Why is it that most vietnamese i meet are untrustworthy?

charmavietnam wrote:

I would like to give 9 score out of 10 to member Tran Hung Dao:D
Well explained!
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"!
That is what you should do exactly!
I am here nearly 5 years. I have not much problem for anything. In every country there has bad people more than good one!
We should handle both with our own way.

I'm agree with you. I really like your comment.

Cheer.

I will stand with my belief that there are far more good, honest, hard working people in Vietnam than not.  If there wasn't, then I would leave.

Like any other nations, Vietnam also need a good change! New generation should be active than thinking of 'free' items and lazy to work Good citizens can make a good and well reputed nation! If they are active, not much corruption and bribery! Our food will more tastier when it buy from our sweat and blood!

Saw this in the newspaper....
An anti-corruption program will be included in the next school curriculum as per a directive issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

interested to know if this will have an effect on corruption and general dodgy behaviou...

now kids...do not offer bribes to the policeman and do not accept or solicit bribes when you end up working for customs....

now kids...if you see your mum or dad being corrupt here is the hotline to ring to dob them in...

bongolongo wrote:

now kids...if you see your mum or dad being corrupt here is the hotline to ring to dob them in...

haha.. real effective
kids dobbing their parents
(reminds me of a Russell Peters joke. some body is going to get hurt tonight)

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

hELLnoi wrote:

...
There are many casinos all over Hanoi and HCMc. It is not ...

...

So where's a legal casino in HCMC?

Talk about beating a dead horse to death, but I'm a real stickler for spouting facts where there isn't any.

Answer to my question - So where's a legal casino in HCMC? - NONE.  There also isn't any in the Capital either.

Source - newspaper article from Tuoi Tre

http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/12257/vie … s-proposal

"To date seven businesses have been licensed to enter the casino sector. Of these, five casinos operate on a small scale (15 gambling tables and 80 gambling machines at each casino) in Hai Phong, Lao Cai, Da Nang, and Quang Ninh, while two others operate on a large scale in Quang Nam and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces, said Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung."

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

Tran Hung Dao wrote:

hELLnoi wrote:

...
There are many casinos all over Hanoi and HCMc. It is not ...

...

So where's a legal casino in HCMC?

Answer to my question - So where's a legal casino in HCMC? -

Đồ Sơn Casino is owned by Stanley Ho who runs the largest casino in Macau.
http://vietbao.vn/Kinh-te/Casino-Do-Son … 113555/87/
Vegas Casino in Caravelle Hotel in HCMc.
If you drop in to HCMc, I will be happy to show you the others.
Do a internet search: casino hotels in saigon and you will find the rest.

Take a 2hour bus ride from Vung Tau to HCMc, and I will give you a casino tour in HCMc.

Hello,

First I don't pretend to know everything.
I will just share with you what I know from people in general and what I saw in vietnam.

I've only been in vietnam once for now and was with a local woman (my love).
So this changes a bit my perception of the country and also how people saw me. Because I was with a local, I was perceived differently. Not like s stupid tourist...

I said to her I wanted to live like her, go to the same restaurant, places,...

What I saw is that people are generaly sceptical at the first look, but if you show that you want to live like them, that you don't feel superior and just be with them, things are getting better.
I had a lot of friendly and open contacts there...
Like every places, countries, there are always people trying to take advantages of foreigner, because they (foreigner) don't know how things are going, because some come with a big idea on themselves...
It is not to them to make effort to integrate us, but us to show them that we are worth the trust they will give us. Not the inverse.
I have more than 300 vn friends on facebook. I read a lot, I participate in discussion, try to understand how they are thinking, doing, working,... This takes time to understand the way of doing and thinking of people.

Now a thing that is common for everyone in every place in the planet.
Some people are more in danger than others because they look like targets for everyone. Those people show weakness, show fear... Or the inverse they show that they are superior...
(I've seen so much Russian do that in Nha trang. When you see that, you only want to do one thing... Be bad with them, because their behaviour deserve that).

You need to be confident but not too much.

If you speak vietnamese, why don't you go to small restaurant, mengle with people, listen to them ask question, show respect and interest ? You need to make contacts and contacts will bring you other contacts etc... Because people are watching, listening,... And when they see that you are someone that deserve respect, then everything can change...

I hope that what I say can have some value to you.
I will continue to do like that for myself.
I return in a week and in 14 days, I will have other connections and friends there.

You know. It is a common mistake to think that everybody is bad.
Basically, nobody want to be bad, we all have a family friends, like to live in peace... They like to laugh like us, drink a beer and tell stories. They like challenge themselves, they like simplicity. They like to share things among themselves...
They like to be part of a group.

But we foreigner are trained to distrust everybody, trained to think that everybody want to rob, kill us...
We are so confident and think that most of underdevelopped countries have stupid people...
Of course, you need to understand that when you come with your pocket money, that small amount for you is a month salary for others... So temptation is great.

I don't say you are like that. And I am pretty sure that most of people here as expat are not like that otherwise they could not integrate...
I just say that a lot of foreigner, tourist, think that and that behaviour has effect for the rest of us...

Have a good day all

Belsteak,

That is great, for someone who has only been to Vietnam once.  Yes, it is all about keeping things simple and not put yourself on a silly pedestal, where you and only you will see yourself as being high.  Yes, earn the trust and you will be amazed as to what follows.  It is indeed like that everywhere, in any culture.  And definitely yes, even the lions prey only on the weaks.  So, we should never blame anyone for our shortcomings.

Congrats to you, Belsteak, and thanks for sharing your concepts.

Cheers,
Howie

I'd say Belsteak has the makings of a "real" ex-pat. Good post Belsteak.

almost have to? you HAVE to have 20 pairs of eyes on ye ALL the time

Blah, Blah, Blah, Vietnamese are bad, Blah, Blah, Blah

Sometimes this forum rises to new heights of naivety or stupidity, whichever you prefer.

Let me put this out there. The ONLY significant difference I see with Vietnam and other countries in which I've lived, is that western countries are far more sophisticated and subtle about how they screw and cheat you.

From 50+% tax rates, sometimes on income, not even only net profit, to rules and regulations that will cost more than the business will ever earn.
To employees who work for a month, then get "injured", now they don't work , but you must pay for them forever.

Why do you come to Vietnam to complain about it and the people!
Go back to wherever you came from, I'm sure it's better there.

Wxx3 wrote:

Blah, Blah, Blah, Vietnamese are bad, Blah, Blah, Blah

Sometimes this forum rises to new heights of naivety or stupidity, whichever you prefer.

Let me put this out there. The ONLY significant difference I see with Vietnam and other countries in which I've lived, is that western countries are far more sophisticated and subtle about how they screw and cheat you.

From 50+% tax rates, sometimes on income, not even only net profit, to rules and regulations that will cost more than the business will ever earn.
To employees who work for a month, then get "injured", now they don't work , but you must pay for them forever.

Why do you come to Vietnam to complain about it and the people!
Go back to wherever you came from, I'm sure it's better there.

Have you ever wondered why people complain about certain things here. It's not an isolated complaint. I see the amounts of Vietnamese who get into trouble overseas, so there is some truth to it. If you choose to believe all is great here, then thats your choice. Please stop with the go home if you don't like it...... it's getting tiresome.

I second colinoscapee as my post in this thread was in August 2013 but things are going in the same manner - no change to the attitude of locals, even 'educated'
'How to cheat money from others' - seems they are doing research in this topic long time!
I already tired of 'this is my country' (yeah, you have no right to say that when you criticize government in social media for not giving 'free' things  and focus your eyes in the US!),
'you can go back to your home country' (of course we can go when fed up but why don't you try little bit to make your country proud?).

I know many Vietnamese citizens went abroad and returned, struggling to survive there...
Do you know why?
One year ago, I met a UAE returned Vietnamese guy who came to fix my printer. He took more than 1 hour but couldn't fix it. Anyway I fixed it on the next day
He told me that he returned from the UAE because he don't like to work there.
Normally, people rush to go gulf countries due to high salary and UAE has best working environment with high salary for skilled workers.

Peter Hein is a half Vietnamese (Father, Indian former stunt artist) who has a hardworking mentality and did many poular Indian movies.
I am not blaming all but the approach and mentality of majority confirms the OP

Expatriates who are new to this forum should understand that 'you WILL change your statement if you live little more time'!
Please inform this forum before you leave so that we, old expats can make sure that you have a good spine!
We saw so many newbies before and still waiting for more to come

colinoscapee wrote:

Have you ever wondered why people complain about certain things here. It's not an isolated complaint. I see the amounts of Vietnamese who get into trouble overseas, so there is some truth to it. If you choose to believe all is great here, then thats your choice. Please stop with the go home if you don't like it...... it's getting tiresome.

colinoscapee wrote:

Please stop with the go home if you don't like it...... it's getting tiresome.

And only for your information, this is a thread from 2013.

Some are probably already at home. 

Andy Passenger wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Please stop with the go home if you don't like it...... it's getting tiresome.

And only for your information, this is a thread from 2013.

Some are probably already at home. 

Yeah the start of the thread was 2013, but the post I replied to was recent.

colinoscapee wrote:

Andy Passenger wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Please stop with the go home if you don't like it...... it's getting tiresome.

And only for your information, this is a thread from 2013.

Some are probably already at home. 

Yeah the start of the thread was 2013, but the post I replied to was recent.

Sorry for the confusion, I was referring to the same person as you. 

As others have said, after 15 years running a factory in China what i have found in Vietnam is no different so of no surprise to me. expect to pay the "Laowi tax" as we call it there. i dont get hung up on a few VND here and there or some minor overcharging or i cant get as good a deal as a local. And seeing how long negotiations take to save tiny money, my life is too short

n all my time in Việt Nam I have never been cheated or robbed by a Vietnamese. Of course, I avoid the large city centers and do not frequent places with many foreigners.

Wxx3 wrote:

Blah, Blah, Blah, Vietnamese are bad, Blah, Blah, Blah

Sometimes this forum rises to new heights of naivety or stupidity, whichever you prefer.

Let me put this out there. The ONLY significant difference I see with Vietnam and other countries in which I've lived, is that western countries are far more sophisticated and subtle about how they screw and cheat you.

From 50+% tax rates, sometimes on income, not even only net profit, to rules and regulations that will cost more than the business will ever earn.
To employees who work for a month, then get "injured", now they don't work , but you must pay for them forever.

Why do you come to Vietnam to complain about it and the people!
Go back to wherever you came from, I'm sure it's better there.

Disregard the socialist soap boxes, a failed and deadly ideology that has gotten it wrong since the beginning of time.  I agree 100%, if you don't like it, leave.  I tell foreigners in the USA the same as they complain and hate constantly.  However, they rarely leave and we know why.  But in defense of differing opinions, everyone has a right to voice their opinions, but they should be wise enough to comprehend that there is no paradise on earth, except maybe Monaco, and every country has their good and bad.  I could write an entire series of encyclopedias on the problems with in the USA, but despite those issues, it is still, in my opinion, one of the best if not the best country for freedom and opportunity for all walks of life.  Likewise, Vietnam has many issues as well, but enjoyed living there and we have every intention of returning with our daughter in the future at the right time.  I don't let the negatives get me down as there are positives that make it worth living there.  To each their own, but I for one will tell any person who constantly complains, you don't like it, leave or find somebody else to listen to your sorry attitude.

vndreamer wrote:

Wxx3 wrote:

Blah, Blah, Blah, Vietnamese are bad, Blah, Blah, Blah

Sometimes this forum rises to new heights of naivety or stupidity, whichever you prefer.

Let me put this out there. The ONLY significant difference I see with Vietnam and other countries in which I've lived, is that western countries are far more sophisticated and subtle about how they screw and cheat you.

From 50+% tax rates, sometimes on income, not even only net profit, to rules and regulations that will cost more than the business will ever earn.
To employees who work for a month, then get "injured", now they don't work , but you must pay for them forever.

Why do you come to Vietnam to complain about it and the people!
Go back to wherever you came from, I'm sure it's better there.

Disregard the socialist soap boxes, a failed and deadly ideology that has gotten it wrong since the beginning of time.  I agree 100%, if you don't like it, leave.  I tell foreigners in the USA the same as they complain and hate constantly.  However, they rarely leave and we know why.  But in defense of differing opinions, everyone has a right to voice their opinions, but they should be wise enough to comprehend that there is no paradise on earth, except maybe Monaco, and every country has their good and bad.  I could write an entire series of encyclopedias on the problems with in the USA, but despite those issues, it is still, in my opinion, one of the best if not the best country for freedom and opportunity for all walks of life.  Likewise, Vietnam has many issues as well, but enjoyed living there and we have every intention of returning with our daughter in the future at the right time.  I don't let the negatives get me down as there are positives that make it worth living there.  To each their own, but I for one will tell any person who constantly complains, you don't like it, leave or find somebody else to listen to your sorry attitude.

Totally agree, you dont like it, easy fix, FO back to where you came from!

In my experience, in Vietnam (and often in other parts of Asia), trust is not a given thing like it often is in the west. People are very competitive here. Many are of a win-lose mentality, and some people will break the law, scam others, cheat, swindle, etc. As well, particularly in Vietnam, crimes of opportunity are common. A normally lawful person might be tempted to swipe something if the right circumstance comes by. I've had a lot of things stolen because I'm very open to having Vietnamese guests.

That being said, Vietnamese people know these particular cultural issues, and they are not that trusting of each other. Unless they know each other, are from the same area, or have some family or other special connection, they will not likely trust a stranger by default. I suppose it's inevitable that as living in Vietnam as a foreigner, you will eventually get ripped off by someone, particularly because you may look like more of a target than everyone else.

That being said, I think it's worthwhile living here. You must learn to be wily like the Vietnamese and be careful with your possessions and how you conduct yourself. You can avoid a lot of trouble if you avoid certain places, situations and are wise in how you live. A lot of this comes with experience. And the Vietnamese people have a lot of goodness too, they can be warm friends, hospitable, friendly and helpful if you really get to know them.

Wxx3 wrote:

Blah, Blah, Blah, Vietnamese are bad, Blah, Blah, Blah

Sometimes this forum rises to new heights of naivety or stupidity,

Why do you come to Vietnam to complain about it and the people!
Go back to wherever you came from, I'm sure it's better there.

One constant moaner about Vietnam & its people on this forum is from India. I worked in Mumbai for a year!!! Now there is a place you could really get stuck into with all sorts of comments about the people trying to rip you off etc etc.

The most hypocritical and therefore completely laughable are those who moved to the USA with their Vietnamese wives and now those expats who live in Vietnam harass with their stupid "if you don't like it in Vietnam, go back where you came from" ideology.

There is no more miserable way.

@vndreamer

I criticize everything I don't like, no matter what country I live in.

I live in Vietnam and I gave birth to my child in Vietnam.

YOU moved to America to give birth to your child because YOU don't trust the Vietnamese.

And YOU criticize people like me.

You are not to be outbid in dishonesty.

and now those expats who live in Vietnam harass with their stupid "if you don't like it in Vietnam, go back where you came from" ideology.

There is no more miserable way.

Why is it harassment & stupid to say to someone..... if they don't like the country in which you are an ex pat & guest,  just leave & go somewhere else or go home? Makes good sense if you ask me!
On your profile you say you left your country of Nationality, Switzerland to come here because you say you did not like it there, so why stay in Vietnam if you find living here so frustrating & bad. Jump on a plane & try Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, you might just like it there.

n1tw1t wrote:

and now those expats who live in Vietnam harass with their stupid "if you don't like it in Vietnam, go back where you came from" ideology.

There is no more miserable way.

Why is it harassment & stupid to say to someone..... if they don't like the country in which you are an ex pat & guest,  just leave & go somewhere else or go home? Makes good sense if you ask me!
On your profile you say you left your country of Nationality, Switzerland to come here because you say you did not like it there, so why stay in Vietnam if you find living here so frustrating & bad. Jump on a plane & try Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, you might just like it there.

What the hell is this?

I live here, have family and responsibilities here and am far from frustrated.

Nevertheless, here in Vietnam I can criticize some things I find bad.

I like Singapore or Thailand better than Vietnam.  But there are also things in these countries that I find bad and criticize.

But you guys can say what you want.
Next time I won't justify myself to people like you.

Andy Passenger wrote:

n1tw1t wrote:

and now those expats who live in Vietnam harass with their stupid "if you don't like it in Vietnam, go back where you came from" ideology.

There is no more miserable way.

Why is it harassment & stupid to say to someone..... if they don't like the country in which you are an ex pat & guest,  just leave & go somewhere else or go home? Makes good sense if you ask me!
On your profile you say you left your country of Nationality, Switzerland to come here because you say you did not like it there, so why stay in Vietnam if you find living here so frustrating & bad. Jump on a plane & try Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, you might just like it there.

What the hell is this?

I live here, have family and responsibilities here and am far from frustrated.

Nevertheless, here in Vietnam I can criticize some things I find bad.

I like Singapore or Thailand better than Vietnam.  But there are also things in these countries that I find bad and criticize.

But you guys can say what you want.
Next time I won't justify myself to people like you.

Never been there but I always imagined your home country Switzerland would be a nice place to live & bring up a young family!

In reality, bongolongo has no business being a goat farmer here.  Ridiculous!

bongolongo, you are from Austalia right?  So what would you think if I go there and want to raise kangaroos and scream about the local being untrustworthy by nature and want advice on how to find good people to help me take care of my kangaroos?

yamcha wrote:

In reality, bongolongo has no business being a goat farmer here.  Ridiculous!

bongolongo, you are from Austalia right?  So what would you think if I go there and want to raise kangaroos and scream about the local being untrustworthy by nature and want advice on how to find good people to help me take care of my kangaroos?

Once upon time in Australia.
2013?

n1tw1t wrote:

Never been there but I always imagined your home country Switzerland would be a nice place to live & bring up a young family!

You should not pay too much attention to the profiles, because they are often outdated.

I have adapted my profile now.

So you can spare such comments in the future. 

Andy Passenger wrote:

n1tw1t wrote:

Never been there but I always imagined your home country Switzerland would be a nice place to live & bring up a young family!

You should not pay too much attention to the profiles, because they are often outdated.

I have adapted my profile now.

So you can spare such comments in the future. 

well for someone who is a self confessed loner, who does not mix well with x pats you seen to have a lot to say on this forum & probably many more!!

my advise is simple, if you dont trust anyone in vietnam, it is better that you leave the country and do business in the other ones.

Today , global is open and we have so many FDi companies are currently doing business here , so why  they dont have your problem ?

you have to ask yourself and what is different between those and you.

dont conclude the point that you may only observe in the few months

Khuyen nguyen wrote:

my advise is simple, if you dont trust anyone in vietnam, it is better that you leave the country and do business in the other ones.

Today , global is open and we have so many FDi companies are currently doing business here , so why  they dont have your problem ?

you have to ask yourself and what is different between those and you.

dont conclude the point that you may only observe in the few months

Most of those global companies are here due to tax breaks and cheap labour, nothing to do with honesty.

I owned a business in Saigon for two years, never again. The worst employees ever, they stole, they lied, they colluded with customers. An absolute nightmare.

Vietnamese do have a bad reputation in many countries, I wonder why that is?

even you go to US/EU , you also observe the same problem….. we have many types character of human being in different areas and vietnam is also not an exceptional. We have good & bad people all over the world, not only in Việt Nam or some low development countries.

You are newcommer in Việt Nam! and do your own business then you have to control the risk, this is risk management.

I dont need to teach you about that, all your failed  in business that is not due to local people, the reason is  you can not manage  your problem well.

Stop blaming or complain !!!

Khuyen nguyen wrote:

even you go to US/EU , you also observe the same problem….. we have many types character of human being in different areas and vietnam is also not an exceptional. We have good & bad people all over the world, not only in Việt Nam or some low development countries.

You are newcommer in Việt Nam! and do your own business then you have to control the risk, this is risk management.

I dont need to teach you about that, all your failed  in business that is not due to local people, the reason is  you can not manage  your problem well.

Stop blaming or complain !!!

So, enlighten us as to why you work for a foreign company.

I should be able to answer that, my wife will not work for VN companies due to their cheating and unscrupulous behaviour. I presume you work for a foreign company for the exact same reasons.

Are you living off your wife?