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Siliconvalley.com recently published an interesting article discussing about Vietnamese returnees playing an important role in bringing the high-tech culture to Vietnam. This is particularly happening in Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise known as “Little San Jose” (Referring to the area in California which Silicon Valley is). Longtime Vietnamese Silicon Valley residents are heading back to their motherland due to the business potentials and economic opportunities available. According to the article, it happens quite often when former Silicon Valley residents bump into each along the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and in places like Highlands Coffee (the Starbucks of Vietnam).

” ‘Everywhere I go, I see someone from the valley,’ Henry Liem, a lawyer and instructor at San Jose City College, said while sitting at the upscale Mojo cafe.”

image credit: www.siliconvalley.com

Some of these Vietnamese returnees are the same children of parents who fled from Vietnam in 1975 on board U.S. military helicopters. Vietnam over the years has taken a ‘pro-business path’ similar to it’s neighbor, China. Because of that, the economic opportunities are great, and many Viet Kieu, the term used by locals for Vietnamese who lived overseas and have returned (Is there a Vietnamese reader here? I’m not exactly sure, lol), are launching high-tech startups or heading up companies. Estimates report that they’re pumping billions of dollars into the country!

The article brings up several points, such as more Western amenities/luxuries, more personal freedoms, being careful about opposing the government (aka, stay out of politics!), hardships of being in a poor country, etc., but one thing that was mentioned which found particularly ironic and interesting: Older generations must be thinking, “We left the country so you could have a better life. Now you are going back?”. Sorry, but I can’t help but laugh!

image credit: www.siliconvalley.com

An interesting read, give it a look here:

“You left a traitor, but you come back as a patriot.”

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