Hello, Vietnam

In my classes, I am often asked to sing. This country LOVES to sing. I do not. Well, let me amend that statement, I love to sing in the car, while running and while listening to The Sound of Music (my favorite musical). Before people, however, I do NOT like to sing. At the wedding I attended, I was repeatedly asked to sing but declined, saying 600 people was a few too many for me.

My students sing two songs for me frequently: one I have already mentioned I Say Gold and the second, Hello, Vietnam. Hello, Vietnam is written by a woman whose family is from Vietnam but she did not grow up here and is about her desire to learn about her heritage. You can hear it here: http://music.yeucahat.com/song/English/36612-Hello-Vietnam~Pham-Quynh-Anh.html
and the lyrics are below:

Tell me all about this name, that is difficult to say.
It was given me the day I was born.

Want to know about the stories of the empire of old.
My eyes say more of me than what you dare to say.

All I know of you is all the sights of war.
A film by Coppola, the helicopter's roar.

One day I'll touch your soil.
One day I'll finally know my soul.
One day I'll come to you.
To say hello... Vietnam.

Tell me all about my colour, my hair and my little feet
That have carried me every mile of the way.

Want to see your house, your streets. Show me all I do not know.
Wooden sampans, floating markets, light of gold.

All I know of you is the sights of war.
Hello Vietnam lyrics on
http://music.yeucahat.com/song/English/36612-Hello-Vietnam~Pham-Quynh-Anh.html
A film by Coppola, the helicopter's roar.

One day I'll touch your soil.
One day I'll finally know my soul.
One day I'll come to you.
To say hello... Vietnam.

And Buddha’s made of stone watch over me
My dreams they lead me through the fields of rice
In prayer, in the light…I see my kin
I touch my tree, my roots,my begin

One day I'll touch your soil.
One day I'll finally know my soul.
One day I'll come to you.
To say hello... Vietnam.

One day I’ll walk your soil
One day I’ll finally know my soul
One day I’ll come to you
To say hello…Vietnam
To say hello…Vietnam
To say xin chào… Vietnam

600 Vietnamese and Erika!

Vietnamese weddings are huge- 400 to 600 people is standard. One of my students, Ly took me to her friend's wedding this past weekend. At the front there are people checking in guests and one of those contraptions used for picking lottery numbers. Guests fill out an envelope and add money for the bride and groom. No blenders here! They hope the money given will cover the cost of the wedding and provide something extra for the bride and groom to start their new life together. In many cases, however, the cost of the wedding exceeds the amount given to the couple, so they have to come up with the money themselves. Parents sometimes give some money toward the wedding if they have it.

The bride usually rents a few dresses for the occasion. This one, Cuong, started out in a cream dress (my camera was low on batteries so I wasn't able to get a photo of her in her dress), and then changed into a red dress. She and her new husband, Phung, are both 23. It is considered good luck to marry someone your own age.

The wedding begins at 11:00 but wedding guests trickle in until 12:00. At this wedding they had an emcee, dancers, singers and little fireworks next to the stage. Quite a production! The bride and groom were introduced then several men in costumes brought in 5 "cakes". The couple were given a knife to cut each of the "cakes" which are really just frosting and which no one will eat. Then the men in costumes produce bottles of sparkling wine and the bride and groom and their families will drink some of it. Then the couple and their parents walk around the room, greeting each table and taking photo and video with all of their guests. Meanwhile, all of the guests enjoy a salad appetizer, a corn and egg soup, a beef dish in gravy with peas and carrots, fried rice in the shape of a heart, fried fish and little cups of a jello-type dessert. Oh, and lots and lots of bia (beer). Soon, karaoke starts and a few brave couples dance in front. Within an hour people begin leaving, and the whole thing is over by 1:30. Quick wedding! Enjoy the photos!