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2. Yes we agree with this list because Andrew represents his normal needs, but he is wanting to reach his growth needs and reach self-actualisation and transcendence. He is more prioritizing his growth needs now but the list does make sense in a general consensus.

6.This chart relates to our book in the sense that it represents everything Andrew needs as he embarks on his self improvement journey. He begins by taking care of himself through his bike and continues to go on a psychological journey to transcend his hardships and grow as a person.

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3. A person could move up the pyramid through their thoughts and actions. By taking the initiative to change do what is necessary for a person, we can see growth in an individual. Taking the chance to make a difference in your own life through the practice and use of individual thought and moving forward while learning about life, an individual can learn lessons that allow them to be a better person. In the same way, life has a tendency to knock you down but the approach you take determines whether you are knocked down the ladder or are able to move up.

6. This chart currently relates to the book as a Andrew learns to meet his esteem needs and cognitive needs. He continues to grow as a person and creates himself a situation where he goes back to face the weakest parts of himself in order to take a new step forward. Facing his past in Vietnam and open up about his wrongs while reflecting on his actions makes the best of the situation for himself.

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1. I would ask "How did this journey cement yourself in your life?" What I mean by that is did you feel fulfillment and cement yourself in your life and figure out who you are and what you wanted to be.
2.I would ask why he chose to take the re-tracing approach. "why did you go back and relive those specific parts of your life, what closure did you expect to find" because i would want to know about his motives and how these things affected him
3. I would also ask about his regrets and his desires moving forward, "do you have regrets in your journey that you would go back and act upon differently?" do you think that it's better to move forward or go back to your past? I want to know about why he chose to do the things that he did and if he thinks it was really worth.
4. Another question I would ask would be about his family. "Who did you feel you were closest to in your family and why?" His family had a hard time being close because of Chi and their dad, but I want to know who he truly felt closest to despite all the problems.

5. The last question I would ask would be about Chi. "If Chi were to still be alive today, would you have gone on this journey?" He went on this journey for Chi and himself, but I just wonder because he did want to come in terms with his sister's death, but if Chi were still alive, what would truly happen?

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Week 1 3/13: Chapter 8
Week 2 3/22: Chapter 16
Week 3 3/27: Chapter 24
Week 4 4/3: Chapter 32
Week 5 4/17: Finish book

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1. The main conflict of the book is person vs. self. Our main character, Andrew, is having problems with himself and trying to be comfortable and come to terms with his sister's death. Being able to come to terms with his past as well is a huge factor in this book as well because he went through a difficult past.
2. This conflict although directly embodying the story of our main character can be seen as a lesson to be learned about embracing your path. Being able to look into the experience of another as he learns to come to terms with a past experience which weighed him down allows us to gain perspective for the meaning of our

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5. I think that you don't need every deficiency needs to have growth needs, but you definitely need physiological needs. I think after you have that, you could honestly skip and reach growth needs, such as cognitive and aesthetic needs, and then go back and get safety, and the other deficiency needs. The saying "work on yourself first" can be applied here, you can work on growth needs first before going to belonging and love needs.
6. This chart can relate to the book right now because as he is preparing for his journey, he is preparing himself for at least up to his belonging and love needs. Soon throughout the journey, he will try to reach esteem needs and then after growth needs and all the levels on that. But right now, he is only at the beginning of the pyramids.

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1. Yes, one value does appear higher than others. This entire story right now is him trying to reach the growth needs and mainly reach the top, self actualization and transcendence. I don't think everyone should prioritize it though because this story is mainly for Andrew and he is prioritizing it, but not everyone should prioritize growth needs over deficiency needs.
6. This chart relates to the book right now because even though he is traveling around Vietnam on bike, he is still keeping up with his deficiency needs, but wanting to reach his growth needs. So, the chart shows what he is striving for.

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Official author's website andrewxpham.com. Author's bio, books, reviews, essays, and blog. Social media links and contact information.

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Vietnam is insanely important not only to the book, but to the author, and to me as well. As he explores Vietnam he realizes many things, that their living conditions are poor and he wishes he can help. In Chapter 15 a woman and her daughter ask for money, Andrew is about to give but his aunt says not to. Personally going to Vietnam, it hurts to see how many Vietnamese people are living in poverty and I wish I could help but I relate to Andrew as well.

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InterNations Worldwide at a Glance

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Life in Vietnam

Expat neighborhoods are the best option if you bring your family with you.

Healthcare is undergoing reforms, but the best option is to be treated in major cities.

Education is very important in Vietnamese culture, and expats can find good education options.

Life in Vietnam is rife with elements of different cultures. Especially in Hanoi, traces of French architecture are still prevalent over half a century after the country won its independence from the colonial empire. Chinese influence on civilization, government, and other aspects of life in Vietnam can also be seen.

Expats living in Vietnam can experience an ancient culture, which is considered to be the oldest in East Asia. Centuries after the first Chinese invasion, you can still find the remains of the historic achievements of Vietnam's golden era, in both the scenic, rural countryside and the big cities like Ho Chi Minh; or rather Saigon as it was known in the past and still is today by a large portion of the Vietnamese.

Vietnam's Population: Homogeneous and Not Religious

Vietnam has a population of about 94,349,000 people, 33.6% of them are living in Vietnam's urban spaces. Vietnam's biggest cities are Ho Chi Minh City (7.298 million) and Hanoi (3.629 million). However, Haiphong and Da Nang are also attractive locations, with urban populations of 1.075 million and 952,000 respectively.

The biggest ethnic group in Vietnam is the Kinh, making up a large majority of the population. In terms of religious affiliation, most people living in Vietnam claim none, although a mixture of Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism remains important. Of those who do claim religious orthodoxy, 9.3% are observing Buddhists, while an even smaller part is Catholic. The latter is a remnant of the French occupation, which brought Catholicism to those living in Vietnam.

Housing in Vietnam: Overcrowded Cities Means Expensive Rent, or a Long Commute

Housing can be a tricky topic if you plan to move to a city. Urban spaces like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are often overcrowded, and the cost of rent can be rather high. The first step is to decide on the neighborhood you prefer.

Many expats work in industrial or business districts. These, however, often lack decent residential areas or are too crowded for expats living in Vietnam. For this reason, many expatriates choose to settle in the suburbs or residential districts, facing long commutes to work.

Here you can find a short list of websites that could help you find your accommodation:

Until 2015, foreigners did not have the right to buy a property in Vietnam. From now on, foreigners can buy a property if they fulfill one simple requirement: they must enter Vietnam legally, with a valid three-month visa.

Expat Neighborhoods: Perfect for Your Family

Expats on the real estate hunt also have to make another choice: some prefer the high living standard typical in expat neighborhoods, while others would rather fully immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture.

For example, district 2 and district 7 in Ho Chi Minh City are full of expats working and living in Vietnam. Both offer peaceful developments with large houses and access to green spaces, the latter of which is rare in urban centers. Although these districts will not give you the typical Vietnamese living experience, international schools and nurseries are right around the corner. Thus, if you are planning on living in Vietnam with your family, these areas, far from the chaos of the city center, may be the right choice. But be aware that the prices have recently been soaring. A flat in these districts can be rented for as much as 2500 USD a month.

Types of Accommodation

As an expatriate living in Vietnam, you can choose between multiple different types of accommodation:

Serviced apartments are a good choice if you are planning to stay for only a couple of months. They are usually located in high-rise buildings or hotels and come fully equipped with furniture, a reception, a gym, and restaurants. Services like housekeeping are also included in the rent.

Regular apartments give you more independence and flexibility aside from leaving more money in your wallet. Renting an average apartment, of course, also means that you will have to organize many details yourself, such as having utilities connected and dealing with your landlord.

Houses can be rented as well, with and without furniture. This is probably the best option for you, if you will be living in Vietnam with your family and need space. Unfortunately, finding a house to rent may be difficult in some densely populated areas.

Renting a room is, naturally, the easiest and cheapest option. This makes sense if your income is relatively small but you don't want to move too far out of town. Rooms often come with a bathroom and shared kitchen. They can be rented furnished or unfurnished.

Healthcare in Vietnam

Vietnam is currently working to develop a universal healthcare system, which will cover all residents and provide them with basic healthcare. For that purpose, Vietnam works closely with Thailand's government to model its universal healthcare after their example. There were several reforms implemented during the spring of 2014.

Firstly, there was a reform to increase the physicians' pay. There was also a reform to strengthen the domestic generic drug sector, and finally a 5-year transition plan for hospitals, expected to end in 2016.In May 2014 the World Bank approved a 106 million USD credit to help improve the quality of the healthcare system in Vietnam. However, the Vietnamese government still only invests a small percentage of its GDP in healthcare It is, however, worth noting that between 2014 and 2015, 2.7 million people acquired health insurance coverage, thanks to efforts from the government. As of July 2015, 71.4% of the population was covered, and the goal is to achieve 80% coverage by 2020. Even though the situation is getting better, as an expatriate, your best bet is probably to take out private health insurance to cover your healthcare costs throughout your stay.

Quality of Medical Care: Good in Cities, Improving in Rural Areas

Vietnam has made excellent progress since the 1990s and is today generally providing good quality healthcare. The average life expectancy in Vietnam is 73 and the child mortality rate has decreased significantly. Still, the improvement of the current healthcare service is an important part of the reforms previously mentioned.

Reforms are especially necessary in rural areas of Vietnam. Expats moving to areas removed from an urban center will soon notice that sufficient medical care is often not readily available in smaller towns and villages. Local hospitals and doctor's practices are often not up to modern standards.

Doctors and Hospitals for the International Community

You will not have too much of a hard time finding a doctor or a hospital if you live in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or any other big city in Vietnam. Doctors usually work in hospitals or joint practices. For instance, the Family Medical Practice in Hanoi has several doctors who are used to dealing with the needs of Vietnam's international community.

In Hanoi alone, there are several large hospitals that are very well equipped to deal with expatriates and their needs. Among them are two dental clinics and a branch of the International SOS Clinic. The latter employs both Vietnamese and expatriate staff. The languages spoken include Chinese, Russian, English, French, Korean, and Spanish, among others.

Common Diseases and Health Threats: Beware of Infectious Diseases

While life in Vietnam is generally safe, there are various widespread infectious diseases and health threats. Hepatitis A and B are a big problem, especially in the countryside, where hygiene standards may not always be on par with those in the cities. Typhoid fever, dengue fever, and malaria are also still extremely common. You should also be aware of the Zika virus, chickenpox outbreaks, and even rabies in rural areas. There are also cases of acute watery diarrhea and cholera. Make sure to talk to your doctor and get the necessary vaccinations, so you can enjoy your new life in Vietnam with few worries.

Many Vietnamese people also have to deal with the effects of the biological warfare waged during the Vietnam War. The biological weapon Agent Orange was widely used and did not only ravage much of the country's agriculture, but it also corrupted the landscape, thus impacting the food chain and ultimately the human body. Today, it still leads to miscarriages and to children being born with physical disabilities.

Education in Vietnam

Education: Of Great Importance for Vietnamese Families

There are five stages in Vietnam's education system:

pre-primary

primary

intermediate

secondary

higher education

In Vietnam, children enjoy twelve years of basic education on a half-day basis before they move on to college, university, or begin work.

Education plays a major role in Vietnamese life. Not only is the devotion to study one of society's core values, but education is also recognized as a chance of advancement. There is a huge demand for education in Vietnam, and the public school system cannot always satisfy this demand. In general, families invest a lot of time and money to send their children to a good school to try and ensure they will have a bright future. Recently, the wealthier families of Vietnam have been sending their children overseas because they were disappointed by the standards of public universities in the country.

Quality of Education: Varied, but Reforms Are Improving It

Just like the healthcare sector, the education sector is benefitting from deep reforms initiated by the government. This is specifically the case for universities, which do not always meet international standards and are thus often incapable of offering a well-rounded education.

Outdated teaching methods are one of the main issues plaguing the Vietnamese education system. Teachers often focus more on discipline in the classroom than on lively discussions and interaction. Censorship and interference from the government are prevalent and can create a stifling teaching environment. Many Vietnamese children eventually graduate successfully. However, graduates who begin to work for international companies may need to be retrained.

The necessity for reform is recognized by government officials and in late 2013 the country's leadership passed a resolution to overhaul the sector. The ambitious approach the government takes to education has so far been successful when it comes to school standards. In fact, Vietnam's performance during the 2015 international Pisa tests was an impressive achievement; they achieved better scores than most other OECD countries, including Western countries.

However, it is important to note that the Vietnamese education system is finding international investment, and local investment too since more than 21% of government spending goes to education. Alongside their investment in healthcare, the World Bank also issued 150 million USD in two credits to improve the higher education system and to raise school readiness for five year olds.

Quality of Teaching: Underfunding Can Affect It

As mentioned above, the teaching quality in the classroom depends largely on the individual teacher. If you send your children to a Vietnamese school, they will be expected to remain passively attentive and studious. For children who are used to the teaching methods that are common in Western countries, this may come as a bit of a shock. After all, they may have become accustomed to lively interaction in the classroom.

Public schools are often underfunded and thus cannot offer all the subjects they should or would want to teach. For this reason, private language centers are in high demand. They offer English as a second language to students of all ages who would like to improve their professional opportunities. Expats are often hired to teach these classes. Unfortunately, not every expat is qualified to teach and more often than not, these language courses severely lack in quality.

Common Sense Is Enough to Stay Safe

In general, Vietnam is a safe country. Violent crimes and terrorist threats are rather rare. However, foreigners are often the victim of pick pocketing and other petty crimes. In bigger cities where tourists like to gather, thieves on motorcycles snatch purses, bags, and cameras from pedestrians and cyclo (pedicab) passengers.

When using public transportation, it is important that you only use cyclos that are associated with hotels or restaurants. That way, you will decrease the chances of falling victim to robbery or kidnapping. Airport taxis (noi bai taxi) or official vehicles provided by your hotel are generally safe. In Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the international rule of staying in any foreign city applies: be cautious and use your common sense.

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Alain Nguyen
The business contacts I made through InterNations, especially with other expats in Vietnam, proved to be invaluable.

Sneha Gupta
Absolutely recommendable: Not only did we find the best places to go out in HCMC, but also great people and expats to meet up with.

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Living in Vietnam: What You Need to Know Before You Move

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The world's largest expat community If you're wondering how to navigate the challenges of life abroad, you're not alone. Join InterNations and connect with a community of like-minded expats in Vietnam! You'll find many ways to network, socialize, and make new international friends. Don't miss a variety of welcoming online and in-person events.