Respected sir,
Thank you for reading the forwarded QA. Answer is by a person from Vietnam.
Probably on this account he stated-Generally honest.
Gopalakrishnan
On Sunday, 4 February, 2024 at 08:00:54 am IST, Narayanaswamy Iyer
<[email protected]> wrote:
Dear folks
Sri Gopalakrishnan, in his effusive adoration of everything about Vietnam,
gushes:-
"29. The Vietnamese are generally honest, friendly, helpful and always smile.
My comments:-
Not at all, in my personal experience.
A few years ago, as head of the official Singapore Government delegation to the
SEAMEO (Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation) Conference in
Thailand, I, and delegates from other countries including Thailand and Vietnam,
were taken to a North Thailand town where making pottery was the main
occupation and revenue earner.
Each delegate was given the chance to select a beautiful porcelain flower vase
as a souvenir and gift from the Thai Government. I chose one, and went on to
look at other nearby displays.
Before doing so, as my hands were full with conference papers, I handed my
souvenir to the top Vietnamese delegate to hold till I returned. When I came
back to collect my prize possession, he tried to pass on to me a rejected
specimen he had picked up from the waste-basket, instead of returning me my
original.
I immediately raised my voice in protest and in outraged indignation, and
several delegates came to see what was the problem. I explained.
The chief of the Vietnamese mission then sheepishly produced my souvenir which
he had hidden in his "lungi" or lower garment. And did not even apologise, but
slipped away into the crowd.
Several Singapore investors, who had invested considerable capital in a new oil
storage terminal near a port in Vietnam, and whom my law firm represented,
found the Vietnamese to be evasive about carrying out their part of the
contract, and even obstructive in some cases. They were good at promises, but
bad (even dishonest) performers.
They just cannot be trusted, whether in small matters or in more substantial
matters, even at Government level.
S Narayanaswamy Iyer
On Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 9:55 PM Rama <[email protected]> wrote:
Sh Gopal Krishnan Ji .... That is an interesting article on Vietnam. Beer was
brought to Vietnam by French Colonists as otherwise they were taking "rice
wine". . Rice beer was originally known as 33 for its 33 centiliter cans.
However the name was changed to 333 Lager to shun the colonial origins. Another
popular beer is BIA HANOI besides Saigon Red/Green special. Vietnamese food is
also popular among Asians and Europeans. There is a restaurant called SAIGON
restaurant in Jakarta promoted and owned by Indians. It is fine dining and is
frequented by locals and expats. Of course for vegetarians you need to look for
grass.....but you will not go hungry . If you have bookings for vegetarian food
they serve ... as the owners are Sindhi IndiansCheers
On Sat, 3 Feb 2024 at 17:41, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123
<[email protected]> wrote:
VIETNAM-FORWARD
Dear friends,
I found the above QA in Quora very interestingand thought of forwarding
Gopalakrishnan 3-2-2024
What are some of the mostinteresting/surprising facts about any country?
Answer by Khanh Luu, Updated 7y
Here are some interesting facts about my homecountry, Vietnam:
1. The country’s name is originally spelled as two words:Việt Nam.
2. The Vietnamese culture is a complex adaptation ofChinese, Japanese, French,
and American influences thanks to its complicatedhistory
3. Vietnam’sstreet food culture is popular and Vietnamese food is considered
one of the healthiestcuisines in the world with its combination of fresh
ingredients like freshherbs, seafood, fruits, and vegetables along with fish
sauce, soy sauce, andrice. Probably because of its famous food culture, Vietnam
has its own KitchenGod aka Ong Tao. According to legend, Ong Tao makes his
appearance just beforethe Vietnamese New Year (Tet) festival.
4. Noodles are thesecond most popular food in Vietnam, after boiled rice. Of
course, aside from Pho, there aremany other types of noodles in Vietnam.
5. TheVietnam War is known as the American War or the Resistance War Against
Americain Vietnam.
6. Vietnam is one of only 10 countries in the worldwhich can be considered
completelyfree from wars and conflicts in 2016
7. TheVietnamese language uses Latin alphabet in itswriting system since it was
developed by Portuguese and French missionaries inthe 17th century and has been
largely used since the Frenchcolonization. The language has 6 different tones
and a change in tone changesthe meaning of the word. I am sure Vietnamese is
much easier to write than mostof other Asian languages but be careful when you
pronounce the words :)
8. Nguyễn (Nguyen) is the most common surname in the country.Around 40% of all
Vietnamese people have this surname.
9. You cantravel from Porto (Portugal) to Saigon (Vietnam) solely by train.
It’s one of the longesttrain rides in the world, approximately 17,000km and
through over 11 countries.
10. Vietnamese traditional fashion is easilydistinguished by the flowing robes
(Ao Dai) and conical hats (Non La).
11. Vietnam has aliteracy level of 94.5%despite being a developing country (in
2015).
12. Vietnam’sunemployment rate is approximately 2% in 2014, one of the lowest
of all developing countries in theworld.
13. Rice terraces are planted that way to enable thecrop to grow along the
steep mountainsides.
14. Fansipan, also known as The Roof of Indochina, is thehighest mountain peak
in the region and stands at 3,143m. Now you can easily take the cablecar or opt
for a trek to this peak.
15. Vietnam is home to the world’s largest cave, SonDoong. It is so huge that
it has itsown river, jungle and climate and can even fit a 40 storey
skyscraper.You sure wouldn’t want to be lost down there. There is only one tour
company,Oxalis, which offers tours to Son Doong Cave, but I heard they usually
have a6-month waiting list.
16. If you arein Vietnam, chances are you are already a millionaire (in Vietnam
Dong). The largestdenomination is currently 500,000 Dong (~ 24 USD) :)
17. Lizard fishing is one of Vietnam’s most popularpastimes. It’s particularly
prevalent in the South Central Coast region.
18. Motorbikes are the most common form of transport. E.g. Ho Chi Minh City is
nowhome to 7.43 million motorbikes while its population is around 8 million
in2016.
19. The Vietnamese wear helmets not to be safe on theroads but in order not to
be fined by the police/traffic officers.
20. The tunnels of Cu Chi are a network of 250kmunderground pathways that were
used as a military base for the VietCong soldiers in their resistance of
American forces. If you visit Cu Chinowadays, not only you can explore the
tunnels, but you also have a chance toshoot the real Vietnam War weapons like
AK47 or M16 :)
21. The body of Vietnam’s first president, Ho ChiMinh (Uncle Ho), was embalmed,
and is now on display in Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.
22. Vietnam’s flag consists of a golden star withfive points to represent
farmers, workers, intellectuals, youth and soldiers. The red background
paystribute to the bloodshed during the wars. Note that it has no connections
withthe Chinese flag though they look similar.
23. Vietnam owns about 20% of the coffee marketshare, and is the second largest
rice exporter in the world. The country isalso the largest exporter of cashew
nuts and black pepper with one-third of theglobal production.
24. Ha Long Bayis of such scenic beauty that it was included as one of the New
7 Wonders of Nature, aswell as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
25. Hoi An Ancient Town, the famous attraction inVietnam, was actually a
trading port from the 15th century that has endured upto date.
26. Water puppetry is one of the most popular Vietnameseart forms that date
back as far as the 11th century.
27. Constructionstyles vary from traditional Vietnamese stilt houses and
Chinese style pagodas tocolonial French architecture and thin tube houses.
28. In some mountainous areas e.g. Sa Pa, there is a“love market” festival that
is observed to commemorate a tragic forbidden lovestory, and to give modern day
young people a chance to meet their potentialsignificant others. It’s not
something improper because it has been an uniqueand valuable aspect in the
culture of the Mong and Dao ethnic groups for manycenturies. Many have become
husbands and wives after this festival. Well,somehow it looks like a form of
“speed dating” in Western countries :)
29. The Vietnameseare generally honest, friendly, helpful and always smile. Pro
tip: A smile can get youout of many troubles in Vietnam.
30. There is no drinking age in Vietnam. This meanskids can drink as much as
they want, but often, their parents will strictly forbid them todrink until
they go to the university. Besides, alcohol is also prohibited inall schools
and colleges.
31. Vietnam is probably home to the best and cheapestdraft beer, Bia Hoi.
Literally, Bia Hoi means “fresh beer” because it is veryrefreshing, coming
straight out of the keg. Surely Bia Hoi won’t leave you witha pounding hangover
as it’s very light and the price is only ~25 cents/cup. Buthere you will enjoy
it like a local: sitting in a tiny plastic chair, drinkingBia Hoi with your
friends on the narrow alleys while watching the city’snightlife. It’s not rare
if some locals say ‘Hello’, then invite you to jointheir mates for some rounds.
Pro tip: it’s fastest way to make friends inVietnam.
32. Gambling in casino is illegal for Vietnamesecitizens, but not for
foreigners.
33. In Vietnam, there is a fruit called ‘breast milk’. No, it’snot what you are
thinking! It’sa real fruit and very sweet, actually. :)
I hope you enjoy the answer!
Update: Some newfacts have been added. I am glad that many Quorans have shared
with me their experience in Vietnam.In case you are planning to visit Vietnam,
here is something you might want toknow before taking the trip:
If most people in the world are suffering fromnumerous pains, it is because
they are neither ignorant nor are they wise.Theyare only semi-knowledgeable and
half wise.They have little knowledge of theworld and yet they believe that know
it all.
Hence, they keep doing things for the sake ofhappiness and joy, but that brings
them sufferings and pain.
It is impossible tobe ignorant once you have acquired some knowledge.Hence, the
only way to liveyour life fully is to become wise and live a virtuous life.
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