A friend and my sister are encouraging me to write more.
Will try to start a compilation of on-the-ground observations on apparent simple differences between Viet Nam and the Philippines. Will not get into politics, economics or anything pyrotechnic.
For example, in the 1990s(when i lived in Viet Nam), most Vietnamese were on bicycles and motorcycles. When i was growing up and aware of my surroundings in Manila in the 1960s and 1970s, the Philippines was already fuel-dependent for our cars, jeepneys and buses.
Of course, by the time i left Viet Nam (1999) after working in a successful car assembly factory, Viet Nam's streets started seeing more cars.
When i returned in 2005 and started making regular visits to Sai Gon, the streets were starting to experience grid-locks due to an increase in the use of motorcycles and cars, aside from a growing metro population.
Manila 2008, with gas prices sky-rocketing, started seeing motorcycles dangerously trying to navigate and fit in Manila's streets. Of course, we still have gridlocks, more cars and the never-say-die jeepneys; and an ever-growing population.
Simple but telling differences?
