My first trip

[ScottThuy 140]

I understand the reluctance. Before going to VN the first time, the only international travel I'd done for 20 years was Mexico and Canada. I was nervous about international travel, and especially nervous about traveling to Vietnam. Like many people, I thought the VN people probably hated Americans because of the war. Most people I've talked to had the same reaction - "Don't they hate us over there?". Of course, none of these people had actually been there.

There were three things that persuaded me to make that first trip. The first, of course, was Phuong. I really wanted to meet her in person. The second was that I would be traveling with her uncle, who assured me that it was safe and that I wouldn't have any problems with people not liking Americans. The third was that I'd read several articles about war veterans who had returned, and had been warmly welcomed. I thought that they must surely have much more serious issues with returning to that country then I could possibly have. If they could do it and report what a positive experience it was for them, then surely I could do it as well.

All of my fears vanished my first day in Saigon. Practically everyone I met greeted me with a big smile. Phuong's cousin met us at the airport, and took us to a great little open air cafe for lunch. The girls who waited on us were very friendly, and tended to us with earnest. Every trip since then has been pretty much the same. None of the things I was worried about ever happened. The VN government officials never gave me a hard time. Nobody ever tried to steal anything from me. I never once met anyone who treated me badly because I was an American. In fact, most of the people I met seemed to perk up when they discovered I was an American. Most VN people have family or friends living in the US.

Everything seems scary until you actually do it. Thousands of Americans travel abroad every day, and the vast majority of them never have any problems.

Arriving at the airport in the middle of the night can be intimidating the first time... hundreds of people waiting for someone that is not you... and they are all waiting outside... its like going from 0 to 60 in about 20 feet... that last area before the exit where one can change money is like a quiet empty area.. and then when you see through those large windows the hundreds of people crowded on the other side of the glass wall.. you know which way you are going... into the crowd.. so many people asking if you need a taxi.. I am lucky enough to work with governemnt agencies so there is often someone waiting for me at immigration that escorts me through the rest of the trip out of the airport.. its simple enough without them to just get your bags and head into the crowd and haggle for a taxi... if they say 25 us... tell them last time you only pay 15... price is flexible everywhere... dont haggle at the Big Grill.. prices are already low there...

[BinhJerome 14]

Thanks. yes, her parents have given me permission to stay in their house. thanks for your advise anybody else have any experience with this?

Carl

If her parents are okay with it, then do it. By law you can not stay in the same hotel room unless you are married, and technically it is the same in her parents home. Most people do not say anything, and most hotels are ok if you both stay together. Hotel receipts will help with your visa application for sure, this shows that you were there. This could be an issue, but usually it is not. With that said this is HCMC we are talking about. I say do what makes you feel comfortable

Good luck Jerome

[lambchop4life 6]

I was sharing a house in HCMC with 4 other foreigners last year. Two of them had their VN girlfriends living there. One friday night at about midnight the cops decided to come and see who was living there. They were actually very nice about the whole thing. They took copies of our paaports and registered us all. They told the girlfriends that they would have to come in to answer a few questions, but it never happened. The landlord did have to pay a visit though. $$$

dont want to bring up an old topic but i will anyway cuz i am bored,

those are some dirty girls there, that is not the Vietnamese way, no ring no ding haha.

[Dai. 7]

dont want to bring up an old topic but i will anyway cuz i am bored,

those are some dirty girls there, that is not the Vietnamese way, no ring no ding haha.

It's the Saigon way... More and more people are becoming westernized and the culture is changing in the city where it's acceptable now. People who are watching movies, and flying overseas and seeing what other countries are doing, they are changing their way of life because of western culture. If the girls are from the country side then it's different. They stay onto their tradition and stick to their beliefs of being abstinent.

[Teacher Mark 53]

dont want to bring up an old topic but i will anyway cuz i am bored,

those are some dirty girls there, that is not the Vietnamese way, no ring no ding haha.

Both couples were engaged and they were all great people. The cops obviously didn't have a problem with it because we all continued to live there until the lease expired.

It's the Saigon way... More and more people are becoming westernized and the culture is changing in the city where it's acceptable now. People who are watching movies, and flying overseas and seeing what other countries are doing, they are changing their way of life because of western culture. If the girls are from the country side then it's different. They stay onto their tradition and stick to their beliefs of being abstinent.

Most of the city girls don't sleep around either. Believe me, I've tried!

[ScottThuy 140]

Maybe they are intimidated with your stature...

Thuy says hi...

[BinhJerome 14]

Both couples were engaged and they were all great people. The cops obviously didn't have a problem with it because we all continued to live there until the lease expired.

Most of the city girls don't sleep around either. Believe me, I've tried!

How many times have you been married? Maybe that is a reason? Most of the time that people get divorced they found love in all the wrong places (mainly the bedroom)

[Teacher Mark 53]

Maybe they are intimidated with your stature...

Thuy says hi...

Humored by my stature may be more like it.

Tell Thuy "Hi" back for me.

[Teacher Mark 53]

How many times have you been married? Maybe that is a reason? Most of the time that people get divorced they found love in all the wrong places (mainly the bedroom)

Which one of you is this?

[BinhJerome 14]

Which one of you is this?

I was not trying to pick any fight, just stating why most relationships fail in general, and I used your statement as an example of the bedroom aspect (it is either because they started off to soon in the bedroom) Other isues are money issues, or issues with children mainly step children. I just left off the money and the children part. Jerome

[BinhJerome 14]

Fixored.

"Fixored"?? Don't you mean miss quote????? After all that is what you did.

My original post was correct, I did not mention green card scams because most marriages do not fail due to a green card scam. Most marriages fail due to the lack of true relationship (getting sex on the mind instead of real feelings of love), money troubles, and children (mainly stepchildren). You can Google reasons most relationships fail or talk to marriage counselors and these are some of the main reasons that any relationship fails. There are other reasons, but these are the reasons I have chosen to talk about. This is one distinct advantage of looking online; you keep the sex out of a relationship. If you are in America and they are in Vietnam it is hard to have sex, yes there is internet and phone sex, but not physical contact. SO without sex you are forced to find other reasons to remain interested in your partner, thus in “theory” you will be building a better relationship. Your comment in my opinion is distasteful, and one reason that many relationships fail. Unlike your fake quote, here is an accurate quote. (Mr. Saigon, on 24 April 2010 – 08:21 AM) “Most of the city girls don’t sleep around either. Believe me, I’ve tried!” The next time you make a post and use quotes that show it is my words, please make sure that it is an accurate quote, and not a fabrication. Spelling and grammar aside you as a teacher should know what type of penalties there are for plagiarism, and misrepresenting quotes. I am sure this was simply your way to try and elicit a response and to try and belittle me. Jerome

[Teacher Mark 53]

"Fixored"?? Don't you mean miss quote????? After all that is what you did.

My original post was correct, I did not mention green card scams because most marriages do not fail due to a green card scam. Most marriages fail due to the lack of true relationship (getting sex on the mind instead of real feelings of love), money troubles, and children (mainly stepchildren). You can Google reasons most relationships fail or talk to marriage counselors and these are some of the main reasons that any relationship fails. There are other reasons, but these are the reasons I have chosen to talk about. This is one distinct advantage of looking online; you keep the sex out of a relationship. If you are in America and they are in Vietnam it is hard to have sex, yes there is internet and phone sex, but not physical contact. SO without sex you are forced to find other reasons to remain interested in your partner, thus in “theory” you will be building a better relationship. Your comment in my opinion is distasteful, and one reason that many relationships fail. Unlike your fake quote, here is an accurate quote. (Mr. Saigon, on 24 April 2010 – 08:21 AM) “Most of the city girls don’t sleep around either. Believe me, I’ve tried!” The next time you make a post and use quotes that show it is my words, please make sure that it is an accurate quote, and not a fabrication. Spelling and grammar aside you as a teacher should know what type of penalties there are for plagiarism, and misrepresenting quotes. I am sure this was simply your way to try and elicit a response and to try and belittle me. Jerome

Plagerism?? In Vietnam?? On a message board?? You should report this to the authorities at once!

Edited April 24, 2010 by Mr. Saigon

[luckytxn 2,264]

Chill out dudes. It is a beautiful day.

[Anh map 2,098]

This old thread got brought back to life and has taken a turn way off topic.

Let's keep comments on topic.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

This old thread got brought back to life and has taken a turn way off topic.

Let's keep comments on topic.

Zombies are always meaner after you resurrect them!