Spending a month in Vietnam - my random observations

[jdgregory84]

Where are the pics? I'm fascinated by foreign countries and their lifestyles. Perhaps because I'm coming to the realization that long term survival may mean getting the fuck out of the good Ol US of A.

I'm not sure if his profile is public or private, but my friend has a shitload of pics from asia and central america.

Here's a really cool palace in Thailand.





Here's a link to the rest of his pics.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photos.php?id=29628080

[sig239]

[Sean88gt]

I bet that palace is a bitch to keep clean!

[Denny]

You have a very different opinion of Vietnam than my friend who is a tourguide in East Asia, including doing tours in Vietnam. He's usually there for about 2 weeks at a time, and he said that for the most part, compared to other asian countries, the Vietnamese are rude, especially to females, and they don't know how to say anything without yelling it. He did say that the food is good though, but out of all the asian countries he goes through, Vietnam is by far his least favorite and by the end of his two week tours, he's ready to get the hell out of there.

It is different if you are going to visit family and be part of the integrated community, than if you are with someone that is a tour guide or another visitor. Most communities around the world will accept you if you have some sort of connection to them already.

[line-em-up]

...

What do we get for ten dollars?

any ting u want

[sc281]

Damn, This may be a cool place to retire... and if i retire there I can afford to do it at 35!!

<---- looooooooves asian wimmenz

[sc281]

- The beaches and landscape are incredible, the most beautiful place I have ever been. I'm considering buying a house here, they're so cheap and right on the beach. I could retire at a very young age, for $1,000 a month you can live like a king.
:

How much is beachfront property going for?

[Cooter]

I was going to try some in Malaysia but couldn't get past the smell.

I was trying to trick him... it tastes worse than it smells

[momo]

i was blown away when i saw that Top Gear Vietnam special. i'd love to see the scooter madness in real life.

[Denny]

How much is beachfront property going for?

You'll have to get yourself a Viet Wife or someone you trust to buy it for you.

Round eye no own poportee here! You rent from me!

[UserX]

My wife's cousin spent a good six months there after his divorce. Photography was a hobby, and he took some beautiful pictures. He also took some not so great pictures. Poverty is a big deal there.

He had a blast though. I'd like to go sometime. But I am unsure of going to a country like Vietnam not knowing the language.

Agreed on the poverty. I'm staying right in the city and they have it better than most. But once out of the city and into villages, people literally live in homemade tents made with a tarp. No electricity, running water, nothing. Horrible living conditions, very sad to see. Especially for those that are elderly or handicapped, they're screwed and get no assistance.

I think you could enjoy it here without speaking the language, you just have to be careful to not get ripped off. Shop at places that sell things with price tags on them, otherwise they will charge you a lot more than the locals.

[DamonH]

I was trying to trick him... it tastes worse than it smells

As you can't get within 30 feet of it without smelling it, it wouldn't have worked!

[UserX]

Nice review. I have had a few friends I work with go to Vietnam and Cambodia. Does your soon to be speak Vietnamese? My guess is that helps keep the costs down, ALOT.

I would love to check it out myself but I am barely able to get my wife to fly home by herself from Barcelona next month after our cruise.

She does speak Vietnamese, but they can spot her as American right away. Women here don't have the perfect skin, silky hair, nice clothes etc. Speaking the language is not as important as being with a local. Her family has helped us so much it's unreal, especially with planning the wedding.

[UserX]

make sure you try the durian!

I've had it before coming here, it smells and tastes like shit. And I can eat damn near anything.

[UserX]

You have a very different opinion of Vietnam than my friend who is a tourguide in East Asia, including doing tours in Vietnam. He's usually there for about 2 weeks at a time, and he said that for the most part, compared to other asian countries, the Vietnamese are rude, especially to females, and they don't know how to say anything without yelling it. He did say that the food is good though, but out of all the asian countries he goes through, Vietnam is by far his least favorite and by the end of his two week tours, he's ready to get the hell out of there.

Keep in mind my entire stay is in one city, I'm sure the bigger cities like Hanoi or Saigon are different. But my experience has been awesome so far.