I would love to work in mother country and for my people, but unfortunately Im stuck in the Western world, belong to a minority group. It sucks when you're not the majority.

lol ur not the only one

my cousin grew up in canada, but now he works for ACE insurance in saigon...
i think he's vice president

my other cousin is a lawyer and she has worked in thailand and hanoi, she also lived in canada

yeah when you're in vn you can fight your own battle ....when you're here you have to "dai dien" ba con co bac ......and fight

You don't have to be in Vietnam to contribute to your motherland. Work hard and achieve wherever you are and that will reflect upon you as a individual, as a community and as a people. There should be more Overseas Vietnamese who does positive things to make others aware of the Vietnamese people.

there is so much we can do overseas to help vietnam

personally i think my goal is to unify the overseas communities with our motherland

there is soo much we overseas ppl can offer to better the lives of our cousins at home, because of our exposure to... everything else in the world

i think all the old vietnamese who juss stand and parade around trying to overthrow a government are idiot...

i think we need to help vietnam integrate itself into the global world. this is a quicker and more REALISTIC than juss parading around a world away...

already the evidence is obvious, vietnam is trying to show the world that it is changing... all the news about crack downs are on the national commie newspapers...

this is a gud sign

i consider myself a nationalist. the pride&love i hav for vietnam overwhelms the past and hatred for the communist.

Hey, don't humiliate them. They're definately not idiots. They are just old, can only stand and parade thoi (many couldn't even stand). The younger generation generally would have no idea how complicated things going on in Vietnam. They just have a very faint idea on how the Party is organised and how it managed to work, well, I think the same thing goes with ppl inside the country....but..... Criticizing and bashing are just too easy, aren't they? We want to change things but if you find pleasure in blaming the gov't, then hold your tongue since that only brings back negative effects. Sincerely.


Talking about the press, only TuoiTre and Vnexpress are fairly open newspapers now. Laodong, Thanhnien, ThuDo are dull repeaters...An-ninh-the-gioi, Cong An are tabloids without tits and asses, and Nhan Dan, nobody reads it.

I'm certainly believes that the people who waves the flag and demands for freedom and Democracy are more dignified and moralistic than those back in Vietnam iwho are in power yet abusing it and plundering national resources for their own selfish interests. If you don't blame the government then who should you blame for the corruption, mismanagement and abuse of power?


Talking about the press, I can see that Tuoi Tre is amongst the most daring ones; perhaps due to the fact that it's affiliated with former PM Vo Van Kiet.

^^ Really, but since he is retired, who is backing it up now?

I wouldn't have a clue, though Vo Van Kiet still wields considerable influence in the VCP machine.

who cares about the life-less, boring, and ever-going-without-any-real-result community works in foreign lands. I just want to immerge myself in Saigon's hot sunny days, its buzzing city streets, its characteristic people, and just embrace its way of life.

why make people aware of your country, for what? they got their own problems to deal with. And why sacrifice the time doing community work overseas while you can actually living in your country. Go for the real thing, not the other way around.

What is so real about living in Vietnam? Why would I want to earn $2000 a year in Vietnam when I am currently earning $50,000 as a graduate stockbroker?

Vietnam is a country good for travelling, but not for living, at least for me that is. You might beg to differ but that's your own opinion.


And why should I make people aware? I find that if people understand more about other races/ethnic groups then the world would be a much more tolerant and positive place to live in. Spreading Vietnamese culture around the world and making the world takes notice of it would also bring good will, economic, social and diplomatic benefits to Vietnam. You should think outside the square.

I agree with you, Pho-Sure....it's fun to travel to vn for a month or so, but the longer I stay there the more I feel uncomfortable and miss the US...I don't know why. I grew up in VN but still I don't feel missing it...I guess I am "mat goc"...or maybe the convenience in the US spoiled me....

Everybody has his/her opinion. I won't mind working in Vietnam with a Western firm in 2012+. Saigon is much more dynamic than a lot of American cities (except for the big one of course), and the Western comfort is coming into Vietnam like crazy after it admits into WTO.

When account for the standard of living, there are many factors to consider.

On one hand you got that money factor, how much can you make in differnt geographically settings.
On the the other hand, it is the sentimental value, how the enviroment make you feel.

you're right Fo-sure. To work in VN, u'd have to accept a big pay cut, but everyday you would feel warm inside_almost like a natural high. Unlike being a reserved cultural misfit, trying to subdue and shape your natural behavior into something you're not comfortable with. And that is just not a fun human experience.

But i guess you're right, when u're poor, u need the money, so work in the US, but once your financial status has been met, its usually pursuing somthing else, somthing more meaningful. Whats meaningful top me is the the joy, the laughter, and the feeling of natural high.

If money is what meaningful to you, than u'd be working in this cold hard world the rest of your life. Im not saying to be a poor beach bum. Work to have enough money to support your live, but dont sacrifice too much of your human feelings and senses.

Another factor..if you have family and children and you already set in one place...it's harder to move and relocate, but if you are single..yes, anywhere, any place..not a problem.

oh yeah you're right sat cong. i forgot to mention i really wanna go over there, but my fiancee doesn't want me to. She said Saigon will corrupt me with "nhau nhet, and "an choi". Can't blame her tho. All you VKs know it

When account for the standard of living, there are many factors to consider.

On one hand you got that money factor, how much can you make in differnt geographically settings.
On the the other hand, it is the sentimental value, how the enviroment make you feel.

you're right Fo-sure. To work in VN, u'd have to accept a big pay cut, but everyday you would feel warm inside_almost like a natural high. Unlike being a reserved cultural misfit, trying to subdue and shape your natural behavior into something you're not comfortable with. And that is just not a fun human experience.

But i guess you're right, when u're poor, u need the money, so work in the US, but once your financial status has been met, its usually pursuing somthing else, somthing more meaningful. Whats meaningful top me is the the joy, the laughter, and the feeling of natural high.

If money is what meaningful to you, than u'd be working in this cold hard world the rest of your life. Im not saying to be a poor beach bum. Work to have enough money to support your live, but dont sacrifice too much of your human feelings and senses.
I agree with this.
I think immigrants to the US of all nationalities can relate to this in some way.

oh yeah you're right sat cong. i forgot to mention i really wanna go over there, but my fiancee doesn't want me to. She said Saigon will corrupt me with "nhau nhet, and "an choi". Can't blame her tho. All you VKs know it

I think it will work out perfectly for you and your fiance' if you both go back there to work for some private firms and settle there before having kids but if you wait til later then it will be harder cuz it's harder for kids to adjust in a new environment.

I think most immigrants in the US choose to not return to their homeland because they think their kids will have a better future in the states.

Not that I don't want to return to Vietnam. I just think that the interests of the O/S Vietnamese and the future interests of Vietnam are better served if more and more Vietnamese are living overseas to soak up state-of-the-art expertise as well as building up solid capital base and contacts so one day we all could assist Vietnam in a more effective way.

There's no point going to Vietnam to work now when I know that my skills will be under-utilised. Country-building is about planning for the middle and the long term.

I definitely would want to return to Vietnam to invest and set up a business in the future, but I need more experience and capital.

it's not vietnam, it's saigon

try any city in vn you'll want to kill yourself

it's saigon that my heart beats for
it's ho chi minh city that i adore

walk outside of your house and you'll see: hu tiu bo vien, chao long, pho, com tam, bo bia, xoi, che, khoai lang nuong, bap hap, kho muc, bun rieu, goi du du, banh mi, banh bao, nuoc giai khat sinh to, banh Kinh Do, chim cut chien, wan thanh, mi, mi xao don, pizza, hamburger,KFC.

and you can get these 24/7 in saigon
in other small cities in the mekong - nothing,
people go to sleep at 10

but it would be nice if i could live in alll cities around the world.....involved in the local lifestyle for 6mths or a year then move on to another city.......the world is so beautiful.......
..i wouldn't want to go to heaven when i die
i want to be a ghost ....wandering around all cities all countries all families
people are unique too, i want to get to know all of them

if its money wise... my cousin makes a <$100,000 in ACE vietnam

umm...

woops i meant at least 100,000


wut i was saying earlier is not that u cannot live overseas

i love living in the US it is my second home

we as vietnamese r soo divided, the hate and the past.

and do not say that i do not know wut my parents and grandparents have gone through

my dad my thrown into the reeducation camps
my grandpa was deputymayor of saigon, and he died becuz....
my dad was a boat person and my parents were separated for ~10yrs

What is so real about living in Vietnam? Why would I want to earn $2000 a year in Vietnam when I am currently earning $50,000 as a graduate stockbroker?

Vietnam is a country good for travelling, but not for living, at least for me that is. You might beg to differ but that's your own opinion.


And why should I make people aware? I find that if people understand more about other races/ethnic groups then the world would be a much more tolerant and positive place to live in. Spreading Vietnamese culture around the world and making the world takes notice of it would also bring good will, economic, social and diplomatic benefits to Vietnam. You should think outside the square.

You are an idiot

i agree with Bang its not about VN, its strictly just Saigon.

Saigon is a crossing point of East meets West. Vietnamese people living in Western influences. A perfect place for us VK. We are so used to the comfortable and materialistic lifestyle in the US that it wont be fun to live in the other 99% of Vietnam's still under-developed areas.

You are an idiot
I know you're stupid, no need to tell me that. Your stupid one-liner is quite pathetic to say the least :scouserd:

who is this barney kid?

sgdj
lots of people here want to see vn to be developed with tall skyscrapers, office buildings, apartments and residentials suburbs like those in the western world.
cars roam the streets...etc

but think about it:
the way the western cities built don't allow people to interact with one another.

-when you're young you go to school, come home go to your room study, talk on the phone with friends - don't see your parents

-when you have a family, you go to work all day, come home too tired, too stress, so you just sit and watch tv until sleep - you don get to see your children.

-when you're old, your children put u in a retirement home - waitting to die - you don't get to see your family.

the way vn cities built allowed u to meet your neighbours, friends and family 24/7
in vn i'm so overwhelmed to see the whole family sit down with each other for lunch and dinner........and the children actually listen to their elderly....grown ups in vn have so much power........especially the old grumpy people.

vn ugly point is the law and the police......and i end right here......... don't drag me in your stupid political views

Good point there, bang.

I know you're stupid, no need to tell me that. Your stupid one-liner is quite pathetic to say the least :scouserd:

no seriously, you are!

You should keep your ego in check as your tenuous sense of self deluded confidence and your tendency to embellish yourself through conspicuous attempts of self primacy, adulation and exultation is becoming incredibly irritating.

Furthermore, most of your opinions and contributions to this forum amounts to nothing more than drivel and devoid of any substance.

I suggest you exercise restraint and be more circumspect when expressing your opinions, beliefs and views on this forum.

sgdj
lots of people here want to see vn to be developed with tall skyscrapers, office buildings, apartments and residentials suburbs like those in the western world.
cars roam the streets...etc

but think about it:
the way the western cities built don't allow people to interact with one another.

-when you're young you go to school, come home go to your room study, talk on the phone with friends - don't see your parents

-when you have a family, you go to work all day, come home too tired, too stress, so you just sit and watch tv until sleep - you don get to see your children.

-when you're old, your children put u in a retirement home - waitting to die - you don't get to see your family.

the way vn cities built allowed u to meet your neighbours, friends and family 24/7
in vn i'm so overwhelmed to see the whole family sit down with each other for lunch and dinner........and the children actually listen to their elderly....grown ups in vn have so much power........especially the old grumpy people.

vn ugly point is the law and the police......and i end right here......... don't drag me in your stupid political views

That's more like American/Australian/New Zealand surburban culture than anything. It's definitely not European lifestyle

oh yeah, Pho sure I forgot to mention. you're making 50 K here in the States? it may seems alot to VN annual GDP. However, the cost of living in the States is 10 fold to VN, and yet the socializing aspect is non to zip compare to VN. Here, you work lonely in your cubicle from 8-5, come home to a quite room and eat dinner then watch TV. The dry, life-less, workplace rat race seems endless (not to account being a left out bilingual immigrant in your company).

In VN, the official money maybe less, but theres ton of under the table deals that will never surface to ones income statement. Plus, everything is much, much cheaper. And all of these are just leading to the grand finale of why it is so goooood to live in VN:

The joy, the fun, the warm feeling, the sense of Saigonese all over your body.

Can you go to a coffee shop in the States and honestly felt you belong to the local white people? I dont think so. But in VN, thats where it shines...and much, much more.

And do you think a white girl would think of you romantically? Well, maybe she wants your 50K salary, but besides that, No chance there my freind. You're not 6 feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes, talk or walk the same as them.

In VN, even tho theres restricted political freedom (but who gives a rat's ass anyways)
The personal freedom is what count, its something living in the US will never can compared for Vietnamese who wander around the globe.

And I still dont get this, why make people aware of your country? How come white people dont do that? They're happily living in their own country, socializing, and mingling with their own kind. The hell of if the world's aware of them or not.

I think Pho-Sure lives in Ustralia. 50K in ustralia is a lot, isn't it? I would have no clue. 50K in the US is not bad in some cities.

What part of the State do you live SaigonDJ? If you don't mind me asking. I live in Califoria and I don't see feel the different with others at all...and I don't live in cities that have lots of vietnamese either. I guess some towns people are more friendly than others...it's really sad that you feel that way.....and by the way, did I hear you say "under the table deals"?....that's where corruptions started....it's a no no...hehehe.

I live in San Diego, CA

Yeah, the whole VN country is based on corruption. but if you master the art of it, you can excel in that enviroment. In a way the whole country learned how to live with it and treat it as the common law. It s their own laws and rules. They all understnad it, and use it well in assiting with their businesses and way of life.

Man, is there another country with its population scattered around the globe anymore than the Vietnamese people? We are so cursed, we can't be united. Even in this room, we're words-battling like ka-razy

Wow, San Diego and you feel isolated? I think you see more Mexican down there more than white...(J/K) I thought you live somewhere on the east coast...:) You don't like Orange county environment?

SD is 1 hr from the OC. not as much Viet as the OC. And in the workplace, no Asian.

But still, I prob speak for others Viets who don't have the luxury to live in the OC, and they'd prob feel like I do.

The OC is just a stretch of a street with concerntrated Vietnamese businesses. It does not compare to the real enviroment in VN. For some reason, I dont like "hai ngoai VN that much"

oh now i know what's troubling u saigon DJ
you want those girls on the street to dream about you
and blink blink their eyes at you when they see you
and asking for your phone number ey?

hey i always think ...no white girls, but lots of my den girls dreamming about me on the street because i'm so so hot.
that's right, the other day there was this crossed eye my den girl looked at me so passionately.... i went home so happy

Yes I'm from Australia. I definitely wants to live in Saigon, but there is no money to be made over there. What will I do as a graduate in Vietnam? Which company will I be working for? And how much will I earn?

Personal sentimentality aside, why would I want to earn $2k a year when I can earn $50k a year (that's only in the first year) and knowing that there will be more career and personal development overseas? Vietnamese economy is just not really for highly skilled professionals like me and other Overseas Vietnamese.

no seriously, you are!

You should keep your ego in check as your tenuous sense of self deluded confidence and your tendency to embellish yourself through conspicuous attempts of self primacy, adulation and exultation is becoming incredibly irritating.

Furthermore, most of your opinions and contributions to this forum amounts to nothing more than drivel and devoid of any substance.

I suggest you exercise restraint and be more circumspect when expressing your opinions, beliefs and views on this forum.
How about I use your suggestion to wipe my a$$? How about that? :cheers:

oh yeah, Pho sure I forgot to mention. you're making 50 K here in the States? it may seems alot to VN annual GDP. However, the cost of living in the States is 10 fold to VN, and yet the socializing aspect is non to zip compare to VN. Here, you work lonely in your cubicle from 8-5, come home to a quite room and eat dinner then watch TV. The dry, life-less, workplace rat race seems endless (not to account being a left out bilingual immigrant in your company).

In VN, the official money maybe less, but theres ton of under the table deals that will never surface to ones income statement. Plus, everything is much, much cheaper. And all of these are just leading to the grand finale of why it is so goooood to live in VN:

The joy, the fun, the warm feeling, the sense of Saigonese all over your body.

Can you go to a coffee shop in the States and honestly felt you belong to the local white people? I dont think so. But in VN, thats where it shines...and much, much more.

And do you think a white girl would think of you romantically? Well, maybe she wants your 50K salary, but besides that, No chance there my freind. You're not 6 feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes, talk or walk the same as them.

In VN, even tho theres restricted political freedom (but who gives a rat's ass anyways)
The personal freedom is what count, its something living in the US will never can compared for Vietnamese who wander around the globe.

And I still dont get this, why make people aware of your country? How come white people dont do that? They're happily living in their own country, socializing, and mingling with their own kind. The hell of if the world's aware of them or not.
What are you waiting for? Go back to Vietnam and live there. I'm happy with where I am at the moment. My family and friends are all here.

pho sure, even u dont share my same view, why can't u agree with me to cheer me up mate? what a stiff.

I share your view mate, but maybe in 10 years' time when the Vietnamese economy is more welcoming for people like me (or us) to come back to live and work or invest.

hehehe ,yeah Bang, sometimes i feel like im wasting my prime and youthful years here. Socially, I just can't live up to my full potential as otherwise in my language, my people, and my prefered Saigonese style.

Pho sure, i wonder what u do for fun? do u wear thick glasses? and tuck in your shirt all the time?

SaigonDJ, I've spent only a few years in Vietnam as a kid so I'm not too attached to living in Vietnam. Every time I visit Vietnam I would be so excited in the first couple of weeks but by the third week I start to miss my home and my friends in Australia.

I enjoy going to the cinemas, eating in restaurants, and shopping for clothes like A&F, Mooks and particularly fond of casual shoes (I have a dozen). And yes, I do tuck my shirt in for about 45 hours a week at work. hahaha

pho-sure, your history supports your view.

so whats this trip to VN for? business or pleasure?

Both. I'm thinking of setting up an import business to import some stuffs from Vietnam as a weekend hobby.