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CHINESE

HOROSCOPES

SEXUAL MORES

INTERNET

&SCAMS

South East Asia & The Orient

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

CHINESE

HOROSCOPESSEXUAL MORES

INTERNET

&SCAMS


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Thanks to the many journalists and travellers

who contributed information and articlesto 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 toensure 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:

[email protected]

www.iqincmedia.com

ISBN 974 - 94994 - 0 - 9

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

E-Book: 2009.


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The Twelve Years of the Chinese Astrological Cycle

RAT

OX

TIGER

RABBITDRAGON

SNAKE

HORSE

SHEEP/GOAT

MONKEY

ROOSTER

DOGPIG

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.

Metalis connected with a strong will.

Water with qualities of sensitivity and persuasiveness.

Woodwith powers of imagination and creativity.

Fire with energy and dynamism.

Earth with practical aptitude and stability.


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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 undisciplinedpersonality.

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 canpotentially 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.


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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 wasfound 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. 19371948- 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


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Your Character According to Chinese Astrology

RAT

PersonalityThe 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 sametime. 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 YangPowerful Yin qualities, which are associated with peace, reflec-

tion and solitude.


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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 atmosphericpressure; 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 peoples culture andinterests


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2SEXUAL 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.


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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:

[email protected]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in anyform 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.

South East Asia & The Orient


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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


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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 adelight. 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 Warwas 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, caveatemptor(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.

Youd have to look long and hard through the history


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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 wasin 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.


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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 toseason.

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 norths 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 accountingfor 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


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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 partys 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 peoples 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


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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 inparts.

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 worlds 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.


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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. Theycan 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 bein 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.


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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 bestto 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 competitiveprices. 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-


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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 withthem. 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 thecountry

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.


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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 areprinted 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 efficientin the past and cashing travellers 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 receivingcash as you may not be able to use or re-exchange them later.


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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, butare 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.


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Vietnam

Culture Shock

The North Vietnamese are more Chinese in descent than thepeople of Thailand, Cambodian and Burma (Myanmar). Peo-

ple in the south are more closely related to the Thais 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 Frenchcolonial 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 Australianforces 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 systemwhere 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


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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.


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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 andimmigration 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.


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Vietnam

Essential Business Etiquette

Thai people regard Laotian people as being very tricky when itcomes 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, theVietnamese 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 persons 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 peoples 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-


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nam who knows both parties. Meticulous research regarding who it

is you will need to contact, is essential. When you have discovered

whos 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 withouta proper introduction, you will probably not be taken seriously. This

is due to a general scepticism towards foreigners due to the coun-

trys 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 aperson 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 thembefore 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, its 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


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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 peoples 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-


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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 secondjob - 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 dont forget those

lower down the hierarchy - who can potentially delay deliveriesand 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.


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Vietnam

Understanding Local Customs

In most countries there is a figurehead to whom the populationat 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 Anthemwould 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 theirposition 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 briefwai 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-


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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 ChiMinh 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 orwat, 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 swimsuits 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 witha 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-

ones head - particularly at the front. A different genie resides on the


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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 beminimal. 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 youabout 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. Thetunic 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-


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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 lifes tasks is to promote that

happiness so as not to lose it. Its a beautiful concept when you thinkabout it. Similar to sanookin 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 manyways, 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 threepeople, 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 ancestryare 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.


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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.


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Vietnam

Public Holidays

January Ist: New Years Day.January/February: Chinese New Year.

February 3d: Anniversary of the Founding of the

Vietnamese Communist Party.

April 30th: Saigon Liberation Day

Ist May: International Workers Day.

May 19th : Ho Chi Minhs Birthday.May/June: Buddhas Birthday.

September 2nd: National Day (Independence Day).

December 25th: 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 everysingle day of the year. Vietnamese people clearly have their

own version of Thailands 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.


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Vietnam

Useful Addresses

www.destinationvietnam.comwww.govietnam.com

www.vietnamtourism.com

www.vietnam.designerz.com

www.travel.state.gov/travel.vietnam

www.vietnamemb.se

www.vietnamadventures.comwww.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 Tourism69 - 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.


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