When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace

Hayslip’s new job at the hospital was almost perfect, as she was paid a living wage and her employers were kind. However, one Vietnamese sergeant was sexually harassing her. A red-haired American man, Greg, whom she called Red, noticed the problem and arranged for her transfer to his department in radiology. Although not initially attracted to Red, Hayslip warmed to him and began to date him. She considered him a “kind and decent man” (326), but that assumption was soon proven false. One night, she went to his military house only to discover that he and his buddies were drunk and entertaining several Vietnamese women. Hayslip accepted his apology the next day and their relationship intensified. Encouraging her to look special and use makeup, Red then took Hayslip to night clubs. At one such club, he told her to give up her job at the hospital and take a job as a dancer. With the promise of more money, Hayslip agreed and quit her job at the hospital. She then discovered that she was expected to dance topless, so she fled the club and Red.

On her return visit to Vietnam in 1986, Hayslip had a luncheon at Anh’s state-owned factory. At first, she was surprised to see the equality of jobs between men and women on the factory floor. However, at the luncheon for factory supervisors, there was only one other woman present. Following this luncheon, Hayslip and Anh embarked on the governmental tour of the countryside. The driver, Tuan, was talkative and friendly, while the Bon Viet Kieu escort was concerned with sticking to the itinerary and rules. They went to Marble Mountain, where the Viet Cong operated a large field hospital right under the noses of the Americans, hidden in the caves. Hayslip admired the enormous Buddhas carved into rock, while the escort drew her attention to the plaque commemorating the field hospital. Back on the road, Hayslip noticed how very close they were to Ky La. She faked an illness and the car pulled over. Understanding her ruse, Anh told her to forget going there; it was too dangerous for her family. She returned to the car and they spotted an albino water buffalo, for which tradition calls for each person to make a wish. As Hayslip observed the cemeteries produced by the war, she wished that in future generations, the reasons for the war would be forgotten.

After leaving Red and the club, Hayslip needed to find a new job. She found a job at a more subdued club. In time, though, more Korean men frequented the club and Hayslip could not communicate with them. They thought that she was a sex worker. She then met Jim, an Asian American, who was a civilian contractor. They soon lived together, and Hayslip quit her job. A gentle companion, Jim took an interest in Hayslip’s son, who was starting to be called Jimmy, and bought things for her mother’s house.

While things went well with Jim for a few months, he then started drinking heavily and behaving jealously. Hayslip lost a house key and Jim accused her of giving it to another lover. One night, he fired a gun at the ceiling. Soon thereafter, he almost strangled her in a drunken stupor. Hayslip went to the Military Police (MPs) and Jim was taken into custody and deported to the US. It was not the first complaint against him.

In need of a job, Hayslip made an appointment with the American employment office in Danang. When she arrived, she was told to return at noon to see the counselor. Hayslip thought this odd because Americans took lunch at that time, but did as she was told. At noon, the counselor shut the door and began making sexual advances. She tried to leave but the door was locked from the outside; the counselor’s buddies were accessories. Hayslip shattered the glass window, unlocked the door, and ran. She reported the attempted rape to the MPs. To her satisfaction, they took the counselor away in handcuffs. The office manager apologized to her and said that he would handle her placement personally.

Shifting to 1986, the countryside tour included visits to the homes of Viet Cong heroes, such as one man who was notorious for destroying bridges and one woman who pointed at the Americans when asked where the enemy was. That woman was killed. Hayslip found the visit distasteful, believing that, as a mother, the woman should have protected her family. When they stopped at a small stand, Hayslip purchased good beef and beer and asked the store owner to prepare a meal for the four of them. Even the escort enjoyed the meal and complained about the power outages and his need to take a second job. Hayslip witnessed the power of a small gesture of kindness.

Because the old car broke down on the tour of the countryside, Hayslip and Anh were late to the official meeting with Bon Nghe and his family. Hayslip met his wife Nhi, whom she liked, and Nam, his son, for the first time. She was struck by the resemblance of Nam to her own father. Nam asked Hayslip why a rich person would want to return to Vietnam. Momentarily stunned at the materialistic assumption embedded in the question, Hayslip responded that her family was in Vietnam and that she “must come back to start again” (362). Her response brought tears to the women and perhaps the men as well. Nhi told Hayslip that her gifts allowed for Nam’s education. Speaking to Bon, Hayslip said that she would attempt to get Americans to finance a clinic.

Later, at Tinh’s house, Hayslip was warmly received. She obtained official permission to bring her mother to the Pacific Hotel. At the hotel, Hayslip held her mother in bed and showed her all the gifts. Her mother wanted those gifts to go to Anh, whom she liked and had forgiven for getting Hayslip pregnant. Her mother told Hayslip that this trip was important because it completed the circle of growth. Hayslip wanted to record her mother’s memories but her mother would not allow it. In the morning, Hayslip found her mother sleeping on the floor, which she preferred to the bed.