Vietnam - A better place to live

Dear readers,

Have you ever tried to make your neighborhood a better place to live? Collecting garbage, fixing a broken street light, planting a tree, etc. are a few of several simple ways to improve our living environment. This week, our local readers suggested some ideas which are beneficial for the community.

First of all, reader Le Dang recommended creating a forumwhere owners and finders of lost items can post information. He thought of this idea after finding a book left on a bench at his college but had no idea how to return it to the owner.

“If there was a forum like that, I could post information about the book I found on the bench with a message: ‘If you are the owner of the book, please contact the security office’. Obviously the chance that lost items get returned to the owner would be very high. A forum like that would encourage people to develop a good habit of collecting and returning lost properties,” concluded Le Dang.

In response to the idea of building a Lost and Found forum, reader Trinh Pham suggested designating a physical office where people can come directly to deposit items they found or reclaim their lost properties.

“The fact is that not all people can have an internet access to come to the forum/page, so we would add one more form of lost properties information gate like ‘Authorized Place, Non-Profit organization, volunteering team’,” commented Trinh Pham.

Another reader, Boi Boi, talked about pollution in the city, not only from bikes’ tailpipes but also from those who smoke and ride on the street. As smoke and ash dash into the nose and clothes of the passive smokers, they not only get eye irritation but also the risk of chronic diseases.

“It becomes worse for drivers with children who have to suffer the ‘chimney’ of poisonous smoke on the street every day. It has been reported that some drivers have been penalized for driving and talking on the phone. Why is there not a ban for those who smoke and drive at the same time?” he wondered.

Much as Vietnamese cities have to change to catch up with the world’s metropolises, one thing we can still be proud about is the food scene here. This week, two American expats compared the markets as well as the dishes of Vietnam with their home countries’. In the end, they both brought out the same verdict: Vietnam offers fresher ingredients and healthier platters.

“Raw meats hanging from hooks and piles of unidentifiable animal innards shock us into submission. Mounds of tropical fruits and leafy greens appear so inviting, and the hustle and bustle of regular people going about their daily lives captivates us. We use our cameras to document our fascination, and images are quickly dispatched back home,” found John Russack.

“While almost all types of Western food are available in the country’s major cities, Vietnam features an abundance of delicious, cheap and healthy fare that can differ greatly by region. With complex flavors and extremely fresh ingredients, some of the world’s top chefs, such as Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay, have made a point to highlight this country’s cuisine,” affirmed Brian Letwin.

We may complain about pollution, congestion, bad transportation system but let’s admit it: Vietnam remains a food heaven for foreigners who visit or stay in the country. With pho, banh mi or banh khot featured in top lists of world’s best cuisines, we feel lucky to live in Vietnam and discover the rich gastronomy of the country.

What are you waiting for? Go get some fresh food or try a new soup dish this weekend!

TUOITRENEWS

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