What I learned after 5 years of Dating in Vietnam

Summary

The speaker shares his insights on dating in Vietnam, highlighting cultural differences compared to Western norms. He notes that Vietnamese dating culture is more traditional, with less casual dating and a quicker progression to serious relationships due to societal and family pressures. Vietnamese women often prefer meeting partners through friends or colleagues rather than dating apps, which are less popular. The language barrier can limit deeper connections, but the speaker appreciates the feminine, caring nature of Vietnamese women. He suggests casual dates like street barbecues or hot pot for first dates, and warns of dating scams. In contrast to stereotypes, he finds most Vietnamese women are not gold diggers and value interesting conversations over material wealth.

Takeaways

• 💑 Relationships in Vietnam can progress quickly due to societal pressure on women to marry early, typically before 25.
• 🏡 Vietnamese women often live with their parents until marriage, even into their late 20s, which can influence dating dynamics.
• 💬 Casual dating and dating apps are less common in Vietnam compared to Western cultures; meeting through friends or colleagues is preferred.
• 👩‍❤️‍👨 Women in Vietnam tend to value real-life interactions over dating apps like Tinder, which is more associated with casual hookups.
• 🚩 There is a common scam on dating apps where women lure men to specific bars where they receive commissions.
• 🗣️ Language barriers can be a significant challenge in relationships, as conversational English may not always lead to deep connections.
• 👩‍🍳 Vietnamese women are generally more traditional, caring, and nurturing, often taking on roles like cooking, which may contrast with Western norms.
• ☕ First dates in Vietnam tend to be casual, often involving coffee or street food, rather than expensive dinners.
• 🎉 Dating in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is more modern and Westernized compared to Hanoi, with a focus on nightlife and fancier dates.
• 💰 The stereotype of 'gold diggers' is mostly inaccurate, as many Vietnamese women do not place heavy importance on money or luxury experiences in relationships.

Q & A

How long has the speaker been dating his Vietnamese girlfriend?

The speaker has been dating his Vietnamese girlfriend for more than 2 years.

What is the cultural difference in dating between Vietnam and Western countries?

In Vietnam, dating tends to be more serious and less casual compared to Western countries where playing the field is more accepted.

What is the societal expectation for Vietnamese women regarding marriage?

There is societal pressure for Vietnamese women to get married early, often by the age of 25, and to have children.

What is the term used in Vietnam for women who are single at the age of 30?

The term used is 'a', which implies being unwanted or left over.

Why do Vietnamese women often want to introduce their partners to their parents early in the relationship?

It is because they want their parents to approve of their partner early on to avoid wasting time on a relationship that may not be suitable.

Why might Vietnamese women prefer not to live with their parents after marriage?

While the script does not explicitly state this preference, it does mention that women usually live with their parents until they are married, suggesting a cultural norm rather than a personal preference.

How common is it for Vietnamese women to use dating apps?

It is not as common as in Western countries; Vietnamese women tend to prefer meeting partners through friends or work colleagues.

What is a common scam that foreigners might encounter on dating apps in Vietnam?

A common scam involves a woman inviting a man to a specific bar where she works and earns commissions from the money spent there.

How might the language barrier affect dating in Vietnam?

The language barrier can limit the depth of conversations and potentially the progression of a relationship if one party does not speak the other's language well.

What is considered a traditional Vietnamese feminine trait according to the speaker?

Traditional Vietnamese femininity includes being soft, caring, and enjoying activities such as cooking for their partner.

What is the speaker's advice for a first date in Vietnam?

The speaker recommends a casual date such as street barbecue or hot pot where the interaction is more relaxed and focused on conversation.

How does dating culture differ in Saigon compared to Northern Vietnam?

In Saigon, dating culture is more modern with women potentially preferring fancy dinners and nightlife, unlike the more traditional dating culture in Northern Vietnam.

What is the speaker's opinion on the stereotype of Vietnamese women being gold diggers?

The speaker refutes this stereotype, stating that most Vietnamese women are not primarily interested in money and are more satisfied with simple pleasures and good conversation.