Paris

Like the rest of the world, we have been watching and reading about the terrorist attacks in Paris yesterday.  Even though we're in Hanoi, the internet (especially the New York Times) allows us to be connected to the rest of the world and keep up with what's happening in France.  We also read the English-language daily "Vietnam News" where we learned the Vietnamese government has joined many others worldwide in condemning the attack (read here).

When you live abroad and here of an attack like this, you can't help but imagine it happening where you're living.  What would a coordinated terrorist attack look like in Hanoi?  A bomb in the crowded Old Quater or the Landmark 72 tower?  A shooting and hostage-taking at the Hanoi Opera House?  Fortunately we feel safe here.  I've commented before about the police and the security forces here and the no-gun policy, and on mornings like this we are thankful for them.  But the news is still even more unsettling when we're in the middle of a large city and not sitting in rural Ohio.

Having said that, I firmly believe that the more we get to know people outside the United States, especially people from very different cultures than ours, the better off we'll be.  The Vietnamese people have a very different way of looking at some things, and I think -- I hope -- I'll bring some of that insight back to the United States.  And I also want the Vietnamese to get to know me as an American who is not the stereotypical fat, rich, ignorant of global affairs guy who wants to take over the world with our military industrial complex.  Ahem.

Like the rest of the world, we have been watching and reading about the terrorist attacks in Paris yesterday.  Even though we're in Hanoi, the internet (especially the New York Times) allows us to be connected to the rest of the world and keep up with what's happening in France.  We also read the English-language daily "Vietnam News" where we learned the Vietnamese government has joined many others worldwide in condemning the attack (read here).

When you live abroad and here of an attack like this, you can't help but imagine it happening where you're living.  What would a coordinated terrorist attack look like in Hanoi?  A bomb in the crowded Old Quater or the Landmark 72 tower?  A shooting and hostage-taking at the Hanoi Opera House?  Fortunately we feel safe here.  I've commented before about the police and the security forces here and the no-gun policy, and on mornings like this we are thankful for them.  But the news is still even more unsettling when we're in the middle of a large city and not sitting in rural Ohio.

I did read a good post from Rick Steves, celebrated writer on European travel, about the attacks in France yesterday.  I've copied it below.

Keep on traveling.

Rick Steves

6 hrs · 

After Friday's horrifying events in Paris, as we keep the victims and their families in our prayers and marvel at how violent hatred can express itself, it’s natural for those of us with travels coming up to wonder what is the correct response. Let me share my thoughts:

I have two fundamental concerns: what is safe, and what is the appropriate response to terrorism.

About safety, I believe this is an isolated incident. Tomorrow Paris will be no more dangerous than it was the day before that terrible Friday the 13th. I also believe that security in Paris and throughout Europe will be heightened in response to this attack. Remember: There's an important difference between fear and risk.

About the right response to terrorism, I believe we owe it to the victims of this act not to let the terrorist win by being terrorized. That’s exactly the response they are hoping for. Sure, it’s natural for our emotions to get the best of us. But, especially given the impact of sensational media coverage, we need to respond intelligently and rationally.

In 2004, Madrid suffered a terrorist bombing in its Metro, which killed 191 and injured 1,800. In 2005, London suffered a similar terrorist bombing in its Tube system, killing 52 and injuring 700. These societies tightened their security, got the bad guys, and carried on. Paris will, too.

I'm sure that many Americans will cancel their trips to Paris (a city of 2 million people) or the rest of Europe (a continent of 500 million people), because of an event that killed about 150. As a result, ironically, they’ll be staying home in a country of 320 million people that loses over 30,000 people a year (close to 100 people a day) to gun violence.

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Paris, the victims, and their loved ones. And it remains my firmly held belief that the best way for Americans to fight terrorism is to keep on traveling.