This one Time I Got Stuck in a Hole in Vietnam... Day 6 (Friday 5/25)

Our final day in Vietnam was more of a cultural experience , but we were able to gain a lot agriculturally as well.

I was brought back to my days in FFA Poultry Judging when we visited the Ba Huan egg processing plant.  The owner/vice president of the company began the visit with an introductory video, in the meeting room proudly displaying the 40 years of experience she has under her belt.  The plant was one of the first businesses in Vietnam to invest in poultry processing.

A worker candling the eggs

Ba Huan supplies 30% of its own products from an on location farm.  The other 70% come from 200 contracted farms.  The eggs processed in this facility come from chickens and ducks, which go through two separate processing lines.  The trend throughout the life of the company show a decrease demand for duck eggs.  This is ironic because duck eggs have more nutrition than chicken eggs.  Not only that, ducks eggs are cheaper because the company does not use commercial feed for the duck layers.

Daniel and I sporting our lab-coats and masks in the processing plant

After suiting up in order to be bio-secure, we got to see the eggs being washed, dried, candled (shining light through them to make sure they are flaw-free and infertile), and finally packaged.   The 400 million eggs that go through this operation per year often end up in Vietnamese supermarkets.

Like the aquaculture farmer the previous day, the owner of the processing facility has to deal with yield-killers such as disease.  In 2003 there was a Bird Flu outbreak in Vietnam.  Because of this, the government has be proactive since to prevent and treat diseases in poultry.  Another way the government supports this industry is through subsidies, which the government only has for ten total products.

From the processing facility we headed to the Cu Chi Tunnels.  Along the way we stopped by a rubber plantation.  We were able to see up close how just like we tap Maple trees in the U.S., rubber is harvested the same way.  It was very fitting that we were able to visit a plantation, because rubber is one of their highest exports.

When we made it to the Cu Chi Tunnels, we began with a tour.  On the tour we were able to see what life was like for the soldiers to live and fight in these small tunnels.  There were models of traps that soldiers set such as swinging spikes in doorways.  We also had the opportunity to crawl into an entrance way into the tunnels and go through parts of them.  In the demonstration entrance, the tour guide allowed us to crawl in.  Daniel and Mathias were able to crawl into the hole and get out just fine.  Me on the other hand...was not as lucky.  I was stuck!  Daniel and Adel pulled on my arms and I couldn't budge!  I guess my birthing hips are not good for hole crawling.  Luckily, Edward suggested that I repel off the back wall of the hole.  After I finally got everyone to turn around (including the Australian tourist who was taking pictures of the whole situation) I was able to get out of the hole, without losing my pants.  The entire group was later able to crawl through sections of the tunnel. Thankfully, no one else got stuck.  We finished up the tour by shooting targets with replica guns from the war.

Pre-stuck

Following our time at the Cu Chi Tunnels, we traveled to  a museum dedicated to the American-Vietnam War.  The experience was very humbling, and gave us a different perspective of the history and the aftermath.  From images of protests, prisons, and the affects of Agent Orange, we saw many things that would not be shown in America.

A girl drawing, despite her lack of arms due to Agent Orange

Our last night in Vietnam concluded with dinner on top of the Rex Hotel.  The Rex was the only hotel open in Ho Chi Minh City during the American-Vietnam War.  It was a popular place for American soldiers to hang out because it was too tall for the Vietnamese to throw grenades on top.  Many on our team treated themselves to American-like meals of hamburgers and french-fries.  We also took this time to thank Chein for his help during our time in Vietnam.

It was interesting how our agricultural experiences have given us so much insight on the culture of Southeast Asia.  Our visit to the egg processing facility showed us how not only do the younger generations rule the business world, but also women.  Adel explained to us that because so many men were killed during the war that women were left to shape their communities and industries.  We were very fortunate to see the Vietnamese perspective the the war.  Not only did our time in Vietnam helped us grow agriculturally, but we were able to expand our cultural horizons.

Keep tagging along to see what Malaysia has in store!