Full Version: Moving back to Vietnam
Just out of curiosity, who here plan to move back to Vietnam? For myself, I plan to go work there maybe in 3 years from now after I graduate from University and work for at least a year to get experience before trying to work in Vietnam. If I like it, who knows, maybe buy a house there and maybe marry a local.
My dad has entertained the thought of repatriating.
My brother and my sister and her husband just bought a land at district 7. They are planning to build a house there and move back within the next 3 or 5 year. I know alot of people who want to move back.
Sometimes I do think about this- once my education is completed and I have some money then I might go back do some kind of business.
Definately visit and eventually buy some real estate property in the country. Or invest in some local businesses there. Im visiting vietnam over the summer so I can actually see the true potential of our eastern neighbour. And see the local beauties as well 
QUOTE(Bo Doi @ May 12 2006, 04:13 PM) [snapback]1843117[/snapback]
Just out of curiosity, who here plan to move back to Vietnam? For myself, I plan to go work there maybe in 3 years from now after I graduate from University and work for at least a year to get experience before trying to work in Vietnam. If I like it, who knows, maybe buy a house there and maybe marry a local.
Or you'll marry a local, and she'll make you buy the house: women the world over have a strong nesting instinct.
It's an idea that out of touch with reality. I thought I can move back, too. Until, I visited it last year.
I lived in VN for 14 years and U.S. for 10 yrs. If any of you here live in VN less than me, you need to wake up. VN is another country. If you are used to lifestyle in the U.S., you won't survive in VN. Example: don't expected people to wait in line, people bump to you and walk away without apologize, waiters throw your order at you (I'm not talking about once in a while here. It's a fact that customer service doesn't existed), hotel staff rude to you, police harrass you outright, you're expected to bride every steps of the way even on tour trip (bus driver refuses to drive when you don't ta(.ng him and the tour guide money on the last day of the tour), traffic is a mess, information isn't ready available (you can't mapquest direction, look for business directory or any other things that you can google in the States). People spit on the street, throw trash everywhere, the street is dirty. You have to hold your breath in the restroom from the smell of urine even at those expensive private resorts. Most girls are malnutrious skinny and on average less attractive than in the States. There aren't a lot of thing to do for fun. Saigon isn't that big (I can navigate through Saigon within three days of my stay there). Outside of Saigon the street is emptied at 10 and if you're out late beware you will run into security forces guards (an phong & cong an). You can't trust if the bottle of coke you drink is actually coke or someone arse refilled it with contamites toxic water, don't expected fair trial, don't expected anything will be fair. People sign contract today and break it tomorrow. You can sue them but expects the case to be in court forever. People are still unfamiliar with integrity, long run benefit (keep their end of the bargain so that business can prosper in the long run).
Yeah sure, you're a tolerable person. You can put up with the dirty congested street, the hot summer etc,. But it another thing when it comes to the atmosphere/environment/social behavior.
Viet Nam is a great place to visit and blow out your saving in three weeks. But living there, I think not.
I lived in VN for 14 years and U.S. for 10 yrs. If any of you here live in VN less than me, you need to wake up. VN is another country. If you are used to lifestyle in the U.S., you won't survive in VN. Example: don't expected people to wait in line, people bump to you and walk away without apologize, waiters throw your order at you (I'm not talking about once in a while here. It's a fact that customer service doesn't existed), hotel staff rude to you, police harrass you outright, you're expected to bride every steps of the way even on tour trip (bus driver refuses to drive when you don't ta(.ng him and the tour guide money on the last day of the tour), traffic is a mess, information isn't ready available (you can't mapquest direction, look for business directory or any other things that you can google in the States). People spit on the street, throw trash everywhere, the street is dirty. You have to hold your breath in the restroom from the smell of urine even at those expensive private resorts. Most girls are malnutrious skinny and on average less attractive than in the States. There aren't a lot of thing to do for fun. Saigon isn't that big (I can navigate through Saigon within three days of my stay there). Outside of Saigon the street is emptied at 10 and if you're out late beware you will run into security forces guards (an phong & cong an). You can't trust if the bottle of coke you drink is actually coke or someone arse refilled it with contamites toxic water, don't expected fair trial, don't expected anything will be fair. People sign contract today and break it tomorrow. You can sue them but expects the case to be in court forever. People are still unfamiliar with integrity, long run benefit (keep their end of the bargain so that business can prosper in the long run).
Yeah sure, you're a tolerable person. You can put up with the dirty congested street, the hot summer etc,. But it another thing when it comes to the atmosphere/environment/social behavior.
Viet Nam is a great place to visit and blow out your saving in three weeks. But living there, I think not.
who wouldn't want to move back to hometown vietnam 
but im happy where i am.
but im happy where i am.
I totally agree with you on the fact that VN is a different country. For myself, I was pretty much raised in a western culture environnement apart from my family. For most of life until recently I always tought the western culture more civilized, more developped than my own culture that my parents gave to me. I almost ready to completly assimilate myself to the western culture to the point to forget all my roots. But lately, I was fortunate enough to meet people that helped me rediscover my own culture. I started then to read history of VN to better understand the people that lived in that land. Also, my trip back to VN lately helped me to understand better where I from but most importantly understand my parents.
I do agree we viets have alot of sins. Most of the men are gamblers, alcoholics and players. The women are goldiggers, manipulatives.....but do also have alot of good things like everyone else. I do believe that the way you look at the people of Vietnam depends on the mindframe you put yourself in. When I went back to Vietnam, the purpose of it was to better understand where Im from, to understand why Im like that. I didnt go there with the western mindset, expecting everything to be the same than my country of adoption. Of course everything was totally different, but I was expecting it. You just cant compare VN to the US like you did A_tactitus. The 2 countries are not the same just look at history. We viets we spent almost 1000 fighting foreigners off our land. Just that can reflect alot of the mentaly of viets today, example most viets do not thrust anyone outside of their family and close friends. Im not an anthropologist expert but I can tell that our history is directed related to our social behavior.
Another thing I disagree is that you are comparing the US who is the most powerful country to VN who is one of the poorest country in the World. Of course the social behavior is going to be different. The people do not have the same needs. When you are really poor the thing you worry the least is if your neighbor spit on the floor or not. You just want to get something to eat before you starve. People steal to suvive. But can you blame them? I'm personnaly not in position to judge them.
In conlusion, Viet culture has his bad and good. But one thing that it has that no other culture has is that it belongs to me. It is part of my upbriging, my root, my history. I belong to that culture. I can't hate anymore because that is what my parent gave me has heritage and I take a personnal responsabity to communicate with my future children.
Better understanding of my culture is to better understand who I am.
I do agree we viets have alot of sins. Most of the men are gamblers, alcoholics and players. The women are goldiggers, manipulatives.....but do also have alot of good things like everyone else. I do believe that the way you look at the people of Vietnam depends on the mindframe you put yourself in. When I went back to Vietnam, the purpose of it was to better understand where Im from, to understand why Im like that. I didnt go there with the western mindset, expecting everything to be the same than my country of adoption. Of course everything was totally different, but I was expecting it. You just cant compare VN to the US like you did A_tactitus. The 2 countries are not the same just look at history. We viets we spent almost 1000 fighting foreigners off our land. Just that can reflect alot of the mentaly of viets today, example most viets do not thrust anyone outside of their family and close friends. Im not an anthropologist expert but I can tell that our history is directed related to our social behavior.
Another thing I disagree is that you are comparing the US who is the most powerful country to VN who is one of the poorest country in the World. Of course the social behavior is going to be different. The people do not have the same needs. When you are really poor the thing you worry the least is if your neighbor spit on the floor or not. You just want to get something to eat before you starve. People steal to suvive. But can you blame them? I'm personnaly not in position to judge them.
In conlusion, Viet culture has his bad and good. But one thing that it has that no other culture has is that it belongs to me. It is part of my upbriging, my root, my history. I belong to that culture. I can't hate anymore because that is what my parent gave me has heritage and I take a personnal responsabity to communicate with my future children.
Better understanding of my culture is to better understand who I am.
Well, I would consider a stint in Vietnam, but like most of you raised in Western culture (in my case, Australia) it would be very hard to adapt to the harsher surroundings, culture conflicts as well as general environment.
Having said all that, I would like to have a short stint in HCMC (city by birth). It's just good to experience and adapt to an environment and to test your general survival skills away from your comfort zone.
Having said all that, I would like to have a short stint in HCMC (city by birth). It's just good to experience and adapt to an environment and to test your general survival skills away from your comfort zone.
Bo Doi
Read the line!!! I'm not ashame of my Vietnamese. I'm not fully assimilate to U.S. life style. I hold on to Vietnamese culture as hard as I can and outright dispites those lost it. I am a Vietnamese American, not just American, Vietnamese American. I will speak Vietnamese to those that know how to speak it but refuse to speak it. I will teach my kid to speak Vietnamese. And if I have my way, I will discard those Vietnamse girls who marry non-Vietnamese.
My point - If you visit Vietnamse for a few days and you believe you can live there permanently, you are dreaming. People in Vietnam live there for all their lives and they are use to the condition there, which I describes in my previous post and in no way compare that to any other countries.
Read the line!!! I'm not ashame of my Vietnamese. I'm not fully assimilate to U.S. life style. I hold on to Vietnamese culture as hard as I can and outright dispites those lost it. I am a Vietnamese American, not just American, Vietnamese American. I will speak Vietnamese to those that know how to speak it but refuse to speak it. I will teach my kid to speak Vietnamese. And if I have my way, I will discard those Vietnamse girls who marry non-Vietnamese.
My point - If you visit Vietnamse for a few days and you believe you can live there permanently, you are dreaming. People in Vietnam live there for all their lives and they are use to the condition there, which I describes in my previous post and in no way compare that to any other countries.
QUOTE(a_tacitus @ May 13 2006, 10:06 PM) [snapback]1846532[/snapback]
Outside of Saigon the street is emptied at 10 and if you're out late beware you will run into security forces guards (an phong & cong an)
What is "an phong"? Is it a kind of police/cong an?
QUOTE(NTV @ May 14 2006, 11:23 PM) [snapback]1848490[/snapback]
What is "an phong"? Is it a kind of police/cong an?
hello NTV
I think he meant "an ninh pḥng vệ", but didn't remember the words...
QUOTE(Johannjs @ May 14 2006, 04:43 PM) [snapback]1848555[/snapback]
hello NTV
I think he meant "an ninh pḥng vệ", but didn't remember the words...
Ok, "An Ninh Pḥng Vệ" does make sense. Thanks Johannjs.
QUOTE(Bo Doi @ May 14 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]1846859[/snapback]
I totally agree with you on the fact that VN is a different country. For myself, I was pretty much raised in a western culture environnement apart from my family. For most of life until recently I always tought the western culture more civilized, more developped than my own culture that my parents gave to me. I almost ready to completly assimilate myself to the western culture to the point to forget all my roots. But lately, I was fortunate enough to meet people that helped me rediscover my own culture. I started then to read history of VN to better understand the people that lived in that land. Also, my trip back to VN lately helped me to understand better where I from but most importantly understand my parents.
I do agree we viets have alot of sins. Most of the men are gamblers, alcoholics and players. The women are goldiggers, manipulatives.....but do also have alot of good things like everyone else. I do believe that the way you look at the people of Vietnam depends on the mindframe you put yourself in. When I went back to Vietnam, the purpose of it was to better understand where Im from, to understand why Im like that. I didnt go there with the western mindset, expecting everything to be the same than my country of adoption. Of course everything was totally different, but I was expecting it. You just cant compare VN to the US like you did A_tactitus. The 2 countries are not the same just look at history. We viets we spent almost 1000 fighting foreigners off our land. Just that can reflect alot of the mentaly of viets today, example most viets do not thrust anyone outside of their family and close friends. Im not an anthropologist expert but I can tell that our history is directed related to our social behavior.
That sort of thinking not only reflect on Viets, but all the Asian cultures, as though we Asians (and Viets) is inferior to White men. VietNamese culture is as civilised as White people's culture, and they're as much as barbarians as we are. I'm glad you understand your roots or otherwise you're nothing.
I was brought up in Australia, a country with vast wealth and freedom, but the White culture is all about individualism and materialism. Growing up in Australia and going back to VietNam several times make me realise the importance of knowing my roots, VietNam is the land of my ancestors and it is my ancestral home which I hold with high regards.
Yes, VietNam is poor and the streets smells like $hit but damn I'm proud whenever I see VietNam on the map. My ancestors fought for thousands of years against imperialistic motherfu-kers not for themselves, but for the sake of the existence of Dai Viet and its people. In this age of globalisation I'm not sure if VietNam's culture could survive the onslaught of White individualism and materialism, I'm not sure if the glorious pass of our country could hold on against capitalistic greed. But from now till the day I die I will hold on to what I could of Viet culture and look up proudly as I am a VietNamese.
i never thought about moving back to vietnam to live before---it's only been lately that i started to care about vietnam and actually reconnecting with my roots and culture.---applying to college will make you do that lol It took me 18 years to figure out a part of my identity. i have this crazy dream to go back to vietnam and build a sort of "quan's mansion" you know... the ones you see in ancient chinese series--the house of the officials...lol i dunno why but i really want one. don't tell me i watched too much chinese dramas
right now i dont really know where i want to live for the rest of my life. but vietnam will always be a place i call home though
right now i dont really know where i want to live for the rest of my life. but vietnam will always be a place i call home though
My parents will move once my youngest sister finishes college and settles. We'll arrange bi-yearly visits to see each other.
where are they now?
well.....i don't know wat future will bring...but i do and really do want to go back and live in Vietnam..it's simple cuz i'm Vietnamese!
Things aint that great in VN compare to here (gov., ppl, tech., edu,...) ...but u all should remember vn had been thro. so many wars....if everybody all do da same thing: abandon their own country ...bcuz its still poor...will it ever get better???.....VN is getting alot betta....cuz there are ppl who actually love their own country n want to stay in it no matter what.
for some of you who has been brought up here...i dont blame ya for not loving VN....cuz u dont know what it really like....but dont criticze it (since u has never done ANYTHING for it)....u r Vietmaniz whetha u like it or not!
Things aint that great in VN compare to here (gov., ppl, tech., edu,...) ...but u all should remember vn had been thro. so many wars....if everybody all do da same thing: abandon their own country ...bcuz its still poor...will it ever get better???.....VN is getting alot betta....cuz there are ppl who actually love their own country n want to stay in it no matter what.
for some of you who has been brought up here...i dont blame ya for not loving VN....cuz u dont know what it really like....but dont criticze it (since u has never done ANYTHING for it)....u r Vietmaniz whetha u like it or not!
you can probably save more in vietnam than here. With a western college degree, you'd make AT LEAST $1,500 USD/month. Vietnamese citizens need approx. $300 USD/mth/person to have a pretty comfortable living. Let's say you spend $500/month, you still can save $1,000 per month which is not too bad. If you're smart and active, there are opportunities to make money on top of your full-time job.
I don't know about you but everytime my bf and I go out, we spend at least $100. With tax and his car payments, bills...not much left for saving.
I don't know about you but everytime my bf and I go out, we spend at least $100. With tax and his car payments, bills...not much left for saving.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.