Job Discussion Forums

[elisareed]

I am planning on moving to Vietnam in Sept. to teach English and was wondering if anybody had some book recommendations? Lonely Planet vs. Other Guide books, AND more importantly, any Vietnam History/Culture books???

Thanks.

~Elisa

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Lonely Planet/Rough Guide/Footprint are all pretty good, though heavier on sightseeing & culture than practicalities, and very out of date as regards bars, restaurants etc.

History/culture-wise, John Pilger's "Hidden Agendas" has a good chapter on post-war Vietnam, Chomsky's "Hegemony or Survival" has a good analysis of the causes of the American War, and Mark Curtis' "Unpeople" has a very revealing chapter on Britain's covert involvement in the same conflict.

[Snaff]

Elisareed

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Snaff, I think you'll find the destruction of the economy and the near-famine were more down to the US's petulant post-war sanctions & trade embargo rather than the actions of the VN government. You stick to your right-wing imperialist interpretation of events, I'll stick to mine...

[Snaff]

[johnyarrington]

I found David Lamb's Vietnam Now in large parts disappointing (he seems to apologize for the American involvement, which I think is a mistake), but because of his excellent writing skills and some other perspectives he has on (A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF) Vietnamese culture, worth the read. (THE SEGMENT IS THE GROUP OF FORMER AND CURRENT FAMOUS PERSONS WHOM THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWED HIM TO INTERVIEW.)

[huxter]

Calm down boys.

"Shadows and Wind" might be banned but it's also widely available throughout VN (copies anyway, about $2 a piece).

For a cultural insight I recommend "Catfish and Mandala" by Andrew X Pham - a fascinating and compulsive read.

[elisareed]

Thanks all... I'll check these out. I've read "Catfish and Mandala" and agree it's very interesting. Thanks again.

~Elisa