Food

Food is one of the many symbols of culture in this novel. Mai is already familiar with the traditional Vietnamese dishes she is served during her visit to Vietnam. There are lengthy passages describing the many meals she eats in the homes of her family, in restaurants, and from vendors.

Money

The Vietnamese currency is another important element of the culture Mai experiences during her visit to Vietnam. She is warned against showing the American money she has available, and she loves the ability to use the Vietnamese currency. There is a huge contrast of the value of the Vietnamese money to that of American money, and Mai enjoys the fact that exchanging just a few dollars in American money gives her a huge wad of Vietnamese currency.

Froggy

The frog that Ut loves is a symbol of her love of nature and her plans for...