Asia travelers - I need your opinion!

[LilLoveBug 0]

Hi all, my fiancee is from Vietnam but we want to travel out of the country for Valentine's day. He can go to ANY Asian country including India and I think Africa and Egypt (not sure). Money is not a factor. He has been to Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong already. Where can I surprise him and take him? My only thoughts are back to Singapore, based on his tastes, which are as follows....

Here are the factors - he doesn't care much for tropical beauty spots as he sees beaches and beauty daily in Vietnam. :-P He does like more modernized (americanized) places and American food (really loves good Mexican food). Anywhere clean, exciting, with lots to do, and "normal" restaurants would be fantastic. I guess I am asking for America in Asia... Needless to say, we are anxious to get the visa. hahaha

Thanks very much for your input.

Bug

[What's next 1]

Vegas Baby! From there, you can even drive to Tijuana for mexican. Everyone enjoys Vegas.

[Daniel-Sang 0]

China, Japan or Europe

[Jasman0717 9]

Isn't Thailand a hot ticket this time of year?

[Teacher Mark 53]

Uranus.

[Dai. 7]

Kuala Lampur, Bali, Or Seoul.

Good luck!

[RIDION 0]

Tokyo Edited December 23, 2008 by RIDION

[tom&tata 2]

If Singapore is his preference, I would say go to the big cities (like KL, Bangkok, Hongkong, or even Tokyo).

Bali is mixed of Western life & restaurant with traditional attraction (beach, culture).

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

I would think Shanhai, China is the best place to go. Good luck and enjoy.

[ishack1956 0]

You've received lots of good comments. Singapore, Hong Kong, Tapai and Kuala Lumpur all have their share of American type resturants and such. But from my experience Singapore is probably the 'westernized' of Asian cities. So much that I tell my students that I take to Malaysia every other year of so for student exchange that going to Singapore is a waste of money if they're traveling with me for course that includes a portion for cultural exposure. When I lived in Malaysia my son (along with a large number of expats living in Malaysia) would make frequent to trips to Singapore. I was living only about 2 hours from Singapore by car, train or bus, thus it was easy to go there almost weekly. There are a number of really good western style restaurants including a Denny's, Outback, TGIF, and such. My last couple of visits last year I couldn't find any really good Mexican food, but there is a Taco Bell.

I could say the same about Kuala Lumpur, but it's not near as westernized. It has all the major American places such as Outback, TGIF's, Chili's and such. And they do have some Mexican places, actually more than Singapore for some reason. But in general I've found that Asians aren't big fans of Mexican food. My wife complains that their is too much cheese, and since about 80-90% of Asians are lactose intolerant that does make some sense. I would say about the same about Tapai and Hong Kong. At one time there was a hugh British influence in HK, but that seems to disappearing and some of the western feel is disappearing.

But have you considered Australia? When I was living in Asia I took on trip to Australia and that completely cured my need for western culture for another year. I went to Perth on the west coast, much closer than Melborne or Syndney. The only problem I had there was that is so much like the US (actually more like Canada) that one of my friends kept wanting to drive on the wrong side of the road.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I am from America; grew up in Philadelphia, been to New York and Washington DC many times, and presently live in Baltimore. I've been to London, Los Angeles, Boston, St. Louis, New Orleans, Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, etc. Singapore was one of the most amazing cities I've ever visited. Ultra-clean, great transportation, good selection of cuisine, great night spots, interesting sights. I spent about 3 weeks in Singapore and never got bored of the place.

I put my money on Singapore.

[Rainschild 0]

Bangkok or Tokyo!

[chuckandkim 0]

Vietnam nationals MUST apply for Visa to enter: Japan/Australia/South-Korea.

So do not recommend OP's fiancee places like: Tokyo/Sydney/Seoul.

If OP's fiancee gets to visit those places without Visa, then he would have visited the US since these countries are under the VWP pack.

Just thought I bring this up, don't want OP and her fiancée flight to Tokyo and SOL!

[chuckandkim 0]

South Korea: http://south-korea.visahq.com/requirements/Vietnam/

Japan: http://www.hcmcgj.vn.emb-japan.go.jp/vn/visa/guideline_v.htm

Australia: http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au/hnoi/Vis..._Migration.html

[ManilaIdaho 2]

Singapore