Stimulating Vietnam

[Aquarian]

On the wee hours of Sunday morning, we caught a cab to Terminal One on our first flight to our new destination on Jetstar. When we arrived at Ho Chi Min City after two hours flight, we were surprised to be greeted by a whole bunch of reporters. Apparently, it was the first flight from Jetstar to HCM City!!!

The first sight of HCM City was there are so many motorcycles on the road, and they are truly the king of the roads as there are much fewer cars on the road than motorcycles.

[Aquarian]

We had our first authentic Vietnamese lunch at this local coffeeshop. (I have tried Vietnamese food before but outside of Vietnam!)

The food was nice but our friend did find it to be a bit oily and salty.

The place was quite clean and well maintained including their toilet. :wink:

We had some chap choy soup which was quite nice. We also found out that beer is really cheap there at $1.20 per can for Tiger, Calsbery or Heinekin. To my dismay, cigarette is also cheap at only $1 per pack and u can smoke anywhere u like, my fren smoke twice as much as he did in Spore and so did I - passive smoker !!! :angry:

[Aquarian]

Another good point about the place is that taxi is strictly on meter, and it does not start ticking even though you are stuck in a jam! The meter in the taxi is housed in a plastic box - maybe to prevent theft :wink:

One thing to remember is they do not carry small change, so make sure you have some 10,000 or 20,000 Dong ($1 to $2) with you so you need not overpay them.

[Aquarian]

Of cos as a fish hobbyist, we will look out for LFS when we visit a new place. The variety of fishes sold in VN is understandably less, we were searching high and low for ST but could only find two NTT instead. The varieties of fishes here are cheaper range of aro like Pearl, Green or Silver, discus, mollies, goldfish and luohan.

You can see the things they are selling in this shop, they seem to like a nicely decorated tank with polished finish edges, sump tank or OH stackable filters could not be seen being used here.

[Aquarian]

My first night there, I really enjoy the dinner there, among things that we tried are the local spring rolls, and lots of seafood !!! Yummy :wink:

[Aquarian]

more food to feast your eyes on, the reason why the food here is so nice is because they are really fresh, from the vegie to the seafood ..........

[Aquarian]

some nice old and new buildings around HCM City, can also see some tourist taking their rides on the local trishaws, can anyone recognise the guy in the red shirt crossing the road ? :wink:

[Aquarian]

Vietnemse ppl are really friendly lot, I did find a female companion when I was there, can see the picture below, she is selling food just outside our hotel, nice friendly lady :stick_out_tongue:

The last pic is the Vietnamese equivalent of Starbuck, the joint has all the different types of coffee that their western counterpart is selling and more, also have the super strong local coffee, must try but you must have strong heart!!!

Last but not least - I will be back !!!

[condor]

Thanks for posting all these pics

[poseidon]

i do agree the food is always fresh and good,but not all is suit to our taste:wink: find them too salty sometimes,the vietnamese culture are very diff from the chinese.overall a nice place to visit if you know their language.

bro i do miss the place after seeing all these pics.tks for sharing.....

[SniperY]

So do i!!!!!! :big_smile:

[TROY]

Wow! a very detailed report!!! :big_smile:

[SniperY]

Vietnam HCMC turned out to be very lively and beautiful at night. Street as usual occupied with motor-cycles and tourists. Managed to capture one of the tourist from our forum, have you spot him? :wink:

[SniperY]

As mention by Aquarian, this is the street attracted me the most, whole street all selling aquarium stuffs, unfortunate we cant get what we want :crying:

[Scrubby]

wow, very good pics on vietnamese food, bro aquarian! made me salivate. bro poseidon should know a lot about vietnam. i wanna go vietnam soon too. this year will be russia first. ;)

[SniperY]

wow, very good pics on vietnamese food, bro aquarian! made me salivate. bro poseidon should know a lot about vietnam. i wanna go vietnam soon too. this year will be russia first. ;)Yes, to me the foods there is very attractive, but quite salty and oily for me :crying: Anyway, luckily still managed to find a good restaurant operating by Hong Konger chef :big_smile:

[Aquarian]

bro, when you take night shots, hand must be really still or else the photos will turn out blurry :wink:

Vietnam HCMC turned out to be very lively and beautiful at night. Street as usual occupied with motor-cycles and tourists. Managed to capture one of the tourist from our forum, have you spot him? :wink:

[Aquarian]

i know the reason WHY !!! :wink:

So do i!!!!!! :big_smile:

[Aquarian]

i must say i was pleasantly surprise at the standard of living there, definitely a better place to work as compared to Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, among some of the countries I have visited and worked.

thanks bro

i do agree the food is always fresh and good,but not all is suit to our taste:wink: find them too salty sometimes,the vietnamese culture are very diff from the chinese.overall a nice place to visit if you know their language.

bro i do miss the place after seeing all these pics.tks for sharing.....

[Theo9902]

Very good detail FR on HCM city. Reminds me of my days at Hanoi, but I would say, ex-Saigon is a much better place to visit.

Any "Akan Datang"? Bro aquarian? :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

when I was in Phnom Phen and Hanoi, I usually travel by motorbike. sometimes had to pay them first, cos they need the $$ to buy petrol :big_smile:

when I got back to the hotel, imagine I used tissue paper to wipe my face :(

Another good point about the place is that taxi is strictly on meter, and it does not start ticking even though you are stuck in a jam! The meter in the taxi is housed in a plastic box - maybe to prevent theft :wink:

One thing to remember is they do not carry small change, so make sure you have some 10,000 or 20,000 Dong ($1 to $2) with you so you need not overpay them.

[Theo9902]

i guess u must be looking for ST right? :big_smile:

As mention by Aquarian, this is the street attracted me the most, whole street all selling aquarium stuffs, unfortunate we cant get what we want :crying:

[Theo9902]

ya, I am sure you are very careful with your diet now, especially the oily food stuff.

Yes, to me the foods there is very attractive, but quite salty and oily for me :crying: Anyway, luckily still managed to find a good restaurant operating by Hong Konger chef :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

so hope your next oversea posting will be HCM city! :wink:

i must say i was pleasantly surprise at the standard of living there, definitely a better place to work as compared to Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, among some of the countries I have visited and worked.

thanks bro

[Aquarian]

yes, i am working on it now :)

so hope your next oversea posting will be HCM city! :wink:

[SniperY]

i guess u must be looking for ST right? :big_smile:Of course is ST lah!

[SniperY]

ya, I am sure you are very careful with your diet now, especially the oily food stuff.Precisely, therefore need to go and find out more restaurant for my diet :crying:

[SniperY]

bro, when you take night shots, hand must be really still or else the photos will turn out blurry :wink: No idea, just see and snap only, happen that your face appeared inside the pic :big_smile:

[SniperY]

i know the reason WHY !!! :wink:Then keep to yourself lah since you know "WHY" :angry:

[poseidon]

Vietnamese people of today,i might be wrong.:wink:

First- they are hard working but easy to satisfy.

Second- they are smart and creative to cope with short-termed difficulties, but lack long-termed and active reasoning abilities.

Third- they are dexterous but hardly pay attention to the final perfection of their products.

Fourth- they are both practical and idealistic, but don’t develop either of these tendencies into theories.

Fifth- they love knowledge and have quick understanding, but hardly learn from the beginning to the end of things, so their knowledge isn’t systemic or fundamental.In addition, Vietnamese people don’t study just for the sake of knowledge (when small, they study because of their families; growing up, they study for the sake of prestige or good jobs).

Sixth- they are open-hearted and hospital, but their hospitality doesn’t last.

Seventh- they are thrifty, but many times squander money for meaningless reasons (to save face or to show off).

Eighth-they have solidarity and help each other chiefly in difficult situations and poverty; in better conditions, this characteristic rarely exists.

They love peace, and can endure things, but they are often not frank for sundry reasons, so sacrifice important goals for the sake of small ones. And last, they like to gather, but lack connectivity to create strength (one person can complete a task excellently; 2 people do it poorly, and 3 people make a mess of it).

Cunning, pushy, superficial and lacking solidarity


Perhaps, more importantly, the “cunning tradition” seems be developed into an “art of life.” An overseas Vietnamese once said, “I’m so surprised at the tendency to jostle of the Vietnamese. When they take the train or the bus, they still push each other though every one has a ticket with the seat number.” Also according to this person, the Vietnamese people are “one of the most curious peoples” in the world. For instance, as soon as 2 Hondas scratch each other on the street, throngs of people will gather to watch.When facing momentous things, you still keep your short-sighted opinions, so often jeopardise great goals and lose opportunities.”


If one wants to witness how the Vietnamese cunningness and jostling tendency demonstrated in real life, one only needs to buy a ticket to a buffet at any restaurant or hotel. What strikes one’s eyes is the image of people jostling each other to take as much as possible of their favorite food, only half of which will be eaten.

What’s about “superficial"? Superficiality is evident in the endless races for degrees, wealth and fame very common among the people who believe themselves the “upper class”.

As for solidarity and the ability to work in groups, one often hear such satirical sentences as “3 Russians are equal to one Jew; three Jews equal one Vietnamese, but 3 Vietnamese are equal to…” or "a Vietnamese falling into a lake can climb up by himself, but 3 Vietnamese can’t.” Professor Cao Xuan Hao once asked the question, “Is it true that there is a high-position official in the heart of every Vietnamese? Vietnamese people seem to want to be superior to even one person? They rather die than yield?”

Fond of anything foreign: a chronic sickness

Though arrogant and boastful, Vietnamese people can sometimes fall into such an inferiority complex that they almost become metal slaves and don’t believe they can do anything well. The foreignness loving mentality makes many people, especially the young, worship foreign things to the extreme, and imitate blindly anything imported from abroad.

The cause of this “sickness” is a “weak body.” When one isn’t strong from the inside, or doesn’t have anything worthy to be proud of, one tends to imitate, and run after appearances. A perfect example is the face of Vietnamese urban architecture which includes confusingly numerous styles and schools.

With what do the Vietnamese think?

Do Vietnamese people think with the head or the “stomach” (indeed, we often use the word “nghi bung” which is the combination of the 2 words “think” and “stomach”). At present, sentimental reasoning based on prejudices or experiences hamper our development. When will Vietnamese students have true systemic reasoning skills?

Are the Vietnamese hard-working and patient? One is tempted to answer in the negative, especially when this question is about the 8x generation or younger. Young Vietnamese people often do things perfunctorily. As long as we can’t cure the root of this “sickness” which is the habit of avoiding difficulties and the lack of motives in life, to help Vietnam fly will be an impossible mission for now.

So where do we start?

To have a successful flight, not only do we need outstanding leaders, but we also have to look into the mirror to see our defects and be determined to improve ourselves.

Perhaps what we need is a program with a specific time frame and targets, the first of which is to lead a life of integrity. We have to fight with all our might against the diseases of “thinking insincerely, speaking insincerely, studying insincerely, and making things insincerely” which are turning into a sort of culture and way of living of many people.

We can start from such simple things as obeying traffic laws. For instance, we should be determined to stop at the red lines, though we don’t see any policeman nearby. There should also be strict fines for irresponsible conducts like littering or motorbike racing and swinging and honking.

Only when integrity becomes our watchword can Vietnam take off.Good-luck.

[Theo9902]

they also import ST from Thailand? :huh:

Of course is ST lah!

[Aquarian]

Good insight into Vietnamese mentality :wink:

Vietnamese people of today,i might be wrong.:wink:

First- they are hard working but easy to satisfy.

Second- they are smart and creative to cope with short-termed difficulties, but lack long-termed and active reasoning abilities.

Third- they are dexterous but hardly pay attention to the final perfection of their products.

Fourth- they are both practical and idealistic, but don’t develop either of these tendencies into theories.

Fifth- they love knowledge and have quick understanding, but hardly learn from the beginning to the end of things, so their knowledge isn’t systemic or fundamental.In addition, Vietnamese people don’t study just for the sake of knowledge (when small, they study because of their families; growing up, they study for the sake of prestige or good jobs).

Sixth- they are open-hearted and hospital, but their hospitality doesn’t last.

Seventh- they are thrifty, but many times squander money for meaningless reasons (to save face or to show off).

Eighth-they have solidarity and help each other chiefly in difficult situations and poverty; in better conditions, this characteristic rarely exists.

They love peace, and can endure things, but they are often not frank for sundry reasons, so sacrifice important goals for the sake of small ones. And last, they like to gather, but lack connectivity to create strength (one person can complete a task excellently; 2 people do it poorly, and 3 people make a mess of it).

Cunning, pushy, superficial and lacking solidarity


Perhaps, more importantly, the “cunning tradition” seems be developed into an “art of life.” An overseas Vietnamese once said, “I’m so surprised at the tendency to jostle of the Vietnamese. When they take the train or the bus, they still push each other though every one has a ticket with the seat number.” Also according to this person, the Vietnamese people are “one of the most curious peoples” in the world. For instance, as soon as 2 Hondas scratch each other on the street, throngs of people will gather to watch.When facing momentous things, you still keep your short-sighted opinions, so often jeopardise great goals and lose opportunities.”


If one wants to witness how the Vietnamese cunningness and jostling tendency demonstrated in real life, one only needs to buy a ticket to a buffet at any restaurant or hotel. What strikes one’s eyes is the image of people jostling each other to take as much as possible of their favorite food, only half of which will be eaten.

What’s about “superficial"? Superficiality is evident in the endless races for degrees, wealth and fame very common among the people who believe themselves the “upper class”.

As for solidarity and the ability to work in groups, one often hear such satirical sentences as “3 Russians are equal to one Jew; three Jews equal one Vietnamese, but 3 Vietnamese are equal to…” or "a Vietnamese falling into a lake can climb up by himself, but 3 Vietnamese can’t.” Professor Cao Xuan Hao once asked the question, “Is it true that there is a high-position official in the heart of every Vietnamese? Vietnamese people seem to want to be superior to even one person? They rather die than yield?”

Fond of anything foreign: a chronic sickness

Though arrogant and boastful, Vietnamese people can sometimes fall into such an inferiority complex that they almost become metal slaves and don’t believe they can do anything well. The foreignness loving mentality makes many people, especially the young, worship foreign things to the extreme, and imitate blindly anything imported from abroad.

The cause of this “sickness” is a “weak body.” When one isn’t strong from the inside, or doesn’t have anything worthy to be proud of, one tends to imitate, and run after appearances. A perfect example is the face of Vietnamese urban architecture which includes confusingly numerous styles and schools.

With what do the Vietnamese think?

Do Vietnamese people think with the head or the “stomach” (indeed, we often use the word “nghi bung” which is the combination of the 2 words “think” and “stomach”). At present, sentimental reasoning based on prejudices or experiences hamper our development. When will Vietnamese students have true systemic reasoning skills?

Are the Vietnamese hard-working and patient? One is tempted to answer in the negative, especially when this question is about the 8x generation or younger. Young Vietnamese people often do things perfunctorily. As long as we can’t cure the root of this “sickness” which is the habit of avoiding difficulties and the lack of motives in life, to help Vietnam fly will be an impossible mission for now.

So where do we start?

To have a successful flight, not only do we need outstanding leaders, but we also have to look into the mirror to see our defects and be determined to improve ourselves.

Perhaps what we need is a program with a specific time frame and targets, the first of which is to lead a life of integrity. We have to fight with all our might against the diseases of “thinking insincerely, speaking insincerely, studying insincerely, and making things insincerely” which are turning into a sort of culture and way of living of many people.

We can start from such simple things as obeying traffic laws. For instance, we should be determined to stop at the red lines, though we don’t see any policeman nearby. There should also be strict fines for irresponsible conducts like littering or motorbike racing and swinging and honking.

Only when integrity becomes our watchword can Vietnam take off.Good-luck.

[Theo9902]

wao, just one trip and you know them so well already? :big_smile:

Good insight into Vietnamese mentality :wink:

[poseidon]

Remember them:wink:

[Theo9902]

walao, u post this kind of picture! and you expect our OC to let us go again if they see the pictures? :angry:

Remember them:wink:

[Aquarian]

some nice pics of the local in the traditional dress (ao dai) and modern dress

[TROY]

some nice pics of the local in the traditional dress (ao dai) and modern dress

when is the next trip?? :stick_out_tongue:

[Theo9902]

bro, go and get permit first from your interior minister! :big_smile:

when is the next trip?? :stick_out_tongue:

[Aquarian]

bro, u also interested in getting a ST or VT? :wink:

when is the next trip?? :stick_out_tongue:

[Aquarian]

are you going to get yours??

bro, go and get permit first from your interior minister! :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

application form submitted, waiting for final approval :crying:

are you going to get yours??

[TROY]

bro, u also interested in getting a ST or VT? :wink:

Both :big_smile:

[poseidon]

walao, u post this kind of picture! and you expect our OC to let us go again if they see the pictures? :angry:

Think of the bright side bro,everyone is aware of this.Can't change the fact:wink:see no touch.

[Aquarian]

i hope you know what we meant by VT :wink:

Both :big_smile:

[TROY]

i hope you know what we meant by VT :wink:

I think I'm aware :stick_out_tongue:

[Theo9902]

Virgin Tigers? :big_smile:

i hope you know what we meant by VT :wink:

[Aquarian]

Vietnam Tiger la but we are not talking abt fish :wink:

Virgin Tigers? :big_smile:

[condor]

Vietnam Tiger la but we are not talking abt fish :wink:


A kind of food?
:wink: :wink:

[SniperY]

A kind of food?
:wink: :wink:A kind of human :big_smile:

[condor]

A kind of human :big_smile:

oh,
hehe....

[Theo9902]

want to join the next trip? :big_smile:

oh,
hehe....

[Aquarian]

aiya, you dun talk so much la, cannot even get ur exit permit :wink:

want to join the next trip? :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

I already got mine :big_smile:

aiya, you dun talk so much la, cannot even get ur exit permit :wink:

[Aquarian]

so u will be going soon?

I already got mine :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

but the exit permit got one very disappointing condition:

The business delegation must include the "Home" Minister :crying:

so u will be going soon?

[condor]

want to join the next trip? :big_smile:

Out of question for the month May
June still need to fight for green light from office
:crying: :crying:

[Aquarian]

like that might as well dun go :huh:

but the exit permit got one very disappointing condition:

The business delegation must include the "Home" Minister :crying:

[SniperY]

like that might as well dun go :huh:I dont know how he put up the proposal paper, in the end minister also follow. Look like his previous record is very bad man! :sad:

[Aquarian]

that may not be completely tue, it depends how the paper is proposed, I am sure of these days our OC would like to go over too

I dont know how he put up the proposal paper, in the end minister also follow. Look like his previous record is very bad man! :sad:

[Theo9902]

I don't know how you guys proposed and convince your OC........ but my record locally is still good.

Let's see how often you can go over without your OC. :big_smile:

that may not be completely tue, it depends how the paper is proposed, I am sure of these days our OC would like to go over too

[Theo9902]

ya, you can count me out from now on..... :crying:

like that might as well dun go :huh:

[SniperY]

ya, you can count me out from now on..... :crying:Expected lah! :ick:

[Theo9902]

well, at least I have tried......

Expected lah! :ick:

[TROY]

This is in fact my worry too since OC have not been to Vietnam, therefore might want to tag along :crying: no freedom!

[Theo9902]

so I guess I am not alone :crying:

This is in fact my worry too since OC have not been to Vietnam, therefore might want to tag along :crying: no freedom!

[Aquarian]

tell ur OC this trip is purely for us to visit fish farm so very boring one, nothing much for them to do, cos all the fish farms are in the outskirt and small villages

[condor]

tell ur OC this trip is purely for us to visit fish farm so very boring one, nothing much for them to do, cos all the fish farms are in the outskirt and small villages


Sometime the more u explain, the more backfire it will be

Some may say its a good try in the country outskirt and small villages
Whatever reason u come up with, they sure got something to counter with

Better say your prayers
hehe....:crying: :crying:

[Aquarian]

agreed, depends on the character of ur OC, then have to come out with different report/proposal

Sometime the more u explain, the more backfire it will be

Some may say its a good try in the country outskirt and small villages
Whatever reason u come up with, they sure got something to counter with

Better say your prayers
hehe....:crying: :crying:

[SniperY]

Bro theo and troy, we take note of your concern and we are now planning a trip to HCM comprising our OC. But dont expect any happening, you have to be prepare in both mental and physical fit for this trip hahahahahaha.................. :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

since no happening..... why do I need to be fit in both mental and physical.... :embarrassed:

Bro theo and troy, we take note of your concern and we are now planning a trip to HCM comprising our OC. But dont expect any happening, you have to be prepare in both mental and physical fit for this trip hahahahahaha.................. :big_smile:

[SniperY]

since no happening..... why do I need to be fit in both mental and physical.... :embarrassed:Because you are expected to walk alot and eat less :big_smile:

[Theo9902]

i have no problem to eat less....... but I hate to work leh...

got motobike or not? :big_smile:

Because you are expected to walk alot and eat less :big_smile:

[SniperY]

i have no problem to eat less....... but I hate to work leh...

got motobike or not? :big_smile:Give you bike, good food then you wont shake away your oc next time.

[Theo9902]

ic ic, got strategy har :big_smile:

Give you bike, good food then you wont shake away your oc next time.

[SniperY]

ic ic, got strategy har :big_smile:Glad that finally you understanding our effort :wink:

[condor]

Glad that finally you understanding our effort :wink:


But dont overdo it until u yourself also ......
:geeked: :geeked:

[mclaren]

Enjoy Guys:wink: :wink: :wink:

[Aquarian]

long time no see, how are u bro ? :wink:

Enjoy Guys:wink: :wink: :wink:

[nuwater2002]

Hi Bro Aquarian

Nice pic of HCMC must an experience there

cheers

[Theo9902]

yo yo brother, where have u been? :wink:

Hi Bro Aquarian

Nice pic of HCMC must an experience there

cheers

[nuwater2002]

Hi Bro Theo9902

Nice to meet you again been very busy with all my old folk. My mother in law passes away about 4 mth ago. My ill mum in hospital for 3 mths. 3 days after she discharge my dad when in for kidney failure. Sorry to tell you about this.

Rgds

[Theo9902]

sorry to hear that brother. Hope you can cope with it.

Hi Bro Theo9902

Nice to meet you again been very busy with all my old folk. My mother in law passes away about 4 mth ago. My ill mum in hospital for 3 mths. 3 days after she discharge my dad when in for kidney failure. Sorry to tell you about this.

Rgds

[Aquarian]

sorry to hear that, wish you the best

Hi Bro Theo9902

Nice to meet you again been very busy with all my old folk. My mother in law passes away about 4 mth ago. My ill mum in hospital for 3 mths. 3 days after she discharge my dad when in for kidney failure. Sorry to tell you about this.

Rgds

[nuwater2002]

Hi Bro Theo9902 And Aquarian

Thanks Bros, When one get old this will some what happen... Part and parcel of life, we can't denied the fact.

Hope all of you still had your hobbies intact


Cheers