Anatta

I am out here. I am here to offer whatever advices I may think is useful since that is what the OP is asking. I don't have time for smart asses, especially for those who don't have guts to admit what they have said. Read More

Again I am asking. You demanded me to show my credentials, so I did. No one experience is 100% exact, the question is whether is relevant. What you have in relevant experience in this topic so that we can believe what you have to say since you ... Read More

Oh, so you're not a Canadian caucasian male who only recently met a Vietnamese woman who he's considering marrying and is in a difficult situation! Because until now I thought your situation so closely resembled the OP that the choices you ... Read More

cvco, Thanks for adding to the discussion. My opinion is more along the line of a marriage being a partnership with giving and taking and accepting each others' constraints and working together to meet problems. If now things are still rosy, ... Read More

I don't know where you get the idea I am suggesting that she is a gold-digger. If you are more comfortable with a non-monetary standard, about this: "I want three kids: at least a boy. If you are not willing to meet them, then..." or ... Read More

Well, What standard? She is asking him to do things he is not capable doing, despite of his utmost efforts. That makes me worry about what other "standards" she has. A new car, a big paying job, big house, yearly visiting Vietnam. If he ... Read More

The idea of the OP moving to Vietnam temporarily is not a bad idea. However, I would not bet on she readily agreeing on co-habiting right away. It depends on a lot of her environment. Vietnam is still a conservative society. Cohabiting is rare. With ... Read More

I'd take her to Yukon to watch the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Read More

Then the NSA and GCHQ will join you.The more the merrier. OP's concern is no Canadian joining him, now he'll have the CSEC (Communications Security Establishment Canada) participating :). Read More

One more point. I am sure you know about it, but just want to make sure. To motivate your friend, don't make him think as it is "work" to attend your wedding. Make it part of a excursion package combining with, say, tours to Halong ... Read More

You need to find out the real reasons behind the resistance. Without details from you, I am speculating about possible reasons: 1. Fear of you pretending to marry her: It has been reported in the press about cases that the guy is already married, ... Read More

PerlAh, bringing back the good memories of Pascal, SIMULA, FORTRAN, LISP,... MIX assembly language from the good old Donald Knuth professor, anyone? :( Read More

Carmen People become vegan because of different reasons and I understand that. If you are vegan because of animal compassion then the following points may of interest to you. 1. Oil: Some restaurants are not so picky about where they buy the oil ... Read More

Budman Congratulation with being ahead of the market. Buying land in 1993 would get you a very good deal indeed. Yep, the gov has talked about changing the land law for quite some time now. I think I have written about it in earlier threads. The ... Read More

Of course. I am referring to the majority of the vegetarian restaurants in SGN. The thing that bothers me with vegetarian meals here is that they try to do "fake meat" and add tons of unhealthy stuff to make them taste good or like real ... Read More

Budman Glad to see you again. Still enjoy the safe cocoon of Europe, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam. Not having time to visit the forum, so only drop by from time to time. Too bad, I'll be 100 years old 50 years from now, ... Read More

Eating at vegetarian restaurants is not as healthy as it sounds. The restaurants normally put a lot of oil and additives to make the food tasty so be aware and choose the dishes low on oil. Read More

I think you are wrong. The house is still yours so whoever owns the land certificate at that time has to negotiate with you to take over the house (by buying from you). The most likely scenario is that the government will extend the lease, since no ... Read More

Wait there is more Consular services for dual-nationality Canadians 'should be limited', minister is told In order to keep a lid on costs, it suggests "differentiating levels of service provided to dual nationals who choose not to use a Canadian ... Read More

Wow! Ex-diplomat has some inconvenient truths for Canadian dual citizens “It is a great privilege to be a Canadian citizen, but there are basic responsibilities that go with that,” said Mulroney, now a senior fellow at the University of Toronto’s ... Read More

Remind me the story I read a long time ago from some American book. The story goes sth like this: a man was also surprised to see his new bride always insists cutting the sausage by both ends before cooking. The wife can never answer why. One day, ... Read More

bta87 I would differentiate the customs in 3 categories. 1. General rules: Some of the basic ones I have mentioned briefly. It is hard to me to explain since it is like explaining how to ride a bike: one just does it automatically. It is easier if ... Read More

Use the search function. This topic has been asked many times before. Below is just two of them. https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=196333 https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=266823 Be aware: 1. A lot of the dishes are full ... Read More

Can't generalize about Vietnamese readers, but I would suspect their English skills are not up to snuff to participate in lengthy discussion. I can only speak for myself. This is a general answer, not an attack to anyone on this thread. I also ... Read More

VTD Two related rules I have to mention, if you don't already know. It is related to the concept of head being sacred and foot being dirty/offending 1. don't ever touch an Asian grown-up head (tussle their hair). The West is associated with ... Read More

BTW, The specific rules you are mentioning. 1. No pointing to the deceased: as mentioning before, pointing to someone is normally associated with being angry at that person. You don't do it to a person, let alone your ancestors. Exception: pointing ... Read More

bta87 Sorry to hear what you are experiencing. You are asking us to tell you how to behave. It is a huge subject, with many intricate rules. People spend a lifetime adjusting to it. Judgments are important too. As soon I can tell you a rule, I can ... Read More

As mentioned earlier, the lady who helped me was very reliable. I gave her the house key and she came to my apartment when I was at work. She did her tasks and locked it back. When she worked, she preferred to have the main door open, probably to ... Read More

Forgot to mention that I also had a lady coming to my apartment to help do chores when I was in Vietnam a couple of hours a week. She was really reliable and trustworthy. I knew about her and her good reputation through my network, so I had no ... Read More

Let me offer you my perspective on this. Finding a maid (Người Giúp Việc) has been a headache for the Vietnamese since time immemorial. It is really hard to find a trusty and hard working ones. If you get hold of one, hold on to her ... Read More

Reminds me the time I got shouted at because "you guys started the world war II", for which I answered it was the Japanese (not to mention it was so long time ago). The reply I got was "you chinks all look the same" :o. Read More

Ashard Now it seems like the good old days with all the regulars. The embassies, of course, are not part of this. Their personnel are. They are often here on short assignment (3 years) and are entitled to get a car tax exempt. They will sell their ... Read More

You are certainly welcome. Forgot also to mention that you can of course go back to Nguyen Du presenting your complete paperwork and submitting it yourself instead of using Kieubaoviet. Nguyen Du may just turn a blind eye to your simplified ... Read More

Concerning the meaning of Vietnamese registration code. Here is a comprehensive source (in Vietnamese) http://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biển_xe_cơ_giới_Việt_Nam Read More

Saigonmonkey How are you? Still slodging it out in Vietnam after those years :( We both are right. Both NN and NG are used for foreign embassy personnel. NG can only be used for (I believe) official embassy usage. Both can be exempt from import ... Read More

So now it is 50 USD to already rich Uncle Sam's pocket instead of 3000USD to some poor, hard working Vietnamese official ;) Read More

Jane sorry to hear about this. Công hàm của cơ quan có thẩm quyền của nước mà người đó là công dân đề nghị giải quyết cho người đó ... Read More

Saigonmonkey The NN signs are from embassy/diplomatic personnel utilizing the loophole of the law of tax exempt and selling them to the locals (for a profit when they leave or even when they still are in VN). As you know, diplomatic personnel don't ... Read More

VTD As long as you have your residence permit (permanent or temporary for a period over 1 year) or working permit, you are good to register it under your own name. Read More

Can't remember having ever seen any westerners driving cars during my time in SGN, except the rare escorted motorcade from visiting dignitaries. Read More

Getting sidetracked here, but have to agree with Chris about the quality of the local food. The Vietnamese restaurants in the US, like Houston, Fairfax, San Jose, not to mention Orange County far exceed the local restaurants here. I am only talking ... Read More

That would be the oxymoron of the day :thanks: come looking for me.Hm, wonder what makes good old Bud afraid that the police would see at his home? a harem? Read More

Agree with Bud. It is another option. Easier to obtain, but more work long term, since the VEC is in reality is a visa for 3 months. After three months, you have to either renew it or exit. As Bud, who has probably done it many times, can tell in ... Read More

Jane Sorry about your problem. Who gave you the run-around? What did they say? I thought it was just straight forward - fill in the forms, add the photos, get the marriage and birth certificates copied and stamped and then lodge with a fee.Yes, ... Read More

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Read More

The usual case of some government official wanting some tea money? Read More

Parmyd I quote from the applicable law so it is up to you to interpret how it applies to your case. http://luatminhkhue.vn/marriage-1/decree-no-24-2013-nd-cp.aspx Article 7. Dossier for marriage registration 1. A dossier for marriage registration ... Read More

VTD Not been in Hanh Phuc, but personally have used 1. COLUMBIA ASIA GIA DINH 2. CENTRE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL Know friends who have used 3. FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE in Diamond 4. COLUMBIA 8 Alexandre de Rhodes All of them are OK. Read More

VTD That is certainly good for us to know. As mentioned earlier, II don't know how much they charge since I have not used them, so I am very surprised when you confirmed the high charge. I have used some other clinics mentioned in my list (which ... Read More

As mentioned earlier, I have not used them before, but what you have told us certainly does not make sense. The market certainly does not support a charge of 150USD per standard consultation. SOS, given their clientele already being mostly ... Read More

something is not right. First off, the SOS International branch in Saigon is a tiny clinic, mostly for quick checkup, certainly not a hospital. https://www.internationalsos.com/en/about-our-clinics_vietnam_3536.htm From its website, it states it has ... Read More

Dude, how do you think have people survived in this environment without that trait ? :dumbom:. Exaggeration, in any way, shape and form, is a must: from the harmless form at the drinking table to the most serious forms. For a long time, I ... Read More

Make sure that your helmet has a halogram seal sticker (tem CR) on it. This means the helmet passes the local quality control. http://images.danviet.vn/CMSImage/Resources/Uploaded/sv_manhluc/070313_kinh-te_mu-bao-hiem-pho-hue16_dan-viet.jpg It ... Read More

For anyone who cares to read: here a warning I posted not so long ago on this very forum https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=282846#1377346 To my knowledge, his exact cause of death is still not resolved today, 6 months after his death, to ... Read More

Whether you care to listen to me or not, it is up to you. I couldn't care less so spare your energy and sarcasm. Good luck surviving. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Read More

Try rather Edward Snowden, one who knows the system from the inside better than most. Read More

When one comes to a country like Vietnam, one owes to oneself certain precautions, especially when it comes to one's own health. It does not help to moan about it later on, expect that things are different, especially when there are no shortage of ... Read More

It is your health and your life, pal. Not mine ;) Read More

she doesnt spot it. She knows it since she is the bargirl u know:)I have to laugh this one out. Everyone who has participated in this forum long enough knows that I am a guy. Read More

To start with, I am not a drinker. Here is what people tell me, as far as I remember. - They don't order cocktails, since the risks for mixing fake alcohol is too great. - One can buy chemicals in certain markets in Saigon to make up for any taste, ... Read More

This is related to the issue of household registration (đăng ký hộ khẩu) The hộ khẩu system, as SM mentioned, is designed to control people movement. Vietnam copies it from the Chinese Hukou (thus the ... Read More

Oh come on. Please don't tell me that you have not been warned about this. Ask any of your Vietnamese colleagues or relatives and they will tell you. Ask any drinkers and they'll tell you how to spot a fake bottle. .... and what make you think you ... Read More

The conniving accusation comes from the PCF's actions (or lack therefore) during the 1945-46 period, if I understand the author right. However, the author does not see real support from the PCF either after their expulsion from the ruling coalition ... Read More

For anyone who has not been here long enough, Budman and I have expressed deep concerns about this earlier, among others, post #54 and 55 of this thread https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=224241&p=2 Read More

Oh, forgot about it. Those corporate types back in the McD HQ nearly had a heart attack since they thought they suddenly had a male stripper bribing them with a free show. Guess those poor fellows have never done business in Vietnam before, ... Read More

It is ok, Chris. Anyone has been around this forum in last few years knows about my benign but hysterical speculations, in particular, concerning anything in connection with Budman and Wild. ;). They are purposedly ment to be so far-fetched, given ... Read More

Wild_1 lost out because McD did not want to appear too obvious about the (mis)use of connection, plus they think Wild_1's idea of adapting the menu to local taste by offering dog meat burger and rượu đế is too radical. Read More

McD is learning the tricks of connection. They awarded the franchise to the husband of the PM's daughter. The guy, a Viet Kieu financier, has never been in the hospitality's business before, let alone fast food business. The only relevant experience ... Read More

Lirelou, As I understand it, a battalion was actually sent (together with Captain Vy) not only to warn, but was to attack in case Monsieur Vy did not comply. I quote from the above-mentioned article "In October 1949 a battalion of Vietnamese ... Read More

Speak of the devil, here an article just fresh off the press Link in Vietnamese http://vnexpress.net/tin-tuc/thoi-su/thu-tuong-yeu-cau-tao-thuan-loi-toi-da-cho-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-mua-nha-2928616.html The Prime Minister requests property law to be ... Read More

As I mentioned earlier, we are talking about whose name can be put in the red book. How the transaction comes about (finance, previous ownership) is irrelevant. Anyway, it can easily be done by the mother buying the land and transfer the deed to the ... Read More

Budman I realize that, but the issue is he wants to put the name of his child, who is a Vietnamese citizen, on the paper. The fact that the child's father is a foreigner does not have any bearing on the legal qualification of the child. Neither how ... Read More

Lirelou It was a period of confusion with shifting alliance. Even the Phat Diem enclave, later on famous for its anticommunist stance, was working with Ho chi Minh initially. It is recounted recently in a well-researched ... Read More

Richie I remember you. Last time, I think you asked the question about citizenship for your child. I hope that my answers last time helped solve your problem. Concerning land ownership, there is not a problem for your child to be the owner of land, ... Read More

chăm chỉ means the same as chuyên cần, i.e., diligent, studious, steadfast, dedicated,... Other synonyms: cần mẫn, siêng năng... It is a more appropriate word in this setting. No, it does not mean "slowly". Yes, ... Read More

Since you want to be better Vietnamese, here is some helpful advices. Your sentence sounds weird for a Vietnamese's ear. If you want to say "I am studying spoken Vietnamese diligently", you should have written "Tôi đang chăm chỉ ... Read More

You are telling me. It is not easy with all of the wild celebrations lately. :cheers: BTW, can you tell me which way to the Rose Bowl Stadium again? :cool: I know, we were just there last year kicking some ass,... :lol: Read More

RMIT is considered one of the better-quality, foreign-run universities in Saigon. I don't know how legit their degree is, but the school does not appear to be a fly-by-night operation. You can still call me a girl, as long as you hook me up. In ... Read More

There are also tons of forums in Vietnamese about studying in the US (business is the most popular topic). The previous US Consulate General proudly told an US alumni gathering I attended not so long ago that Vietnam is the 8th country in terms of ... Read More

No further comment So, are you going to hook me up, ...Hey, how'bout hooking me up? Anyway, I'll advise her to go here as a start. http://www.rmit.edu.vn/academic-registrar Here is some general info about studying for an MBA in the US: - A ... Read More

Sigh!!!! You are dammed right, Budman. Just absent for a few weeks, and Howie is running around with some tomfoolery acting as a career advisor for some chicks! Anyway, just stick in shortly as usual before I have to run. Read More

Budman Try this website http://dientuvienthong.com.vn/Kim-thu-LNB-1049.html Have not dealt with them, so don't vouch for them. Otherwise, here is a couple of addresses http://hdtv.vtc.vn/service/0/196/index.htm Read More

Oh boys!! Let me get this straight. This "friend" of yours is aspiring to go abroad (all the way to the States all by herself apparently) to learn to be a bigshot honcho (an MBA degree I assume), yet she is not capable of just stepping into the ... Read More

lirelou Thanks for reference. cù lao vs. cồn đảo. Those words are non-political, so the difference is more due regional uses. In general, cồn đảo (not to mix Côn Đảo which is the name of a well known ... Read More

Aha, Hanoi accent, my pet peeve Here is what I wrote in this forum a few years back in this forum https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=133435 I requote part of it here below for everyone's convenience. ... Concerning the dialect and ... Read More

Ha ha. Just to paraphrase a popular saying from the gun enthusiasts in the US "Take over our accent. Over our dead bodies :D", and this is from one who speaks "quasi" Northern accent like me :lol:. Read More

I, for one, as well as many belong to that category, but I don't think I get blamed for that since I do it unconsciously, i.e., without intent or awareness of doing so. For a pure Northerner, I (appear to) use Southern accent. For a Southerner, I ... Read More

Chris Just that you know. Imitate other accents is often a no-no in Vietnam, especially if you do it for fun. Vietnamese is quite sensitive there. There is a popular saying "Chửi cha không bằng pha tiếng" which can be roughly ... Read More

Dong Ha is in the province of Quang Tri. They have yet another accent (tiếng Quảng which I mentioned earlier), which for many Vietnamese is a even more difficult accent. As you noticed, the people from those areas often adapt their ... Read More

Ah, the language of the royals. Growing with a Hue family as a neighbor, I have never had problem understanding it, so don't know what all the fuss is about :). But I also grew up in a Northern family in the South with family member with a strong ... Read More

As mentioned before, ASEAN driver license is accepted in Vietnam without a need for conversion to Vietnamese driver license. Here is one announcement from ... Read More

Howie It is best just cut out the shit, from the knee down then you don't have to worry :lol:. If you insist on the operations, the best hospital is probably the Bệnh viện Chấn thương Chỉnh hình TP Hồ Chí ... Read More

Well, that assumes that the sealed bottles are safe. There have been reports of fake beers, wines and scotches using dangerous chemicals to make them taste as the originals so it does not help much if you unseal those bottles and drink. Read More