Monday, July 12, 2010
Today began with an early morning in Hanoi, the country's captivating capital. Many here rise early to exercise by Hoan Kiem Lake. We though are headed to Thang Long University for a seminar on Soy Protein Nutrition and Applications and Food Safety. Thang Long is the first private university in Vietnam, founded in 1988.
Our drive was enjoyable as we watched Hanoi wake up. It is an ever expanding city with what seems like construction zones on every corner. It is also a city of motorbikes. They are the mode of transportation for everyone. Many families were headed to school or work. It is so amazing to see entrepreneurs buzzing by on their motorbikes weighed down by backpacks and satchels loaded with a wide array of wares - - everything from caged ducks to massive bundles of sweet smelling flowers.
We co-hosted today's seminar with the Thang Long University and the U.S. Vietnam Foundation. The seminar included presentations from NSRL, the Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Nutrition, the Head of the Department of Food Safety Administration, faculty from the Thang Long University and representatives from the U.S. Vietnam Foundation. It was well attended with great interaction from local industry, hospital staff and government officials. We were excited to see the interest in soy protein and the enthusiasm for applying nsoy into local programs and products. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with key decision makers about the nutritional and economic benefits of soy protein for commercial products as well as share information about using soy for feeding and health programs.
We also had a moment of fun when we were asked for ideas on how to include soy protein into local Vietnamese foods and recipes. We took the opportunity to share with the audience ways we could have made today's lunch served at the University cafeteria, a soy lunch. We hope we made Marilyn, our Master NSRL Soy Chef proud!
After the seminar was completed, we returned to our hotel and walked to the Hanoi Opera House. The Hanoi Opera House is considered to be a typical French colonial architectural monument and is also a small-scale replica of the Palais Garnier in Paris. It was erected by French colonists between 1901 and 1911. It was spectacular to see the impressive design upclose.
We then enjoyed some local cuisine and called it a night.
Regards,
Bridget
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