The Vietnamese citizens have a contagious bubbly spirit

A dog on the streets of Vietnam.

Kelly Parkin writes:

I have chosen this image as the most significant to me because it tells a much deeper, and sadder meaning of how homelessness and fear of affection affects the public. It is shown through the eyes of each individual dog that we came across. However, some contained hope in their eyes and voice. The dogs we came across whilst climbing up Camp Carroll had a loyal and strong bark that provided protection and security for their owners who risked their lives to accept a creature that could potentially kill them – from rabies or a regretful action inflicted from uncertainty. Whereas the dogs that we came across on the streets of Saigon maintained the expression of immense loneliness.These poor souls had been stranded and left to struggle on the streets with the difficult glances and hesitant steps of humans as they walked past. In an attempt to not feel guilty when we avoid offering needed affection to the small beings, we unknowingly walk past them as if they were nothing more than a stone-sculpture soaking up the evening sun. Unfortunately, it’s also fear that leads humans to ignore them, as we are afraid they may transfer a disease or rabies.

This significantly represents the same guilty action that we as humans perform to homeless people. We don’t notice it as much in Australia, because the homeless people to blend into their surrounding environments. But in the bustling streets of Saigon, the homeless and poor people are the centre of attention. They survive purely from public donations, and become professional beggars or tiny business owners/employees. The Vietnamese citizens have a contagious bubbly spirit, with a high morale and motivation to succeed. People may argue that it’s because they need these traits to be a good seller for tourists and potential customers, but others argue that’s just who the Vietnamese are. To positively support this argument, during the entire trip we came across very few unpleasant and angry Vietnamese citizens, most were outstandingly gentle and content.

The orphanages we visited also showed the importance of high morale and happiness that is shown by the citizens of Vietnam. The children that we met at the orphanage were the happiest and most energetic bunch I have ever met. Despite the limited food and basic toys that are offered to the kids, and the fact that their parents are gone, they are very considerate and enjoy the company of strangers and their friends. They have become strongly reliant of human communication and interaction, as that is what they find most amusing and entertaining. They don’t care so much about toys and gifts, it’s as if they believe that we were the true gifts, and the balls that we gave them were just a bonus gift that got to stay with them physically. But what they cherished most was the memories formed with the people of our group. They loved to play and communicate with us just as much as we did with them. It makes you realise the true beauty in human interaction and how sometimes the best memory is the one that is shared with other humans.

Overall, this image reinforces that the struggling homeless Vietnamese animals and citizens are calm, gentle and happy beings that enjoy the purity of the world’s beauty. Their most cherished memories are the ones that are shared with other individuals, which are free of cost.