135 days: Linh Nguyen

The day began with a visit to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where the echoes of Vietnam's turbulent past are vividly displayed. As I moved through the exhibits, I met Linh Nguyen, a university student studying history, who was there to gather information for her thesis on the impact of the war on Vietnam's cultural identity. Linh shared poignant insights into how the legacy of these conflicts continues to shape the nation's psyche. Her knowledge deepened my understanding of each exhibit, adding layers of context to the powerful photographs and artifacts. Inspired by Linh's passion for her country's history, we discussed the resilience of the Vietnamese people, a theme she explores in her academic work. As the rain fell softly outside, our conversation shifted from history to the role of youth in shaping Vietnam's future. Linh's optimism and scholarly approach made a strong impression on me, prompting me to sketch some artifacts that symbolically represented the themes we were discussing. Today was not just another day of sightseeing; it was a profound educational experience, enriched by the meeting of minds over common interests in the depths of history.