Life Without Facebook?! Culture Shock In Vietnam
Love it or hate it, Facebook is a part of our lives—especially mine, more than ever. Except I never realized how much a part of my life it was until I was blocked by the Vietnam government! Throughout my travels whenever I find myself arriving in a new place, one of the first things I do is check email, then Facebook, then sometimes a news Web site or some other Web resource to help me better absorb the new place I have arrived.
Shortly after arriving in Hanoi, I found that I couldn't get onto Facebook, but chalked it up to an issue with my iPad. I went to bed and thinking I'd be able to sign-on in the morning, but still no luck. Yes, I realized I was in a communist country and Facebook could be used as a primary means to share anti-government sentiments. However, I took my civil liberties for granted and had a "wow moment"... Facebook is blocked here!
I was panic stricken, as Facebook is my primary means of communications with other travelers, especially the ones I was supposed to be meeting up with that day. But I had no other means of getting a hold of them. We didn't swap emails, phone numbers, etc. because we parted Laos with "I'll send you a message on Facebook."
I soon learned that there is software for computers and proxy Web sites that allow you to get around the firewall, but they work haphazardly and you're lucky if you can get on 50 percent of the time—or stay on long enough before you're locked out to send a message. Fortunately, the proxy Web site “hidemyass.com” helped with my immediate need until I found a more suitable means to stay on Facebook longer. But as I mentioned before it's luck of the draw to get on, and stay on.
You know how you feel when you forget your blackberry/iPhone at home? You feel naked and disconnected, right? Well, that was me, but worse and alone in a new country. I didn't have a Vietnam mobile number or access to Facebook. The popular social media website has become such an important part of my travels – more so than I even realized. It’s my primary means to not only stay in touch with fellow travelers, but also friends and family back home. It has even become a fairly reliable news source—it's how I found out Bin Laden had been shot!
After my experience with Facebook, I got curious and tried a few other social networking sites, just to see what was blocked and what wasn’t. Ironically Twitter is completely open and available! If there’s a site you’re curious about, leave it in the comments and I’d be happy to test it for you.
Despite this initial frustration, I have to say that Vietnam is truly an amazing country that is rich with culture, history, natural beauty and incredible people. I was greeted with a bit of a shock when I arrived, but I have found this experience to be one that reminds me not to take anything—even social networking—for granted. 