美国人视角：越南人不怎么谈论美国，反而更常提起中国
An American in Vietnam
译文简介
“我是美国人，住在美国。去年我在越南待了一段时间，基本上就是日常生活。越南节奏慢，有点乱但还行。”
正文翻译
An American in Vietnam
原标题：一个美国人在越南
I’m American and live in the US.
我是美国人，住在美国。
I spent some time in Vietnam last year, mostly just living day to day. VN is slow, a bit chaos but ok.
去年我在越南待了一段时间，基本上就是日常生活。越南节奏慢，有点乱但还行。
One thing I didn’t expect not too much people talk about US, China came up much more often.
我没想到的是，人们谈论美国并不多，中国反而更常被提起。
Conversations were usually about jobs, factories, trade, or friends doing business with Chinese . It felt very practical, not political. China wasn’t discussed as an abstract idea, but as something already present in daily life.
话题通常围绕着工作、工厂、贸易，或者与中国人做生意的朋友展开。感觉很实际，并不涉及政治。中国没有被当作抽象概念讨论，而是被视为日常生活中已然存在的一部分。
That surprised me. From an American perspective, we still tend to assume the U.S. is the main reference point. Being in Vietnam made me realize how much the center of gravity has shifted, at least in everyday conversations.
这让我感到惊讶。从美国人的视角来看，我们仍然倾向于将美国视作主要的参照系。身在越南让我意识到，至少在日常对话中，重心已经发生了多大的偏移。
It didn’t feel like people were choosing sides. More like they were paying attention to what actually affects their lives right now.
感觉人们并非在选边站队。更像是他们关注的是当下真正影响自己生活的事物。
Just an observation that stayed with me.
这只是一个让我铭记在心的观察。
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I would have assumed seeing as they share a border with China.
我觉得这种情况要考虑到他们与中国接壤。
Commercial_Fact_852
your observation is correct, US is viewed way more positively than China though
你的观察没错，尽管美国的形象比中国正面得多
No-Government7787
That matches what I saw too. The US felt more like an aspiration, while China came up more as a practical reality. Different roles, different emotions attached
我也深有同感。美国更像是人们向往的典范，而中国更常被提及则是现实考量。两者角色不同，引发的情绪也各异
Commercial_Fact_852
Yeah, it’s not exactly an aspiration from my experience, it’s just that the US government is viewed more positively. Still, I have to admit, there are plenty of Vietnamese people who are comically pro‑U.S. without knowing much about the country.
确实，以我的经历来看，这并非出于某种向往，而是因为美国政府的形象相对更为积极。不过，我得承认，越南确实有不少人盲目亲美，实则对这个国家了解不多。
No-Government7787
Yeah, that makes sense. I’ve definitely met a few people like that too — very pro-U.S. in a kind of abstract way.
嗯，这说得通。我也确实遇到过几个类似的人——他们以一种相当抽象的方式非常亲美。
Thinking back, I’m actually curious where that usually comes from. In your experience, do you notice it more in certain settings? Like school, work, online spaces, or just specific social circles?
回想起来，我其实很好奇这种印象通常来自哪里。根据你的经验，你是否在某些特定场合更常注意到这种现象？比如学校、职场、网络空间，或仅仅是特定的社交圈子？
When I was there it felt pretty organic, but I might’ve just been in a bubble. Interested to hear what you’ve seen.
我在越南时感觉这种氛围很自然，但也许我只是处于某个特定圈子里。很想听听你的观察。
Commercial_Fact_852
Well, first off, China’s biggest enemy is the US, so the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Secondly, American media dominates worldwide, it doesn’t always paint the US in a positive light, but the average Vietnamese exposed to it still walks away with an overall good feeling.
首先，中国最大的对手是美国，所以敌人的敌人就是朋友。其次，美国媒体在全球占据主导地位，虽然它们并不总是描绘美国的正面形象，但接触到这些内容的普通越南人总体仍对美国抱有好感。
C media’s strong in Vietnam too, but it rarely lands the same way, their political messaging just clashes too hard with Vietnam’s national sentiment and history. Vietnamese obviously care more about regional stuff, and C’s constant aggression undercuts all that media effort.
C媒体在越南也很强势，但效果却截然不同，它们的政治宣传与越南的民族情感和历史格格不入。越南人显然更关注地区事务，而C的持续Q略行径使其所有媒体努力都大打折扣。
mojomarc
Lots of Americans are comically pro-US without knowing much about it, too
很多美国人也一样盲目亲美，对自己国家同样所知有限。
Commercial_Fact_852
Ahaha, I don’t doubt it, though it’s not hard to at least try having a real conversation to get american right-wingers to think more critically about their own government’s screw-ups. I tried diving into politics with my Vietnamese circle on my last visit, but I couldn’t convince them for the life of me that the US isn’t exactly the good guy, especially since Trump took office.
哈哈，我不怀疑这一点，尽管至少尝试进行一场真正的对话，让美国的右翼人士更批判性地思考他们自己政府的失误，也并非难事。我上次去越南时，曾试图和我的越南朋友圈深入探讨政治，但我怎么也无法说服他们美国并非完全是个"好人"，尤其是在特朗普上任之后。
Illustrious-Stop7165
Is it though, every time i visit my relatives in Vietnam I have feeling China is getting more and more positive view, especially amongst my younger cousins.
真是这样吗？每次我去越南探亲，都感觉中国形象越来越正面，尤其是在我的表弟表妹们这些年轻人当中。
midwestsweetking
Well China has been at minimum interfering with Vietnam for thousands of years. Not to mention they are a northern border so yeh they are on the Vietnamese mind a lot more lol.
至少几千年来，中国一直在影响着越南。更不用说他们还是北方邻国，所以是的，越南人确实经常想到他们，哈哈。
No-Government7787
Ye that’s fair. How does that show up in everyday conversations, from what you’ve seen?
嗯，那确实有道理。从你的观察来看，这在日常对话中是如何体现的？
JustGreenFish
Because most of Vietnamese are either apolitical or politically illiterate, so they're not gonna talk about politics everywhere you go. Also, because you're a foreigner, they're not gonna talk politics to foreigners/strangers (that would also be kinda weird imo).
因为大多数越南人要么不关心政治，要么对政治知之甚少，所以你无论走到哪里他们都不会谈论政治。另外，因为你是个外国人，他们也不会对外国人或陌生人谈论政治（在我看来，那样做也有点奇怪）。
The politics being talked about in Vietnam aren't often about choosing sides because we don't have a multi/bi-party system, it's just rambling about personal opinions on some leaders or about which country is stronger than which country. Most of them are done after some alcohol too, so no one really cares whatever was talked about afterward.
在越南谈论政治时很少涉及选边站队，因为我们没有多党制或两党制，大多只是闲聊对某些领导人的个人看法，或者讨论哪个国家比哪个国家更强大。大多数这类讨论还是发生在酒过三巡之后，所以事后也没人真正在乎到底说了些什么。
No-Government7787
As a foreigner, I was probably picking up only part of the picture.
作为一个外国人，我可能只看到了部分情况。
I’m more curious about something slightly different though — from your experience, how do Vietnamese people generally see American as people. When I was there, reactions toward Americans felt polite and curious, but I wasn’t sure how much of that was just being a guest.
不过我对另一件事更感好奇——根据你的经验，越南人通常如何看待美国人本身。我在那里时，感觉大家对美国人的反应既礼貌又好奇，但我不确定这其中有多少是出于待客之道。
JustGreenFish
I don't think Vietnamese as a whole really care about American people specifically, or even any country's people tbh. Not that we hate or love them, we just don't really care about them that often unless some drama happens (discriminations against Vietnamese oversea, foreigners acting out on the street, etc.).
我认为越南人作为一个整体，并不会特别在意美国人，甚至说对任何国家的人都不太在意。倒不是我们讨厌或喜欢他们，只是平常真的不会特别关注，除非发生一些争议事件（比如针对海外越南人的歧视，外国人在街头闹事等等）。
Ofc, stereotypes against some nationals (like Indians, Chinese, etc.) are definitely there, but most people don't really do something outright discriminating solely because someone is of a specific nation, from my experience.
当然，针对某些国籍的刻板印象肯定存在，但根据我的经验，大多数人不会仅仅因为对方来自某个特定国家，就做出直接的歧视行为。
OkWeather1378
Probably they feel same way as they feel toward anyone else from the west. Do they even know you are from America? Was that your first time in Vietnam? Being an American in Vietnam these days is not something special anymore because so many have visited Vietnam.
他们对待你的感觉，可能就和对待其他任何西方人一样。他们甚至可能都不知道你是美国人吧？这是你第一次来越南吗？如今在越南当美国人已经不是什么特别的事了，因为来越南旅游的人太多了。
Technical_Watch_5580
Trump, Epstein files!
特朗普，爱泼斯坦档案！
mangosteentx
So....The Ugly American?
所以呢……丑陋的美国人？
InitialJelly7380
Historically, Vietnam was under Chinese rule for about a millennium before gaining independence, after which it maintained a tributary relationship with China while being deeply influenced by Chinese culture.
历史上，越南在获得独立前曾受中国统治约千年之久，此后虽保持朝贡关系，但仍深受中华文化影响。
No-Government7787
Like the Luna Year? lol
就像农历新年吗？哈哈
OkWeather1378
If you go anywhere outside of America, it’s very normal that America is not the center of attention anymore. Just like while you are in America, people most likely don’t talk about another country. Why did you think people in Vietnam would talk more about America in the first place?
一旦走出美国，美国不再是关注中心是再正常不过的事了。就像在美国时，人们大概率不会谈论另一个国家。你为什么一开始就认为越南人会更多地谈论美国呢？
mojomarc
I've lived outside the US in now five other countries. The US has a way of selling this concept of American Exceptionalism to the American people that really doesn't fly much outside of the US. It's really eye-opening how different the perceptions of Americans about America and foreigners' perceptions really are. It's like the uber-patriots are all screaming about how awesome the US is and the rest of the world just pats us on the head like we're precocious toddlers and gets on with their day.
我现已在除美国外的五个国家生活过。美国有一套向本国人民兜售“美国例外论”的方式，但这套说辞在美国以外几乎行不通。美国人对美国的认知与外国人有多么不同，这着实令人大开眼界。就好比那些超级爱国者们都在高呼美国有多么伟大，而世界其他地区的人们只是像对待早熟孩童般拍拍我们的头，然后继续过自己的日子。
OkWeather1378
The greatest country on earth is dangerously falling behind in health care, democracy, and common sense. Many people in America don’t realize they have been influenced by the propaganda machine.
这个世界上最伟大的国家在医疗保健、民主和常识方面正危险地落后。许多美国人没有意识到自己已经受到了宣传机器的影响。
mojomarc
Exactly. There are a lot of places in the US that are not significantly different from poor third world countries. It's kind of crazy how we neglect these (and a lot of our history) because acknowledging the problem kills the narrative
确实，美国有很多地方与贫困的第三世界国家并无显著差异。我们对此（以及许多历史）的忽视有些疯狂，因为承认这些问题会破坏我们的叙事。
Mysteriouskid00
You’re bringing up how the US is falling behind on healthcare, democracy and common sense on a subreddit focused on Vietnam?
你在一个以越南为主题的版面上谈论美国在医疗保健、民主和常识方面落后？
Do I read that right?
我理解得对吗？
OkWeather1378
Yes. That is correct. To be clear, my comment was not a comparison between the US and Vietnam. It’s a comparison between the US and other western countries. There is an YouTuber based in Da nang. He has lived in both Vietnam and the US. He has a video comparing the US and Vietnam. What I remember the most from that comparison was he said something about Vietnam healthcare is better. I was very surprised because until that point I had never thought that Vietnam could be better. One thing I like about healthcare in Vietnam is the provider will tell you exactly how much you have to pay on the day you receive the service.
是的，没错。需要明确的是，我的评论并不是在比较美国和越南，而是在比较美国和其他西方国家。有一位住在岘港的 YouTuber，他曾在越南和美国生活过。他有一支视频比较了美国和越南。我记得那支对比中最深刻的是，他说越南的医疗保健更好。我当时非常惊讶，因为在那之前我从未想过越南可能会更好。我喜欢越南医疗保健的一点是，医疗服务提供者会在你接受服务当天明确告知你需要支付多少钱。
nhat0401
what the fk is this
这 tm 写的啥玩意儿
Notmyonlyhotdog
Hopefully more Americans start realizing that America is not the world. Most people I’ve met here do not care about America or anywhere if it doesn’t affect them. The museums (rightly) portray the American war as a war of aggression full of atrocities against the Vietnamese people but if you talk to the younger generation they don’t hate Americans or hold onto a grudge. Younger Vietnamese are more interested in Korean or Japanese culture instead of western.
希望更多美国人开始意识到美国不代表全世界。我在这里遇到的大多数人，只要美国或其他地方不影响自己，就根本不关心。博物馆（理所当然地）将美国战争描绘成一场充满对越南人民暴行的侵略战争，但如果你与年轻一代交谈，他们并不憎恨美国人或心怀怨恨。年轻的越南人更感兴趣的是韩国或日本文化，而非西方文化。
Unlikely_Afternoon94
I think what you'll find in most countries is that pretty much nobody ever talks about the US
我想你会发现，在大多数国家里，几乎没人谈论美国
SunnySaigon
China is the only reason why foreigners are allowed to immigrate to Vietnam.
越南允许外国人移民过去，中国是唯一原因。
Automatic-Unit-8307
Most Asian countries don’t talk about USA. We are not the center of the world
大多数亚洲国家并不谈论美国。我们不是世界的中心
NightHawkFliesSolo
That's a hard concept to realize as an American until we start travelling internationally to grasp and internalize since we're we're wrapped in the message of American exceptionalism and international importance since birth. We then travel to find out most people just don't give a rats ass as they're too busy leading their own lives to pay attention to us. Not until our foreign policy meddling becomes overbearing and affects their daily lives do they look up to notice.
作为一个美国人，直到我们开始国际旅行并开始理解和内化这一概念时，才意识到这一点是如此困难，因为我们从出生起就被包裹在美国例外论和国际重要性的信息中。然后我们旅行时发现，大多数人根本不在乎，因为他们太忙于自己的生活，无暇顾及我们。直到我们的外交政策干涉变得过于强硬并影响到他们的日常生活，他们才会抬头注意到。
As tourists our reputation has moved up the scales as other nationalities have taken over the gold medals for "shitty tourist" behavior and we now just blend in with Europeans.
作为游客，我们的声誉有所提升，因为其他国籍的游客已经夺得了"糟糕游客"行为的金牌，我们现在只是与欧洲人混在一起。
Mysteriouskid00
I think your observation says a lot about you.
我认为你的观察恰恰反映了你自身的视角。
I’m American and am not surprised in the least people on the other side of the world don’t talk about America much.
我作为美国人，对于地球另一端的人们不常谈论美国这一点，丝毫也不感到意外。
JCongo
I dont think this is a Vietnam thing this is just an American thing upon leaving and realizing the world doesn't revolve around you.
我不认为这是越南的特色，这只是美国人离开家乡后的普遍感受，意识到世界并非围绕自己旋转。
Reminds me of when I first moved to South Korea and this American guy arrived at the same time as me. First thing he talked to me about was how bad Obama was, and asked if I wanted to go grab some food at McDonalds real quick. I wish I was joking.
这让我想起了刚搬到韩国时，一位美国人与我同期抵达。他对我说的第一件事就是奥巴马有多糟糕，还问我是否想快点去麦当劳吃点东西。我希望我是在开玩笑。
That-Shoe-9599
Don’t worry if people claim to be far ahead of you in eye-opening. Your comment is relevant and useful.
不必担心人们声称自己比你领先多少、见解有多独到。你的评论切中要害且实用。