involving students to raise funds. This is the occasion to boost staff and students' self-confidence.

At school, everything is organized for kids to feel safe and secure. Facilities, teachings, and materials are all located inside the school perimeter, in order to keep students undisturbed by the outside world.

The children are provided with a wide range of courses and activities, from english lessons to pastry-courses and physical education. The kids are also entertained with occasional field trips, such as visiting the city zoo or swimming at the pool.

All activities are framed by international volunteers whose reason to enlist are diverse. One basically used her holidays to work. An other is completing part of his university cursus by volunteering. A third found her way to the school being referred by an Australian youth volunteering association.

"Motivation comes from the fact that in the West we are so lucky. We always had education and welfare, now it is time to share" said Matthew Harrison, 22, from Australia.

Yen Tran's rewards "are in usual things: smile, fun, attention andaffection", even if she admits "working with kids is a challenging experience". However, she feels it's not just a one way relationship.

Usually, volunteers are required to enlist for a minimum length of 6 weeks; enough time for the students to get accustomed, as well as keeping the "nice family atmosphere" Jessica Perrin, manager, often speaks about. Conclusively, she rules that in the field of volunteering, "the longer the better".

All three are unequivocal about their experience, considering it useful and unique. As Yen would "definitiely urge people to volunteer", Matthew states "it is a good feeling to make a difference".

More information about volunteering in Vietnam can be found on thefollowing websites:
- http://www.15mayschool.org
- http://www.un.org.vn/unv/opportunities/vietnam.asp
- http://www.ngocentre.org.vn

The art of bargaining...

A popular culture
When travelling in Vietnam, one is often confronted to situations where haggling becomes a pivotal instrument in getting something at the right price. Bargaining is, across the country, very common and, more or less, expected by the sellers.

However, one should know that prices are usually higher in the North. As you go down South, you'll see prices decrease for almost every object or service. However, prices for certain common goods, such as bottled water, should be equal, wherever you are.

Bargaining can take place almost everywhere, for almost everything. You generally bargain in the street, at the market and even sometimes in hostels. Take this a bit as a game. Keep smiling and never make fool of the seller.

The ethic of bargaining:
Basically, one is expected to bargain wherever there is no price publicly displayed. However, you should take into consideration the needs and desires of both parties involved.

Remember, for exemple, that locals rely on their sellings to live a decent life: several thousands dongs are crucial for a street-seller while they are not that important to comparatively richer travellers. If the set price seems correct to you, do not try to lower it. Seek a fair price but not a ridiculous one.

Do not bargain too hard with kids in the street. They are not exploited: they help their family in its daily struggle. They sell chewing-gum, lighters or postal cards instead of begging. Buying their items is to be perceived as an humanitarian contribution to their living.

How to bargain:
As the seller is always setting the price higher than what he expects to get, the buyer should also set his offer slightly below his final objective. After several "rounds", a gentleman agreement is to be found.

Do not waste your time, nor seller's one, by bargaining for someting you do not intend to buy. If you engage in this process you commit to buy upon agreement over a common acceptable price.

Remember to ban foreign moneys from your mindset. Always haggle in vietnamese dongs, as you will get more space to maneuver.

Smile constantly. The sell should be taken as a game, in which everyone as to be satisfied with the result. In addition, smiling helps you keep a good atmosphere and get an enjoyable moment.

If you are in a market, try to know the price others paid for a similar object by listening closely. Then, make your offer. It is sometimes useful to play one seller against the other.

If the price of a common good (for example water) is really too high, walk out and get it somewhere else. You should not encourage the "overpricing technique" by even trying to bargain.

Prices:
The prices listed below are a sample of what you should normally pay for a definite article or service:

1. Motobike: 5'000 to 10'000 VND depending of the length, the number of people riding and the hour of the day (or night).
2. Pho (vietnamese soup): 10'000 VND. Usually all street-food is from 7'000 to 10'000 VND, very exceptionnally higher. It is best to ask price before eating, if you are not satisfied you can leave.
3. Bottle of water: 4'000 to 6'000 VND. Depends on the brand you choose and the method of purification.
   
4. Tshirt: 20'000 VND. Depending on the quality, the motives and the place where you buy , it can range from 10'000 to more than 30'000.
5. Flip-flops: from 20'000 to 40'000+ depending on the quality, the shape and the "brand".

Article: Ben Than Market

Ben thanh market:

Ben Than market is ideally located in the heart of district 1, the most frequented by tourists. This massive building is a vivid place, full of colors, smells and goods. It is often used as a symbol of Ho-Chi-Minh city.

The market was first located near the Ben Nghe river, where soldiers and merchants used to be the main source of income. It was then destroyed by the French and reconstructed on a landfill in 1899, along with other colonial administration buildings.

Nowadays the Ben Thanh market is in the center of district 1. Its position, along with the dynamic nature of its merchants, made it the biggest and most attractive in HCM-city. One can find a bit of everything there: craftsmanship, clothing and jewellery but also food, spices and scents. "Shops are everywhere" summarize Nha, 20, whose family owns of a food store.

It's frequented by locals as well as tourists and all of them enjoy the convenience of the place.
"Citation needed"

The market opens early in the morning and close around midnight. Aprroximatively at 5PM the inside-market closes to let the outside-market attract the bypassing people. At that moment one can easily get tshirts, souvenirs or lamp, as well as have an excellent dinner of local cuisine for very reasonnable price.

From the beginning to the end of the day, in the middle of intense activity, one would be impressed by the atmosphere, the people and the goods proposed.

Hue: Ancient imperial city

The city of Hue is undoubtly one charged of History.

Its central position led it to be considered by Nguyen dynasty as an ideal place to establish a feudal regime capable of controlling the many warlords then-present. This ultimately led to the unification of Vietnam, under emperor Gia Long, in 1802. At this point Hue became the capital-city of a united, peaceful Vietnam.

In 1945, after emperor Bao Dai capitulated, the city lost its prominence. New capital cities were proclaimed in the North (Hanoi) and in the South (Saigon), crystallizing a rift and setting the stage for the succeeding french and american wars.

The combats and bombings that took place there left the city severely damaged and many monuments were partly or totally destroyed. However, due to its importance to national history and its touristical potential, the citadel as well as many other tombs got renewed from the seventies onward. As a recognition of this exceptionnal architecture and patrimoine, the city was included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage in 1993.

When travelling the coutry, one should not bypass this masterpiece of Vietnamese culture. Many means of transport can bring you there. Daily flight are available from HCM-city or Hanoi, as well as trains and private buses. One can get all the necessary arrangments in many travel agencies in Vietnam.

Among the many attractions, the Imperial Citadel worth several hours of visit by itself. One should not miss the imperial dances, presented twice a day, inside a wonderfully restored building. For a modest entrance fee, you would admire the beauty of the songs played in live, as well as the grace of the dancers.

Several sites located outside the city should be considered as well. Tombs of Khai Minh and Minh Mang are probably the most popular of ancient emperors and are located along the perfume river, only 10 kilometers from the city center. The demilitarized zone is also to visit for whoever got enough time.

Finally, the quality of Hue's food specialties is to be mentionned. Its originality can easily be found in dishes such as "bun bo hue" (noodle and beef soup) as well as "me xung", literally meaning sesame candy.

Hue is definitively a place of great interest. It worth a closer look for whoever wants to discover rich History, wonderfull imperial monuments as well as tasty cuisine.

Simple Stories Starting Session...

I dedicate this particular bloOog to the stories I'm working on...

This will, more or less, comprise only the latest versions.

I hope you won't be shy (or too friendly), and would not hesitate to comment or criticize when necessary (in your opinion) the stories I have spent days and nights to write...

;-)

Thanks!

PS: As my english is, definitively, not that good, I would be glad if any native english-speaker would have nothing better to do than to review my stuff... I promess I would bring him back a nice present from Asia! <;-)