"We invite you to meet the other expats already settled in Vietnam."

never used this before -- hope it gets to the right person

tx bac kan not poor - some parts of the province, yes. we went to help out at some schools near ba be - i was a bit disappointed with the [relatively wealthy] bac kan people who seemed busy getting their photos taken giving "lucky bags" to the kids but i was the only one spending time with them afterwards.

not that near the border - i am allergic to chinese; most of my vn friends likewise.

no sign of n.g.o.; tourists or dr livingstone here. i sympathise with the monkeys in the zoo - that's my role here as the only "ong tay"

going back uk soon for a rest. celebrity status does not suit me. pity i found nice lady at the market and the geriatrics' volleyball sessions after 6 months - could have done with both a while back. expect return vn when the worst of the summer heat has gone. grow some vegetables in mum's garden til then.