Classroom Discussion/Project Ideas for Teaching about Vietnam:
What does fresh/raw rice look like? How is it grown? used? How can rice
support the economy of a country?
What has happened historically that has made the people of Vietnam adapt
so well?
Between the years 1500-1900, what influences did China have on Vietnam?
What is the future of Vietnam's relationship with the United States economically and
legally?
Why is it in the best interest of Vietnam to develop a flexible, yet concise
set of rules and regulations for trade? How do rules affect the success (or
failure) of a country?
Vietnam is a Communist country, yet goes by the same Declaration of Independence
as the United States: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Discuss.
How has forgiveness (vs. anger) toward the US benefited Vietnam?
How does the study of Vietnam relate to hypocrisy or tolerance in human
rights? (women, gays, etc.)
Define/explain differences between positions of Vietnam and the United States of America, between Society
vs. Embassy.
Describe and explain ecologies of Vietnam - defoliation due to the herbicide Agent Orange.
Research health/ecological issues and relate to environmental solutions and
suggestions. Communicate with the Vietnam-USA Society (VUS) in Hanoi, Hoang Cong Thuy (Secretary-General of Vietnam-U.S. Friendship Society in Hanoi) and army veteran Chuck
Searcy (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund/Asian Landmine Solutions, Hanoi), and students at the Peace Village (a rehabilitation center for children with functional disabilities located in Hue, Vietnam). Compare/contrast points of
view.
Music: Describe history of Vietnam using drawings, pictures, and cassette
tapes of Vietnam water puppets and instruments used there and in lunch "concerts"
at restaurant and Unicorn Island on the Mekong Delta.
Economics: design and market a product for Vietnam. Write a business plan,
contact Sesto Vecchi (Vice-chair of American Chamber of Commerce) for legal input.
Religions: Compare/contrast/explain differing religions and practices in
Southeast Asia.
Schools: Communicate with schools we have visited. Use email to establish
partnerships of ideas, cultural exchanges, languages and literature.
Politics: Define modern Communism/Free Enterprise in Vietnam. Compare to preconceived
notions of Communism. Compare Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh with Cuba's Fidel Castro as leaders.
Discussion: What decisions and actions led to the war that took the lives of 3 million Vietnamese and 60,000
U.S. troops? What alternative decisions and actions could have been taken to arrive at the Vietnam of today? How would Vietnam be different today, economically and politically,
if the war with the United States had not taken place?