Summary of Reddit Comments on Alexandre Yersin

Alexandre Yersin's Character and Contributions

• Yersin expressed mixed feelings about being a medical practitioner but did not want to make it a career, as he did not want to take money from his patients.
• He was known as an expert in various fields such as fighting, engineering, and geodesy. He even lost a finger while fighting off bandits who were attacking an ethnic village.
• Yersin is celebrated as a hero and one of the most respected French individuals in Vietnam.
• Users admire Yersin for his role in discovering a cure for the black plague and his contributions to Hanoi Medical University.
• Without Yersin, Vietnam would have been different.
• There is appreciation for Yersin's contributions and the lack of recognition from the Vietnamese communist party for achievements made by foreigners.
• Yersin was the first headmaster of Hanoi Medical University.

Opinions on Yersin

• Some users express admiration for Yersin's character and his impact on Vietnam, while others criticize colonialism and its effects on the country.
• The discussion includes different perspectives on the Vietnam War, the roles of various factions, and the impact on the Vietnamese people.
• Users share personal stories and family backgrounds related to different factions during the Vietnam War.
• There is a call for understanding and acknowledgment of the complexities and nuances of Vietnamese history and the impact of various ideologies during the war.

Miscellaneous

• Yersin is noted as one of the only Frenchmen in Saigon to have a street named after him, along with Pasteur, Calmette, and Alexandre de Rhodes.
• A book recommendation "Peste et Choléra" by Patrick Deville is suggested for those interested in Yersin's story.
• Users engage with an Instagram post featuring a card related to Yersin, expressing interest in history and learning about his contributions.

Overall, the comments reflect a mix of admiration for Yersin's contributions, debates on colonialism and historical events, and appreciation for understanding the complex history of Vietnam.