yeah, that's true. even my students who drank, they were just curious not trying to cause trouble. and i have heard the beer companies lose sales because only the uncles drink. I was surprised tho, when I went to dog meat restaurants in Hanoi, because it was mostly older uncles, but there were young people eating and drinking there too. thanks for comment. what should i do my next video on?
The reasons beer sale drop are many: 1. there are many more options for a night out than the past, in the past the only option is to drink, nowadays there are clubs, walking streets, coffee shops, etc... 2. Gym, a lot of guys go to gym nowadays, no incentive to drink 3. New DUI laws and the police actually enforce this DUI law. 4. Working schedules seem to increase, causing people to drink less. ... . There are many reasons for beer sale decline.
Job discrimination based on looks is pretty much in South Korea and Vietnamese copied it. Love hotel is common in Japan, South Korea like Vietnam for the same reason.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Question: "What is the legal age to buy and drink alcohol ?" * Answer: There is ( NO ) age limit ! ! * A 10-year-old or 12-year-old, can walk into a bar, put cash on the bar top, and ask for a "Cold Beer", and the bartender will serve the young boy a "Cold Beer" ! ! However..., if the young boy gets intoxicated, he will find himself out in the street ! ! * Excellent video and very informative, and "Thank you" for sharing the video ! ! Excellent video... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
In the US most people would be indignant about drinking at that age, but if the kids wanted to have life altering surgery to change their sexual identity; then it would be thought of as interfering with their free will. Especially in California!😂
In the past when VN was still poor and suffering famines, that’s when farmers had no other choice to eat dog meat instead of pork or chicken, fish. The dog eating cultures formed since. Today, most of the dog’s meat source is from the breeders/farmers. It’s illegal for hunting and stealing, smuggling meat of home dog without official papers or wild animals (enlisted in the red books). There used to be a wave of “trộm chó” (dog theft/snatching) for a while, the thefts then sell the dog to butcher shop, and to the market, if they got caught the would be jailed or money fined. Nowadays dog thefts or dog snatching are becoming less popular crimes bcuz of the demand of dog meat on the market declined sharp, since the young educated generations (also wealthier) deny to eat the dog meat that regularly any more.
Dog is served in parts of china, philippines and other countries in asia. It is because the people were not affluent like many countries. No different than eating squirrel, possum or rattlesnake in parts of United States.
I just want to clarify a little bit about the pets as food, there actually are laws against that in Vietnam and the only reason why the bush meat trade is still active in Vietnam is because Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese people come to Vietnam to eat dog and cat in fact Korea has the largest dog meat industry.
Appreciate the clarification. I dont know about bush meat, David. But my experience w dog meat is seeing it in the north, and at bia hoi spots near my inlaws hometown in the central highlands. Never saw it in HCMC, and Im not judging. Just letting travellers know what to look for. Canadians kill seals and eat moose and every other national symbol we have. Meat eating is what it is.
You had me at all the positives but the dog meat is a deal breaker. No people with soul would ever harm a dog so it reflects on the rest of the country. Sad really because you had me sold before that.
I agree with basically all that you have said in the video apart from the “safe Wise card” as I have had more safety breaches and card issues with my Wise card traveling than any other card in the last 25 years of travel.
There is more freedom in Vietnam that the USA, UK and Canada. I lived there and loved it. Hot chicks, cheap beer, and friendly people. Pharmacies are everywhere and you do not always need a prescription. Meds and Doctors are cheap.
I’m in Hoi A now with rain for 17 days. I fully agree with thurabansa’s comment. I despise motorcycles and after countenancing them for years here will not return. It’s the height of stupidity when they pull out of a side streets and don’t even look at what’s coming. Or going 60 mph down a street. The one thing the military government has right in Yangon, Myanmar is that motorcycles are forbidden. It’s Heaven. Motorbikes are the plague of Asia.
Yeah sedoff, I keep waiting for the day they enforace some basic traffic laws. Itll change the country. And its not like it is tradition. Theyre all imported Japanese bikes, and theyll be gone and replaced in a decade by cars.
It’s true that motorcycle traffic and noise becomes overwhelming for us visitors of Vietnam. But during my one month trip last year, I reflected on the reasons why it’s such a problem, and realized that Vietnam has had to invest so much in it’s war effort over the last century that it could explain why it’s public infrastructures and specially it’s public transport is inadequate for it’s large population. When there is no other way of getting around, there should be no surprise that streets and sidewalks become so crowded with motos. As for people merging on streets without stopping, it looks like the responsibility to avoid collisions is given to the drivers who are seeing the motos merging ; complete opposite to the rest of the planet 😊. I witnessed the same unwritten laws in the Philippines. One thing to note, is that contrary to North Americans, I did not see anyone get angry ( no road rage in Vietnam ) or aggravated on the roads. It’s like big cahotic and synchronized ballet.
I have lived in Hanoi and HCMC for 6 years and I have almost never seen public drinking. And smoking in my experience is super rare with the exception of airport smoking cubicles. Dog and cat meat is eaten but mostly by the older generation. None of my students would ever eat it. More common in the north. But your comments about motorcycles on sidewalks is totally true. Pedestrians do not get much respect, forcing you to walk in the dangerous streets. Parked motorcycles, restaurant tables, and bags of cement will block your path. Other than this, VN is the best country in Asia by far.
Yeah, I love it here. But the bia hoi spots and KTV are full of drunks. I mean, it is true that older gen consumes more and the kids love sugar tea, but per capita this country loves to drink. Re the animals, I was surprised when I went to see young people and families. Wasnt jsut uncles
The rice-wine that’s called rice-wine is mos-def distilled (wine is fermented, but not distilled) Sōju, BaiJō, Galeíung, ect.: this stuff is STRONG. It messes you up, and the tase is not at all like sakiê, whiskey, or vodka. Stick to beer. (You WILL thank me for this advice.)
Well, Jonh, Ill get to those places in the next video. Come on back for more. Except I would say, Ive been around the world and Viets take the cake for being insane reckless drivers. And statistically they have more motorbikes per capita. Have you been?
My uncle served in Vietnam and he spoke the language in one year! And he made a fish head stew that he learned how to make in the Mountains of Vietnam. He was the kind of guy who loved to see you surprised by this fish head staring at you in your bowel But he would say "Just ignore what it looks like and taste it! And he always said "The head is what makes it good" when you got the first spoon full down. You didn't stop until it was gone the best soup ever even my navy brother couldn't compare his great cooking to uncle Als Fish head stew!
Vietnam is one of those countries i would love to visit. I've still never left the USA though. I just think Vietnam is gorgeous. I've heard the people are great too.
Even though it's mostly filled with irrelevant considerations that should be updated to be useful... it looks like whoever posted this video hasn't set foot in Vietnam for over ten years.. even if the footage is recent !
I have spent several multi week visits in Vietnam, mostly in HCMC and Con Tho. I only believed the part about motorbikes and cheap beer. The beer is cheap because beers such as Saigon and Hanoi are light and then a chunk of ice is added. However, my Vietnamese wife says all of this true. So, well done sir.
One of the most thrilling experiences in my life was riding on the back of one of the scooter taxis in Saigon. This special experience was arranged by our group-tour guide. The sights, sounds, and smells of an alien world change rapidly as you whip around the crowded streets, your safety/life completely in the hands of the very experienced drivers.
With regard to that banker, she's already been tried, convicted, and issued a death sentence. It seems to me, if there's anything still ongoing, it would be an appeal process, if that's a thing there.
now if you have been drinking, you will need to get taxi or expensive fine. Inaddition, You will get better currency exchange at the jewelry shop than the bank.
It’s perfectly normal to see a family 5 on one motorbike or scooter. One kid in front, the father drives, one oldest child sits between the dad & mum. And mother carries the baby. 😂
the excessive alcohol and smoking culture there is what puts me off going there now, as a former smoker and now taking a break from alcohol... I love Vietnamese people.. they are the best!!! and the women? TROI OI!!! DIEP!!
Having worked closely with 5 Vietnamese people (in the USA) for about 10 years, none of this is surprising to me. Yes, they introduced me to Vietnamese food, and US Vietnamese culture, but they also told me about the culture in Vietnam (whether from their memories, or from visiting, or from relatives still living there.
I used to live next to a Vietnamese family. They joked about how you know a Vietnamese rancher? They have more than one dog…. And yes, they introduced me to dog meat. 🤫
Hi, "Evan"..., Anthony Bourdain ( Professional Chef, World Traveler, and TV personality ) said: "The best food in the world is in Vietnam, especially from street food vendors." "And Anthony Bourdain is right ! !" * Anthony Bourdain..., ( RIP ). * P.S.: After watching and listening to several of your videos..., I decided to ( Subscribe ) to your excellent channel ! ! "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
Had my first visit to Vietnam in November 2024 we a small guided tour group. I noticed no public drinking or drunken behaviour and no public smoking but yes the motorcycle traffic was insane and they were parked on every sidewalk. Members of our tour group did see and photograph in Hanoi a dog being butchered for meat and we also witnessed cock fighting in a public park.
Wise specifically lists Vietnam as one of the countries that US-issued cards DO NOT work in. (I found out the hard way.) Maybe you should find another product to endorse?
I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't eat meat. Vietnam (during their NEw Year) was one of the best trips ever. Food was great, people are very friendly, motorcycles are "dangerous" only for the first couple of hours, after that you just cross the street like the others do. BUT their NASTY, GROSS, fake coffee SLUDGE was a shock (Google it, it's fascinating). THAT should be illegal, for sure.
My wise card did not work in Vietnam. I don’t think if your a usa citizen the wise card does not work in Vietnam. It works great in Thailand though. Wise is a great company that does not scam you on the exchange rate. I also use it to do money transfers.
I was in VN about six months ago. I call wise to confirm and they say it doesn't work in VN. I end up using money transfer service to send money to myself or family. Wise seem to be a great card that work in a lot of near by country. I did find out that citi costco card( there is a big citi bank building in HCM city may be you could withdraw cash that way too) and betterman card does work in VN. I use citi card a few time for ride service and food delivery. Yall have fun in VN.
They have a whole travel card setup specifically for using VND dong. I have mine linked to Google Wallet and tap pay in local currency (no exchange rate) with my phone. Its great.
I spend a lot of time in the Philippines, similar culture to other parts of Asia. I completely avoid street food because the sanitation of these street vendors is terrible. I have known many Americans that have gotten very ill from street food in Asia. We just don't have the immune system to handle it.
Love Vietnam and happily here for more than 25 years. Still can't deal with cat and dog eating. (Nor the cow, chicken etc eating.) However, having a beloved furry companion stolen for meat is something I can't get used to.
@evan_eh Over the years, I have first hand experiences with people's cats/dogs going missing. Folks who put out serious search efforts may get lucky and find their furry family member being sold either at the various meat markets or the pet markets (no one will eat a fancy breed cat or dog if they can get a good pet price. ) In one neighborhood I lived in, there used to be men on motorcyles with wire chokers going through the alleys, looking for dogs to snare. You could hear the dog yelping as he was dragged through the streets. A few years ago, my Vietnamese neighbor was inconsolable because all 5 of her cats were snatched at night. They were just alley cats, so we knew their fate. Anyways, my fat boy, who could feed a family of five, is NEVER allowed out. I think people are more aware now, and keep their cats inside. However, you have been here long enough to know many Viet style houses have easy outside access for cats to get out. Dogs are somewhat more easy to monitor.
"Rest of the world" apparently just means America. 1. Job discrimination is legal and common in most of the world, just not legal in the west. 2. Love hotels are perfectly legal in most countries, it just isn't worth it in most places. I feel like this concept was invented in Japan anyway. 3. Public drinking is legal in most non-Islamic countries, just not in the States save for certain places like New Orleans and Vegas. 4. Smoking is very common outside of the US. Europeans still smoke like chimneys and the rest of Asia is ridiculous. Smoking Tobacco in the West is becoming more illegal, while Marijuana smoking is becoming more legal, but nowhere in the rest of the world are cigarettes illegal outright, although I think New Zealand is really trying. 5. Dog and cat meat is common in much of Asia, but yes, not really consumed and usually illegal outright in the West. 6. Fraud and scams are illegal everywhere, including Vietnam. And of the scammiest countries, I don't think Vietnam comes close to topping the list. 7. The motorbike thing is crazy. Southeast Asia is infested with them. Being able to drive on the sidewalk is not unique to Vietnam, it is just a common third world trait that will eventually be banned as the country gets richer.
Its shit mate. They dont slow down for strollers or babies. All theyd have to do is get the cops to enforce the laws and it would stop tomorrow. It is the worst part and most dangerous part of being here.
What do you mean by 'illegal in the rest of the world'? Do you mean the USA and Canada, or have you fact checked this with other countries such as Austria or DRC or Egypt or South Korea? I just get a little annoyed when 'the rest of the world' is just the USA! Sorry if thus sounds picky, but if you're going to make a statement like that multiple times, you must qualify what you mean or say that you've checked this in every other county in the world! I love the video though!
Thanks Jfarenden. The title is around the world, and thats what I mean. Things Viets do not even blink about doing that could get you arrested or fined in other countries 'around the world'. Glad you enjoyed it. Where you from? PS. Im a Canuck not a Yank.
On meats to beware of: Dog meat is called both thịt chó and thịt cầy. Meo is cat, but cat meat is sold as tiểu hổ [Lit: little tiger]. Sold in specialty 'jungle food' restaurants Cầy tơ is civet. Nhím is spiny ant eater. Khỉ monkey, Nai/hươu deer, rắn snake, sấu crocodile ngậu pín goat penis, de goat, vú de goat udder, ' A grilled specialty on sticks in the Mekong Delta chuột đồng field mice Heo rừng wild boar is commonly sold in restaurants and is quite okay to eat.
I'm afraid to say that card reader scams are common here in Texas, USA too. Every week there is a news report of a phoney card reader found on a gas pump or ATM.
Well with wise you could move a specific amount of money to the card. If something happen it only limited fund in there. I think money transfer service is much better, but a card is needed if u want to sign up for app service, but most of them does have pay later in cash.
Mustang has basically covered.it but the deal is no exchange fees (so you dont get ripped off here) and you can use the atm no fee twice, and you can also connect to phone to tap and thus avoid card reader scams...you could read all about it in the link. But basically, I have been scammed by banks here and can bypass them w wise wo the fees of a normal N. American bank.
When it comes to dog or cat meat. At least in the south part it’s not very common. Maybe you can find 1 or 2 from hundreds of shop around. But yes it’s around just not so common unless you really look hard. I think the north are more common bc it’s near China and China are big on dog meat they even have dog eating day every year
There are restaurants that have no menus. You sit down, they bring food, you don't know what it is. I visited twice, I ate dog, because it was all there was, but it was delicious
Thanks you just convinced me to never go to Vietnam ! Anyone eating dogs or cats just aren't the kind of places I would spend my money. This really does help as up until I saw this Video I'm 65 and was looking at Vietnam seriously for retirement!
@ The prices are absolutely ridiculous. I’ve been forced to roll my own since they banned menthol cigarettes (you can buy the menthol tobacco and everything else to make them). If I have more money than time, I’ll drive over to Reno. If I have more time than money, I head down to Tijuana. A carton of flavored cigarettes (2 flavor capsules in the filter) is about $60-$65. But the boarder patrol will only allow you to take 2 cartons back (if they happened to find any extra cartons.
"Need Young Good Looking" is NOT a discrimination. It is a Job Requirement. Young beautiful girls bring more customers than old ugly ones. Pure business.
I feel like this was simply a copy of other videos already posted by others. Your saying "hot young women" and then showing a Western White women. Did you even make the video yourself or use Ai to piece it together?
Hey garry, I agree that the topic is a copy. This is my personal take on culture shock in Vietnam, nothing original but my opinions as an expat after 5 years. And a few tips for travellers. As for the edits, I do them myself but I cannot wait for the day that AI takes over. Editing is time suck, and Id rather spend my time having and sharing new experiences.
It’s normally in Vietnam that westerners who criticize Vietnamese the most for their daily practices of their cultural activities normally ending up looking for marriage with the local people to stay in Vietnam 😂😂😂.
I used to laugh every time the old guys smoked in the bathroom stall at the school where I worked. It reminded me of being a kid, when everyone smoked and gave 0 fucks
No, drinking only effects those around the drinker if they become drunk and nasty. Smoking forces everyone else to breathe in the crap they are smoking. As someone who is allergic to tobacco smoke, I am thankful it is less common in the US now.
All true 👍. The younger ones drink a lot less than the older generation, though. Beer sales have seen declines recently.
yeah, that's true. even my students who drank, they were just curious not trying to cause trouble. and i have heard the beer companies lose sales because only the uncles drink. I was surprised tho, when I went to dog meat restaurants in Hanoi, because it was mostly older uncles, but there were young people eating and drinking there too. thanks for comment. what should i do my next video on?
@@evan_eh: Dog meat mainly available in the North Vietnam, not the South Vietnam to be fair.
Very true. Never seen in Saigonese restaurants@@magnetoforce704
Same thing happening in Korea Japan,alcohol sales dropping which is good. Stay healthy.
The reasons beer sale drop are many: 1. there are many more options for a night out than the past, in the past the only option is to drink, nowadays there are clubs, walking streets, coffee shops, etc... 2. Gym, a lot of guys go to gym nowadays, no incentive to drink 3. New DUI laws and the police actually enforce this DUI law. 4. Working schedules seem to increase, causing people to drink less. ... . There are many reasons for beer sale decline.
I've got a new drinking game: every time Evan says "perfectly normal in Vietnam but illegal in the rest of the world", drink a & 0.50 beer.
America is the most corrupt country in the world their corruption is just gifted amateurs
Ill play with you, Raymond.
I’ll join the party 😂 sounds pretty awesome!
Job discrimination based on looks is pretty much in South Korea and Vietnamese copied it. Love hotel is common in Japan, South Korea like Vietnam for the same reason.
Thanks, I didnt know about S Korea. Just Japan you hear about.
what is a love hotel for
@@evan_eh Job discrimination based on sex and looks is common in the Philippines too. Most of SE Asia practices it.
@@pinoyRN67…did you watch even the first few minutes of the video you are commenting on?
They need to do the same with flight attendants here in the US. I've seen some that should have retired years ago.
When you said they have cat on the menu as Meo that took me out instantly, I still can't stop laughing
@@traknologist It is true. “Mèo” is the correct word.
Lol. Its what theyre called. Con Meo
IMPORTANT NOTE: Question: "What is the legal age to buy and drink alcohol ?" * Answer: There is ( NO ) age limit ! ! * A 10-year-old or 12-year-old, can walk into a bar, put cash on the bar top, and ask for a "Cold Beer", and the bartender will serve the young boy a "Cold Beer" ! ! However..., if the young boy gets intoxicated, he will find himself out in the street ! ! * Excellent video and very informative, and "Thank you" for sharing the video ! ! Excellent video... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
Cheers Mike. Used to live just across the border in the rockies. Whitefish has that good powder.
In the US most people would be indignant about drinking at that age, but if the kids wanted to have life altering surgery to change their sexual identity; then it would be thought of as interfering with their free will. Especially in California!😂
In the past when VN was still poor and suffering famines, that’s when farmers had no other choice to eat dog meat instead of pork or chicken, fish. The dog eating cultures formed since. Today, most of the dog’s meat source is from the breeders/farmers. It’s illegal for hunting and stealing, smuggling meat of home dog without official papers or wild animals (enlisted in the red books). There used to be a wave of “trộm chó” (dog theft/snatching) for a while, the thefts then sell the dog to butcher shop, and to the market, if they got caught the would be jailed or money fined. Nowadays dog thefts or dog snatching are becoming less popular crimes bcuz of the demand of dog meat on the market declined sharp, since the young educated generations (also wealthier) deny to eat the dog meat that regularly any more.
Dog is served in parts of china, philippines and other countries in asia. It is because the people were not affluent like many countries. No different than eating squirrel, possum or rattlesnake in parts of United States.
Yeah its mostly old uncles in the north.
I just want to clarify a little bit about the pets as food, there actually are laws against that in Vietnam and the only reason why the bush meat trade is still active in Vietnam is because Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese people come to Vietnam to eat dog and cat in fact Korea has the largest dog meat industry.
Appreciate the clarification. I dont know about bush meat, David. But my experience w dog meat is seeing it in the north, and at bia hoi spots near my inlaws hometown in the central highlands. Never saw it in HCMC, and Im not judging. Just letting travellers know what to look for. Canadians kill seals and eat moose and every other national symbol we have. Meat eating is what it is.
North Korea?
You had me at all the positives but the dog meat is a deal breaker. No people with soul would ever harm a dog so it reflects on the rest of the country. Sad really because you had me sold before that.
Dog and cat meat ...yeah i dont care to go ...no thanks ..weird asf
Yes. Some Korean love dog meat.
I agree with basically all that you have said in the video apart from the “safe Wise card” as I have had more safety breaches and card issues with my Wise card traveling than any other card in the last 25 years of travel.
There is more freedom in Vietnam that the USA, UK and Canada. I lived there and loved it. Hot chicks, cheap beer, and friendly people. Pharmacies are everywhere and you do not always need a prescription. Meds and Doctors are cheap.
I do love it despite the foibles. Thanks francis.
I was just thinking that.
How about American war crimes?
Freedom in the USA is an illusion.
I’m in Hoi A now with rain for 17 days. I fully agree with thurabansa’s comment. I despise motorcycles and after countenancing them for years here will not return. It’s the height of stupidity when they pull out of a side streets and don’t even look at what’s coming. Or going 60 mph down a street. The one thing the military government has right in Yangon, Myanmar is that motorcycles are forbidden. It’s Heaven. Motorbikes are the plague of Asia.
Same resume is in the Philippines mate...
Yeah sedoff, I keep waiting for the day they enforace some basic traffic laws. Itll change the country. And its not like it is tradition. Theyre all imported Japanese bikes, and theyll be gone and replaced in a decade by cars.
It’s true that motorcycle traffic and noise becomes overwhelming for us visitors of Vietnam. But during my one month trip last year, I reflected on the reasons why it’s such a problem, and realized that Vietnam has had to invest so much in it’s war effort over the last century that it could explain why it’s public infrastructures and specially it’s public transport is inadequate for it’s large population. When there is no other way of getting around, there should be no surprise that streets and sidewalks become so crowded with motos. As for people merging on streets without stopping, it looks like the responsibility to avoid collisions is given to the drivers who are seeing the motos merging ; complete opposite to the rest of the planet 😊. I witnessed the same unwritten laws in the Philippines. One thing to note, is that contrary to North Americans, I did not see anyone get angry ( no road rage in Vietnam ) or aggravated on the roads. It’s like big cahotic and synchronized ballet.
@@richardprovost6148 yes, and they drive slower so they can stop fast.
I have lived in Hanoi and HCMC for 6 years and I have almost never seen public drinking. And smoking in my experience is super rare with the exception of airport smoking cubicles. Dog and cat meat is eaten but mostly by the older generation. None of my students would ever eat it. More common in the north. But your comments about motorcycles on sidewalks is totally true. Pedestrians do not get much respect, forcing you to walk in the dangerous streets. Parked motorcycles, restaurant tables, and bags of cement will block your path. Other than this, VN is the best country in Asia by far.
Yeah, I love it here. But the bia hoi spots and KTV are full of drunks. I mean, it is true that older gen consumes more and the kids love sugar tea, but per capita this country loves to drink. Re the animals, I was surprised when I went to see young people and families. Wasnt jsut uncles
The rice-wine that’s called rice-wine is mos-def distilled (wine is fermented, but not distilled) Sōju, BaiJō, Galeíung, ect.: this stuff is STRONG. It messes you up, and the tase is not at all like sakiê, whiskey, or vodka. Stick to beer. (You WILL thank me for this advice.)
Beer in a bottle is the safest for sure. People get loopy in the mountains on ruo
None of this is unique to Vietnam. All fairly common in China as well as all over Asia.
Well, Jonh, Ill get to those places in the next video. Come on back for more. Except I would say, Ive been around the world and Viets take the cake for being insane reckless drivers. And statistically they have more motorbikes per capita. Have you been?
@evan_eh you see all those that agree with him.
5:50 2025, did I miss the new year's party? 😃👍
Wait for it....9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...
My uncle served in Vietnam and he spoke the language in one year! And he made a fish head stew that he learned how to make in the Mountains of Vietnam. He was the kind of guy who loved to see you surprised by this fish head staring at you in your bowel But he would say "Just ignore what it looks like and taste it! And he always said "The head is what makes it good" when you got the first spoon full down. You didn't stop until it was gone the best soup ever even my navy brother couldn't compare his great cooking to uncle Als Fish head stew!
Sounds like a great uncle. He sounds like a real one-of-a-kind character! How the heck did her learn so fast?
Vietnam is one of those countries i would love to visit. I've still never left the USA though. I just think Vietnam is gorgeous. I've heard the people are great too.
No change, then. The traffic was all over the place in 1965 when I was stationed in Saigon.
Hahaha. Who knows? Come check it out again.
Amazing Video Evan... I enjoyed every minute of it.
Awesome, thank you! Where should I go next?
A super interesting video. Tnx 4posting!
Glad you enjoyed it! What did you find the most bizarre?
Even though it's mostly filled with irrelevant considerations that should be updated to be useful... it looks like whoever posted this video hasn't set foot in Vietnam for over ten years.. even if the footage is recent !
Japan's had love hotels for decades, they invented them. Traffic was chaotic a decade ago apparently the accident statistics are as high as Thailand.
Cheers. Love the melbs. Northcote for life.
Very nice info!
Glad it was helpful! Come on down
It's very dangerous to cross roads because no cars or motorcycles stop for pedestrians, and there are few traffic lights.
It sucks, shig. But i still love it here.
Yes, Nha Trang was unbelievable!
I have spent several multi week visits in Vietnam, mostly in HCMC and Con Tho. I only believed the part about motorbikes and cheap beer. The beer is cheap because beers such as Saigon and Hanoi are light and then a chunk of ice is added. However, my Vietnamese wife says all of this true. So, well done sir.
Cheers mate. It's a big country with a lot of cultural differences. You'd be amazed. But it is just one dude's experience.
Vietnam has the 8th largest market for beer globally
One of the most thrilling experiences in my life was riding on the back of one of the scooter taxis in Saigon. This special experience was arranged by our group-tour guide. The sights, sounds, and smells of an alien world change rapidly as you whip around the crowded streets, your safety/life completely in the hands of the very experienced drivers.
What a beautiful moment. If it only it could last forever.
Thank you booked for February
Same
Awesome. Hope you have a great trip. Let me know if youve got any other questions!
Ditto above. Any Questions, share them here.
@@gracewoods9342 when in Feb are you going?
With regard to that banker, she's already been tried, convicted, and issued a death sentence. It seems to me, if there's anything still ongoing, it would be an appeal process, if that's a thing there.
shes been offered a commutation of sentence for 13 billion $
Yeah, what about the other few hundred people in on it? You dont run a 13B scam solo.
@@evan_eh I never suggested anything to the contrary. You mentioned that banker, so I was commenting on that banker.
I am a missionary in the Philippines. The Philippines is very similar to Vietnam. The hiring practices are the same with the women.
Thanks rick. How you like it there?
@evan_eh I been here 12 years. Some days are better than others. Alot of times there is no food stock.
@@rickhicks3477 wow thats tough. Vietnam is such a big agricultural producer, the people here do eat and seem taken care of. Where you at in PH?
@@evan_eh I am in Mindanoa
Attractive women could be said throughout parts of Asia as well.
Yup
Not to mention about many young Boys who are vey attractive!
Interesting video,Thanks.
You betcha! Come on back next time.
Some of those mentioned here seems legal in other countries of SE Asia. Definitely, around 4 or 5
mentioned here seems still legal in the Philippines.
I heard that and it makes me think, i gotta get to Manila
now if you have been drinking, you will need to get taxi or expensive fine. Inaddition, You will get better currency exchange at the jewelry shop than the bank.
First minute into the video and I started checking out google flights 😊
Get on it. Welcome aboard the nam train
Every single one of those beautiful women has a 'village' at home - I've never met anyone with such large extended families.
Cheers Arthur. Its a big country by population, a lot of people in a narrow strip of land.
It’s perfectly normal to see a family 5 on one motorbike or scooter. One kid in front, the father drives, one oldest child sits between the dad & mum. And mother carries the baby. 😂
What do you expect . They are poor. Imported cars are taxed 100%.
The real issue is no public transit
And no law enforcement.
Yup.
See the same thing in Central American Countries.
I saw a woman nursing a baby on a motorbike !!!!
the excessive alcohol and smoking culture there is what puts me off going there now, as a former smoker and now taking a break from alcohol... I love Vietnamese people.. they are the best!!! and the women? TROI OI!!! DIEP!!
The traffic is hard for me to overcome but i love it here.
Having worked closely with 5 Vietnamese people (in the USA) for about 10 years, none of this is surprising to me. Yes, they introduced me to Vietnamese food, and US Vietnamese culture, but they also told me about the culture in Vietnam (whether from their memories, or from visiting, or from relatives still living there.
You should come for a visit, Geoff. Youd enjoy it, Im sure.
In USA, Fort laurderdale in 2012, resumes for the super yacht industry required a pic attached.
Yeah of course, everyone is superficial. Here it is just naked and open prejudice.
Public drinking is only illegal in islamic states and the US.
And Canada.
Awesome video
Thanks brandy, great shout
Corruption and fraud is illegal in Vietnam, too.
And most of the other things you mentioned are legal in many countries.
Yes indeed. Thx
Exactly! Corruption and frauds can be done only by high ranking officials, not for commoners! 😂
@@samson6359 Unfortunately it happens also on a lower level
The most corrupt country in the world is the US....and the US military lost the Vietnam war, and committed war crimes....so stop the Vietnam bashing
Yes, like in Amerika...@@samson6359
Perfectly legal for anyone 18 and over to drink alcohol in the streets in UK! North America is not the World lol
Cheers man. It is illegal to drink in public in a lot of Asian countries too. But not here.
I visited Milan Italy and while there were some that drank in street - if a police officer came up to you they would make you throw it out
I used to live next to a Vietnamese family. They joked about how you know a Vietnamese rancher? They have more than one dog…. And yes, they introduced me to dog meat. 🤫
Smoking everywhere reminds me of growing up in NC in the ‘50s - ‘70s. Folks smoked while they ate.
Yeah man, restaurants as a kid. Grandmas house. The card table games for adults. All that
I'm sold. When are you having me for a visit?
I think that it is bizarre to make it illegal to hire public-facing people based upon public-facing requirements like attractiveness.
They're eating the cats. They're eating the dogs. They're eating the pets of the people who live there. 😂
Why would you find that funny?
@@johnmca5643Quote from Trump.
Just a small portion of people eat dogs or cat, most Vietnamese don’t eat them, I don’t eat dogs or cats, I’m Vietnamese.
😂😂😂
This is funny af...thx man
Hi, "Evan"..., Anthony Bourdain ( Professional Chef, World Traveler, and TV personality ) said: "The best food in the world is in Vietnam, especially from street food vendors." "And Anthony Bourdain is right ! !" * Anthony Bourdain..., ( RIP ). * P.S.: After watching and listening to several of your videos..., I decided to ( Subscribe ) to your excellent channel ! ! "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana :)
Cheers again, Mike. Bourdain was a great writer. Love that Montana episode w the old writer, the legends of the fall guy.
Had my first visit to Vietnam in November 2024 we a small guided tour group. I noticed no public drinking or drunken behaviour and no public smoking but yes the motorcycle traffic was insane and they were parked on every sidewalk. Members of our tour group did see and photograph in Hanoi a dog being butchered for meat and we also witnessed cock fighting in a public park.
Wise specifically lists Vietnam as one of the countries that US-issued cards DO NOT work in. (I found out the hard way.) Maybe you should find another product to endorse?
Charlie didn’t have any USO. His idea of R and R was cold rice and a little rat meat.
Field rats are still pretty common on mekong. Ive never been there tho
great info ! thanks !!
Glad it was helpful!
Same in the Philippines. Hiring for employees must be young, beautiful some requires no tatoos etc.
Id like to visit. You live there?
Not sure about other countries but South Korea has those hotels as well.
I can't help but think of all those years of war, all those deaths, all those ruined lives. What a waste.😢
In year 24, how you guess people will smoke in year 25?
In Sri Lanka there up in the 5000s. Those guys are in a hurry.
I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't eat meat. Vietnam (during their NEw Year) was one of the best trips ever. Food was great, people are very friendly, motorcycles are "dangerous" only for the first couple of hours, after that you just cross the street like the others do. BUT their NASTY, GROSS, fake coffee SLUDGE was a shock (Google it, it's fascinating). THAT should be illegal, for sure.
No matter black white red Brown or yellow light out they're all the same to me
Dogs?
Creep
After seeing this, I have no desire to ever visit Vietnam …
Guess well never get to meet.
My wise card did not work in Vietnam. I don’t think if your a usa citizen the wise card does not work in Vietnam. It works great in Thailand though. Wise is a great company that does not scam you on the exchange rate. I also use it to do money transfers.
I was in VN about six months ago. I call wise to confirm and they say it doesn't work in VN. I end up using money transfer service to send money to myself or family. Wise seem to be a great card that work in a lot of near by country. I did find out that citi costco card( there is a big citi bank building in HCM city may be you could withdraw cash that way too) and betterman card does work in VN. I use citi card a few time for ride service and food delivery. Yall have fun in VN.
They have a whole travel card setup specifically for using VND dong. I have mine linked to Google Wallet and tap pay in local currency (no exchange rate) with my phone. Its great.
What if a person just doesn't drink?
Does "it" become "a thing/issue?"
Will someone be offended?
Id say, if youre a man the uncles might judge you or press you hard to drink. Lots of women do not partake
Wonder full I never knew about this until you said
Cheers macka!
How long have you lived in Vietnam, Evan?
wise is great but do most shops accept credit/debit cards as transactions?
it's mostly cash economy
@@citizenoftheearth6 I mean not all places accept debit/credit cards for payment
Actually it's illegal here in the United States you just have to include modeling company as part of your business
Cheers bardo. Appreciate your response.
I spend a lot of time in the Philippines, similar culture to other parts of Asia. I completely avoid street food because the sanitation of these street vendors is terrible. I have known many Americans that have gotten very ill from street food in Asia. We just don't have the immune system to handle it.
Cheers. It's definitely a risk. There's a lot of good food, though. Where in PH?
So what are things like in the future?
Youre gonna have to wait and see, but cop over to my most recent upload for a peek.
Thank you, great video, I will cross Vietnam off my list of travel destinations!
Fair game, where ya from? Btw its pretty fun here
Love Vietnam and happily here for more than 25 years. Still can't deal with cat and dog eating. (Nor the cow, chicken etc eating.) However, having a beloved furry companion stolen for meat is something I can't get used to.
Yesh, id say animal theft for food isnt that common. But i jave heard stories. What happened?
@evan_eh Over the years, I have first hand experiences with people's cats/dogs going missing. Folks who put out serious search efforts may get lucky and find their furry family member being sold either at the various meat markets or the pet markets (no one will eat a fancy breed cat or dog if they can get a good pet price. ) In one neighborhood I lived in, there used to be men on motorcyles with wire chokers going through the alleys, looking for dogs to snare. You could hear the dog yelping as he was dragged through the streets. A few years ago, my Vietnamese neighbor was inconsolable because all 5 of her cats were snatched at night. They were just alley cats, so we knew their fate. Anyways, my fat boy, who could feed a family of five, is NEVER allowed out. I think people are more aware now, and keep their cats inside. However, you have been here long enough to know many Viet style houses have easy outside access for cats to get out. Dogs are somewhat more easy to monitor.
"Rest of the world" apparently just means America.
1. Job discrimination is legal and common in most of the world, just not legal in the west.
2. Love hotels are perfectly legal in most countries, it just isn't worth it in most places. I feel like this concept was invented in Japan anyway.
3. Public drinking is legal in most non-Islamic countries, just not in the States save for certain places like New Orleans and Vegas.
4. Smoking is very common outside of the US. Europeans still smoke like chimneys and the rest of Asia is ridiculous. Smoking Tobacco in the West is becoming more illegal, while Marijuana smoking is becoming more legal, but nowhere in the rest of the world are cigarettes illegal outright, although I think New Zealand is really trying.
5. Dog and cat meat is common in much of Asia, but yes, not really consumed and usually illegal outright in the West.
6. Fraud and scams are illegal everywhere, including Vietnam. And of the scammiest countries, I don't think Vietnam comes close to topping the list.
7. The motorbike thing is crazy. Southeast Asia is infested with them. Being able to drive on the sidewalk is not unique to Vietnam, it is just a common third world trait that will eventually be banned as the country gets richer.
Thanks Mark, guess I saved the best for last.
in the uk it is not illegal to kill and eat your own pet
Need to get a pet hertfordshire. And a stout.
Apparently you have never been to the Philippines because almost everything you mentioned is completely legal in the Philippines also
The Phillipines is a country? Lol. Seriously Id love to go soon. PH is on my list
Thank you
You're welcome, thanks for watching.
I hear from friends whom been,,they always charge more than the menu price and do this because your a foreigner
Lots of people do hit you w a tourist tax. But you should negotiate.
You forgot that dog meat is often called Cầy Tơ.
Thanks mojo.
TLDR: the thumbnail is clickbait has nothing to do with the video.
I would never live in Vietnam. Thing that hated most was the motor bikers not stopping for red lights!
you are missing out on a wonderful lifestyle then
Fair, but not enough reasons to be hating all other aspects of the lifestyle
@@anthonygollan831 lifestyle? working for peanuts?
Its shit mate. They dont slow down for strollers or babies. All theyd have to do is get the cops to enforce the laws and it would stop tomorrow. It is the worst part and most dangerous part of being here.
Tis wonderful, but a wee bit dangerous.
My dad spent 2 years in Vietnam.
Glad to have you
How many times you gotta say the same thing ?
They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating your pets !
Yes, not mine. But canine and feline
What do you mean by 'illegal in the rest of the world'? Do you mean the USA and Canada, or have you fact checked this with other countries such as Austria or DRC or Egypt or South Korea?
I just get a little annoyed when 'the rest of the world' is just the USA!
Sorry if thus sounds picky, but if you're going to make a statement like that multiple times, you must qualify what you mean or say that you've checked this in every other county in the world!
I love the video though!
Thanks Jfarenden. The title is around the world, and thats what I mean. Things Viets do not even blink about doing that could get you arrested or fined in other countries 'around the world'. Glad you enjoyed it. Where you from? PS. Im a Canuck not a Yank.
On meats to beware of:
Dog meat is called both thịt chó and thịt cầy. Meo is cat, but cat meat is sold as tiểu hổ [Lit: little tiger].
Sold in specialty 'jungle food' restaurants
Cầy tơ is civet. Nhím is spiny ant eater. Khỉ monkey, Nai/hươu deer, rắn snake, sấu crocodile
ngậu pín goat penis, de goat, vú de goat udder,
'
A grilled specialty on sticks in the Mekong Delta
chuột đồng field mice
Heo rừng wild boar is commonly sold in restaurants and is quite okay to eat.
Thats a great list. Thanks for contributing!
I'm afraid to say that card reader scams are common here in Texas, USA too. Every week there is a news report of a phoney card reader found on a gas pump or ATM.
That's wild, I never thought I'd hear card reader scams are normal in Texas. Thanks Larry.
I love the motorbike culture. Get rid of bike lanes for all I care. Need more of this!
10:33 why would a WISE card be safer than any other card?
it's not. Fraud is just as common on Wise, and service is horrendous.
Well with wise you could move a specific amount of money to the card. If something happen it only limited fund in there. I think money transfer service is much better, but a card is needed if u want to sign up for app service, but most of them does have pay later in cash.
Mustang has basically covered.it but the deal is no exchange fees (so you dont get ripped off here) and you can use the atm no fee twice, and you can also connect to phone to tap and thus avoid card reader scams...you could read all about it in the link. But basically, I have been scammed by banks here and can bypass them w wise wo the fees of a normal N. American bank.
Well, you can add your balance into the card, debit will most likely have most of your money or credit
Sadly the WISE card is not available to American customers.
“And the wildest dreams of Kew are the facts of Khatmandhu
And the crimes of Clapham chaste in Martaban.” In the Neolithic Age Kipling
Nice. Love the lit.
Those practices are permitted because they are PROFITABLE!!!
This is the most accurate comment Ive ever read. And concise.
When it comes to dog or cat meat. At least in the south part it’s not very common. Maybe you can find 1 or 2 from hundreds of shop around. But yes it’s around just not so common unless you really look hard. I think the north are more common bc it’s near China and China are big on dog meat they even have dog eating day every year
My experience in Hanoí and rural spots up there was that people love it, esp at drunk o clock. All over the bia hoi type joints
Nice handle tin man
I don't about the rest of the world but a lot of countries you can eat dogs or smoke everywhere
Fair game
There are restaurants that have no menus. You sit down, they bring food, you don't know what it is. I visited twice, I ate dog, because it was all there was, but it was delicious
You are a madman, I love it. Thx dan
Thanks you just convinced me to never go to Vietnam ! Anyone eating dogs or cats just aren't the kind of places I would spend my money. This really does help as up until I saw this Video I'm 65 and was looking at Vietnam seriously for retirement!
You should come, its beautiful. And retire now! Why wait?
A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs about $10 in California. Menthol cigarettes aren’t sold in California either.
Woof, I love nocal. But last time I was there prices were insane, and it was in the 2010s.
@ The prices are absolutely ridiculous. I’ve been forced to roll my own since they banned menthol cigarettes (you can buy the menthol tobacco and everything else to make them). If I have more money than time, I’ll drive over to Reno. If I have more time than money, I head down to Tijuana. A carton of flavored cigarettes (2 flavor capsules in the filter) is about $60-$65. But the boarder patrol will only allow you to take 2 cartons back (if they happened to find any extra cartons.
@JZT-JZT dang, I used to go to TJ on that San Diego train and see everyone going for meds.
"Need Young Good Looking" is NOT a discrimination. It is a Job Requirement.
Young beautiful girls bring more customers than old ugly ones.
Pure business.
Igor, I hope you own an escort bar.
That's not entirely true. You will get a ticket for driving a motorbike on the sidewalk.
I feel like this was simply a copy of other videos already posted by others. Your saying "hot young women" and then showing a Western White women. Did you even make the video yourself or use Ai to piece it together?
Hey garry, I agree that the topic is a copy. This is my personal take on culture shock in Vietnam, nothing original but my opinions as an expat after 5 years. And a few tips for travellers. As for the edits, I do them myself but I cannot wait for the day that AI takes over. Editing is time suck, and Id rather spend my time having and sharing new experiences.
Im sorry im not understanding how a dog or cat is any different than a cow, horse, chicken, quail, etc.
It’s normally in Vietnam that westerners who criticize Vietnamese the most for their daily practices of their cultural activities normally ending up looking for marriage with the local people to stay in Vietnam 😂😂😂.
Duck you, dont spit on me or hit me w your car. But can I marry your cousin? Sounds familiar?
@@evan_eh No freaking idea what you mean by that. But I pelt the lies with the big rock of reality. 😂
Every country,has their own taste n traditions and law as well.
That has to be respected,it does not matter where you come from or where you go.
Agree Jorge. Cheers.
From your video, I don't believe that Vietnam is my kind of country.
Fair game. Where ya from?
@evan_eh western, central Ohio but born and raised in W Pennsylvania
Thanks God there’s still cultures relaxed with smoking. Isn’t drinking alcohol as bad?
I used to laugh every time the old guys smoked in the bathroom stall at the school where I worked. It reminded me of being a kid, when everyone smoked and gave 0 fucks
No, drinking only effects those around the drinker if they become drunk and nasty. Smoking forces everyone else to breathe in the crap they are smoking. As someone who is allergic to tobacco smoke, I am thankful it is less common in the US now.
Land of the free 🇻🇳