‘FREE’

BONUS BOOK

2
 South East Asia & The Orient

CHINESE
CHINESE
HOROSCOPES
HOROSCOPES
SEXUAL
SEXUAL MORES
MORES
INTERNET
INTERNET
&
&
SCAMS
SCAMS
(C) IQ Inc. 1997. 2007. 2009.

4
 Thanks to the many journalists and travellers
who contributed information and articles
to this publication.

Published by IQ Inc.
(C) 1997. 2007. 2009.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-

duced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record-
ing or otherwise,
except brief extracts for review, without the written permis-
sion of the copyright owner.

The authors and publishers have made every effort to

ensure that the information contained within is as accurate
as possible. However, no liability can be accepted
for any injury, loss or inconvenience caused
to anyone using this book.

Published by IQ Inc.
International licencing enquiries:
publicrelationsiqinc@hotmail.com
www.iqincmedia.com

ISBN 974 - 94994 - 0 - 9

CD-ROM: 1997.
First Book Pressing: July 2007.
E-Book: 2009.

5
6
7
1
CHINESE HOROSCOPES

Oriental nations take Chinese horoscopes very seriously. Many

business people, politicians, as well as the general public, won’t
make a move without them.
Because Chinese horoscopes are an important part of
Oriental culture, you never know when even a small element of
knowledge on the subject could be helpful.
If you lack even surface information about the culture
of any nation you wish to travel to, your social or business
goals will be that little bit less likely to succeed. This is particu-
larly true of South East Asia & The Orient.

The Chinese Astrological Cycle

The Chinese Astrological cycle takes twelve years to complete,
and each year is named after an animal. Legend has it that The
Buddha named the individual years more than six hundred years
before the birth of Christ.
The Chinese Astrological Cycle commences with the
year of the Rat and ends with the year of the pig. So if your
partner has behaved like a rat or if you have had a pig of a year,
you can always blame it on the way your astrological cycle fell.

8
 The Twelve Years of the Chinese Astrological Cycle

RAT
OX
TIGER
RABBIT
DRAGON
SNAKE
HORSE
SHEEP/GOAT
MONKEY
ROOSTER
DOG
PIG

The Five Elements

Chinese philosophy considers that everything and everyone is
influenced by the five elements that make up all matter. These
elements are: Metal, water, wood, fire and earth.

Metal is connected with a strong will.

Water with qualities of sensitivity and persuasiveness.

Wood with powers of imagination and creativity.

Fire with energy and dynamism.

Earth with practical aptitude and stability.

9
Yin and Yang

The concept of yin and yang is to achieve a balance of the elements.

The planets are balanced in the universe and the survival of all living
creatures depends on such harmony. When you think about it, bal-
ance and harmony are important, and the South East Asian goal is to
translate that balance to relationships within the family and between
nations.
This is the reason why any display of strong emotion,
sorrow, delight or anger is discouraged. In fact it is considered
to be the behaviour pattern of an immature and undisciplined
personality.
Breaking this cardinal rule in any of the nations of South
East Asia is a cultural mistake which many Western individuals
make. Just by itself, emotional self-indulgence can potentially
ruin what would otherwise have been a fabulous holiday, or
destroy a business deal in seconds flat. In extreme circum-
stances it could even get you killed, as such behaviour can
potentially make others lose face. In South East Asia & The
Orient, that is a particularly grave sin.
Balance and harmony rule the psyche of the peoples of
South East Asia. Chinese Horoscopes are a part of that cultural
configuration.

10
NB. In the West until recent times, the Chinese practise of acupunc-
ture was generally considered to be fatuous. However, when sub-
jected to in-depth scientific investigation for a few decades, it was
found to be a holistic treatment that could banish pain and help heal
without the use of drugs. Acupuncture can even be used during sur-
gical procedures as an alternative to conventional anaesthetic. Could
Chinese Horoscopes possess a similar inscrutable power?

What Chinese Astrological Sign Are You?

RAT
1900 - 31 Feb. 1900 - 18 Feb. 1901
1912- 18 Feb. 1912 - 05 Feb. 1913
1924 -05 Feb. 1924 - 23 Jan. 1925
1936- 24 Jan. 1936 - 10 Feb. 1937
1948- 10 Feb. 1948 - 28 Jan. 1949
1960- 28 Jan. 1960 - 14 Feb. 1961
1972- 15 Feb. 1972 - 02 Feb. 1973
1984- 02 Feb. 1984 - 19 Feb. 1985
1996- 09 Feb. 1996 - 06 Feb. 1997

OX
1901- 06 Feb. 1901- 07 Feb. 1902
1913- 06 Feb 1913 - 25 Jan. 1914
1925- 24 Jan. 1925 - 12 Feb 1926
1937- 11 Feb 1937 - 30 Jan. 1938
1949- 29 Jan. 1949 - 16 Feb 1950
1961- 15 Feb. 1961 - 04 Feb. 1962
1973- 03 Feb. 1973 - 22 Jan. 1974
1985- 20 Feb. 1985 - 08 Feb. 1986
1997- 07 Feb. 1997 - 08 Feb. 1998
11
 Your Character According to Chinese Astrology

RAT
Personality
The rat was clever enough to become the first astrological sign of the
Chinese Zodiac. Like their namesake, this sign is intelligent, ambi-
tious, strong-willed and a fast thinker. They are good organisers and
generous in nature.
Career
Good manager able to concentrate on many tasks at the same
time. Excellent problem solver with artistic tendencies.
Love
Passionate and open when it comes to revealing feelings to a
loved one.
Element
Water, which is in harmony with wood but overwhelmed by
earth.
Colour
Black, which is associated with a conservative nature, dignity
and honour.
Most Compatible Partner
Dragon and Monkey.
Yin and Yang
Powerful Yin qualities, which are associated with peace, reflec-
tion and solitude.

16
Astrological Food for Thought

The Solar System is known to exert powerful forces; tides are influ-
enced by the gravitational pull of nearby planets; blood pressure and
our sense of equilibrium are influenced by changes in atmospheric
pressure; climatic changes occur when there is strong sunspot ac-
tivity; and there is almost certainly more which, at this current time, is
yet unknown.
Logic suggests that the highly complex mathematical
calculations needed to chart ancient Chinese astrological horo-
scopes and the activities of the planets, could have some scien-
tific basis in fact.
Whatever, Oriental people govern a great deal of their
lives using Chinese astrology, therefore even a surface insight
into this cultural factor could potentially be of benefit to the
tourist or business traveller.
Knowledge is power. In this case it would also be cour-
teous, as it is polite to be aware of other people’s culture and
interests

28
2
SEXUAL MORES

Photo by Ian Cutler

Burma/Myanmar
Buddhist culture, so the Western concept that sex is sinful does
not exist. No taboo therefore concerning relationships between
Western and indigenous people.
However, minimal contact with the West in past dec-
ades due to political isolation from the rest of the world, has
ensured that a certain reserve is in place towards people from the
West. Commencing a relationship with an indigenous person would
therefore take time, patience and an understanding of local culture.
Commercial sex is available in a very low-key way in major
cities. AIDS is prevalent, so safe-sex precautions advised.
29
3
65
 South East Asia & The Orient
Compiled & Edited by: Jake Anthony

Thanks to the many journalists and travellers who

contributed information and articles to this publication.

(C) IQ Inc. 1997. 2007. 2009.

International licencing enquiries:

publicrelationsiqinc@hotmail.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, except brief extracts for review,
without the written permission of the copyright owner.

The authors and publishers have made every effort to ensure

that the information contained within is as accurate as
possible. However, no liability can be accepted for any injury,
loss or inconvenience caused to anyone using this book.
ISBN 974-7313-80-2
CD-ROM: 1997.
First Pressing: July 2007.
E-Book: 2009.
68
CONTENTS

Burma/Myanmar: Page 74

Cambodia: Page 96

China: Page 110

Hong Kong: Page 132

Indonesia: Page 148

Japan: Page 166

Laos: Page 290

Malaysia: Page 206

Philippines: Page 226

Singapore: Page 244

South Korea: Page 262

Taiwan: Page 278

Thailand: Page 296

Vietnam: Page 322

69
Foreword
The cultures of the Oriental East are uniquely different to those
of the Occidental West. To the Western individual experiencing
those differences in practical terms on a day-to-day basis, the
new rules can potentially come as a shock.
The scenic beauty, cultural diversity and generally polite
nature of the peoples of South East Asia is at most times a
delight. In fact it would be difficult to find a better set of loca-
tions in which to experience a uniquely different holiday.
However, the Art of War was formulated in the Orient in
ancient times, and business is conducted using those principles
to this day. So if you intend to investigate the possibility of
investment or trade in South East Asia and the Orient, caveat
emptor (buyer beware) applies with a vengeance.
As example, during the Second World War, Siam allied
itself to the Japanese. It had no alternative, the country would
have been overrun by the Nipponese forces just as Singapore,
Malaya, Burma and parts of China were in the same land block.
Whilst supposedly allied to the Japanese, Siam assisted the West-
ern powers via the underground. Despite having faced both
ways at the same time for the best part of five years - never
taking up arms and business continuing as usual - at the end of
the Second World War, Siam/Thailand managed to stay on
good terms with both East and West.
Unique amongst non-Western nations, Siam/Thailand was
the only country in South East Asia never to have been colo-
nised during the golden age of Western imperialism. Every sin-
gle nation surrounding that country was colonised, but Siam/
Thailand was not.
You’d have to look long and hard through the history

70
books to match such dexterous feats of diplomacy.
The cultures of South East Asia and the Orient are an-
cient. In fact some would say superior in many ways. Whilst
the Celts, Scots, Picts, Gauls and Saxons - from which the
European races and majority of the North America and Australa-
sian populations are descended - were running around with
blue paint on their faces (wode) armed with spears and wearing
rough hewn skins on their backs, Siam had discovered how to
weave fine silk, China had a well developed commercial sys-
tem, fine art was much appreciated, gunpowder had been in-
vented, and an efficient (albeit slightly corrupt) civil service was
in place.
Then there is the fact that the main Western religions -
Christianity and Judaism - are not the religions of the East. Five
of the countries of South East Asia are Buddhist and/or lean towards
Buddhism - which does do not accept the role of a God or Deity,
believing that the conduct of the individual determines the present
and the future. In other parts of South East Asia, Confucianism,
Taoism and Islam are the faiths which predominate.
When a business ventures into other lands, the difference
between doing a deal that floats and one that does not, is cultural
knowledge. An insight into the background and culture of any nation
you intend to visit can also provide greater understanding and pleas-
ure.
Bon Voyage.

71
322
72
73
323
Vietnam
People and Place

Vietnam has a coast line stretching just over a thousand miles

from north to south, but is only between 31 and 375 miles
wide. With a land border adjoining China, Laos and Cambodia,
the climate varies greatly from north to south and season to
season.
South Vietnam is a tropical country remaining hot all year
round. A rainy season stretches from May to October. The
hottest months are March to May, when the temperature can
reach 35C. The dry season lasts from November to April, and
throughout the rest of the year temperatures range from 26C.
to 33C.
The north has a distinct summer and winter season but
remains humid throughout. In Hanoi, the north’s principle city,
the hottest period is from June to August, with a maximum
temperature of 36C. in July. Winter stretches from November
to April, when the average temperature can drop to 10C. at
night. Generally the climate is cool and pleasant, but tempera-
tures can fluctuate. In mountainous regions, the temperature
can drop below freezing point.
Monsoons and heavy rain affect the east coast between
August and November, so the weather is not tourist-friendly
throughout the year as it is in Thailand.
Made up of 54 ethnic groups - Viets or Kinhs accounting
for nearly 90% of the seventy seven million plus population -
Tays, Muongs, Chinese, Khmers and others make up the bal-
ance.
Saigon - now named Ho Chi Minh City - is the capital of
Vietnam. It functions as its economic and business hub. The city has
324
an expanding population of four million.
When the country first opened its doors to tourism in
1987, fewer than 20,000 people visited. By 1995 the figure had
reached two million. Hotel projects boomed as a result and
tourism is expanding greatly.
Unlike Thailand which has never been colonised, Viet-
nam has been under foreign rule for much of its history. China,
Japan, France, and unofficially during the Vietnam War, the
USA, have all spent time as foreign oppressors or occupiers in
Vietnam.
A remnant of French Colonial rule is excellent cuisine,
wide boulevards, elegant (but run down) buildings and a small
Catholic community.
Vietnam is a one party Communist state, and the party
plays an active role in almost every aspect of daily life. Chapter
meetings are held at local level to ensure that the party’s views
are carried out in factories, schools and at all levels of society.
However, despite being a communist country, Buddhism, Tao-
ism and Confucianism still influence people’s lives.
Buddhism in particular, is a philosophy which has al-
lowed the Vietnamese people to cancel and pass on from the
havoc and destruction caused predominately by foreign pow-
ers during the Vietnam War.
When Communism was abandoned in the Soviet Union,
the technological and economic aid the USSR had provided
dried up. Vietnam then had to make dramatic changes in order
to restructure its economy and prevent its people from starving.
Wide ranging economic reforms - known collectively as
Doi Moi (Renovation) - were instituted after the fall of Com-
munism in Eastern Europe. However, wary of the destabilising
changes that occurred in the former USSR, the Vietnamese
government employed a cautious policy regarding the creation
of a free market economy.
Inflation has been brought under control as a result, and
the GDP grows steadily. However, Vietnam is one of the poorest of
325
all the Asian countries, with an average wage of less than US$20 per
month.. But that is increasing since foreign investment has been en-
couraged and welcomed.
Three quarters of Vietnam was once covered with forest, so
the country is rich in natural resources such as timber, rattan, oil,
resin and medicinal plants. Wildlife - the Asian elephant, rhinoceros,
tiger, bear, deer, monkeys and a wide variety of birds, fish, reptiles
and insect life - proliferate. In fact conservation areas offer consider-
able opportunities for ecological tourism. Unfortunately, the comb-
ination of a growing population and chemical deforestation during
the Vietnam War, has left the country environmentally devastated in
parts.
At one time, tourists were allowed little freedom of move-
ment and bureaucratic hassle was considerable. This discouraged
tourism. But rules are constantly evolving and a more relaxed ap-
proach to tourism has commenced as the country realises the eco-
nomic and social benefits which tourists and business visitors can
bring to the nation.
Agriculture has always been the cornerstone of the economy,
and Vietnam is the world’s third largest exporter of rice - after the
United States and Thailand.
The birth rate in Vietnam is high, and approximately 50% of
the population are below the age of 20.

326
Vietnam

Visas, Immigration, Work Permits, Currency Allowances,

Getting Around.

Tourist Visas

Visas fall into a number of categories: tourist, business, journal-

ist, official/diplomatic, family visit and multiple entry.
Tourist visas cost from $45 to $60 for just 30 days, so
are expensive compared to other countries in the region. They
can be extended within the country, subject to permission from
Immigration. A tourist visa can be extended for two weeks.
Two more extensions of two weeks are possible. Multiple en-
tries are also allowed when applying for a visa via an embassy
or travel agent.
Visas on arrival are also possible, at the discretion of
Immigration officials. For security and peace of mind though,
applying for an advance visa takes away any uncertainty. Visas
can also be revoked, if the traveller alters the purpose of their
visit. An example is where ‘tourist’ is stated but religious pros-
elytising is the actual purpose.
Vietnam is one of the most bureaucratic countries in South
East Asia. For a journey to Vietnam it is not sufficient just to be
in possession of a visa for the duration of the stay. In Vietnam,
visitors are required to state their entry and exit point when
filling in a visa application. If plans change and you wish to exit from
a different place to that listed on your visa, amendments can be
made at a Foreign Affairs Ministry in Hanoi or Saigon, or with the
local immigration police. There is a space in immigration documents
where your hotel is to be named. Even if you have not yet booked
one, fill in something or you could be refused entry based on the
assumption that you are without the means to pay for a hotel.

327
Business Visas

A business visa can take ages to obtain if applied for personally,

requiring a letter of ‘sponsorship’ from a Vietnamese citizen
plus many other technical obstacles. It is almost certainly best
to obtain a business visa using the services of a travel agency in
Bangkok, who will be happy to arrange a ‘sponsor’ and all the
formalities with their Vietnamese colleagues in influential posi-
tions within the Vietnamese bureaucracy. $30 to $100 dollars
will usually do the trick. Plus the cost of the visa of course.
Travel agents in Khao San Road in Bangkok, offer competitive
prices. Business vias cost around four times as much as a tour-
ist visa. Thailand excels in such tourist-friendly services, and
even agencies in Vietnam send their paperwork to Bangkok for
processing. Time taken in Bangkok is four to five days, or just
two days for an express visa. That costs extra of course. Busi-
ness visas are easiest to obtain in Thailand. But then so is eve-
rything else.
Tourists as well as would-be investors/traders wishing to
ascertain the potential for doing business in the country, can
avoid some of the bureaucracy by obtaining a business visa.
These are usually valid for three months; they can be issued for
multiple-entry journeys; you are permitted to work in Vietnam;
and the visa can be extended without too many problems.
You can apply for an extension within Vietnam to any
type of visa, so it is a good idea to have a supply of extra photos
as official photographers sometimes charge substantial fees.
Residency visas cost from $170, but unless you are the head
of a corporation or marry a local person, they can be difficult to
obtain. Albeit, in South East Asian countries there is a system within
a system, and hard cash potentially makes anything possible. Enter-
prising travel agents with good contacts within the immigration de-
partment can often cut out the mountains of paperwork required.
Tea money will be required, of course.
Until recently, tourists were required to register with the po-
328
lice every time they arrived at a hotel. Officially the government no
longer require police registration of hotel guests (but still do if you
rent an apartment) and technically you are no longer required to
leave your passport or visa at the reception desk of your hotel. But
old habits die hard, and some staff will insist that you must part with
them. Politely insist that this is no longer the case and retain your
passport.
Vietnam is not Thailand, where freedom of movement is
similar to the West.

Customs

When you enter Vietnam you must declare all goods such as
computers, electronic equipment and cameras - as well as cash
and credit cards. If you intend to reside in the country for an
extended stay, import taxes are imposed on household goods.
Customs officials check all goods brought into the country by
land, air or sea. Luggage is also often checked when leaving the
country
Imported antiques need to be registered if you want to
export them when you leave. A list of everything in your ship-
ment will assist you to pass through customs with minimal ag-
gravation.
Pornography - even Playboy and Penthouse type maga-
zines - and politically oriented material, is banned. CDs, cas-
settes, magazines, books and computer disks are often taken
for examination.
Firearms and narcotics are strictly prohibited, and the penal-
ties for drug trafficking are severe.
If you are bringing in prescription drugs ask your doctor for a
note detailing the drugs you are taking.

329
Currency

The unit of currency is the Vietnamese dong. The difference be-

tween the official and the street market rate of exchange is now
minimal, but always check. The 5,000 and 20,000 dong note are
printed in a similar shade of blue, so are easy to confuse.
Transferring money into the country is a slow process even
when carried out via major international banks. If requiring finance
for purchases or investment, arrange it in advance. Under commu-
nist bureaucracy, things do not always work so well as in the West.
The Vietnamese banking system has been less than efficient
in the past and cashing traveller’s cheques carried a hefty fee. Cash
is better, but flashed around can be a temptation to poor people.
Newer joint-venture businesses accept credit cards.
U.S. Dollars or the Vietnamese Dong are accepted eve-
rywhere. Small denominations should be carried for tuk-tuks,
taxis and street vendors. Torn or dirty notes will often be re-
jected even by banks, so request newer notes when receiving
cash as you may not be able to use or re-exchange them later.

330
Transport, Communications, Getting Around

Infrastructure is poor and endless permits and permissions are re-

quired for many things.Water, electricity and telecommunications
are less than perfect. However, cyber cafes continue to spread, al-
lowing communication by e-mail and the Internet, and cell phones
take up the slack where relay stations allow.
Letters take up to three weeks to arrive and all packages are
examined by Customs. This causes further delay. Not all packages
or bulky letters reach their destination, and are better posted from
Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong or another country.
Internal courier firms are preferable to state delivered mail,
but are expensive . Post may be censored, so delays are normal
when anything is sent out of the country.
Receiving post is just as user-unfriendly. First a letter of
notification arrives from the post office, then you have to take
the letter and your passport to the post office, whence the con-
tents will be opened and checked in front of you.
Road surfaces could do with improvement and the highway
code is almost unknown in South East Asia. Traffic accidents are
common due to poor driving skills and bad roads. Learn to say
“slow down” in the local language and taxis and tuk tuks will usually
get you to your destination safely.
Train services can be a great way to see the country, but
are slow. An air conditioned private cabin is more suitable for the
foreigner as theft is not unknown in steerage. Buses cover distances
between the main cities but are often uncomfortable due to ancient
vehicles, wooden seats on some, and bad roads. Appalling head on
crashes intermittently occur. But things are improving.
Air travel is almost certainly the most convenient and safest
method of travelling long distances in Vietnam. However, as in Thai-
land and China, there is a two-tier pricing system which includes
Vietnam Airways: high price for foreigners; a low one for locals.
The metric system is used in Vietnam, due to French colonial
influence in the past.
331
Vietnam

Culture Shock

The North Vietnamese are more Chinese in descent than the

people of Thailand, Cambodian and Burma (Myanmar). Peo-
ple in the south are more closely related to the Thai’s and Cam-
bodians, and are generally more easy going in approach and
less Chinese in appearance.
Considering how much the country and its people suf-
fered during the Vietnam War - and before that under French
colonial rule - it is very Buddha-like that the Vietnamese people
do not hold a grudge against Western people in general. The
reverse, as most appear to have adopted a policy of reconciliation.
Unlike Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the
Philippines, English is less widely spoken in Vietnam. French is more
widespread, although English is spoken in the South due to the sex,
drugs and rock n’ roll culture imported by American and Australian
forces during the Vietnam War.
Greater personal motivation will be found in the South -
believed to be due to the influence of the West during the Viet-
nam War. There are many jokes amongst people from the south,
about the more relaxed attitude to work adopted by those from
the north - who were brought up under a collective system
where personal responsibility was not required.
In addition to language barriers, cultural differences be-
tween East and West can be illuminating, sometimes expen-
sive, and occasionally dangerous. As examples, South East Asian
people are generally reserved, and close physical contact, back
slapping and satire are inadvisable.
Culture shock factors in Vietnam are probably more pro-
nounced than in tourist-friendly countries like Thailand - which has
never been colonised nor been at war with the West, so no underly-
ing hostility exists.
Until people in South East Asia get to know and respect a
332
foreigner for a long period of time, Westerners will generally be
regarded as ‘foreign devils’. Despite retaining the core values of its
culture, Thailand is unique in having welcomed the foreigner to a
degree which the rest of South East Asia has not. So although Viet-
nam shares a land border and a common Buddhist culture with Thai-
land, Vietnam is considerably different to Thailand.
Until recent times Vietnam was two countries, which makes it
even more culturally complex. The change from a very closed politi-
cal system to a more open one of late, has also caused confusion.
Bargaining is standard, and failure to do so will automatically
mark you out as someone not in full possession of their faculties.
Bargaining is tougher than in other parts of South East Asia.
However, if carried out with a relaxed demeanour and a smile, the
process can be made more civilised.
When renting an apartment in Vietnam, make sure that altera-
tions and the terms of the contract are in writing - provision of a
telephone for your sole use, air conditioning in working order, etc.,
or costs for extras will build up.
If you travel in a group and wish to tip your driver or
guide, it is polite to collectively put your money in one envelope
and offer it discreetly. If your gesture of thanks is not carried
out in this manner, the guide will lose face. In his or her mind,
he/she will feel like a beggar. Given subtly in an envelope from
one person, would be seen as a gift from a group of apprecia-
tive clients, and the recipient would gain face.
Like most countries, Vietnam has its red-light-districts,
and AIDS (SIDA in Vietnam) is present. Unlike Thailand, bar-girls
and boys are not given regular health checks. It is also worth noting
that it is illegal for a foreigner to have a Vietnamese girl in their hotel
room overnight. Fines or pay-offs to the police could be consider-
able - dependant upon your negotiating skills.
Restaurants, karaoki bars and discotheques are located in
the cities, but usually shut early at night. In Communist Russia, res-
taurants closed between 12 and 2 p.m. so the staff could have their
lunch! Such examples confirm why the communist system failed.
333
 In Communist Vietnam it used to be difficult to buy a meal in
an established restaurant after 9 p.m. However, rules are being re-
laxed and of course street stalls open late. Tipping is not expected,
but is much appreciated.
In many regions outside of major cities, the police and
immigration departments often make up their own rules, and
you could be asked to leave your passport and/or visa with
whichever official or department tells you to. Fees are often required
to release them, which is good for them but not for you. Sums de-
manded can start at $200. However, your relaxed, smiling demean-
our and non-confrontational approach can usually reduce these un-
official fines down to as little as $5 or $10.
Vietnam has many interesting and beautiful places to see, but
is a country still suffering from the aftermath of a century of colonial
occupation and the trauma of its relatively recent war-torn history.
When visiting Vietnam, your sensitivity to its cultural history could
potentially help exorcise the past, and continue to help East and
West reach a greater understanding.

334
Vietnam

Essential Business Etiquette

Thai people regard Laotian people as being very tricky when it

comes to business. Laotian people regard the neighbouring Vi-
etnamese people as being very, very tricky in business. Viet-
namese people can be extremely charming and congenial, but infor-
mation proffered by neighbouring countries concerning the Vietnam-
ese approach to business, is something Western travellers should
perhaps bear in mind. The general consensus is that in business, the
Vietnamese take no prisoners.
As in Japan, name cards are considered polite and should be
utilised when meeting new business acquaintances.A card should be
given to everyone present, otherwise those not given a business card
will lose face. Initially you may not understand each person’s posi-
tion at a business meeting, so give the first card to whoever appears
senior.
The business scams laid on foreign visitors to South
East Asia are legion, and potential foreign investors are advised
to adopt an extremely cautious approach. No matter how legal
and fair a proposition might sound - and no matter how reputa-
ble the individual persuading you to part with your money might
appear (lawyer, government or bank official) - caveat emptor
(buyer beware) applies with a vengeance. Many overseas in-
vestors have just walked away from their investment when
bureaucracy, delay, expensive permits and sometimes dishon-
esty, have made a return on investment a remote possibility.
Like most South East Asian people, the Vietnamese are
sensitive to people’s body language. So regardless of words
spoken, South East Asian people may take offence at your
posture. It is important therefore for the Western individual to
adopt an inner calm and a relaxed, non-confrontational man-
ner. Buddhist meditation is probably the key.
It is more correct to find an agent or go-between in Viet-
335
nam who knows both parties. Meticulous research regarding who it
is you will need to contact, is essential. When you have discovered
who’s who, locate a lawyer, bank official, local business person or
accountant to make an introduction. This is the traditional way of
doing business in the Orient. If you approach the other party without
a proper introduction, you will probably not be taken seriously. This
is due to a general scepticism towards foreigners due to the coun-
try’s colonial history.
Take your time when trying to do business in Vietnam, as half
a dozen meetings will probably be required before a degree of trust
and personal rapport is established.
For business purposes, some Vietnamese adopt a West-
ern pseudonym because most foreigners find it difficult to pronounce
Vietnamese names. As in Thailand, do not be surprised to be called
Mr. Ian, Mr. John, or whatever your Christian name might be.
How you address a person is considered important in Viet-
nam. If you are doubtful about how to address a person, adopt a
more formal approach to be on the safe side. The manner in which a
person addresses another, demonstrates the level of respect and
friendship between the parties. South East Asian people notice such
subtleties.
As in the rest of South East Asia age is respected, as are
those in positions of authority. So do not show any lack of
respect for the elderly or those in authority, and greet them
before others in a group.
When someone nods his/her head in Vietnam it does not
mean that they agree with what is being said, only that they can
hear and understand the words. Their nodding in this context is
merely a form of politeness.
Direct eye-contact is a no-no especially when meeting
girls and young women. Eye-contact is impolite, and a threat
gesture if prolonged.
However, it’s considered OK for local people to stare at
foreigners as the foreigner is still relatively rare in some parts -
especially in rural areas. However, if you stare back it will be
336
considered impolite! If you do look at someone, smile. A smile is a
non-threatening gesture understood anywhere in the world.
In cities, stares might well be more intimidating and at
times you might feel you are being looked upon as a metaphori-
cal meal. Your perception is probably right on some occasions,
as where people are poor and a stranger rich, a degree of envy
is understandable. However, street crime is rare in Vietnam.
In business, the most common mistake Western people make
is to get straight to the subject they wish to discuss. That is consid-
ered impolite in most South East Asian societies, and in Japan you
would never do any business at all with that approach.
People like to get to know you first, and it is common to sit
and talk about your family, education, where you come from, how
you have enjoyed your stay in Vietnam, and general aspects of busi-
ness before the subject you actually came to negotiate is approached.
Greater success will be achieved if your business is initially
ignored and a social relationship established. In Japan, it can take
ten meeting before your intended business is even mentioned.
As in most of the rest of South East Asia, the word “no” is
impolite because it makes the other person lose face. That can be
difficult for the Western person to handle. So a combination of less
haste and the ability to interpret other people’s answers in juxtaposi-
tion to the rest of the conversation, is required. A Degree in Psychol-
ogy is useful here - in order to ascertain when a “yes” means “maybe”;
or when a “maybe” means “no!”
To make things even more difficult for the foreigner, the Viet-
namese often phrase a question in negative form, so that an affirma-
tive answer actually means “no!”
In conversation, it is considered crass and stupid to brag
about personal achievements or material wealth. That is the
complete opposite to the self-promotion and conspicuous con-
sumption mores of the West.
For the Western individual used to getting things done
quickly and venting spleen on anyone who does not jump to it,
Vietnamese bureaucracy can sometimes drive the foreign visi-
337
tor to distraction.
However, haste will infer that you are upset with the
person you are dealing with, and displays of anger, sorrow, fast
speech or shouting will be regarded as signs of weakness and bad
manners.
If you wish to be regarded as a person with self-control,
maturity and understanding, emotions should not be openly
displayed anywhere in South East Asia. Compared to much of
the West, South East Asian societies are sophisticated and adult.
Important meetings should preferably be held in the morn-
ing, as afternoons are usually reserved for time off or a second
job - because wages and salaries are low in Vietnam. Meetings
will almost certainly take longer than anticipated, so do not cram in
too many in one day.
The line between what distinguishes a bribe from a
commission is subtle. Tea money is technically illegal in Viet-
nam, but you will probably not do much business without it. In
much of South East Asia a system within a system operates,
and you will be subtly advised when tea money will help oil the
wheels of commerce or bureaucracy.
However, gifts are a regular part of business practise in
all ethnic Chinese communities and as the status of the person
increases, so should the value of the gift. But don’t forget those
lower down the hierarchy - who can potentially delay deliveries
and generally screw up your business progress if forgotten.
Seniority is important to the Vietnamese, and even a cou-
ple of years difference between individuals alters the pecking
order. Seniority in position usually comes with age, rather than
ability. Not very efficient, but if you set up shop in Vietnam, the
Vietnamese will expect foreigners to observe their cultural rules.
Privacy is something the Vietnamese and South East Asian
people generally, appear not to understand. You will need to
amend or alter your own cultural configuration if you wish to
stay in Vietnam for an extended period of time.

338
Vietnam

Understanding Local Customs

In most countries there is a figurehead to whom the population

at large, show respect. Regardless of whether that person is a
monarch, a president, a politician or a religious leader, it is im-
portant for the foreign visitor to show similar deference. In
Vietnam it is the Communist Party and its leaders. That very
much includes those from the past such as Ho Chi Min. In
cinemas and public places, not standing for the National Anthem
would be regarded as an insult, and people nearby would react in a
very negative manner.
As in Thailand, nicknames are standard practise. Chil-
dren have ugly nicknames such as bo (cow) or gau (bear), so
that evil spirits are not attracted to the infant. In the south, a
sister will always call her eldest male sibling ‘brother’ as a mark
of respect. Each family member will be referred to by their
position in the family. Northerners do not follow this custom so
much and will generally call family members by their given
name.
The Vietnamese do not shake hands but wai - palms
clasped together across the chest, accompanied by a slight bow.
The manner in which the wai is given illustrates the per-
ceived rank of each individual. The higher and longer the wai,
the more respect is offered. In addition, the lower the head is
bowed would also indicate greater respect to the other party.
Unless you wish to appear like a lowly beggar in local
cultural terms, a brief wai with a moderate smile is all that is
required. Men would not normally wai a woman first and would
never wai a child. For a man to do so would make him appear
as if he believed children were his superior. All would be embar-
rassed, including the child.
The Vietnamese do not touch people of the opposite sex.
Women do not shake hands but will nod and smile instead. A hand-
339
shake may be used where the Vietnamese woman is Westernised,
or where a Vietnamese businessman realises that it is acceptable to
the Western woman.
Communications breakdowns and cultural misunderstand-
ings are probably the biggest cause of problems between for-
eigners and Vietnamese people. This is almost always caused
through indifference or ignorance of local customs on the part
of the visitor. Far too often foreigners get angry and show it,
whence the local person loses face.
As in all countries, religious statues and images of vener-
ated political figures should not be treated lightly. Images of Ho Chi
Minh for instance, should be treated with respect. He did, after all,
free his people from more than a century of colonial rule.
When visiting a temple or wat, shoes should be removed, the
image of the Buddha should not be touched, and women should
never hand anything direct to a monk. Should a man not be avail-
able, she should place the object on a nearby table or on the ground.
Women wearing skimpy clothing, shorts, low cut dresses or swim
suits would be unacceptable.
Vietnamese people cover their mouth with their hand as
they speak, in the same way that Thai people do when they use
a toothpick after a meal. This is a cultural tradition displayed
towards strangers as a gesture of politeness.
As in most of South East Asia, pointing at someone with
a finger is considered grossly ill-mannered. Pointing with your
toe or the sole of your foot would be even worse, and would
be regarded as an indication that you believed the other person
was below the level of your foot - shit. Conflict should be
expected soon after.
It is also impolite to gesture towards someone with the
palm of the hand pointing upwards - a sign used when herding
animals. The acceptable way would be with four fingers and
the palm pointing downwards.
The head has special significance, so never touch any-
one’s head - particularly at the front. A different genie resides on the
340
shoulder, so do not put your hand there either. If you accidentally do
so, superstition demands that you touch the other shoulder to offset
any bad luck. For the same reason, avoid slapping a friend or col-
league on the back. Such ill-considered behaviour patterns would
ensure that business and social success in South East Asia would be
minimal. When you think about it, Western habits are often over-
familiar at times.
While you will see men holding hands and women touching
each other, they do not greet each other in a showy manner.
Friends or family members will not hug and kiss each other the
way Western people do as a form of greeting, and you will embar-
rass everyone present should you do so.
The rules are complex and many, and if you have
consideration for the host country and its people, learning some-
thing about local customs will assist the value and pleasure of
your stay in Vietnam.
Like Thai people, the Vietnamese can be disarmingly
direct, and it would not be considered impolite to quiz you
about your age, religion, family life, or for someone to ask how
much you earn. It is a socially acceptable way of ascertaining
your status and showing interest in you as a person.
The ao dai is the traditional dress for Vietnamese women
- a Mandarin style suit. It is worn with trousers by peasant
women, and with a dress by schoolgirls or office workers. The
tunic has evolved as fashions change, and the length of the skirt
has grown shorter. Tradition dictates that young girls should
wear pastel colours or white on the top of their ao dai, but
married women wear dark or bright shades over white or black
trousers.
During strict communist rule, the ao dai was regarded as
an echo of the past. Since the communist regime amended its
policies and leaned towards a more tolerant society, the tradi-
tional Vietnamese outfit has regained its popularity.
The pursuit of happiness is something people strive for in the
West - usually by way of conspicuous consumption and the acquisi-
341
tion of material goods. Buddhists, which in the main the Vietnamese
are - albeit with the influence of Taoism, Confucianist principles,
Ancestral Worship and Animism in rural areas - believe they are
born with happiness and that one of life’s tasks is to promote that
happiness so as not to lose it. It’s a beautiful concept when you think
about it. Similar to sanook in Thailand.
Lip service is now paid to religious freedom within the coun-
try, but there can be problems importing material which proselytise
Western religions. Evangelistic sects promoting obedience to a De-
ity are frowned upon in countries where reliance on self-help is re-
garded as the key to social reform and personal fulfilment. In many
ways, Buddhism links well to Communist ideology, as it does not
promote competition or regard wealth and personal possessions as
God. Followers simply ensure that they have enough to get by on.
Buddhist beliefs affect the conduct of the Vietnamese people,
and most will not even kill an insect let alone an animal. The result is
a plethora of excellent vegetarian restaurants.
It is considered bad luck to take photographs of three
people, so ask permission before taking any photograph. Shop-
keepers believe that good fortune depends upon how much the
first customer of the day spends, so avoid shopping early if you
intend only to buy a packet of chewing gum. Expect shopkeep-
ers to be unpleasant or even hostile if you ignore this custom.
The Vietnamese and most people of Chinese ancestry
are ‘spirit sensitive’, and will cover all mirrors before they go to
sleep. This is to prevent ghosts or evil spirits utilising the mirror
as a means to return from the dead during the night.
A gift is a symbol of thanks from the giver in the West. In
Vietnam where Buddhism prevails, a gift is the route by which
the giver gains merit in the next life. So it is the giver who
receives the benefit, not the receiver. So while a Vietnamese
person will thank you upon receipt of a gift, do not expect a major
display of gratitude. This is because by accepting your gift, they
allowed you to make merit regarding your next incarnation. They
did you a favour, not the other way round. Touchingly inscrutable.
342
 Colours and animals have symbolic meanings regarding the
selection of gifts, and information in this respect is useful to bear in
mind. Red is lucky and warm, so is an acceptable colour; purple is
feminine and romantic; green is youthful; and blue is linked to love
and hope.
Black is associated with mourning, unhappiness and
gloom; white with death and funerals. However, white also
means purity, which is why a young woman would wear a
white ao dai and why white flowers are an acceptable gift for a
young girl. Yellow is seen as a substitute for gold. In contrast,
yellow flowers are associated with betrayal, so should not be given.
Vietnamese women who date foreign men are generally re-
garded as low-class by other Vietnamese. Unless the girl emanates
from a privileged background, it will be assumed she is a bar-girl or
prostitute. The Vietnamese are apparently more judgemental than
the free spirits of Thailand.

343
Vietnam

Public Holidays

January I’st: New Year’s Day.

January/February: Chinese New Year.
February 3’d: Anniversary of the Founding of the
Vietnamese Communist Party.
April 30’th: Saigon Liberation Day
I’st May: International Worker’s Day.
May 19’th : Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday.
May/June: Buddha’s Birthday.
September 2’nd: National Day (Independence Day).
December 25’th: Christmas Day.

A variety of traditional holidays are listed by the lunar calendar

As a result, dates vary from year to year. They are many in
number and appear to take place somewhere or other on every
single day of the year. Vietnamese people clearly have their
own version of Thailand’s sanook (joy, fun).

Vietnam

Trade Fairs

Free enterprise is relatively new to the country, and no organised

programme of trade shows has been developed as yet. This could
change as Vietnam opens up to the West with greater enthusiasm.
Check Internet sites detailed in Useful Addresses, to keep up to
date.

344
Vietnam

Useful Addresses

www.destinationvietnam.com
www.govietnam.com
www.vietnamtourism.com
www.vietnam.designerz.com
www.travel.state.gov/travel.vietnam
www.vietnamemb.se
www.vietnamadventures.com
www.vietnamembassy.usa.org

OSC Tourism Transactions and Guide Office

101 Nguyen van Cu Street, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (84 8) 54717, 51520, 51271.

Vietnam Tourism
69 - 71 Nguyen Hue, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (84 8) 90772/3/4/5/6.

Immigration Service Department

254 Nguyen Trai Street, Ho Chi Minh City.

The State Committee for Cooperation and Investment

(SCCI).
56 Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: (84 4) 253666.

Ministry of Foreign Economic Development

406 Nguyen That Thank Quart 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (84 8) 22415, 25663, 90197,
24342, 24535.

345
 READ OTHER
‘OUTSIDE THE BOX’
NON-FICTION BOOKS
FROM
‘IQ INC’

The following can be purchased

on-line as E-books or Paperbacks:
www.iqincmedia.com

350