has anyone been to vietnam?

[Robian]

Hi guys! i just wanna ask if someone's been to vietnam before coz Bob and I were planning to there after our honeymoon ( we were thinking about hong kong for the HM ).Bob's business is to import musical instruments from vietnam down to seattle, and he needs to do some business stuffs in there. A friend of us will help us about our visa's . i know vietnam is a communist country but Bob is very confident in going in there, so im asking the board if its a good idea to go there? thanks
yan

[madmal]

... in response to has anyone been to vietnam?, posted by Robian on Jan 1, 2004

Hi Yan,
I would say to you...just go!  I can't think of anything (besides a new bout of SARS) that would make me think twice about going there.
Unfortunately the word VIETNAM conjures images of a war in a lot of minds. The place is way beyond that now. I think most people that go there are amazed by how forgiving the people are. Vietnam fought nearly continuous wars for the last 200 years. The war backed by USA was only one of them.
Now they have had 25 years of peace. Close to the longest peace for 2 centuries.

It can be a great place to do business (depending on what you are doing)  Exporting is what most people do, as there are many things that are very cheap there in comparison to the west. I have exported hair accessories and jewellery, but only in small quantities. ( I can't be stuffed with the red-tape ).

Vietnam is very corrupt, so if you are operating a serious business there it is best to have a Vietnamese adviser to get you through the red tape (and bribes). You need to know who to bribe and how much.

In holiday terms, it is a great place. Beautiful scenary, friendly people, cheap prices.

Mal

[Robian]

... in response to Just go!, posted by madmal on Jan 2, 2004

nt

[GregF]

... in response to has anyone been to vietnam?, posted by Robian on Jan 1, 2004

Hello Yan,
  I have not yet been to Vietnam, but will be going at the end of this mounth to see my sweety for the first time. We will be travialing through out the lenght of the country, and I will post a report on my return if anyone is intrested in reading it. I have seen pictures and heard that it is a beautifull country and the people are suppose to be very friendly. If you like the beach, The area around Nan Trang or Hoi Anh is supposed to be wounderful. Let me know what you guys decide.
Greg F

[Robian]

... in response to Re: has anyone been to vietnam?, posted by GregF on Jan 1, 2004

hi greg! il be looking forward for your report when you come back from vietnam. GOod luck
yan

[NW Jim]

... in response to Re: has anyone been to vietnam?, posted by GregF on Jan 1, 2004

Greg,
You bet we're interested in having you post a trip report when you get back from Vietnam! Our last great poster about Vietnam was MadMal, who married Doan several years ago.