Finding Vietnam: The Reactions of Millennials and 60’s Veterans in 21st Century Vietnam

Indianapolis, IN

This ethnography is based in reflection. During our field study in Vietnam in May 2013 I received a firsthand view of modern Vietnam as well as the reactions of Vietnam War veterans to the cultural changes that have shaped Vietnam since the 1960s. My chapter summarizes our resulting collaboration with a focus on collective student observations with the veterans. These interactions provided us with the opportunity to analyze the emotions we faced while locating ourselves in a strange place. My study focuses on the reintroduction of the veterans to a country that most of them had not seen in decades, specifically addressing the differences between our first steps in Vietnam and those of our traveling companions. Additionally, my chapter exemplifies how the initially contrasting views of students and veterans evolved over the course of the trip.