Current Events > I spent some time in Vietnam this year. It was seriously awesome

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The first week was pretty much doing tourist stuff. The second week we hooked up with some locals and they literally paid for everything. We tried to give them money for the drinks and nights out and shit, but they got really insulted and insisted we didn't pay for shit.

Kind of surreal really.

I'm pretty sure this guy was a pimp. He's a Vietnamese national, but said he lives in Philly. He paid for for everything and kept taking us out, then hooked my friend up with girls that weren't free lol.

I wasn't getting involved in that shit.

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How many hot girls did you see

SomeLikeItHoth posted...

How many hot girls did you see

This is definitely the hottest one. It was some local bar type place where the girls bring you drinks and sit with you and shit. The DJ was fucking smoking.

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Then this one at Poc Poc. Dude said she was trans but I don't think so lol

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Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon is an amazing place to visit. They love Americans

which cities did you spend time and how were they? did you find different cities or parts of the country to have varying attitudes towards tourists and/or expats? how was the cuisine? what were the lodging/travel/dining expenses like? what were the weather/climate conditions like?

sorry for all the questions lol

TheMikh posted...

which cities did you spend time and how were they? did you find different cities or parts of the country to have varying attitudes towards tourists and/or expats? how was the cuisine? what were the lodging/travel/dining expenses like? what were the weather/climate conditions like?

sorry for all the questions lol

Most of the time was spent in Saigon. But we took some day trips to the Mekong river and Cu Chi tunnels which were both over 2 hours away by bus. The hotel room was $20 a night and pretty nice actually for the price.

I honestly wouldn't recommend walking through the tunnels. They were used by the Viet cong during the war to hide from Americans. I have a video of it somewhere holy shit, I was done for 2 days after walking through them. Very hard on the body if you're not used to that type of thing

I'll just add, the little day tours that are all over the area are dirt cheap. For $9 we got a 2.5 hour bus ride, multiple trips by boat, and lunch on Unicorn Island.

For under $10? It was hard to believe but once you pay for the plane ticket everything feels like it's free. There was a pho place by the hotel where you could get a huge bowl and a drink for $2. Ate that every morning

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Just for reference, this is the $20 hotel room. It was very clean, but the cable sucked so bad. There was a lot of Chinese stuff with Vietnamese words to it. I take it they don't have a lot of their own content.

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Mekong river was fucking weird. I swear to God, not a single insect? And no birds. I know the avian flu is going around over there so maybe they exterminated them? idk

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This place claimed to have the best soup on the planet. idk but it was only $3 lol

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I just have to recommend Poc Poc tho. It was the best time ever. And for some reason all the bouncers shook my hand when I left lol. Not sure why. Maybe because I was the only white dude in there

https://www.facebook.com/pocpocbeergarden/

Did you wrap up

Vietnam is awesome. And yes, its basically all free once youre there. My cost of living is ridiculously low.

Turtlebread posted...

Did you wrap up

Unfortunately I didn't have sex there.

But my boy did. The last day he went out with the locals we hooked up with but I stayed in my room because I knew we had a 30 hour trip to get back to the east coast of the US. And I'd have to be awake enough to drive us home from the airport.

I heard a knock on my door at like 2am. I didn't answer, but later found out he sent a hooker to my room lol.

No fucking way am I getting involved in anything like that. It's not legal there and no I'm not spending time in a Vietnamese prison.

Glob posted...

Vietnam is awesome. And yes, its basically all free once youre there. My cost of living is ridiculously low.

You live there?

The guy I posted a pic of smoking the hookah told me I'd have it made if I moved there and did simple side hustles.

I've been considering it. Fuck this place

LeoRavus posted...

You live there?

The guy I posted a pic of smoking the hookah told me I'd have it made if I moved there and did simple side hustles.

I've been considering it. Fuck this place

Yeah, I live in Hanoi.

I get paid more than I did in my home country, plus amazing benefits and a super low cost of living. Its pretty awesome.

Glob posted...

Yeah, I live in Hanoi.

I get paid more than I did in my home country, plus amazing benefits and a super low cost of living. Its pretty awesome.

Nice. I really wanted to go up north but didn't get the chance. My travel buddy backed out of all that and told me to go by myself and I probably should have.

I really wanted to go to Hue and see the Imperial City. Wish I did that. From Saigon it was a 1.5 hour flight and with a room for 1 night would have been $170. Regret not doing that so much.

I'll tell you why he backed out, which is kind of fucked up.

Dude was born in Vietnam, hence the whole trip thing. He wanted someone to go with. But the locals there told him he doesn't look like a local? lol

That fucked with him. He was given a hard time at the airport. So he didn't want to fly any more than necessary.

This is something I found amusing. This is a statue of "Uncle Ho" in the center of Saigon.

My boy wanted to go see it for whatever reason, then got pissed off and walked away. He said that motherfucker had his dad in a concentration camp. I was like, then why the fuck are we here?

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LeoRavus posted...

This is something I found amusing. This is a statue of "Uncle Ho" in the center of Saigon.

My boy wanted to go see it for whatever reason, then got pissed off and walked away. He said that motherfucker had his dad in a concentration camp. I was like, then why the fuck are we here?

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There are pictures and statues of him basically everywhere.

I went to Vietnam for a couple for weeks for a University course in 2015, it was great but I am not used to such heat and humidity. My favourite parts were the Cu Chi tunnels, a water puppet show, and Vietnamese coffee with ice cream.

My roommate came into the hotel room once shaken up. I asked what happened and he said a guy on the street tried to sell the sexual services of a pre-teen girl to him. He said no but the guy followed him all the way to the hotel entrance. Really disturbing stuff.

mullettron posted...

I went to Vietnam for a couple for weeks for a University course in 2015, it was great but I am not used to such heat and humidity. My favourite parts were the Cu Chi tunnels, a water puppet show, and Vietnamese coffee with ice cream.

My roommate came into the hotel room once shaken up. I asked what happened and he said a guy on the street tried to sell the sexual services of a pre-teen girl to him. He said no but the guy followed him all the way to the hotel entrance. Really disturbing stuff.

You do see a lot of people selling sex but I havent seen it done with underage girls in the major cities. Rural areas are awful for child prostitution and trafficking though. Im involved with an organisation that tries to stop that but its a constant battle.

Glob posted...

There are pictures and statues of him basically everywhere.

Yes, and he's even on the money. I still have a few hundred thousand dong I never exchanged.

I mean I guess I get where he's coming from. His dad fought on the American side which obviously lost.

I went to the war museum in Ho Chi Minh city. Have tons of pics of it but don't think it would be appropriate to post actually. I know the communist side won, but they basically made everything out to be the fault of the Americans and South Vietnamese "puppets". It really bothered my travel buddy being his dad was one of those "puppets". I kind of forced him to walk through it.

LeoRavus posted...

Yes, and he's even on the money. I still have a few hundred thousand dong I never exchanged.

I mean I guess I get where he's coming from. His dad fought on the American side which obviously lost.

I went to the war museum in Ho Chi Minh city. Have tons of pics of it but don't think it would be appropriate to post actually. I know the communist side won, but they basically made everything out to be the fault of the Americans and South Vietnamese "puppets". It really bothered my travel buddy being his dad was one of those "puppets". I kind of forced him to walk through it.

In the North the war is largely only referenced for the sake of tourists. Young people in Vietnam dont care about the war at all.

Glob posted...

In the North the war is largely only referenced for the sake of tourists. Young people in Vietnam dont care about the war at all.

It's not really about the people caring. Every single person I met in the south anyway loved me to death. They spoke great English and honestly the only thing I learned to say there in Vietnamese is "I love you". lol

But the government definitely paints Americans in a bad light when it comes to the war. Which is understandable really. I mean that museum in Saigon is so fucking graphic. I almost felt like throwing up

So, here are a few from the war museum. Trust me, I couldn't post many because they'd be bannable. I mean they were horrific.

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LeoRavus posted...

It's not really about the people caring. Every single person I met in the south anyway loved me to death. They spoke great English and honestly the only thing I learned to say there in Vietnamese is "I love you". lol

But the government definitely paints Americans in a bad light when it comes to the war. Which is understandable really. I mean that museum in Saigon is so fucking graphic. I almost felt like throwing up

My girlfriend called our puppy Charlie, not knowing the racist connotations of the name. The younger people just arent really aware of it other than being a thing that happened long before they were born.

LeoRavus posted...

The DJ was fucking smoking.

I wish you had a better picture because she looks like she'd be pretty hot.

Those are some nice pictures. How much total did you spend? I'd love to go to Vietnam some day.

LeoRavus posted...

It's not really about the people caring. Every single person I met in the south anyway loved me to death. They spoke great English and honestly the only thing I learned to say there in Vietnamese is "I love you". lol

But the government definitely paints Americans in a bad light when it comes to the war. Which is understandable really. I mean that museum in Saigon is so fucking graphic. I almost felt like throwing up

Was gonna say that TBF the US did commit horrific war crimes in Vietnam.

Supaitwo posted...

Was gonna say that TBF the US did commit horrific war crimes in Vietnam.

It was a very bad time for all involved, to be sure.

I just find it strange that for the rest of the world, you mention Vietnam and everybody instantly thinks of the war, but the average Vietnamese person doesnt treat it like it has a whole lot of importance. But then, I suppose theyve had plenty of trouble from other countries over the centuries. Many Vietnamese people openly hate Chinese people.

Glob posted...

It was a very bad time for all involved, to be sure.

I just find it strange that for the rest of the world, you mention Vietnam and everybody instantly thinks of the war, but the average Vietnamese person doesnt treat it like it has a whole lot of importance. But then, I suppose theyve had plenty of trouble from other countries over the centuries. Many Vietnamese people openly hate Chinese people.

I had the Chinese talk with a few locals. They really didn't have nice things to say in that category. I mean as an American I'm like whatever but the people living there had a very negative opinion of them.

I also found it interesting that the war in Vietnam is known there as the American War.

Ive heard certain parts of Vietnam hate Americans.

Here's the table where we sat. Usually in the early morning or late at night. The guys there bought us all the food and wouldn't take our money lol. They thought they were fucking with me by giving me balut but I ate the shit out of it

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SomeLikeItHoth posted...

I wish you had a better picture because she looks like she'd be pretty hot.

Those are some nice pictures. How much total did you spend? I'd love to go to Vietnam some day.

I got one of those package deals from Orbitz. For the ticket and hotel, it came to just over $2k.

But once there I really didn't spend much because it was so cheap.

Ben Thahn market was within walking distance and you can buy anything there. Designer clothes made in Vietnam are dirt cheap and you can haggle with them and pretty much name your price. I got 4 t-shirts and 2 pairs of shorts for less than $20. Should have gotten more tbh. It's a huge tourist trap because of how cheap everything is

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And speaking of the DJ chick, she really looked depressed.

I mean she was doing her thing and bouncing her boobs around, but the place was full of creeps. It was mostly older business type men and they weren't even paying attention to the girls. One guy was playing a mobile game in front of me.

I was like why the fuck are you even here? You're surrounded by good looking women and playing a phone game? At least pretend to be interested maybe? I guess I didn't get that part.

10/10 topic, thanks for sharing all of this. Really enjoy the pics and learning about other places like this.

Supaitwo posted...

Ive heard certain parts of Vietnam hate Americans.

Ive not encountered that anywhere, so if it is true, its got to be small pockets.

Glob posted...

Ive not encountered that anywhere, so if it is true, its got to be small pockets.

I didn't notice that either. Not to say it doesn't exist.

On the way to Cu Chi tunnels the bus stopped at this little market type place. For some reason, a woman there focused on me and kept trying to sell me shit. I wasn't the only white guy in the room. She saw who I was with and literally said "You have a Vietnamese friend and that's very special".

I was almost offended by that, like a white guy can't be friends with an Asian. But she wouldn't leave me alone until I bought something. She was hot too lol

LeoRavus posted...

I didn't notice that either. Not to say it doesn't exist.

On the way to Cu Chi tunnels the bus stopped at this little market type place. For some reason, a woman there focused on me and kept trying to sell me shit. I wasn't the only white guy in the room. She saw who I was with and literally said "You have a Vietnamese friend and that's very special".

I was almost offended by that, like a white guy can't be friends with an Asian. But she wouldn't leave me alone until I bought something. She was hot too lol

If I go somewhere rural with my girlfriend she gets approached by strangers asking her how they or their relatives can find a rich white man.

Glob posted...

If I go somewhere rural with my girlfriend she gets approached by strangers asking her how they or their relatives can find a rich white man.

Speaking of that, I saw so many old white men walking around with young Vietnamese women.

I take it it's a destination to find a bride or whatever? The chick at the hotel said she only makes $15 a day and often works 12 hours plus with no overtime pay. Just straight up $15.

mullettron posted...

I went to Vietnam for a couple for weeks for a University course in 2015, it was great but I am not used to such heat and humidity. My favourite parts were the Cu Chi tunnels, a water puppet show, and Vietnamese coffee with ice cream.

My roommate came into the hotel room once shaken up. I asked what happened and he said a guy on the street tried to sell the sexual services of a pre-teen girl to him. He said no but the guy followed him all the way to the hotel entrance. Really disturbing stuff.

Sorry, I missed this post.

It got up to around 93 degrees F every afternoon when I was there. But to be honest, I didn't even feel that hot. I'm from Maryland where if it's 93, you don't even go outside. It's not the same type of heat that I'm used to or as humid.

Which is surprising since Saigon is full of water. I thought I'd be sweating my balls off but didn't. The streets are also lined with huge trees so there's always some type of shade which probably helped.

For example, this is the street where we stayed. It's lined with trees. You don't really see that in American cities. You may see a few here and there but this is like a fucking forest

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LeoRavus posted...

Speaking of that, I saw so many old white men walking around with young Vietnamese women.

I take it it's a destination to find a bride or whatever? The chick at the hotel said she only makes $15 a day and often works 12 hours plus with no overtime pay. Just straight up $15.

Theres a prevalent idea that the white men in Vietnam are all wealthy.

Its not entirely true, but comparatively theyre likely to be on a lot more than the locals.

I always have people think they know more or less what Im on if I say Im a teacher, as they assume Im doing TEFL as thats what most of the migrant workers do. Im actually on a lot more than those guys but for the most part it really doesnt matter as they tend to live very comfortably on what they earn.

Glob posted...

Theres a prevalent idea that the white men in Vietnam are all wealthy.

Its not entirely true, but comparatively theyre likely to be on a lot more than the locals.

I always have people think they know more or less what Im on if I say Im a teacher, as they assume Im doing TEFL as thats what most of the migrant workers do. Im actually on a lot more than those guys but for the most part it really doesnt matter as they tend to live very comfortably on what they earn.

You teach there?

I noticed there didn't seem to be a lot of Americans walking around. Most white people I met were European.

I still think there's that "Vietnam war" stigma when it comes to Americans. That's all they associate the country with. People were shocked when I told them where I was going. "Vietnam? Don't you know the war is over?"

I literally heard that multiple times. Even recently from an old British woman I met at Subway. I was like...damn.

LeoRavus posted...

You teach there?

I noticed there didn't seem to be a lot of Americans walking around. Most white people I met were European.

I still think there's that "Vietnam war" stigma when it comes to Americans. That's all they associate the country with. People were shocked when I told them where I was going. "Vietnam? Don't you know the war is over?"

I literally heard that multiple times. Even recently from an old British woman I met at Subway. I was like...damn.

I do. I work with several Americans and know quite a few more over here.

But yeah, for a lot of the world, Vietnam is just that country that the US went to war with. Its a shame, because its an awesome country.

Glob posted...

I do. I work with several Americans and know quite a few more over here.

But yeah, for a lot of the world, Vietnam is just that country that the US went to war with. Its a shame, because its an awesome country.

What do you teach?

One of the dudes who took us around said I should move there and start a taco stand. There aren't many taco places there and who doesn't like tacos?

One thing that was extremely prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City was tall European women. I mean fucking huge. Tons of them were over 6 feet tall, and I say this because I'm 5'11" and they were taller than me.

It was kind of surreal. In the US you don't see tons of tall women.

LeoRavus posted...

What do you teach?

One of the dudes who took us around said I should move there and start a taco stand. There aren't many taco places there and who doesn't like tacos?

One thing that was extremely prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City was tall European women. I mean fucking huge. Tons of them were over 6 feet tall, and I say this because I'm 5'11" and they were taller than me.

It was kind of surreal. In the US you don't see tons of tall women.

I teach primary, so a bit of everything. Im a maths specialist but teach the other subjects too. Also the vice principal, but I wasnt when I came over here.

There are tacos everywhere in Hanoi. Cant say that Ive noticed a whole lot in a way of tall people, male or female. In fact, Im not sure Ive seen anybody taller than me here since I first arrived, and Im only 63.

So how do they treat black people in Vietnam?

I remember when you made this topic originally too and it does look like a great time.

Rise_Makaveli posted...

So how do they treat black people in Vietnam?

If you go to more remote areas, black people are seen as a real curiosity. Going on a trip with a couple of colleagues, one of which is black, had several people telling him quite sincerely that they had never met a black person before.

Glob posted...

If you go to more remote areas, black people are seen as a real curiosity. Going on a trip with a couple of colleagues, one of which is black, had several people telling him quite sincerely that they had never met a black person before.

But was he getting women is my real question tbh lol
I want to be 'exotic' enough to be interesting but not enough to get kidnapped is what I'm saying, hear all kinds of horror stories about all kinds of international travel locations.