History & Culture
At A Bus On A Dusty Road, we cherish the richness of history and culture. We recognize that to truly comprehend the world, the significance of history and culture is indispensable in guiding us to “Live Life as a Global Citizen.”
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11 Reasons Why Ho Chi Minh or Uncle Ho is Vietnam’s Hero
Anyone who travels to Vietnam will quickly learn how important the Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh is to the Vietnamese people. Vietnam’s largest city was renamed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City to honor him. Ho Chi Minh, also known as Uncle Ho by the Vietnamese, is the founder of present-day Vietnam; he is…
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What Is The Meaning Of Koi Fish To The Japanese Culture?
Have you ever seen a vibrant orange-and-white koi fish swimming in an ornamental pond? Do you know what the symbol behind it means? In Japan, where these fish originate from, the meaning of koi has strong spiritual and cultural connections. Much Japanese art and culture use the Koi fish symbol; the koi fish is a…
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Who Was Confucius And Why Was He Important?
Years ago, when traveling in China, I visited Confucius’s house, temple, and cemetery. Today his house, temple, and cemetery are popular tourist destinations. Confucius was a renowned Chinese philosopher, politician, and educator. He lived over 2,500 years ago, yet his social and moral beliefs still influence many parts of Asia today. During his lifetime, he…
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Differences Between Hanoi And Saigon? 9 Differences Explored
I have lived in Hanoi for many years and have spent some time living in Saigon, Vietnam. Even though they are both in Vietnam, Hanoi and Saigon have some distinct differences. Hanoi and Saigon may be in Vietnam, but they also differ in the food and language of both cities’ daily lives. The weather and…
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Where Is The Ching Ming (Qing Ming) Festival Celebrated? All About
In April of each year, a large part of Asia celebrates a holiday known as Ching Ming (Qing Ming) festival. This holiday is a ceremony where Asians will go to their ancestor’s graves. The Ching Ming (Qing Ming) festival is celebrated in most parts of Asia, especially in any country with a large Chinese community.…
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What Is The Difference Between Manchu, Mongols, And Han Chinese People?
When traveling around China or studying Asian history, the difference between the Manchu, Mongol, and Han Chinese ethnic groups can sometimes be confusing. They may all seem similar, but they are different ethnic groups. The Manchu people are traditionally from Northeastern China and speak Manchurian. The Mongol people mainly live in Mongolia and in Inner…
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How Many Vietnam War-era Bombs Are Still in Vietnam?
I live a few miles from downtown of Hanoi, Vietnam; my house is only a few miles from the famous Hanoi prison where many American service members were held prisoner during the Vietnam War. Today, Hanoi is a bustling city home to millions of people, yet they continue to find unexploded Vietnam War-era bombs throughout…
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Why did the U.S. Army Call The Vietnamese “Charlie” During The War?
I have lived in Vietnam long and wondered why the U.S. Army called the Vietnamese soldiers “Charlie” during the war. The term Charlie was used a lot by the U.S. Army to refer to the Vietnamese soldiers. The U.S. Army called the Viet Cong or Vietnamese soldiers “Charlie” for the letter “C” in the NATO…
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What Was The Practice Of Footbinding In China?
When I first traveled to China in the mid-1980s, I would sometimes see women hobbling down the street with tiny little feet because their feet had been bound. These little old ladies were almost completely crippled and could hardly walk. Footbinding was the Chinese practice of breaking young girls’ feet and tightly wrapping them so…
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