Teacher’s Day or Uyen lives in a Vietnamese Version of High School Musical

Ever since my catastrophic attempts at the violin, the disastrous piano lessons in middle school and my persistent inability to hit the high note in the ever so simple “Happy Birthday to You” song, I have accepted my insufficiency when it comes to music or singing. Dancing is even worse. People tell me that songs come with rhythm and beats, but I am still not entirely convinced it is true. If you ask anyone who has ever tried to dance with me, it is painful to watch. Suffice it to say, I am not good with musical things.

On November 20th a peculiar thing happens at Ba Ria Vung Tau Teacher Training College and it makes me feel really out of place. The school becomes dedicated to song and dance and everyone was apart of it... minus of course: yours truly.


My 3rd students after their performance in the night show.

I think the ability to sing and dance is a requirement for all teachers and students here. I have no idea how I made it through the screening process. Luckily for me (and everyone with working eyes and ears), I successfully refused several invitations to dance and sing in the college production.

The day show.

Instead everyone was able to enjoy the musical stylings, choreographed dances and performances of students, teachers and faculty. (But I still got showered with roses at the end. I am a teacher on Teacher's day after all.)



I like flowers!

I know some of you would love to be here in my place. I kid you not when I say my students sing and do choreographed dances sometimes when we finish class early.