Tieng Viet lovers club

[haha_123]

Today my Vn gf smsed me to say that she's feeling buon qua. When I asked her why, she replied:

Me em bat em lay Chong

Can any brother help me translate, as I completely catch no ball. Thanks.

[Roni]

her mother wants her to find a husband soon....

[KangTuo]

Originally Posted by haha_123

Today my Vn gf smsed me to say that she's feeling buon qua. When I asked her why, she replied:

Me em bat em lay Chong

Can any brother help me translate, as I completely catch no ball. Thanks.

her mum ask her to get a husband

[haha_123]

Originally Posted by KangTuo

her mum ask her to get a husband

Thanks, bro KangTuo.

It smells trouble!!!

[desa]

can someone tell me what is la sao???

[volcano]

Originally Posted by haha_123

Thanks, bro KangTuo.

It smells trouble!!!

Wish u gd luck....

[jackbl]

Originally Posted by desa

can someone tell me what is la sao???

La Sao= Is What

[KangTuo]

Originally Posted by jackbl

La Sao= Is What

today you in good mood huh?
how cum willing ti translate instead of telling bro to search vdick?

[desa]

thanks a lot, just cant get the translation from the translator

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by haha_123

Thanks, bro KangTuo.

It smells trouble!!!

all these are kc trap la...often used tactics...

[jackbl]

Procrastination – a national malaise
============================================

It can be said without exaggeration that delaying deadlines has become a chronic disease in Vietnam, especially at the administrative level.

Whether it is an important thing like a new regulation or something less so like a new academic program, everything can be put off here.

The practice is so common that most new regulations are not taken seriously by Vietnamese citizens, who are confident that the agencies concerned will delay them for various reasons, justified and otherwise.

The newest example is the State Bank of Vietnam’s delay in asking automated teller machine (ATM) card holders to change their bank identification numbers (BINs) to bring it in line with international practices.

Aimed at making a common payment system for all ATM card issuers, the central bank had launched the regulation three years ago and set June 30 this year as the deadline for compliance.

However, because many card holders have not bothered to change it as asked, the state bank last announced that it would extend the deadline until December 31 next year, as proposed by local banks.

Some people have said it doesn’t matter whether the regulation is delayed for a year or a year-and-a-half, because the only consequence is that the banks would not come up with a common system to make their operations easier. And, the banks have waited for three years already, so another delay should not be a big problem.

Earlier this month, the government postponed by another two years its decision to fine buses and trucks that fail to carry black boxes – devices that record their journey. The original deadline was this July 1.

Although the latest decree still requires buses and trucks that frequently travel more than 500 kilometers to follow the regulation by the set deadline, many transportation companies have breathed a sigh of relief.

They can “legally violate” regulations on licensing transport businesses which stated installing black boxes as one of the requirements until 2013.

And who knows, the government then could delay it for another couple of years. Many regulations in Vietnam have been delayed several times already.

For example, all container truck drivers currently holding class C, D, and E licenses were to upgrade to FC class by July 1 this year. The regulation was first scheduled to take effect July 1, 2009, but delayed for one year as many drivers hadn’t upgraded their licenses for various reasons like the fear that driving courses would take time off their working schedules.

Then, as the deadline approached last year, both drivers and transport companies kept complaining about the troubles they were facing, because many drivers hadn’t acquired the upgrades yet.

Now yet another deadline is approaching, and it seems that many drivers are waiting for another delay.

Everything is subject to delay in an uncertain world, yes, but a regulation or a policy that has been carefully planned after consulting with several agencies and experts needs to be applied on time.

To postpone it should be a valid last resort, not a way of life. If the latter approach prevails, people will develop the habit of procrastination. Moreover, there is the very real danger that constant delays in applying policies and regulations will result in policy makers and enforcers not taken seriously, and end up looking unprofessional and unreliable.

By Nguyen Hang

[jackbl]

The small joys of daily life
===================================

Many Taiwanese friends do not understand why I love Vietnam although the country is still developing and it is not convenient living here as in Taiwan. I prefer staying here rather than my homeland, Taiwan, for many reasons.

Firstly, Vietnam is a lot like the Taipei I used to know in childhood. In Vietnam, I often go drinking sugar cane with my landlord. As we sit on plastic chairs, waiting for our drinks, I often turn to look at the streets and feel happy in my heart. In front of me are sights I saw from childhood back home: kids playing in the sunset and old people relaxing on chairs on the sidewalk. Such images from the good old times have been imprinted in my mind.

Secondly, the pace of life here is slower and less stressful than in Taipei. It seems to me that Taiwanese have to worry about many things in life and gradually become very cold to other people. But in Vietnam, strangers can sit around the same table and eat together. On the bus, everyone can start a conversation with a passenger next to them. Vietnamese are always ready to share their feelings to each other. No wonder life here is so fulfilling.

When I went to school in Taipei, I sometimes wanted to talk to friends during break time or befriend someone new. However, all I got were brief replies and my friends would continue to have their breakfast rather than talk to me.

Although life in Vietnam is not as convenient as in Taiwan, Vietnamese seem to have more joys. I myself always find something to live on every day. Nevertheless, I hope to see Vietnam grow as people say you cannot always live in the past. Development is necessary but I hope Vietnam will strike a balance between progress and happiness.

Vinh Huong (a Taiwanese editor living in Hanoi)

[jackbl]

Treasure everyday of your life
===================================

Another college entrance exam season has passed. As most universities have announced the results, some students are very happy while others may be lost, wondering what to do with their life when the door to college has closed in front of them.

In Vietnam, university entrance exam is considered an important measure to ‘filter’ good and bad students and grant those ‘eligible’ a ticket to go study further. Teaching in workshops at An Giang University, Susan& Neal Newfield express concern over young people’s pressure to pass the college entrance exams. The two professors wrote to us, expressing a very different view on the most important exam in a student’s life:

“It is important to remember that University exams measure a small percentage of what it takes to be a good person. They measure what is referred to as “traditional” intelligences […] What is also tested, in an indirect manner, is the student’s ability to take the type of test being given. The lesson that we as parents can learn from this is that our child’s failure on one exam does not make them a failure as a human being.”

The professors praise individuals with emotional intelligence who have developed sense of their own self-worth and know how to solve problems since they are more likely to become leaders in the future.

Usually at this time of the year when exam results come out, some teenagers who have experienced the first big failure in their life - failing the entrance exam - become too ashamed to talk to anyone. Some just leave home or even worst kill themselves as their dream to enter a prestigious college has been terminated.

Life is too precious to be wasted. Last month, the Norway massacre killing more than 80 people and the death of 27-year-old Amy Winehouse made us realize more about the meaning of life. Why don’t you, young, ambitious, potential individuals, just live your life more meaningfully and treasure every moment you have? There’s no point in committing suicide at crisis moment because “when a door closes, there is another door open.” It has always been true!

Let’s get brightened a little bit by meeting two expats who are enjoying their life to the fullest in Vietnam. One of them is Taiwanese editor Vinh Huong who has been living for four years in Hanoi. She prefers the tranquil capital of Vietnam rather than a modern Taipei due to one reason:

“Vietnam is a lot like the Taipei I used to know in childhood. In Vietnam, I often go drinking sugar cane with my landlord. As we sit on plastic chairs, waiting for our drinks, I often turn to look at the streets and feel happy in my heart.”

Vinh Huong said she can just talk to anyone sitting next to her in a café or a bus. She also finds life here less stressful and people friendlier than in Taipei. Good to hear that, we hope you enjoy your life in Hanoi!

In another story, Michael from America loves Saigon not only for its delicious food but also for the current development in the city that he is witnessing.

“The constant rush of traffic proves that this is literally a city on the move, while the skyscrapers going up downtown show, equally literally, that this is a city on the rise. I find it absolutely fascinating to be living in a city that is on the verge of becoming a truly international metropolis. The new financial tower, the new airport in the works, the (hopefully) upcoming subway system, and areas like Phu My Hung all highlight the ambitions of the city. This may be harder for locals to understand, but seeing all of this construction and activity is a novelty for many Westerners,” shared Michael.

In the article, the young American also mentioned going out with friends at night and getting back home the following day’s morning even though he is no longer a student.

We noticed this confession has been criticized by some readers. However, we published the story because in our column, we respect people’s different views and ways of living. Remember each story you send, each comment you write is a piece of mosaic that makes up our City Diary.

To end with, we would like to borrow a quote from our frequent reader, Hanoinite, as a message for you, all our readers: “Life is short, live it up! You're only young once!”

Enjoy your weekend to the fullest!

[jackbl]

Would you mind speaking up your own ideas?
=============================================

I have been working and living in Vietnam for more than 2 years. I came here as a backpacker but this beautiful country attracted me so much that I decided to stay here for working and living.


It is said that Vietnam’s traffic is scary but I found it quite fascinating. I am surprised that, given the lack of rules and degree of chaos on the street, it is still quite safe to move around. Even though my company pays me to get transported by taxi, I still love to use motorbike for daily transportation. I usually travel to my friends’ house, café, etc. by motorbike every Sunday morning to enjoy really peaceful moments in HCMC. However, I would be afraid of traveling to far distance locations by motorbike.

Many foreign people complain much about the food safety here, but I found it quite easy to eat nearly everything that is on offer. I do like to enjoy all kind of Vietnamese food, be it served in a luxurious restaurant or from a cheap street vendor around the corner. My favorite dish is bun cha gio, probably the best street food I have ever had all over the world.

The Vietnamese people are in general very friendly, positive and open to me as a foreigner. They are usually avoiding conflict, which has its good and bad sides. Especially in a business context, not raising the voice or not communicating problems can affect the work efficiency. In case there is something unclear or unpleasant about a specific task, the Vietnamese would usually not speak up or ask critical questions. Sometimes, they simply do nothing or do something completely different to what is instructed due to misunderstandings or feeling shy to ask questions.



As a manager, I want to have the best results from the employees, and the best results are only achieved if everybody in the team actively cooperates and gives their ideas. Leaders are also human beings, they can also make mistakes, and I appreciate employees who have the capability to give feedback, constructive criticism, or come up with their own ideas and solutions.

I know that Vietnamese people are famous for a hard-working and optimistic attitude. They could make more out of their potential if they would develop a more proactive and constructive way to communicate problems, or simply raise their own ideas more often.

One more thing that I notice about Vietnam is their tend to show off their wealth. For example, I used to see 2 different Lamborghini running across the streets in HCMC. I just wonder if the drivers know how these luxurious cars really function? There is no reason at all to drive such a car in a city like HCMC, where average speed is below 40 miles per hour. Obviously, for some people it is worth to pay hundred thousands of USD only to show off their wealth.

I have probably seen more luxurious cars in HCMC than in Zurich, the biggest city in Switzerland and one of the cities with the highest living standard worldwide.
However, overall Vietnam gives me a lot of very positive experiences, and I look forward to seeing this fascinating country improved day by day.

Lukas Mira (PhD in marketing, Swiss businessman)

[FireShark]

Yesterday at 11plus, GM and Armani got Raided. At least 100+ VB got caught in actions