Tieng Viet lovers club

[jackbl]

Fake bus operators trick, overcharge, threaten passengers in southern Vietnam

Two passenger transport companies in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau are asking competent authorities to probe a case in which several bogus bus operators are allegedly using their brand names to trick, overcharge and even threaten passengers.
Hoa Mai Tourism Service Company and Toan Thang Company, which are the two firms that offer transport services between Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City, have informed their passengers of the fake coaches that have been illegally leveraging their brand names.
Vung Tau is a famous beach city in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, about 120km from Ho Chi Minh City.
A recent Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper probe showed that the bogus vehicles often target the passengers near Mien Dong (Eastern) and Mien Tay (Western) Bus Station in Binh Thanh and Binh Tan District, and several stops along National Highway 1.
The fraudulent coaches also dupe passengers around the Gieng Nuoc intersection and on Le Van Loc Street in Vung Tau.
Their operators have copied the exact appearance of the buses operated by Hoa Mai and Toan Thang, including their brand names, paint colors, route indication as well as contact details.
Over 40 fake buses have been recorded in the two cities, according to Tuoi Tre newspaper reporters.
Many victims who were hustled onto the copycat buses were overcharged and treated in a rude manner if they asked any question or expressed any doubt.
The passengers only found out they were scammed after they contacted the operators of the two companies.
Many have also reported that the scammers used violence to threaten them when they refused to pay the exorbitant fare or denied their service.
“I was charged VND90,000 [US$4] for a trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, which was VND10,000 [$0.44] higher than the actual fee, as one of the gang members said the company had increased the fare,” Tran Xuan Lanh, one of the victims, recounted.
The driver was extremely careless and usually scouted the stops for more passengers, Land said.
“As two passengers and I wanted to get off the bus, the impostors pulled out a metal club to intimidate and prevent us from leaving,” he added.
They only let Lanh and the others go when they spotted him trying to call police, followed by several threats that they would have their accomplice attack him.

“Hoa Mai Company has received multiple reports and complaints of passengers claiming that they were conned by the operators of the bogus buses and have submitted the reports to the Department of Transport in Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City,” Le Van Dao, general director of the company, told Tuoi Tre.
The firm has cooperated with competent authorities to deal with the situation for several times but no significant results have been yielded, Dao said.
Hoa Mai has tried to change the paint colors of its buses from blue to gray, along with informing their passengers of their correct license plate numbers, which begin with 72B, in an effort to prevent them from being scammed, the general director added.
There has been an increase in the number of the fraudulent buses in the last two months, said Tran Ngoc Khanh, director of Toan Thang Company.
The firm has sent several employees to take photos of the fake buses, many of whom were caught and violently forced to delete the evidence, deputy director Tran Ngoc Minh said.
The situation has been reported to Vung Tau police but has not showed any sign of improvement so far, he added.

[webdust]

new boy here quite fascinated by the vietbu scene. However i notice their society like quite materialistic and complicated machiam like ah tiong like that... Anyone can shed some insight into their society in terms of social vice problem etc.?

[jackbl]

Originally Posted by webdust

Anyone can shed some insight into their society in terms of social vice problem etc.?

Try here : https://samsforum.com/showth...4297&page=1564

[webdust]

Originally Posted by jackbl

Try here : https://samsforum.com/showth...4297&page=1564

korkor you quite well versed with vietbu scene one ah ?

[jackbl]

Originally Posted by webdust

korkor you quite well versed with vietbu scene one ah ?

Not at all. U may know to go that link to read more....

[Wendella]

Originally Posted by jackbl

My try:

Don't see new give up the old. Try to think back. In the past when don't have them, who's beside you? In life, cannot trust anyone except ownself, not even family.

(I used dictionary to translate each word)

How confident are you about your translation? I was surprised no others took a try at it, as in previous translations.

THANKS

[jackbl]

Originally Posted by Wendella

How confident are you about your translation? I was surprised no others took a try at it, as in previous translations.

Not confident. Maybe you wait for the others to reply.

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by jackbl

My try:

Don't see new give up the old. Try to think back. In the past when don't have them, who's beside you? In life, cannot trust anyone except ownself, not even family.

(I used dictionary to translate each word)

My translation similar to yours with slight variation

Don't forget old ppl when u know new ppl. Who had been with u before. Don't believe anyone including ur family but urself

[jackbl]

Tourism worker explains why foreign travelers find Vietnam trips disappointing

Editor’s note: Lani Nguyen, who has traversed 20 countries during her eight years of working in Vietnam’s tourism industry, writes to Tuoi Tre News from Italy, pointing out three drawbacks that she believes commonly make tourists dissatisfied with their trips in Vietnam.
Vietnamese tourism is facing a difficult time at the moment.
The main reason that many people have mentioned is that stealing and scamming destroy experiences of tourists in Vietnam. This is truly a big issue and Vietnam is trying to work on this, albeit quite slowly.
However, things need to be seen and analyzed from different perspectives – this approach is especially true in the case of debates on tourism, which is always known as multifaceted and complicated.
While there are many factors that can influence the satisfaction level a traveler has about a certain destination, they are mainly categorized into two groups, namely expectation and experience.
These factors give tourists a 50 percent chance of being responsible for their own experience at the destinations.
Having worked in the tourist industry in Vietnam for eight years, I have drawn out some of the common drawbacks which in many cases contribute to making tourists dissatisfied with their trips in the country.
Firstly, many tourists have unrealistic expectations and imagination of Vietnam.
A common unrealistic imagination is about the rate of development and changes in Vietnam. Some tourists are actually shocked to see skyscrapers and the rapid pace of life in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, instead of a “little Paris” or the “Pearl of the Orient,” ways these two cities were referred to by the French colonialists many years ago.
Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-changing countries and consequently there are many contrasts existing here.
Doing research to get the most updated picture of Vietnam, understanding common tourist issues, and figuring out possible solutions are probably the best ways for tourists to maximize good traveling experiences.
The reality shows that tourists with unrealistic expectations tend to be disappointed, while those with realistic ones are happier with their journeys.
Secondly, many tourists whom I have met and talked to admitted that they have no plans before their trips to Vietnam.
They often do not book accommodations in advance and are thus easily convinced by people who propose a certain lodging place at a cheap price.
These tourists clearly have less decision-making capability due to little preparation and their experience then depends on pure luck.
When I travel within Vietnam, I always spend time searching for the right hostel or homestay service, and book it in advance after taking as much consideration as I want.
This practice always works. I can stay in the place I like and am never followed or convinced to spend money on something that I am not aware of.
I also do this when I travel to other countries and when you are sure about things, bad people have much less hope to cheat you.
Of course, I do not suggest making a too-much-detailed plan because it may make you less flexible as well.
Thirdly, many tourists do not have enough time to see the real beauty of Vietnam.
When working for a famous tour operator in Ho Chi Minh City, I received many requests from tourists who want to visit Vietnam within a week and want to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and probably also the Mekong Delta.
With such requests, many tourists end up rushing from one highlighted destination to another. During such trips, they will only meet other tourists with similar itineraries, rather than getting to know and understand local people and culture in these places.
Furthermore, with an itinerary that is only planned for popular attractions, tourists miss many off-the-beaten-track places where they surely have many more chances to enjoy the authentic beauty of Vietnam.
A foreign friend of mine has traveled along the Ho Chi Minh trail through the Central Highland to go from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
While he really enjoyed the trail with its primitive landscapes, it is the Vietnamese people he met on the way that made up the most beautiful impression of Vietnam in him.
The other day my friend had his motorbike break down in the middle of nowhere and was unable to move anymore. Fortunately, a Vietnamese man showed up and even though he could not speak a word of English, the local eventually tried his best to help my friend fix the motorbike.
As a travel blogger has put it, “Vietnam is a mirror,” I very much agree with such a remark.
Vietnam is where you receive what you give. If you give a smile, you will receive a smile in return.
If you give a 1650km-long country with 54 ethnic groups a week or ten days, it is no surprise if you only manage to see the tip of the iceberg.
The high risk, high return rule is also true when it comes to travels in Vietnam. The more you get out of your comfort zone, the more rewarding your experience is.
In conclusion, every place has good and bad things, and there are many factors that can influence traveling experiences.
However, it is also up to each traveler to choose what to expect, what to prepare and what to do, so that what they really experience will be the closest to what they have dreamed about.
In countries like Vietnam, well preparation beforehand and traveling with open minds do make lots of differences.

[ml1138]

Originally Posted by jackbl

Tourism worker explains why foreign travelers find Vietnam trips disappointing

Editor’s note: Lani Nguyen, who has traversed 20 countries during her eight years of working in Vietnam’s tourism industry, writes to Tuoi Tre News from Italy, pointing out three drawbacks that she believes commonly make tourists dissatisfied with their trips in Vietnam.
Vietnamese tourism is facing a difficult time at the moment.
The main reason that many people have mentioned is that stealing and scamming destroy experiences of tourists in Vietnam. This is truly a big issue and Vietnam is trying to work on this, albeit quite slowly.
However, things need to be seen and analyzed from different perspectives – this approach is especially true in the case of debates on tourism, which is always known as multifaceted and complicated.
While there are many factors that can influence the satisfaction level a traveler has about a certain destination, they are mainly categorized into two groups, namely expectation and experience.
These factors give tourists a 50 percent chance of being responsible for their own experience at the destinations.
Having worked in the tourist industry in Vietnam for eight years, I have drawn out some of the common drawbacks which in many cases contribute to making tourists dissatisfied with their trips in the country.
Firstly, many tourists have unrealistic expectations and imagination of Vietnam.
A common unrealistic imagination is about the rate of development and changes in Vietnam. Some tourists are actually shocked to see skyscrapers and the rapid pace of life in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, instead of a “little Paris” or the “Pearl of the Orient,” ways these two cities were referred to by the French colonialists many years ago.
Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-changing countries and consequently there are many contrasts existing here.
Doing research to get the most updated picture of Vietnam, understanding common tourist issues, and figuring out possible solutions are probably the best ways for tourists to maximize good traveling experiences.
The reality shows that tourists with unrealistic expectations tend to be disappointed, while those with realistic ones are happier with their journeys.
Secondly, many tourists whom I have met and talked to admitted that they have no plans before their trips to Vietnam.
They often do not book accommodations in advance and are thus easily convinced by people who propose a certain lodging place at a cheap price.
These tourists clearly have less decision-making capability due to little preparation and their experience then depends on pure luck.
When I travel within Vietnam, I always spend time searching for the right hostel or homestay service, and book it in advance after taking as much consideration as I want.
This practice always works. I can stay in the place I like and am never followed or convinced to spend money on something that I am not aware of.
I also do this when I travel to other countries and when you are sure about things, bad people have much less hope to cheat you.
Of course, I do not suggest making a too-much-detailed plan because it may make you less flexible as well.
Thirdly, many tourists do not have enough time to see the real beauty of Vietnam.
When working for a famous tour operator in Ho Chi Minh City, I received many requests from tourists who want to visit Vietnam within a week and want to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and probably also the Mekong Delta.
With such requests, many tourists end up rushing from one highlighted destination to another. During such trips, they will only meet other tourists with similar itineraries, rather than getting to know and understand local people and culture in these places.
Furthermore, with an itinerary that is only planned for popular attractions, tourists miss many off-the-beaten-track places where they surely have many more chances to enjoy the authentic beauty of Vietnam.
A foreign friend of mine has traveled along the Ho Chi Minh trail through the Central Highland to go from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi.
While he really enjoyed the trail with its primitive landscapes, it is the Vietnamese people he met on the way that made up the most beautiful impression of Vietnam in him.
The other day my friend had his motorbike break down in the middle of nowhere and was unable to move anymore. Fortunately, a Vietnamese man showed up and even though he could not speak a word of English, the local eventually tried his best to help my friend fix the motorbike.
As a travel blogger has put it, “Vietnam is a mirror,” I very much agree with such a remark.
Vietnam is where you receive what you give. If you give a smile, you will receive a smile in return.
If you give a 1650km-long country with 54 ethnic groups a week or ten days, it is no surprise if you only manage to see the tip of the iceberg.
The high risk, high return rule is also true when it comes to travels in Vietnam. The more you get out of your comfort zone, the more rewarding your experience is.
In conclusion, every place has good and bad things, and there are many factors that can influence traveling experiences.
However, it is also up to each traveler to choose what to expect, what to prepare and what to do, so that what they really experience will be the closest to what they have dreamed about.
In countries like Vietnam, well preparation beforehand and traveling with open minds do make lots of differences.

Thanks for the valuable information....

[Wendella]

Customs was a breeze re-entering Vietnam this time. They have scanners just like for security when entering and hardly bother checking anyone. For my flight that arrived early evening, I did not see anyone told to open bags.

I brought in 4 iphones (1 was my own that I use) and worried a little about it this time. I could have come in with a suitcase full of iphones.

[Wendella]

Originally Posted by Hurricane88

My translation similar to yours with slight variation

Don't forget old ppl when u know new ppl. Who had been with u before. Don't believe anyone including ur family but urself

Looks like the key difference is whether old people (such as me) are good or bad. The ending seems clear, even I could get that one. Looks like her family did not do right by her.

[jackbl]

Who is to blame for disappointing Vietnam trips?

When your trip to Vietnam ends up as an unsatisfying and disappointing journey, should you blame the country for its troubled tourism, or yourself for lacking adequate planning while having too many unrealistic expectations?
Lani Nguyen argued in a piece published earlier this week by Tuoi Tre News that travelers should blame themselves, provoking both for and against feedback from other readers.
Here are excerpts, edited for clarity purposes, from a few of the comments we have received.
MANUEL M.
I agree with the author about the rewarding experiences if you put more time and effort into your Vietnam trip.
I too have had the best experiences off the beaten track, and unlike many other visitors, I think Vietnam is still my favorite country in Southeast Asia. I'd gladly return any time with my experience.
But it can't be denied that in comparison with neighboring ASEAN countries, Vietnam has some grave issues in terms of scams and a lack of action on the part of tourism authorities.
Of course these issues need time to be resolved, but bear in mind that even Myanmar, which only opened itself a few years ago for mass tourism, already has a better reputation among tourists and backpackers.
CHUCK
The problem with tourism in Vietnam is not the tourist...
Yes, your first experience when you arrive at the airport are cheating taxis and bus drivers trying to scam as much money from tourists as possible. (Yeah that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.)
Ho Chi Minh City is full of tourist traps. But don't get me wrong – I love Vietnam, yet tourism is not one of its strengths.
You get everything, from meters not working on taxis to over the top pushy salespeople selling China’s low quality products (especially in Ben Thanh Market). If you are a tourist in the city, you pretty much have a big red bullseye on your back.
Vietnam is a welcoming country for the most part, but scams are one of the problems.
The others are that Vietnam is not a hub of technology and definitely not a place for luxuries.
Tourists visit the country to see and experience the history that does not get a terrible rendition of a top-tier luxury destination.
TUNG DANG
How about letting tourists walk safely through sidewalks without being run into by a bunch of mopeds?
It was nearly impossible to traverse the cities without mopeds running and honking behind you on the sidewalk as well as from all directions when crossing the street.
I could not even hold my wife's hand when walking.
And all of this occurs even though traffic cops are on every corner (Is that too hard to use traffic fine revenue to fix broken sidewalks?).
No wonder no tourist wants to come back, it is impossible to look at the scenery when you have to look in all directions just for safety.
Is it too hard to enforce traffic laws, educate locals on keeping order, or keep the streets clean?
If the country wants to improve tourism, just look at the environment in which these tourists have to go through first.
Clean that up and you'll have tourists give good ratings. Nevertheless, this may all be bad ideas for me, as I enjoy traveling when there're not too many tourists around.
JAKE
It is easy to blame the tourists, but it is impossible to change the tourists.
It is more useful to look at what can be changed inside Vietnam.
What really matters is that those same tourists will go to Thailand, Europe, Australia, and the Americas with the same mindset that they had in Vietnam and have a great time.
I think one of the biggest issues is the tour groups.
Vietnam's tourist industry is heavily geared towards putting people into tour groups and then trying to get as much money as they can from those groups without focusing on the quality of the tours.
There is a complete lack of innovation in the tour groups and no one seems to focus on quality.
The tour companies use the same techniques with foreigners as they do to Vietnamese, even though their cultural expectations about customer service and tourism are very different.
Ripping tourists off and trying to overcharge them for things are also a major issue that is not being adequately addressed.
When a tourist's very first experience with Vietnam is getting ripped off by a taxi driver at the airport, you can't expect that not to have an impact on their trip in Vietnam.

[Wendella]

Originally Posted by jackbl

who is to blame for disappointing vietnam trips?

nobody -- everyone here is wonderful

[jackbl]

Originally Posted by Wendella

TomMAffoldter of course.

U creating war zone here???