The Matt’s blog have made a big argument on Vietnamese community recently.  The discussion about his post not only attracted to people who work in hospitality industry but also millions of Vietnamese seasoned travelers. Some are objected his post and identified Matt as inexperienced tourist. Some are totally agreed with it and expressed that Vietnam Tourism should look seriously on their service.

I personally think this case is very personal point of view so I am not saying Matt has been right or wrong on his saying.  Every country has their own fan, people may love it or hate it. However, some of the issues he stated are sadly true based on my own experience after years on the road with travelers. Many thing need to be improve such as taxi scam, overcharge, street vendor hassling and so on. I also believe that small scam group is not represented to Vietnam. Vietnam is the country that you need to stay long enough to understand its people, style of life and its community.

One thing that concern me much which was a statistic stated that over 90% of visitor never return to Vietnam. It is surprising me as I witness many friends of mine repeatedly coming back, not once but few times and most of my customers feel extremely impress with country and people and urge to come back to discover the places they have not seen. Or Vietnam is always on their recommendation list. Of course, my company serve about 3,000 visitors per year only, it is too small number compare to 5 millions of total country visitor. However, I also traveled with thousands of people while doing tour guide for years and rarely seen anyone not enjoy Vietnam, some of the cases also made some people uncomfy about but I don’t think they hated Vietnam or recommend people stay away from it.

Am I being not updated? Vietnam has changed quicker than my catch? I am not too sure about it. Please kindly share your experience or opinion with a simple poll or comment below. Much appreciate it!

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Posted: February 22nd, 2012 by: Tuan Catalogue: Travel.
Comments: none

Being a tour guide for years, I had a chance to meet and talk to thousand of travelers. And of course, a part of my work is answering people questions. It was part of the fun and educate myself as well. I am trying to gather some of the most curious questions about Vietnam I have heard of.

1, How much Vietnamese people earn per year in average ?

- In 2011, GDP in Vietnam was 119 billions USD, so in average Vietnamese people earn about 1,300 USD per year. This is one of the lowest number among the Asian countries.

2, Do Vietnamese people ‘hate’ Chinese?

- I have quite a few of friends look down to Chinese or no sympathy to Chinese. I don’t think they have any particular reasons on it but the wars between 2 countries made those feelings. Chinese often considered as wicked people by Vietnamese. I think this is a common thinking to countries that had a ‘history’ to each others.

3, Vietnamese having sex before marriage?

- They do, especially last 10 years when the storm of internet flow through Vietnam, young people feel more open and taking about sex is less sensitive than before. Older generation sometimes still find difficult to catch up with it and somewhere like countryside sex before marriage is still forbidden.

4, What Vietnamese people feel about American?

- Surprisingly, I never heard much about this on Vietnamese conversation, even on forum or other social network. It is surely people talk about Chinese than ever. I have asked this question to people including Vietnam war veteran and people feel normal about American.

5, When did Ho Chi Minh die?

Ho Chi Minh passed away in Hanoi course of illness on 2nd September 1969, before Vietnam War ended in 1975.

Posted: February 21st, 2012 by: Tuan Catalogue: Culture.
Comments: none

To travelers, readers and friends.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that 2012 brings you Happiness, Health and much Prosperity!

All the best wishes from Tuan – Vietnam Travel Blog

Posted: December 24th, 2011 by: Tuan Catalogue: Others.
Comments: none

I am kind of believer for best foods are not coming from 5 star restaurant. It is especially true for Vietnamese food. You are not really known of Vietnamese courses until you got into a Vietnamese family. Somebody said ‘Every family in Vietnam has a professional chef’ It is also deadly true!

Vietnamese people eat differently at home. Some of the famous courses that apparently represented for Viet food culture are rarely eaten at home. They are good, wonderful but Vietnamese somehow can not cope with them daily. They have a different menus to cheer up the family members. What are they?

Broth
A meal without broth will be unusual in Vietnamese family food, broth could be simple like morning glory both or cabbage broth, if they have time, they will make more completed courses like fish broth or oyster broth. Broth course in also the most difficult courses to make in Vietnam food.

Rice
Vietnamese is the World most rice eater. They eat about 300kg rice per year. This is a must and the most favored food for Vietnamese. Rice will be served on the bowl and people mix with other course to eat.

Omeletes
Westerners normally eat omelettes at breakfast, Vietnamese eat this course at home for lunch or dinner. It normally cooked with pork, onions and come along with a bit of fish source.

Morning Glory
Most eaten in north of Vietnam, normally boil and deep with fish source. It is good for teeth (less Northern people having problem with teeth, my friend doctor said so), it is more popular in the summer and always eaten with Vietnamese small egg – plants. It is traditional Vietnamese countryside meal.

Another course for rice
Vietnamese often set a course for rice bowl, it makes a good sense though, as rice itself is very light and flavor – less, making a salted courses like fried pork, fish with fish source or shrimp sauteed would make a better combination.

If you join a group tours in Vietnam, the restaurant always offer 9 to 12 courses menu. Vietnamese normally don’t eat that much in daily life, 4, 5 courses are maximum. Courses are changing everyday based on seasons and particular favor of each family.

Viet Value Travel offers tour to visit local family and enjoy the meal with local people. You will not only understand the local life but also experience what authentic of Vietnamese foodies are!

Posted: December 7th, 2011 by: Tuan Catalogue: Culture, Food.
Comments: none

A warmly greeting to all Vietnamese teachers from a tricky schoolboy! I wish you all a good health, happiness on this special occasion.

Personally thanks to my high school teachers who had been so patient and forgiveness, cared so much for my studying, encouraging me much when I was there. I wish I might have paid more attention on those cares that I supposed to.

Happy Vietnamese Teacher Day!

Posted: November 21st, 2011 by: Tuan Catalogue: Others.
Comments: none