Departing for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

At 16:35 on October 2, 2023, we took off from Haneda Airport and entered the Socialist Republic of Vietnam after a 6-hour flight. Approximately 10 days have passed since that day.
I’ve been living in Tokyo for about 7 years, and it’s a little emotional to think that I won’t be coming back for a while, but my journey to make the world KIREI has begun.
I don’t speak Vietnamese, and I’ve never been to Vietnam. That’s why I chose such a country as the first country on my KIREI trip, but looking back, I realized that perhaps the reason I came to Vietnam was because of the connections I had in my life.

Vietnam’s red represents the blood shed during the revolution, and the yellow star represents the unity of the five classes.

Unlike Japan, Vietnam is a country that has been invaded and dominated by other countries until recently, and has been involved in many wars. In particular, it was ruled by China and France for a long time, and their influence can still be seen in the townscape and language.
When I walk through the streets of Vietnam and see signs commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with France, or when I see that French bread is usually used for banh mi, it makes me think about something.

In Vietnam, which is called the Paris of the East, the letters PARIS can be found everywhere.

I came to Hanoi, Vietnam. Yes, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam.
In Japan, it is Tokyo, but Ho Chi Minh City is more like Tokyo in terms of population and economic city.
It’s difficult to describe, but the townscape has a very historical feel, and it has the atmosphere of an ancient capital, giving it a Kyoto-like feel. I had heard in advance that many people in Hanoi are dry and that women are stronger than men, but what is the reality?
I think they are warmer and kinder than Japanese people. I get the impression that there are more women than men who work in an office or have an active personality.
In addition, Vietnam is putting a lot of effort into developing IT human resources, and I get the impression that the country is more advanced than Japan in terms of the speed with which electronic invoices are introduced and the development of apps.
There is no resistance to IT, and I feel that the power of young people will change this country.
On the other hand, when I walk down the street, I see many people selling fruit and steamed rice by weight, and I can only describe the combination of future-oriented IT people and primitive primary industries as being very strange.

Vietnamese people sell items by weight in front of various buildings such as markets, department stores, and train stations.

Also, unlike Japan, Hanoi has buildings that give off a European-like atmosphere, but once you step inside, you will find alleys that are a symbol of Hanoi’s culture.
The city center of Hanoi has many shops and touts aimed at tourists, and it feels like a made-up Vietnam, but when you enter the alleys, you can see the original way of life of Vietnamese people.
This alley can be said to be one of the symbols of Vietnam and Hanoi.
The alleys are filled with trees that are not found in Japan, iron fences with sharp points similar to those seen in European architecture, buildings built on stone foundations, and vertically extending stairs.
A very different landscape will appear.

Step into the alley. I don’t know where the stairs are, but they lead up to the 5th floor.

Furthermore, when it comes to the symbol of Vietnam, we must not forget the motorbike. When I see people sleeping on motorbikes during the day, I can’t help but think of Vietnam. (Vietnam also has a culture of napping. In Vietnamese junior high schools, students often go home to sleep during the lunch hour.)
It is common for two people to ride on a motorcycle, and it is actually illegal to ride a motorcycle with four people, including family and friends. I’ll see you. Many tourists seem to have a hard time crossing the intersection with all the motorbikes flying around.
By the way, I got used to her personality within a day.

A bike that can accommodate two people. It’s not well maintained, but it’s tasteful and cool.

By the way, what is the difference between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh? I think it’s “green”. Hanoi is very green, and you can see a lot of greenery just by walking around.
Vietnamese trees have longer beards than Japanese trees. It appears that while Hanoi is growing as an economic and political city, the government is taking measures to preserve its natural and historical features, and it looks like this lush green environment will continue into the future.

The trees, the buildings, the people who move around in sandals, the feeling of Hanoi that you don’t see in Japan.

I entered Vietnam and decided to make KIREI the capital, Hanoi, first. We are currently in the process of preparing for this, but by making the city more KIREI while preserving the history and culture that Vietnam has built so well, we will realize how important and valuable KIREI is.
Unlike the past history of invasions, I believe that making KIREI ourselves and further shaping our culture with our own hands will lead to enriching lives, so I am spreading KIREI around the world. I think so.

The bookstore near my office is designed in a way that reminds me of old Japan.

Vietnam’s population continues to grow despite its limited land area. Therefore, houses in Hanoi are stacked vertically.