Vietnam through my Eyes (GTW Tips #14-111716)

I worked in Ho Chi Minh City for very short duration of four months and I could not have asked for a better city to start in. The fact is HCMC as local calls is one of the big touristy cities and has lot historical significance.

During the 40’s, the U.S. had supported the Viet Minh against the Japanese. During the 50’s, they supported the French against all rebels. During the 60’s, the United States defended South Vietnam against incursions from the North. On April 30, 1975, however, the U.S. ended all involvement in Vietnam, and the Viet Minh took Saigon, renaming it Ho Chi Minh City in 1976.

After the “Fall of Saigon,” which the victors called the “Liberation of Saigon,” many Saigon residents fled to the U.S. and elsewhere, creating a Vietnamese Diaspora. While in this sense the city shrank, it grew in that its borders were expanded to include its suburbs and its whole province. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, having eight million inhabitants, and is the nation’s economic hub, accounting for 20% of national GDP.

Vietnam has known awful wars and I thought it was very interesting to learn about them since I had not heard much about it in school. This are museums in the Remnants Museum that can give you a good idea about time of the wars and Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập), which I happen to visit, also known as Reunification Palace (Vietnamese: Dinh Thống Nhất), built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.

While nearly all Saigonese speak the Vietnamese language, the Hoa speak a variety of Chinese dialects, including Cantonese and Hainanese. Very few Hoa, however, speak Mandarin. Due to the prevalence of tourism and commerce in Ho Chi Minh City, there are also good deals of people speaking English as a second language.

Ho Chi Minh City’s climate is tropical wet and dry, meaning that it is warm all year round and divided into two distinct seasons, the wet season and the dry season, rather than spring, summer, fall and winter. The rainy season lasts from May through October, and the dry season runs from December to April.

Saigon Skydeck, Located on the 49th floor the observation deck offers sweeping 360‐degree panoramic views of the entire city and the nearby Saigon River. Head up to the 52th floor, the one with the helicopter deck.

Chợ Bến Thành aka Ben Thanh Market, Southwest end of Le Lai: a den of thieves, but some great shopping. Ben Thanh is recognizable from its clock tower on the large traffic circle. The largest old-style market in the central district, with several hundred small stalls stuffed with goods on almost impassably narrow aisles.

I am spoiled for choice in Saigon, which offers the country’s largest variety of Vietnamese and international food. The local food shows influences from French colonial times – bakeries have fresh and excellent baguettes, which they will fill with cheese (typically of the “la vache qui rit” or “laughing cow” brand), potted meat, ham, and onions, or any combination thereof, cheaply. Beef is used in various dishes – whether in any of the many variations of pho, or in a regional specialty such as “bun bo hue” or Hue beef soup. If you want a wide variety of street food you need to try another district than Saigon, district 5 is good or district 3 and up will get better and cheaper. Due to the variety of culture, cuisine in Saigon is quite diverse. This is a place where you do not need to go far to enjoy dishes. If you want to enjoy rice cake with forest leaves in Tay Ninh, you can go to Hoang Ty rice cake store on Cao Thang Street, Phan Dang Luu Street, etc. If you want to enjoy central dishes, you can visit a chain of Hue dish restaurants. For Mekong Delta dishes, you should taste sizzling cake Muoi Xiem, etc.

Saigon has plenty of places to drink, although to a certain degree Vietnamese and foreigners hang out in different places. Places with live music usually have no cover charge, but impose somewhat elevated drink prices. Many places close around midnight or 1AM. Some places remain open later you can find anything in this place regardless of your preferences (prostitutes straight/gay, drugs or just a place to dance the night away). There are other late nightclubs that cater almost exclusively to the young Vietnamese crowd. Anywhere in the city, you can find Vietnamese bottle beer places that will stay open until 3-4AM. Several bars in Phu My Hung will stay open until 2-3AM. My favorite hang out was Las Vegas Beer Club, The bar is designed in the classical style, with wooden plaques but not gaudy complexity has created a cozy space and 500 m2 wide although.

Not to be missed are the pavement bars which get very busy with locals and travelers alike, about halfway down Bui Vien. they sell bottles of Saigon beer for 12,000 dong and draft beer for 7000 sit on the tiny plastic chairs and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. these are perhaps the best places to drink, as they are very cheap and also great places to meet people.

I was told much time by the locals, fortunately I was not the victim of such incidents. Do not take too much valuables with you and better put your money in your trouser pockets. If you carry along a camera, then be sure that it is tightly strapped to you at all times. Very common is also cell phone theft, especially in busy areas. Thieves on motorbikes drive by, snatch your cell phone right out of your hands, and speed off. It is a well-known problem, but the police cannot or do not want to do anything.

I felt that most locals would just ‘ignore’ you, but not in a bad way. They just do not mind or care, only the motorbike-girls will try to talk to you (“Tuk Tuk mr?”). However, the younger people (especially the young girls) are pretty curious about me. I cannot even tell you how many times young Vietnamese girls would walk up to me and ask for a photo. Apparently, it is because of my skin, bold Head, and light eyes (or so I was told)?

Once, I was asked once to sit with a group of kids who wanted to practice their English with me: I sat there in between fifteen young Vietnamese and they were asking me random questions (from “How old are you?” to “How do you like Vietnam?”). When I asked them a question back, they laughed because they did not really know how or what to answer. It was a very special experience and it shows they really put in the effort. Over a period of time, with help of my local friend we created, English club, where few of them joined the club, who wanted to learn English.

The traffic is crazy! Most people there drive scooters and you will see whole families (four of five people including children!) on one scooter! I have to be very careful on the streets, look where I walk and use the traffic lights.

The temples in Vietnam are quite simple and not as gold and shiny as the ones in Thailand. The three Eastern Religions of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the most popular belief systems in Ho Chi Minh, and all three are frequently observed in the very same temples. Both ethnic Vietnamese and ethnic Chinese tend to practice these three dominant religions. There is also, however, a Roman Catholic community that constitutes about 10% of the population, besides smaller numbers of Protestants, Hindus, Muslims and Baha’i.

The landscape in Vietnam is varied. In the north (Hanoi, Sapa) it is quite cold and cloudy, with (green) rice fields and even mountains. In the south (from Hoi An down to the Mekong Delta) you will find more sun and beaches, but also more skyscrapers and western influences.

Vietnam has a special place in my heart, as the first Asian country I ever worked professionally. It is a great country with activities for every type of person. I hope I will be able to go back to Vietnam someday, because there are still some places I have not been to, like Ninh Binh, Dalat and the Mekong Delta.

Everyone LOVES to talk about how hard Vietnamese is, but I actually think Vietnamese has a lot of aspects that are very easy! moreover, very similar to Indian way.

Vietnamese also has BIG regional variations. Even I can generally hear the difference between the Hanoi and Saigon accent, and that is without understanding a word being said. This has actually been a frustration, because almost all the teaching materials I can find online teach NORTHERN Vietnamese, which is not what I wanted to learn as it has not where I live, and tons of Vietnamese have told me that even they, as native speakers, cannot understand people from the Northern Vietnam.

From all of the above, you might think that I know a lot about the Vietnamese language. Do not be fooled. While I can get by in simple situations like ordering food or introducing myself, my level of the language is still very low. My pronunciation is appalling, and my listening comprehension is even worse. It is a rare day when people understand me on the first try. Couple of more months in that country, my Vietnamese could be a lot better.

Vietnamese definitely have stoked my fires, but my passion for languages overall has definitely increased. I know for sure they are going to be a big focus of mine over the next few years, and I am looking forward to the next one.

Just returned from 120 days in Vietnam and must say that is was not enough time! I wish I could go back and I will.

1. The Things I love most in Vietnam

Breathtaking landscape:

Vietnam is a truly hidden gem that only those visiting the country themselves will be able to tell. To put it correctly, Vietnam is not short of World Heritage Site: Halong Bay, Phong Nha Ke Bang caves, Hoi An Ancient Street and Cham Islands are all recognized for their intense beauty. However, it is the bits and bytes of the non-heritage site that will surprise you further. Da Nang, for example, is too picturesque to miss. French style villas sitting next to a pine forest, bordered by strawberry garden- you feel like Europe but the market scenes speak otherwise. Keo pagoda in Thai Binh province also exemplifies well the no-name beauty of Vietnam: feel the serenity of a religious place, situated amidst greeneries of paddy farms. Whether a must-see site or an off-the-beaten-path attraction, you will not be disappointed.

Friendly and hospitable Vietnamese

Like many other neighbor countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a precious treasure: its people. Everywhere you go, you will be welcomed by smiles and kind helps from the locals- whether they know Vietnamese or not. People from Hue, for example, are famous all over the country for their royal-like attitude: elegant and sweet. Those from Ho Chi Minh, on the other hand, are known for being honest. If you have time to spend in the Mekong delta of Vietnam, you will even be more surprised and inspired by the way, you are received by local farmers.

Affordability

Vietnam is a well-known destination among budget travelers. Though the price is climbing monthly at a daunting rate, it is still much cheaper than travelling in other continents. There is almost every price for every wallet: a 5 star resort in Da Nang will cost you an equivalent amount to a 3 star hotel near JFK airport. For lower end market, there are a plenty of hostels and guesthouses in most cities. Food costs even lower and street foods are among the best in the world. That says, even in biggest metropolitan areas like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can get by a day with $15.

Coffee coffee coffee

Who do not like coffee (excuse me, tea fans)? There is Starbuck with the humongous frapped and to French drip coffee that can be found in EVERY single street of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a cup of black coffee (ca phe den) or iced coffee with condensed milk (cap he sua da) and watch life goes by on a corner of the street- you will never forget Vietnam. For those who would like to take some coffee home, visit Café Mai or Highland Coffee.

A nowhere-to-be-found travel experience

Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experience that you are all looking for. From staying with an ethnic family in the Northern mountain area of Sa Pa to taking photos over the sunrise in Hoi An to sand surfing with local kids in Mui Ne- you name them all. A unique travel experience is all about yourself- and the best part about Vietnam is that there is so much to discover after all.

Exquisite cuisines

Have you always been a fan of Vietnamese food? Vietnamese food goes beyond pho and spring rolls and varies by regions: fresh vegetables continue to dominate the tables, while meat and poultry are rising in popularity. Near the beach such as Da Nang, you can find plenty of fresh seafood caught in the morning and served in your dinner at very affordable price.

It is a natural thing

Think Vietnam and many still think about a war-torn country- not necessarily but that is usually the case. Vietnam is more than just its war memory: its natural resources are something worth talking about. National parks abound, and you can enjoy a variety of activities you could never enjoyed back in your country: camping and bird-watching in the tropical forest of Cuc Phuong or Cat Ba; renting a jeep and touring Cat Tien national park; wind-surfing crash course in Nha Trang. The bad news is that tourism has brought a lot of commercial activities into the nature. The good news is that there are still a lot more to see, and enjoy.

Traditional festivals

Thanks to its long history, rich tradition and Buddhist influence, Vietnam has festivals organized all year round- many of which are unheard of in the West and really fun to learn about. Tet holiday, for example, is an ideal time to see how families celebrate their love for their ancestors and for each other. Tet should not be mistaken or called Chinese New Year. It resembles the Lunar New Year in many ways, but modified with a Vietnamese feel in it. For example, in the countryside, people stay overnight and make chung cake- over a bit of fire and some end-of-year gossips. In Hai Phong, the buffalo fighting festival is a well-known occasion: the winning buffalo will get killed and presented to the village god. Even public holidays in Vietnam are worth joining: come to Vietnam on the 2nd of September and you will see nation-wide parades. The whole streets will be lighted by the red flags- and fireworks take over the sky at night.

World famous beaches

What is more relaxing than spending time in the blue water under the shining sun? Let the waves of Da Nang, Nha Trang or Mui Ne relieve all the stress of the busy day-to-day life. Vietnam has several of the world’s top beach listing. Most of them are safe to swim and there are opportunities for water-sport activities as well. In Nha Trang, for example, you can do kite-running and wind surfing. In Da Nang, enjoy one of the world-class beach resorts- a romantic getaway for couples and families alike. In Mui Ne, enjoy the quite with some added wildness while planning for your seafood dinner venture. For beach fans, Vietnam should really be on your list.

2. The Places I visited in Vietnam

While working, I got a chance to see the amazing places like sand dunes in Mui Ne, Bridge, Ba Na Hill in Da Nang.

Hanoi – as interesting of a city as one will find in the world. Lived up to the hype in my opinion. Contrary to my perception going in, Hanoi was a great walking city. Dodging the traffic is an art and quite fun once you get the hang of it. Take a Street Food Tour if you can. The Sofitel Metropole lived up to the hype.

Da Nang – Linh Ung Buddhist Temple, Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula – features a stunning view of the sea, the sky and a 67-meter tall statue of “Quan The Am” facing the ocean. The pagoda was built in 2010. Since this temple is located on the southern face of the Son Tra mountain, a visit to this can be doubled with a motorized ride through the paved roads of Son Tra mountains, including a stop at the mountaintop vantage point called Ban Co, which overlooks the entirety of Da Nang.

Dragon Bridge. Near the giant Ferris wheel on the Han River, there is a bridge with a giant metal dragon built into it. At night, it changes colors, and on Saturday and Sunday nights at 9pm, it blows fire and water. Large crowds so get there a little early for good photo ops. Looking out on both sides of the bridge is very colorful and scenic at night.

Ba Na Hill Station 45 minutes drive from Da Nang or around 40 km (25 mi) west of Da Nang, Ba Na is located 1,487 meters above sea level in the Truong Son mountain range. Ba Na was formerly a 1920’s French resort and once boasted 200 villas, restaurants, and clubs. It is well known as the second Da Lat or Sa Pa in central Vietnam. Its temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views over the South China Sea and the Lao mountain range made Ba Na a popular retreat for both the French and the wealthy Vietnamese. New cable Car system that was officially opened on 25th March 2009 and set two Guinness World Records for its height and length.

Mui Ne: Northeast of Phan Thiet the coastal road climbs over the slope of a Cham-Tower-topped hill and descends onto the long, sandy crescent of Mui Ne Bay. The famous Sand Dunes (Doi Cat), on the main coastal road a short distance north of the fishing town at the north end of Mui Ne bay, about 10 km from the main resort strip. The whole region is fairly sandy, with orange sand threatening to blow onto the coastal road in some spots. The Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien) is a little river that winds its way through bamboo forests, boulders and the dunes behind the village, in parts resembling a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. Walking upstream for about 20 minutes, you will reach a small waterfall into at most waist-deep water, great to take a refreshing bath before heading back! To reach the stream, head along the main road towards the east until you cross a small bridge.

Buu Long Pagoda in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has unique architecture. Built in 1942 on a hill near the Dong Nai River, the pagoda was restored in 2007 with a mixed architecture of India, and Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and of course Viet Nam. “I felt like India or Thailand, but with a little bit of Viet Nam. I am very impressed. I think it’s one of the most beautiful pagodas I have visited,”

3. Business in Vietnam

An evolving legal framework with frequent changes to laws and regulations – There are numerous ‘grey areas’ in Vietnamese laws. This may cause difficulties in interpretation, application and compliance. It is worthwhile finding a local partner early on who can help you understand and deal with the regulations, permits and laws.

Vietnamese business relationship inevitably becomes a social relationship after a while. Unlike Western business relationship that remains professional and perhaps, aloof, even after a long time, Vietnamese business relationship becomes a social one.

The more you share your personal life, including family, hobbies, political views, aspirations, the closer you are in your business relationship. Sometimes, a lot of time is spent discussing matters outside of business, but then a lot of time, the other party is also making up his mind about your deal based on how much he sees your personal relationship with him.

Seniority is very important to the Vietnam especially if you are dealing with a State owned or government body. Instead of addressing the other party as Mr or Mrs. so and so, it is always appropriate to address the other party by his designation for example Chairman Triet, Director Dung or Manager So and So. When giving out a business card or a brochure, make sure you start with the most senior person before moving down the line. When giving out a business card or receiving one, ensure that you are stretching out with both hands with the card. Remember to face the card you are giving out in a manner such that the receiving party gets it facing him correctly.

Giving face is a very important concept in Vietnam. You must give the appropriate respect according to rank and seniority. For example, if you are buying gifts for an initial contact, make sure you buy better gifts for the senior managers instead of buying similar gifts across the board.

Similarly, sitting positions in a meeting room or a dining table is accorded accordingly to rank, importance and seniority.

Most business luncheons and dinners are held in hotels, restaurants, or government facilities. Usually, your host will arrange for a dinner during the early part of your visit. You are expected to reciprocate by arranging for a return dinner, possibly in your hotel or at a well-known restaurant. If no formal dinner is indicated on your itinerary, you should still try to invite your hosts to dinner to show your thanks and appreciation for their arrangements. Business is not usually discussed at dinners, although it may be at luncheons.

Dinner in Vietnam usually consists of several courses. Several dishes will be put on the table and you will be expected to take some from each. Chopsticks are used in Vietnam, but most modern restaurants also have Western eating utensils.

Vietnamese beer or imported wines and liquor are usually served with the meal. It is appropriate for you and your host to exchange toasts, with the host usually going first. Individual toasts can also be expected during the meal. When toasting your host (or when acting as host yourself), stand and raise your glass with both hands in the direction of the senior or oldest Vietnamese present. A flowery but short speech about Vietnam’s beautiful scenery, the friendship of your hosts, and prospects for a successful business venture are appropriate. Subsequent toasts may be made and answered from your seat.

The end of the meal is usually signaled by a plate of fruit or another sweet dish. After waiting a respectful period after the last course is consumed, the guest is expected to make the first move to leave. Be sure to shake hands with all Vietnamese participants and conclude by thanking your host profusely.

Be patient – It is important to be patient when dealing with Vietnamese people. Negotiations can take some time, and most decisions have to go through group consultation. The processing of official documents and permits can also take a long time.

Vietnamese names – The order for a Vietnamese name is family name, middle name and then given name. When referring to someone, use his or her given name with the appropriate title.

Infrastructure is simple but evolving quickly – You may encounter basic infrastructure in the more regional parts of Vietnam. Ensure your plans account for this, and that you have a decent understanding of the limitations you may face. In urban centers, infrastructure is relatively modern.

Do's and don's of business in Vietnam

• Do arrive at business meetings on time. The Vietnamese value punctuality.

• Do not expect to get down to business at the first meeting. The Vietnamese value getting to know their associates on a personal level before moving on with business proceedings.

• Do dress conservatively and modestly. Despite the hot weather, Vietnamese business people still wear formal business suits.

• Do not assume business associates will speak English. While English is widely spoken in business circles, it is recommended that expats hire an interpreter to assist them, especially at initial meetings.

• Do present Vietnamese business associates with a small gift at the end of a successful business deal.

• Do not backtrack on the terms of a business agreement. Trust is an important element of business relationships in Vietnam.

4. Working in Vietnam

Since I am working in the software industry, the working cultural focuses a little bit on that industry. This will be useful for those who will work as expats in Vietnam or for foreign companies that are going to open their business in Vietnam, especially in the IT industry.

• Vietnamese employees are quite punctual, especially in business meetings. However, a tolerance of about 5 minutes late is also normally acceptable in Vietnamese working culture.

• Vietnamese employees usually take meetings at work seriously and look very tense (not relaxed) in the meetings.

• Gender discrimination is usually not popular in the workplace. However, it is a fact that there are far more female workers than male workers in the software industry and this has nothing to do with gender discrimination.

• Vietnamese have a much higher level of tolerance of sexual harassment. Generally speaking, it is quite common for Vietnamese to think that sexual harassment needs to involve physical contact. An induction or orientation may need to be conducted to align the understanding of Vietnamese employees in this topic.

• Vietnamese employees usually need to build personal trust with others outside of the office in order to increase their teamwork and collaboration. This is the reason why companies in Vietnam usually have a budget for team members having dinner or drinking every few months or sponsor some sport activities for team members to play together.

• Influenced by the hierarchical structure in Confucianism, it is quite common that most Vietnamese employees think that they have the obligation to respect people who have a higher position or are older than them.

• Vietnamese people are usually hospitable. It is quite common that as a guest, you will be treated to lunch or dinner by a Vietnamese host. However, Vietnamese people also expect the same in return when they are the guests.

• Good topics for conversation are sports, travel, food, music, movies and weather. Soccer is the most popular sport in Vietnam and Vietnamese people call it “football.” Avoid political topics, especially Vietnamese politics.

• A smile does not always mean “happy.” A smile can also mean, “Hi”, I’m trying to look friendly, I’m feeling embarrassed, I’m sorry that I did something wrong.

• Handshake: A loose handshake does not mean that the person is not confident or impolite; it may simply mean that he/she does not know how to shake hands properly. Males usually have a looser and quicker handshake with females than with other males.

• Vietnamese names are written in this order: surname followed by middle name and then given name. People are called by their given name, even with the prefix Mr. or Ms. Common surnames.

• Sometimes, Vietnamese can start their answer with “Yes” or “OK” but they may not actually mean yes or ok. It just means that they understand what you say or what you ask. The actual answer is after the “Yes” or “OK.” For example: – “What do you think about solution A?” – “Yes. I think that solution A is good but solution B is actually better.”

• English speakers should avoid tag question because the answer from a Vietnamese can be confusing due to the different language structure.

• If a group of Vietnamese is silent after being asked for their opinion about something, it can be interpreted in two ways, The group agrees (or at least has no objection) to what is proposed. This is the more likely case or The group is surprised or shocked by what is proposed. This is a less likely case.

• Entertainment activities are quite common in Vietnam and as a guest, you can be invited to Eating out and drinking, Karaoke, Bowling, Hanging out at a coffee shop, Hanging out at bar and pub, Massage.

• Generally speaking, Vietnamese people dress more casually than Western people. This may be because of the hot weather in Vietnam, especially in the South.

• Suit and tie are not very common. People only wear a suit and tie in very important business meetings (such as when signing a contract).

• Usually at a wedding party, only the groom wears a suit and tie.

• Dressing in the North is usually more formal than in the South, mainly because of the difference in culture and climate. Suit and tie are more popular in the North of Vietnam.

• Developers usually dress more casually. Most of the developers in Ho Chi Minh City wear jeans and T-shirts in the office. Sandals and flip-flops are also acceptable. Some companies even accept wearing shorts in the office. The following picture shows typical dress in a software company in Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Vietnamese Men

This section will generalize my point of view about Vietnamese men, and you can have your own opinions as you like. There are no haters here! It is very questionable that the Vietnamese literature only highly regards Vietnamese women, but not men. I have yet to see or read any writing that praises Vietnamese males in general. Are they really that bad? Well, let us dissect this topic together.

• Yes, on top of my list is laziness. Whenever I ask a Vietnamese female about what they think of Vietnamese men or their own men, the most likely answer I would get is “Lazy bums! They never do anything!” These men usually spend their lives drinking beer with their buddies and talking loudly about random topics all day long. Of course, there are exceptions; there are men who actually work hard and are goal-oriented. There are two things to blame for the problem of men being lazy bums: (1) Traditional Vietnamese culture has imprinted in their brains the idea that “Husband is the King, Wife is the Slave.” (2) The second reason could be explained by the following characteristic.

• Big, Big, Big Ego! : Having an ego and feelings of self-importance are actually a must for everybody. Vietnamese men usually regard themselves very highly and always think that they are superior to others. They would rather spend their days outside of the house drinking beer than washing a basket of underwear for their wife and kids. For that reason, they will all compete to see who can sit at the beer shop the longest to prove who the most powerful man is.

• Gallant (Overdoing): How many times do you go out with a Vietnamese man and he offers to pay for you? How many times do you go out with that same Vietnamese man and he offers to pay for you again? I do not know how lucky you are, but I rarely had to pay for anything. Yes, I am a guy, not a beautiful girl as you would imagine. Maybe we could link this trait to the big ego that I mentioned above and get a clearer picture of why Vietnamese men act like that. Some people may say that Vietnamese men are more generous than other men. That really depends on you.

• Extraordinarily Smart: I have to admit that it is quite difficult to find a dumb Vietnamese man. They are either very street-smart, academically intelligent, or sometimes both (the scary ones). If Vietnamese men could get rid of their laziness, I believe that there will be even more famous people to name.

• Dutiful: Whether it is a duty to protect his country from invasion or to take care of his aging parents, Vietnamese men will never shy away from their duties. Vietnamese men will most likely live with their parents to take care of them as they age.

• Romantic: This trait can be well seen in almost many Vietnamese work of literature, from poetry to music to novels. It is very difficult to find any Vietnamese song or poems that have upbeat and happy music, like R&B music. The purpose of most songs or novels is to make the listeners cry as much as they can.

6. Vietnamese Women

This section will generalize my point of view about Vietnamese women, and you can have your own opinions as you like. There are no haters here!

• Loyalty: One of the problems people encounter in their relationship is loyalty. Outside of Vietnam, a lot of people had divorced because they could not trust whoever they had given their love to. A lot of culture had defined dating as a way to get laid anytime, and marriage is about getting laid, having kids and walking out of it when you are bored of each other. A lot of men had noticed this in other countries, and most of relationship problems come from spouses that are not loyal. Definition of loyalty: giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution. Synonyms are: faithful, true, true hearted, tried and true, true-blue, devoted.

  The above bolded words are the definition of a typical Vietnamese lady. These are also the reasons while you will see a lot of foreigners (Americans, Australians, Others) getting married to these ladies. The difference is completely clear.

  A lot of foreign ladies will tell you that Vietnamese girls are not open-minded, but the truth is, these are the type of girls we all wanted all this time, and they are in Vietnam. We do not want a lady that believes virginity is a curse and should be gone when you 16 and dating 2 friends are normal and it is because you look beautiful.

  I had seen a lady that had a breakup with his boyfriend and to cool off the breakup, she was humping on my friend, 5 hours later. If a Vietnamese girl leaves you, she is still trying to see how to make it work after a month and all these times crying.

  I am not saying that all the ladies are 100% loyal, but when you are good, you meet good people, at least I have met more than 95% loyal ladies.

• Independent and Supportive: There is a myth that a Vietnamese girl will date you for your money. The truth is that Vietnamese girls are self-dependent and do not need how much you earn unless you choose to tell them. Many working class ladies just want someone who is cool, nice and you should be an independent guy. Some men out there will tell you that the girls need your money and you must be careful. This is a wrong allegation and such person is probably a moron. If you meet a classy, independent working class Vietnamese girl. I can tell you that she will take care of herself and also will support you if you are a visionary person. Vietnamese girls are not gold-diggers.

• Taking Care Of Your Family: Vietnamese ladies will take care of your immediate family and not the other way round as propagated. I have heard a lot of foreigners in bar talking about marrying a Vietnamese girl requires you to marry the family; This is not true at least from my experience. If you want to help, that is great; she will not make it a priority or makes you feel you should do that. Do not insult the family value of a the Vietnamese lady. They love and cherish their family and will stay with them during their difficult period. The Vietnamese family will support their child’s family anyway they can and make sure you have a good wedding, so if they need help and you can do it, it is a normal thing to help. Nobody will judge you on not helping, but Vietnamese ladies will sure stand by her family when they need her. The 100% truth is when a Vietnamese lady marry you, they take good care of their husband family, if your parents are old and you marry a Vietnamese lady. Sack your nurse the next day; she will fit in like they are her parents.

• Trust-Worthy: Vietnamese girls are trust-worthy. You can go anywhere you want to go. They will be waiting for you when you are back. They will always say the truth, please do not doubt her. The truth is real in Vietnam. You do not need to snoop around her phone or what she is doing. She knows she is in relationship and will not want to do anything that will hurt your feelings. Tell her what you like or do not like. She will definitely comply. Vietnamese girls are not robot. If you tell her do not do this or that, she might stand up for herself, YES. Most Vietnamese ladies do not like a “I am the boss” kind of man. They will love you, but let them have a say, they are not machines and will prove it if you are turning to a dictator in your relationship.

• Domestic Goddess: Vietnamese ladies will serve you delicious and homemade meals… A lot of Vietnamese girls will tell you they are bad cooks. It is not true. They just do not want you to expect a Gordon Ramsay type of meal, but you can eat and be happy you have a lovely meal.

• Well Cultured/Manners: I can confirm that Vietnamese women are one of the most highly cultured people in the world. That is why you will see a lot of people saying they are too traditional. You might get a lot of culture shock with the ladies when you meet them. This is completely different. They treat you like kings, they want to know how you doing at least at most hours. They want to know if you had lunch or dinner.

• Most Beautiful Girl In South East Asia: I have seen a lot of Vietnamese girls, and I think they are beautiful than most ladies I have met around the SEA region. I can also tell you that you have a lot of pretty Vietnamese girls than you have in most of Asia, maybe it is because of their stature or the body composure or maybe the smile. They are flawlessly beautiful. Actually a lot of ladies from foreign countries also admire their beauty. Either slim or little big, you still have a very beautiful and lovely Vietnamese lady… Oh, have you heard a Vietnamese lady on the phone. I mean the ladies at offices front desk? Try a prank call and see for yourself, it totally melts your heart…The first word is “Yallo”….

• They are Classy Ladies: Vietnamese women have traditionally been brought up by their families to act like classy ladies. They are usually soft-spoken and rather demure. When in a relationship, they have a tendency to blush at the littlest things. Therefore, you will not have to worry about a Vietnamese girlfriend acting all rowdy when taking her out on a date. A Vietnamese woman is not likely to do crazy things to draw in the attention of other men. Instead, she will be busy hanging onto your every word.

• They are Feminine: Vietnamese culture has always placed great value on a woman’s long hair. Most young maidens would never dare to even consider cutting their hair short while still in the midst of their youth. Moreover, being a man, you are probably well aware of how luscious long hair can add to a woman’s overall femininity.

• They are Modest: Vietnamese woman, modesty nicely refreshing. Vietnamese women are not likely to boast or spend an entire evening talking about themselves. Instead, they are more interested in getting to know you. Therefore, you will have to work a bit harder to keep the conversation going.

• They Leave a Lot to the Imagination: Tired of girls who love to flaunt their assets? Then you will be glad to know that most Vietnamese women tend to dress on the conservative side. One of the most popular clothing items worn by Vietnamese women is something called a traditional Vietnamese long dress. It is basically a long tunic worn over a pair of long pants. The outfit completely covers the woman’s body, but it is still beautiful because it has usually worn in a form-fitting way.