Driving lessons from Hanoi

Walking through traffic in Vietnam is like diving head first into a dance that you don't know all of the moves to. If done incorrectly... you look like an idiot. Or (even worse!) you may seriously injure yourself. Personally, I've found that it's easiest to cross the street if you act confident. All you have to do is pretend like you know exactly what you're doing, as if you've had motorbikes speeding towards you from all directions for your entire life. 

The Vietnamese seem to drive with their ears as much as their eyes while on the streets of Hanoi. When I first arrived, I had assumed the constant sound of horns was solely due to driver frustration. However, I have since learned that (some!) of the honking is just used to indicate to other drivers that someone would like to pass by, which helps keep the traffic moving. There is a method to the chaos.

The flow of traffic never really seems to stop here. The buses, cars, motorbikes, and pedestrians all seem to blur into each other in a never ending weave of colours and sounds. It's no wonder that I'm finding it so easy to get lost here.

Overall, I have found that the people in Hanoi are as warm as the weather is outside. Which is to say, incredibly warm! They are some of the most hospitable and welcoming people I have had the pleasure to meet. Several have even offered to let me experience Vietnam on the back of their motorbikes! You may not be seeing me on the back of one of those just yet, but maybe one day. After all, there are still a few days left of the trip!

Photo by Kyle Sandilands

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A Vegan's Guide To Eating In Hanoi

As a vegan, I was skeptical of the ability to maintain my dietary lifestyle upon arrival to Hanoi. I had come to terms with the fact that, more likely than not, I would be required to consume some form of animal byproduct during my stay. Nonetheless, with 10 days passed since my arrival, maintaining my vegan lifestyle in Vietnam has proven to be easier than I had originally thought.  

Hanoi has no shortage of restaurants, and thanks to its large Buddhist population, vegetarian food is of ample supply.  The trick is to know where to look.  The word chay (meaning 'vegetarian') is regularly displayed on restaurant menus, with some restaurants even having a separate vegetarian menu all together. And if by chance there is nothing listed on the menu, restaurant staff are always willing to accommodate. With a few simple phrases such as "khong nuoc man" (no fish sauce), and "khong trung" (no egg), you're sure to find a true vegan meal!

    

Photos taken by Mia Chiappetta McCannel

Although I've kept most of my meals pretty simple (mostly consisting of tofu, rice, and vegetables) many restaurants also offer "mock meat" dishes. Now, for all of you skeptics assuming that vegan food in Vietnam must be bland and boring... Boy, are you wrong! The flavour found in vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine would have any omnivore drooling.  

I was lucky enough to stumble across Zenith Cafe, a strictly vegan restaurant with an attached yoga studio. After an early morning yoga class in Zenith's treetop studio, I devoured a delicious mixed vermicelli noodle dish. For those seeking more traditional Western food, the menu also offered a caramelized zucchini & black bean burger, which undoubtedly was the best vegan burger I've ever had.  

 

                                                            Mixed Vermicelli Noodle Dish

    Yoga Studio at Zenith Yoga

                                  Zucchini & Black Bean Burger with Freshed Pressed Carrot Juice

To finish off a meal, Hanoi offers an array of delectable fruits. Dragonfruits, longan berries, and papaya are seemingly popular; however, for those adventurous types... be sure to try durian! It is a true delicacy in Vietnam, and is certainly not for everyone. A durian's creamy texture and nutritional benefits provide clear examples of why the fruit is commonly known as the "King of Fruits".  Just as long as you can get over its distinctive odor and pungent smell, durian is surely a must try when in Vietnam.       

                                                           Fresh Durian & Dragon Fruit

Being vegan in Vietnam does require some extra precaution and regard. Nonetheless, over the short time I've spent in Hanoi, I have already sampled some of the most robustly flavourful dishes I've ever had! My mouth is salivating simply at the thought of my next meal.  And with that being said, its time for me to head out and discover a new place to eat. Bon appetite!  

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Touchdown in Taipei!

After a (surprisingly!) easy 12-hour flight from Vancouver to Taipei, Mia and I have finally landed on solid ground again! Despite the jetlag, we navigated the airport with ease. Our combined past travel experiences have made us experts at getting through security in no time at all. 

                         

                                                            Photo taken by Megan Sadler

To prepare for our long journey, Mia had approximately 8 cups of coffee with her mom, while adding the last few important items into her carry on bag. I spent the day prior to the flight packing (and repacking) and triple checking that I had all my important things ready to go (passport, money, and letters from home to keep the homesickness at bay!). It feels like we have been preparing for this trip for ages, and now it's finally here! 

                                     

                                                                      Photo taken by Megan Sadler

In a few short hours, we will be touching down in Hanoi. I've got to keep this post short, otherwise we will miss our flight! Keep checking for more updates on our adventure!

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Throw Back Thursday

It's only one and a half weeks until Kyle, Marina, Chris and Henry depart for their trip to Vietnam! Which means that it's only four months until I (Sam!) return to Lao Chai with Megan, Mia and Henry.

One year ago today, the 2014 CBT Vietnam team carefully balanced exams and trip prepping for the one-month long, 10-person trip.

Its incredible to think back to the stress and excitement we felt, through all of the tears and panicked calls, as we prepared for our month long trip in Vietnam. But the experience was completely worth all that we went through.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Macgregor

Today, as a new graduate (albeit my final grades are still to come) of the Bachelor of Tourism Management Program, I am sitting helping the 2015 teams (April and August) prepare for the upcoming trips.

As per tradition, we met for Vietnamese food at V-Nam in North Vancouver. Megan tried pork for the first time in years (in preparation for eating village food) and we  are still working on Mia, our resident vegetarian, to try meat before our trip begins in August. Some ordered and tried new dishes, while others (like myself!) went with their old favourites.

Getting to sit in and help with the new team it is incredible... It's amazing to see all that they have accomplished, and how they are using their strengths and working together as a cohesive unit. There is no doubt in my mind about the numerous success and educational experience they will bring to the village of Lao Chai.

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Vietnamese? Yes Please!

Today, Kyle, Mia and I (Megan!) decided to expand our culinary horizons and try out some Vietnamese food together! We visited V Nam in North Vancouver. After much deliberation over the menu, the food arrived, piping hot and ready to eat.

Kyle, about to dig in!

Kyle, despite his love of chicken, opted to try something the waitress recommended to him. He ended up getting a beef dish, called Pho Tai Bo Vien. This dish looked so good, I am definitely going to have to try it when I get to Vietnam, if not sooner!

Mia is ready to chow down!

Mia is a vegetarian, and had the vegetable stir fry with vermicelli. Before we head over to Vietnam, we are going to try to get her to eat meat, because it is such a staple food in Vietnam. Mia and I won’t be heading over until August, so for now she gets a pass with the veggie dish.

Here's hoping I don't have food stuck in my teeth while I pose with my delicious food.

I had the Chicken Chow Mein, which was delicious. The sauce had just enough kick to it and the vegetables tasted so fresh. The noodles were rich and flavourful. I realized that I may need some more practice using chopsticks after Kyle and Mia finished eating much faster than I did.

Over lunch, we talked about places we are hoping to travel and what we want to do with ourselves once we've finished school. It was such a pleasure getting to know the people that I am going to be working on this amazing project with. I think our personalities complement each other really well and I can’t wait until our next meeting.

Near the end of our meal, Chris stopped by! We further discussed some of the exciting initiatives that we are going to be putting forth soon to get the project as much exposure as possible. I have a feeling that this won't be the only time we go out for Vietnamese food together. The only thing that will make our future lunch dates better is the lovely Marina joining us! 

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CBT Vietnam Project welcomes another new group of students

A year ago I sat in a classroom with 25 other students hoping that I would somehow give the best possible impression, make the cut for an invitation into the individual interview and eventually be asked to be a part of the CBT Vietnam Project. The group interview is one of the most daunting parts of the application process. You go in with little understanding of what is going to go on and have to work with 20+ people of varying personalities, strengths and weaknesses. I was lucky enough that to go through the entire process and was selected to onto the team to travel to Vietnam in May 2014.

This year was different. Invited to sit in the classroom and watch a new group of 20 students try out for the project brought back a moment of reflection. I knew what they are going through and what they were thinking while being explained the process. The format of the group interview is innovative and full of surprises. While the applicants have no idea what is going on, there really is a method to the madness.

So now, nearly a full year later a new group of four has been selected. They get to be welcomed into one of the best families within Capilano University. A group on individuals who are former and current teachers, past and current students and many more who have had put in their time, energy and creativity into the award winning project. They will have a support network that spans the globe with members located in every corner who are all ready to offer support.

To the newest members of the CBT Vietnam Project: welcome! Welcome to newest chapter of your life.  

To meet past and current project volunteer go check out our Team Page.

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One day to go!

With final exams finished and ONLY one day till departure, there is a buzz amongst all us girls. Whether it is constant stress about what to pack, or figuring out which insurance to get, we are down to the wire and couldn’t be more excited!

For the past few months, we’ve had weekly meetings in preparation for this upcoming CBT Vietnam trip. We have been emailing back and forth with connections in Vietnam and are eager to finally meet everyone. Like all the trips before us, we hope to build strong relationships and bring back memories that will last a lifetime.

But am I getting ahead of myself? We haven’t even left yet! Right now, I need to focus on making sure I don’t forget anything and mentally preparing myself that I will be flying to Vietnam in one day! 

See you soon Vietnam.

Be sure to follow us and our adventures on Facebook. 

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One week to go!!

Wow! After weeks of preparation and hard work, the team is now one week away from departure. We have spent the summer meeting weekly, sharing meals and laughter, planning our itinerary and putting together some exciting new ideas. We are now in the final stages, assembling our packing lists and brushing up on some Vietnamese phrases. Personally, this will be my first trip to Asia and I have never been more excited! I am thrilled to not only be part of an amazing and cohesive team, working on an inspiring project, but also to be travelling to a beautiful and interesting part of the world. 

One of the new ideas we have for the project is the creation of an environmental youth group in the Sapa region. This idea fits in well with the project's aims to reduce impacts in an environmentally  sensitive area and builds on the rich human capital found in the villages. Together with Sapa O'Chau, we will be facilitating meetings for passionate young people to learn more about how to maintain the natural environment in the region, particularly as this is one of the most noted features for many visitors. Sapa O'Chau aims to create a positive space for local H'mong to gain English language skills, particularly so that they can participate in the growing tourism industry as trekking and tour guides. Successful environmental stewardship is a long (and often winding) road but we know that we will be working with enough dedicated individuals to bring about some powerful change in the region. 

We look forward to sharing more about our adventure and we hope you'll check back regularly over the next few weeks. The team will be posting photos and updates to our blog and social media channels, so stay tuned and be sure to share with your friends!

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One Month Countdown!

One month countdown before the CBT Vietnam Team from Cap U board the plane to Vietnam! 

When the Capilano University team met last week our arms were just recovering from the visit to the travel clinic. Now with the shots out of the way and the rest of the necessary preparations from our checklists nearly completed we went full speed ahead with completing the itinerary.

The itinerary is packed full of things including; gathering supplies in Hanoi with the help from Hanoi Open University student volunteers and funding from PATA, riding a motorcycle to Tavan with a stop in Lao Chai, continuing with the CBT Vietnam project planning and building strong relationships with the Black H'mong communities in Lao Chai, taking the night train to Sapa where we will spend the week before we host the ladies of Ta Phin back on the night train to meet with tour operators in Hanoi. We also have an exciting pottery crafting experience planned in Ba Trang village, for these amazing women, that will ensure they return to their own village inspired with a special self made souvenir in hand.

Let us not forget that we have planned many meetings including community meetings and meetings with the Sapa Government, tour operators, teachers, and follow up meetings with the homestay owners and village CBT Management Board Members.

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Correspondence from another Continent

I just love how this project connects people from all over the world! 

A few weeks ago I made a new Facebook friend named Ashley (Thuy Anh Pham). Not only does she live in Hanoi and is interested in volunteering with the CBT Vietnam project but she is a student at Vietnam National University Hanoi majoring in English. Although we have never met, we are both very excited about our new friendship and all the great things the PATA funded CBT Vietnam project is doing. 

We plan to meet each other for the first time this August, when I travel to Vietnam as one of the Capilano University student volunteers continuing the ongoing work of the CBT project. Ashley is excited to help me learn about her culture and recently told me about the Tet holiday which marks the Lunar New Year that they are celebrating right now! This festival is about purity and renewal and the celebrations can be compared to our Western Thanksgiving, New Year's Day and Easter all in one Vietnamese New Year.

This new friendship has really got me thinking about how social media connects people from all over the world. I am really looking forward to learning more about the Vietnamese culture from Ashley.

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CBT Vietnam girls' night out. Getting to know each other.

With our first official meeting coming up, I was the only one who didn't know any of the newly selected CBT Vietnam project volunteers. I am taking the Destination Resort Management Program at the Squamish campus and the other five were from the North Vancouver campus.  All I knew is that we had all been selected to represent Capilano University and the PATA Foundation on this amazing adventure as change makers.
 
I wanted to get to know my team, so the night before our first official Thursday morning meeting, I asked if anyone wanted to get together in Vancouver for a casual meet-up. Only Cat Lapointe and Rachael Dolina were available. The others, Nic, Maggie and Caitlin were unfortunately busy.

Girls' night out it was!'

Cat and I were onto our second drink by the time Rachael joined us and ordered a root beer. Rachael started us off telling us all about her life's adventures and her decision to dive into the Outdoor Recreation Managment Diploma Capilano University with no experience in the field - one that would change her life forever.

Cat's life story was also facinating and was told over a huge plate of nachos. When I think about the more recent events of Cat's life I would say that she is a professional student. Before Cat committed to the Bachelor of Tourism Management degree program she had been studying fashion design, and before that she studied sciences. In her current position, Cat manages to utilize all of her education in  as a Travel Designer. My life story was told while we were waiting for desert, a delicious chocolate mud pie, shown in the picture below.
                 

Rachael (left), Kristine - me (centre) and Cat (right)

After sharing a huge plate of nachos and desert we agreed to call it a night as we all had to get up early for our first CBT Vietnam meeting the next morning. Before we parted, Rachael asked Cat and I for some advice on a personal decision she had been struggling with. With our advice to each other you could tell that we had truly bonded!

I enjoyed our girls' night out and now I am even more excited about the CBT Vietnam project knowing that I will be working along side some amazing people like Cat and Rachael!

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A New Chapter

Today was the information session for potential volunteers looking to be the next star of the CBT Vietnam project. For me, this meeting was reflective, as it was an opportunity to see how the project has evolved since it’s inception. 

This time, two years ago, I sat eagerly through the same presentation, hoping to be one of the ‘chosen ones'.  The process was competitive and I will never forget the moment when I found out I was selected — I was overwhelmed with anticipation, and as I look back, I realize, I had no idea how life changing the experience would be.  Even today, it is hard to conceptualize how privileged I am to have been involved with such an incredible undertaking. 

It is incredibly remarkable to see the progress that has been made in the last few years. When we were brought on board, our web presence was minimal. Now we have a Twitter, Facebook, website, updated blog and almost three documentaries! Not only has our e-communications evolved, but so has the content of our training trips. 

In 2011, the majority of our time was spent working with street sellers developing their English and event management skills. The recent trip was dedicated to much more holistic endeavours, as the team escorted some of the Red Dao women to Hanoi, to meet and build relationships with tour operators. Now as the project continues to move forward, relationship building will continue to be a focus, and there will even be expansion into new villages.  

I am thoroughly excited for those students who are chosen to be part of the training trips set for Spring and Fall 2013. Some new energies and expertise will continue to propel this project forward and produce even greater results. To the applicants: Best of luck through the application process and get ready for the most educational, enriching and enthralling  experience of your lives! 

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