Since arriving in Ho Chi Minh, I have received constant warnings against flashing iPhones, laptops, and other mobile devices around in public. As a foreigner I stick out as a potential target for theft. Flashing my iPhone around would only draw more attention. These warnings led me to believe that such devices were a symbol of the elite of Saigon. To my surprise, I was greeted with a large presence of mobile devices throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Having been here only two weeks, my observations are limited. I recognize much of the population does not have access to these technologies. Though I am slightly surprised by such prevalence of mobile devices and access to wifi, it is not entirely unexpected. Ho Chi Minh is a very large city that has experienced radical development over the past 20 years. It makes sense that a technological revolution would appear first in larger cities.
This past weekend, we had the opportunity to travel outside of the city into the Mekong River Delta. Before embarking on our weekend excursion, I assumed wifi access would be very limited—if there was any at all. I had already said goodbye to my family and friends for the weekend before realizing our bus would have wifi. The guesthouse also offered free wifi. Though this had come as a surprise, I realize that my experience is not at all representative of the average residency of Vinh Long. Our accommodations were made with traveling agencies that cater to non-locals and tourists.
At the Vinh Long Market I noticed children and adults alike using Smartphones, mobile phones, and even an iPad or two. Granted it was a small portion of the population, there was still enough of a presence to strike me. Also notable in town was the number of Smartphone stores, sim card stands, and quite a few Internet cafes. Similar patterns were evident on a smaller island where our group went on a bike tour.
My observations led me to various questions surrounding the role of Internet and hand-held devices in the Mekong Delta region. The over arching question at play here is: What is the role of mobile communication devices and the Internet in everyday life of people living in the Mekong Delta region? This is a huge question that can take many directions on its own. More specific questions to further engage include:
- Is it possibly easier to build mobile towers than power lines? If so, how do they compare in price?
- Does Wifi/3G connection tend to stay centralized around cafes in town or in the homes of locals?
- How does this reflect development in Vietnam as a whole?
These are just a few example questions that could aid further research. As I have developed an eye for the increasing role of internet and mobile technology in Vietnam, I have failed to find very recent articles or studies particularly relevant to this topic. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places, and further exploration could bring more answers to questions I have raised.