Past few weeks I had the honor to visit Vietnam, as an official delegate to the United Nations annual Vesak Conference. The lead theme this year was the “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibility for Sustainable Society” and it brings many thoughts on how to achieve lasting peace and harmony in today’s world. It is the right way to find inner peace.
The conference
Apart from the official conference schedule, organizers put a wonderful program for us and made us feel very special and welcome.
We had wonderful fireworks and attended to Candle Lit ceremony honoring Vesak day.
The venue was an exceptional Tam Chuc Temple and convention center. I will not try to describe it, just see the pictures…
Things that are not possible to show in pictures are how the host treats the guests. I love the most how young volunteers give their time and energy to make us comfortable and feel like at home. If I need to choose one thing that I will take from this event are volunteers and the commitment to the job it has been assigned to them.
Getting to know Vietnam
After the closing ceremony, we were taken to visit another temple, stunning Bai Dinh Pagoda in Nihn Binh province. Again, just look at the pictures…
Also, we visited Trang An river and caves, and after that unbelievable city, Sa Pa. Above the city is mountain peak Fansipan, the roof of Indochina. Fansipan is 3,144 meters above sea level. Sa Pa itself is located at 1.600 meters above sea level.
All the time all Vietnamese were exceptionally friendly and ready to help.
They were also very proud of what their country has to offer to a visitor.
Ha Noi, the capital city of Vietnam, has absolutely captured my heart. The city with countless lakes and parks, around which life is happening. Hoan Kiem lake is the center of City life. In the early morning people exercise and in the evening they gather together and just dance…
People of Vietnam, or finding inner peace
Amiable people will help you find places you search for. Kids will come to you and ask if they can practice the English language with you. The rate of development in the past few years is incredible. There are still less developed parts of the country, but this is changing fast. A “socialist way of capitalism” is the thing it works here. People are working very hard, but you can not feel the tension and stress (surely there is some, it is just not so visible). Buddhism is not the main religion in Vietnam, but it is highly respected, and many people look for this way to improve their life.
It is fascinating that they have a good opinion of French Vietnamese adopted parts of architecture and cuisine as well as the alphabet, being around 100 years of the French colony. They do not think that great about Americans, but the English language is compulsory in the School, and young people are learning more in private classes. They know how important that is, together with good infrastructure and great internet which they already have.
History and culture
At my visit to HoShiMin Museum, I had the luck to be guided by two young volunteers and get a free tour. They had two goals, practice the English language and talk about their history, but they get from me another unexpected treat. Because of my age, and living in a similar (European) Country, I was able to fill the blanks in the knowledge in Europe’s development and history in the 20th century. So, that was nice…
You probably noticed that this post is a bit different from previous ones. There is a reason for that.
How do you achieve finding inner peace?
I wanted to say something else. Traveling around is the best thing besides a good education, which you can provide to your children. There is much to learn and to widen the views.
But, my dear friends, when you are visiting a foreign country, never forget that your hosts are PEOPLE with their lives, happy and sad moments, dreams, and ambitions. Always, but ALWAYS in every situation, treat them and their country with respect.
This attitude has always ensured me an unforgettable experience of visiting a foreign country and interacting with people from which you can always learn something. Every new experience enriches you makes you more fulfilled and tolerant of many different cultures, customs, religions, and understanding of life. It ultimately helps you in finding inner peace.
You become a happier person…
If you want to learn more
If you want to see more pictures from my visit to Vietnam, please go to my Instagram page.
Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about things I write about, check out my books. See also what the goal of this web site is.
You can check out my other post about Mindfulness and about Living in the present.
Enjoy reading!
I invite you to use all the resources I provided for you and to share your thoughts and comments.
If you like this post, please subscribe here, get FREE E-BOOK NOW, and get a notification when future posts are published. Also, share with your friends and Like on social media using buttons below.
Share
