Quote:
Originally Posted by creeve
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can anyone who's been down this road advise me roughly on what to expect? she's already expecting me to make my trip on 27/4 although i have not purchase the air ticket yet. worst come worst, pay more lor.
advice, anyone?
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Well in the first place we need to know what kind of advice you need....are you planning to go into a relationship with her or what? or just a normal friend visit?
Everyone near her house will be looking at you and your friends..curious more than anything as this is not HCM where ppl are accustomed to seeing foreigners everyday. Just smile back at them.
Anyway, they will have heard about you as your girl will have told her family and then her family will tell neighbours so on and so forth...so you are actually the talk of the village even before you come....haha..
Whatever it is, dun go empty handed.. if you are planning on this trip to An Giang, here are some things to prepare yourself on:
1.) Its about 5hrs on the road from HCM with at least one boat trip and two or three boat trips depending on which part of An Giang. (My wife is from there so i know).
2.) Ppl from here are generally not so well to do and are mostly farmers so some simple and practical gifts for her family and siblings and nephews and nieces will put you in a good light.
3.) You can try this combination of gifts:
- 2 cartons of duty-free 555 cigarettes - non menthol ones ( I tried buying Malboro but my brothers-in-law says not heavy enough...tried camel they dun like...so what the heck just buy back vietnamese 555 and confirm no problem....555 considered premium cigarettes to them) and 2 hard liquor. (for the male members of the family.)
- 1 carton of eagle brand medicated oil(medium size ones).(for the females)
- some packets chocolate and sweets for the kids.( any type as long as they look nice and are chocolates.)
- some peanuts and green peas for the drinking sessions that you
100% will encounter.
The above items should cost u less than $200 and you would have put yourself in a good position.
4.) For grandparents, give ang pow. $500,000 dong( less than SGD$50) suffice.
Generally eating in and around An Giang is much cheaper than in HCM but do bring enough cash because you are expected to pay for the meals whenever you go out and of course petrol for the motor bike. Its not expensive....just think...the above gift budget is almost the same as some of their monthly pay...so its nice to pay for meals and petrol...
Other than meals and petrol, I dun think you can find anything much to spend on...Unless of course you want to buy other stuffs for her or her family or give ang pow to the kids...this is entirely up to your own choice and financial ability...
That's all i can think of now......hope it helps to put you in a good position among her family should you visit her in An Giang.
N.B : I do not know if it is still required now .....but do ask your gal to bring you or your friends to the nearest police post or police chief in the village to register your stay at her house. Do not worry! It is the procedure for them to register foreign visitors. Just fill in some forms and sign off....
Cheers!