Vibrant 2009 Offshore Forum in Hanoi
Back to Out and About
Forum participant Georgia Lawrence reports back on the 2009 Asia:NZ Young Leaders Network Offshore Forum, which took place in the dynamic Vietnamese capital from 9 to 13 December. Read more views from other participants.
Fourteen New Zealanders based around the Asia-Pacific region jetted into Hanoi for the second Young Leaders Offshore Forum.
The programme kicked off on the evening of the 9 December with some traditional local fare – green papaya salad, rice paper rolls and other delicacies, and provided the delegates the chance to finally meet each other after extensive virtual conversions over the fundraising challenge.
The theme of this year’s forum was “learn more about Asia in Asia”. We dodged wild motorbikes, overloaded powerlines and impromptu lakeside aerobics classes; indulged our caffeine addictions with the famous coffee; and had our ears filled with omnipresent beeping, sonar taxi horns, and “Hello Madame – motorbike?!” The hectic programme included business, education, NGO and government briefings, cultural experiences, and team building activities.
The Embassy briefing from Ambassador Heather Riddell and Deputy Alistair Crozier on the first morning provided a broad understanding of Vietnam and New Zealand’s diplomatic relationship.
Our dialogue with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam students and lecturers gave us a small taste of Vietnam’s history and present economic environment, a chance to converse with young Vietnamese.
The afternoon was spent at the Press Club where we enjoyed presentations from Giles Cooper – a Kiwi and partner of the law firm Duane Morris, Achim Munz from Tourism Resource Consultants – A New Zealand firm operating in Vietnam, and Sylvia Smith – one of our own Young Leaders and the country director of NGO HealthRight.
A post-dinner stroll around Hoan Kiem lake took us to the water puppets, a traditional Vietnamese art form that received a mixed reception!
Day two and an ominous tummy bug reared its ugly head unfortunately rendering some of the delegates out-of-action. Warrick Cliene Managing Partner of KPMG Vietnam was our first speaker via video link to Ho Chi Minh City and began by apologising profusely for the water puppets, which he deemed Vietnam's greatest embarrassment. He had us in fits for the rest of the session, giving us a taste of the complex business environment of Vietnam.
A bus tour through the winding streets later took us out to Hanoi University where we had an informal but engaging dialogue with local university students about food, university life and extra-curricular activities, followed by a sumptuous spread and compulsory red wine! A meeting with a senior Government official was ditched, in true kiwi style, in favour of a visit to the Ha Tay Brewery. Marketing and Sales Director Andy Lamont gave us some candid insights about the practicalities of working and living in Vietnam, and was happy to sit around and yack with us over a few beers.
Delegates then returned to the hotel for a speedy spruce up before heading to the Ambassador’s residence for a reception. The participants met and networked with the forum's speakers and other guests over drinks and nibbles.
A few had had a late night, and found the roll out of bed for the early morning food tour of the old quarter a challenge, while others found they were edibly-challenged post-tummy bug. The other half of the group took the walking and cycle tour of the old quarter. Both gave us the opportunity to take in (and dodge where need be) the sights, sounds and tastes of the cultural heart of the city.
We reconvened for lunch at KOTO (Know One Teach One), a non-profit training restaurant that gives disadvantaged Vietnamese the opportunity to train in the hospitality industry. While dining on various delicacies we heard from both a graduate and an instructor from KOTO who explained the ethos of the organisation and shared personal experiences.
The afternoon was spent reflecting on the pre-forum fundraising challenge, the forum itself, and the sustainability of and opportunities for the Young Leaders Network. Using a variety of styles (raps, skits, the haka, and perhaps a little interpretive dance) each team presented their ideas and musings to Executive Director, Dr Richard Grant. That evening, the ladies, along with Dr Grant and Onnuri enjoyed a trip to the stunning Hanoi Opera House to experience some real interpretive dance from a very polished Vietnamese contemporary ballet company, while the rest of the men went in search of the Hanoian night-life.
Sunday we awoke bright and early, a little apprehensive, for the long awaited orphanage Christmas event that Sylvia and her colleagues had been working on for months. Nerves mounted during the hour bus ride to Ba Vi district but the Christmas party was well and truly underway by the time we arrived, and was well attended by many local Vietnamese and expats.
We split into two groups, the first were shown around the orphanage by Sylvia and taken to meet those children who were too young or too disabled to be able to join the main event (the majority of the children). The other group remained at the main carnival-like event, watching the children perform songs and dances, painting faces and murals, distributing drinks and treats and interacting with the able children and elders. Dan took a hit for the team donning a Santa suit in the sweltering heat, 'ho-ho-ho-ing' himself hoarse. He and the second group then visited the room-bound children wheeling a barrow laden with donated gifts for distribution.
Collectively, we were shocked and overwhelmed by the whole experience – the state of the rooms, the disabilities, the lack of resources and care. The contrast between the carnival atmosphere and the reality of life for many of the children and the feeling of coming to 'visit' and then walking away were difficult concepts to grapple with. However, watching the children and elders get so much joy from such simple things and gestures – a personalised gift, watching or participating in a performance, or simply being talked to or touched, and knowing that we had a small part to play definitely made the experience a memorable and worthwhile one. Having seen the solar-powered water heaters that Sylvia and her team raised funds for, we saw the tangible benefits that a small amount of money can realise and many felt spurred to continue fundraising for this effort.
Exhausted by mid-afternoon we collapsed on the bus, and traveled back to Hanoi in time for the first few to catch their flights out of Hanoi.
Overall, an exciting, inspiring, challenging adventure. A rollicking good time, with a wicked bunch of globe-trotting Kiwis. Tam Biet Vietnam!
Read more views from other participants. Click to donate to the orphanage.
