9 WEIRD Things OK in Vietnam, Totally ILLEGAL in America!

#1

I have to laugh loudly…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBrXSTUKABU

1 Like
#2

Haha… actually, haircut in in VN is inexpensive and much nicer than US/Canada… plus you don’t have to pay tips.
Also notes that dog-meat is not popular in Vietnam nowadays. For most of part of VN except Ha Noi, only drinker eats it.

Another thing I also want to comment that is the double-price system.

  • In legal way: It’s not only in Vietnam. In US, for example, the entry ticket for Florida residents is cheaper than traveller. In Canada/Quebec, you will see how popular it is. It’s not just ticket but some small thing as parking fee where Quebecer is free but others need to pay.
  • In illegal/ unethical way: I think this happen everywhere not just VN. In VN some private shops/seller can sale stuffs for non-resident/ foreigner higher price than local. For example, If I am from Saigon and go to Ha Noi, I may have to pay higher price for a bow of Pho than Ha Noi resident.
1 Like
#3

It’s really funny. But you have to look at things more soberly than just to laugh.

It’s not about the differences, but about the hidden facts that some people don’t see. A country, represented by its government, is only strong and rich when people contribute their share in the form of taxes, so that the government has enough funds to finance the developments (bridges, roads, etc.) and to provide security for the people (police, army, etc.). If people, like the barber shops, simply open a small business without needing a license, they don’t have to pay taxes (e.g. income tax and turnover/sales tax) - a kind of tax evasion. And this distorts the image of this country:

  • The average GDP per capita is low, but in reality it is higher.
  • State financing is low and cannot initiate long-term development.

Discrimination is more visible and open in Asia than in the West. I know this because I was in Vietnam in 2007 and had to “oil” the police and some officials with a few US dollars for this or that. But I accepted it because it is the weirdness, the curiosity that every country in the world has. Even in the States or France.

#4

Completely agreed! There are lots of activities missed paid taxes. The tax system is improving day after day but still has more works to do.
Yes, “oil” money still existing but I think it’s much less serious as 2007.

1 Like
#5

haircut in in VN is inexpensive <— Not, it’s not true. A haircut on side walk costs about 20-30k VND, and in a local shop is about 50-60k VND.
A standards haircut salons will charge abou 100 - 150k, and they might not even have an air conditioner.
A good, not luxury one ,like 30shine, cost you 200k at least, ~7,5 usd
No licesne or paper works, zoning laws , health requirements … required

Meanwhile the avarage income in 2023 is about $340 a month, which is about 13USD a day (26 days/month)

I don’t know details in Canada, but i’m sure it’s not cheaper when you consider all these factors

1 Like
#6

In Canada? One cup of Dark Roast Coffee about CAD $2.
Haircut (men) about CAD $30 (no ears/bears cleaning, ). Aka… 1 haircut = 15 cups of coffee.

1 Like
#7

@csdl
@TaoLaoBidaoBanBanhBa
A haircut in France or Germany costs between €15 and €30. Of course, this depends on the shop and its “reputation”.

A haircut on side walk costs about 20-30k VND

Let me do the math in my head: 1K VND = 0.04 €, 20k or 30k means 0.76€ or 1.15 €. Gosh, it’s exceptionally cheap! :+1: :+1:

in a local shop is about 50-60k VND

1.91 - 2.29 €: still very cheap :+1:

83% thành viên diễn đàn không hỏi bài tập, còn bạn thì sao?