Going into the module (Learning in an International Environment), I knew very little about Vietnam as a country. I knew some of the surrounding countries and their history. But, I didn’t know how far Vietnam has developed since the 1980s, and its impressive culture and history, past what I had learnt in GCSE History some years ago. One thing I really enjoyed learning about is the Doi Moi. The economic reforms of 1986 had the goal of making a socially-oriented market. What I found interesting is how quickly Vietnam transformed itself. The GDP of Vietnam grew an average of 4.4% a year from 1986-1990. That percentage has only increased; GDP per capita rose from $95 in 1990 to $390 in 2000.
Throughout the module, I’ve come to really appreciate Vietnam. One of my main interests is the music Vietnam has produced. Mỹ Tâm, is a household name in Vietnam; becoming famous in the early 2000s, her ballads gained her international fame, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard’s World Album Chart. This makes her the highest-ranking Vietnamese singer of all time.
Son Tung M-TP is one of the biggest pop musicians in Vietnam. He became the first Vietnamese singer to reach one million subscribers on YouTube and has collaborated with many different artists, one of which is Snoop Dogg.
In 2020, during the pandemic, MIN released a song called “Ghen Cô Vy”, (Jealous Coronavirus) to encourage people on how to handle the pandemic. The song helped spread awareness of Covid-19, and how to limit the spread of the virus. Which, if numbers are correct. Music and other precautions like this worked. In Vietnam, there have been 2,629 cases of Covid-19 and only 35 deaths (as of April 4th 2021). Compared to the UK’s 151,313 deaths (as of April 2nd 2021), Vietnam has successfully controlled Covid-19.
Alongside this blog, I have also attached a link to a Spotify collaborative playlist. I have already added some music, however, the playlist is there for people to add their favourite Vietnamese artists. No matter the genre, please feel free to join and add to the playlist.
Lauren Norcliffe, Year 2, BA (Hons) International Relations and Development.