Today was to be dedicated to visiting the Viet Phat factory. Viet Phat is the supplier of most of Tim's imported lacquered bamboo. At the factory we would be able to observe the way the bamboo is finished.
A
car and driver, arranged by Viet Phat, picked us up at 0800. We drove about half an hour north through the city. On the way, I took many photos of traffic situations, shops and housing. The transition from inner city to the more rural outskirts is amazing.
The Viet Phat factory consisted of three different finishing shops. Each building had its own production goals. The workers sat on the floors and did everything from sanding to applying mud and lacquer finishing touches. The only automated chore was performed by two young men who used automobile buffers and wax to bring a high shine to black lacquered vases.
The working conditions were primitive, but the workers were very social among themselves. Each worker would happily pose for me as I snapped their picture. After I took a picture, I thanked them. It was surprising to receive thanks in return.
Tim didn't buy any product from Viet Phat while on this trip. It was his business mission to view as many wares as he could, and to explain to them the standards he was looking for. The factory manager took many notes. The factory team was very interested in hearing Tim's thoughts.
The tour was finished after we visited Viet Phat's business office and showroom. Upon arriving at the office we were first seated and refreshed with glasses of water. Duong and I learned that Viet Phat received their entire bamboo product from a company located in Bamboo Village. Viet Phat only added lacquer finishes to the goods.
The driver then returned us to the hotel. It was decided to have a quick lunch at Little Hanoi, by now a familiar spot. I wanted something a little on the Yankee side of the menu. I chose the bacon, cheese and tomato sandwich, with French fries. This meal filled me up, just right.
Duong had afternoon classes, so we agreed to meet this afternoon at the hotel at five thirty for a visit before dinner. At six forty five Tim and I became concerned where Duong may be. Naturally, I had images of her having some traffic trouble on her motor bike. She finally arrived. Her brother, who had recently been in an accident, needed some medical attention.
We were to meet with an Australian couple, Tim and Duong knew, for dinner at seven o'clock. Visiting would wait. We hailed a taxi and hurried to the restaurant for dinner. It took us about ten minutes to search the very popular eating spot before Carl and Susan were located. The retired couple lived in Hanoi three months out of the year. The rest of the time they lived at their farm in Brisbane. Carl and Susan had brought along a guest. Her name is Chung. Chung, like Duong, is a local native who also teaches English.
For dinner I ordered chicken choa (chow). This is a rice based soup with bits of chicken. A round of spring rolls was shared by all. My first spoon of the chicken meat tasted very rubbery. I suspected something was wrong. I used my chopsticks to remove the meat. I learned later from Carl that the people of Southeast Asia favor the bird's connecting tissue. It is considered a prized part of the chicken. Carl said that when you were given connecting tissue, you were considered an honored guest.
Had I known I was going to be such an honored guest, I would have ordered a simple rice or noodle bowl. The tissue I almost ate turned out to be the stomach, complete with the former owner's last meal.
Carl, Susan and Chung invited us to an acquaintance's new bar club for after-dinner beer. The bar owner had not yet been able to get a license for selling liquor. So, he operated the place as a club. As a club, the owner can ask for a cover charge to enter and enjoy the ambiance. Now that you have paid a cover charge, you drink down that volume of beer, in exchange for the fee. I guess this must be OK with the State party?
Duong had received a call from her brother. So she couldn't go to the club. Tim and I decided we would see her back to the hotel, where she had parked her bike. We said our goodbyes at the restaurant and taxied home. Tim and I were both in bed by nine o'clock. That was good.
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