| Saigon Singles |
| In our search for Saigon's most eligible bachelor and bachelorette, we decided to place a spotlight on 15 people. Now it's up to you. Simply choose your favourite bachelor and bachelorette and text their voting code to 0915 757171. |
| Written by Trung Phan & Sarah Johnson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Friday, 04 September 2009 07:25
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To follow are 15 of Saigon’s Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes.
To vote for your favourite, simply send an SMS (inside Vietnam) to 0915 757171* stating the code of your favourite bachelor and bachelorette.
Example: M3 F7
Your votes will be counted up together with the votes of our panel of five judges (each will be worth 50 percent of the total). The winners will be announced in the October issue of The Word.
*Please note, one person, one vote
Trinh (Trinnie) Li Voting Code: F4 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 21 Vietnamese, course consultant
Where do local single girls go to meet guys? I think everyone does the same thing. Go out to cafes and nightclubs. I’m pretty shy so when I go out, I don’t do much meeting.
When was your last boyfriend? I recently broke up with my ex because he had to go back to Australia to study. I told him that if anything is going to work we have to be in the same city.
Do you get hit on by westerners a lot? When I’m out, I do get approached by white and black men sometimes. My English isn’t very good, though, so I don’t say too much, even if I am attracted to them. I have not been on a date with a non-Vietnamese. But, I must say, when I am around people I know well, I’m a chatterbox.
Are you looking for a boyfriend? I’m very happy to meet anyone right now, even just as friends. Hopefully, I will be married with two kids by the time I’m 28 (laughs).
Gabriela De Brito Lopes Voting Code: F5 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 21 Brazilian, student
What’s your story in Vietnam? I went to elementary and high school here and have spent a total of ten years in Saigon. I am currently studying in France.
When was your last relationship? About six weeks ago, actually. He also lived in Vietnam and we knew each other for nearly nine years. From the time I met him to the time we dated, there was something like a five year gap in communication. We ended up re-connecting on Facebook.
How do you feel about the Saigon dating scene? Being single here is a lot of fun because there is always something to do. It’s such a crazy city. I find that a lot of couples that come here together have relationship difficulties because of the temptations, especially for guys, who have all these local girls running after them. Looking for something long-term is hard, too. Assignments and contracts are always ending in the expat community and people move on. A past relationship I had ended after two years because his parents had to leave the country.
Would you ever date a local guy? No. Although, I had a teacher once who fell in love with her driver and took him back to Spain when her contract was up. I mean, anything is possible.
Have you ever dated a Brazilian? I can’t say I have either.
Do you see yourself in Saigon in the future? You know, it’s weird, even though I was born in Brazil, I’ve been away for so long that if someone asked me where home is, I would have to say Vietnam. So, if the right opportunity came up, I can definitely see myself here for the long term.
Giang Martin Tran Voting Code: M1 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 30 Viet Kieu, project manager a Norwegian company
How do you find it, dating locals? I usually play the “I don’t know the city well enough” card so that they can pick the place and I just have to pay for it. It’s very attractive when the girl occasionally reaches out for her wallet, though.
What are your dating rules? That there are no rules. Creativity draws my attention. What can I say? I’m a guy that likes a challenge.
What do you look for in a woman? I’ve always longed for someone perfect, like my mother. Seriously, is anyone really qualified to point out the perfect woman? The perfect woman for me knows who she is and hopefully she will one day introduce herself.
Why are you still single? Well, because I constantly need to work between Norway and Vietnam, most girls somehow tend to see the words “not-trustable” on my forehead? Give me a break girls, I’m human and completely changeable (if it’s worth it).
Do you have plans to settle down? As I said before, I’m certain that there is a perfect girl for me out there who will eventually make me bring out the sponge and remove the “mark” on my forehead
Chris Newell Voting Code: M8 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 24 American, employee of the US government
What are you doing here? I’m employed by the American government. I’m not at liberty to share the details of what I’m doing here in Saigon, but my current position allows me the flexibility to be almost anywhere in the world.
Have you had a relationship in Vietnam? It depends on one’s definition of a “relationship.”
What are you looking for here in Saigon? Depends what day it is.
Do locals approach you? The men do more so than the women. One time when I stopped at a red light, a local guy pulled up next to me. I thought nothing of it at first because being a black man in Saigon you get stared at all the time. Then he pointed at me and started flexing as to tell me I had big muscles. He then proceeded to feel me up at the light. It was mildly uncomfortable.
What’s the funniest date you’ve been on here? I bought a girl a hot dog at Apocalypse Now and asked her if it counted as our first date. She said no because I didn’t even get her a drink. So I asked her what would she like to drink and she said she wasn’t thirsty. That’s the closest thing to a date that I’ve been on.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet women? I was listening to a song the other day with the following lines: “Every time I think about staying with her / she brings her friend around and it makes me reconsider.” It’s a pretty accurate description of my time here so far.
Kyle Petit Voting Code: M6 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 24 American, teacher
Is it true that teachers get all the girls? Not really. There was an ad campaign in America for baseball last year with the slogan “Chicks Dig The Long Ball.” In Vietnam, chicks definitely do not dig the thay giao.
Why are you teaching then? I graduated college and was bored of Chicago.
Have you had a relationship with a girl in Vietnam? It was great until she told me she loved me via text message. I got scared and broke it off. Those two days we were together were pretty magical, however.
How do you respond to locals who ask why you’re still single? I usually break down in tears and explain to them that I was never properly loved as a child.
What’s the funniest date you’ve been on here? One time this girl told me that she would be picking me up from my house around 8 for our date, but then she showed up at 8.05 along with two xe om drivers to escort us around town on our date. Can you believe that? She was five minutes late, kind of awkward.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet women? You wouldn’t believe how many women approach me here in Saigon. Just last night around Pham Ngu Lao, there were maybe a dozen women courting me and offering me Happydent bubble gum. I politely turned them down though. I’m not really into women with young kids.
Where’s the ideal first date venue for you in Saigon? I enjoy a nice leisurely stroll through each aisle of Ben Thanh Market followed by lunch at Ga Ran Kentucky. Nothing beats the real Saigon.
Anna Vo Voting Code: F6 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 21 Vietnamese, fashion designer
What do you do? I am a recent graduate from the University of San Diego. Now that I am finished with college, I am back in my home country to start working. I am currently a fashion designer for my own clothing line, named after me – Anna Vo.
When was your last relationship in Saigon? I was in a relationship with a guy in Vietnam about five years ago and it lasted for about a year and a half. Since I left Vietnam six years ago, most of my relationships have taken place outside of the country.
What’s the difference between dating here and abroad? I prefer the western ways of dating or relationships. In Vietnam, people are still reserved when it comes to relationships. I do not like to ride around on a motorbike, sing karaoke or go to coffee places where the Vietnamese teens often meet. In addition, I find guys here lack communication skills when it comes to talking to women. Sometimes, they have really bad pick-up lines or they just can’t talk properly with you.
Do you see yourself in Vietnam for a long time? Right now, I am planning to work here for about one or two years. After, I will be going to Paris to study more about fashion. My priority now is my career and family. I do not want a relationship right now. Plus, it’s a bit hard for me to find the right guy here.
Any advice for other singles in Saigon? Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Go to places and events where you can meet new people. Reach beyond your current comfort level and interact with strangers. Share who you are and be friendly.
Anne Branigin Voting Code: F2 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 23 Filipina-American, RMIT teacher
Have you had a relationship with a guy in Vietnam? I’ve been in a pretty healthy and fruitful relationship for the past two years with a group of xe om drivers outside of my apartment building. We trust and respect each other, and we can disagree without being disagreeable, which is more than I can say for my last boyfriend.
How often do you get hit on by guys here? If by “hit on” you mean making prolonged, flirtatious eye contact with some handsome stranger, only to find out he’s looking at the cute Vietnamese girl in the mini-dress behind me, then yes,I get hit on all the time. Although, while traveling, I attract a fair amount of French men who “want to practice their English” with me.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet men? I hate to use a sports cliche in this instance, but I do think it’s true that you have to create opportunities. I think a lot of women who have been here a while get jaded and write men off too quickly. There are diamonds in the rough here; you just have to work through a lot of rough.
If you were to meet a guy on a night out, how would you approach them or expect them to approach you? I’m terrible at approaching guys. I have all the suave of a twelve-year-old girl with wrap-around head gear. This means I probably won’t approach you without spilling half my drink, and it also means that if you’re interested in me you’re probably going to have to spell it out.
Where’s the ideal first date venue for you in Saigon? Some place I’ve never been before. I like someone who’s not afraid to take me out of my comfort zone and challenge me early on.
Sylvester Wade Constance Voting Code: M5 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 31 Liberian, singer
How did you end up in Vietnam? I was born in Liberia, but have spent a lot of time living in other places such as Staten Island, New York and, of course, Saigon. Liberia was actually an American base for Vietnamese prisoners during the war, so when I was growing up I was always curious about Vietnam and while travelling Asia, I got the opportunity to see the country and ended up staying for the past five years.
What do you do here? I studied as an architectural engineer but was lucky enough to meet people in Vietnam who invited me to join a band. I’ve also taught English here, but singing is my main thing.
Are you attracted to Asian girls? I actually dated a half-Asian girl when I lived in New York, but when I came to Vietnam, the girls were much smaller than I was used to and I was definitely intrigued. They are all beautiful.
How do you find the local dating scene? Dating local girls is rather difficult, especially the traditional ones. They really do want to put in a lot of time to get to know you and even slight physical contact, like holding hands, will make them uncomfortable if they are not ready. Locals also get very jealous. Texting twenty to thirty times a day to check up on me. Sometimes calling at 1am or 2am to make sure I’m not with someone else. It is a little bit crazy.
Where do you meet girls? I’ve met girls here following my performances, via the internet and even on the bus.
After your time here, would you rather date a local or an expat? Probably an expat because we can understand each other much faster.
Matt Underwood Voting Code: M2 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 33 Australian, PR country manager
Why Vietnam? I had a choice to work in either Sydney or Southeast Asia. I decided I could go to Sydney whenever and ended up here when my employer figured I was “smart enough to run an agency but dumb enough to go to Vietnam.”
How many relationships have you had in Vietnam? I’ve been here for five and half years and been in three relationships. The three relationships, combined, lasted nearly four years and the latest one was recently cut short when she moved back to Canada.
How is the dating scene in Saigon? Expat females are always complaining about the lack of male options in the city but some of the guys feel the same way about the girls too. Everyone complains. That’s Saigon.
What do you say when locals asked you when you will get married? Well, only girls ask so I answer, “When you say yes.”
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet women? It depends on what you want. There is the option to go for a pretty girl with no substance, but that’s not very challenging. I’ve always been with high-calibre women and I don’t want to go down the other road. I’m not interested in shy girls that sit in the corner.
What is an ideal first date? I’ve never been, but I’ve heard of a rock quarry in District 9 with an area to swim. It would be a great place to bring some eats and go for a dip somewhere not many people have been to.
Olivia Gidman Voting Code: F7 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 24 English, English teacher
How does dating in Saigon compare to England? In England, I was always in a fully committed relationship. So far in Vietnam, I’ve only seen a couple of people, but nothing very serious.
So what is the difference between seeing someone and dating them? Well, the English do not really go on dates and the such. You are either seeing someone casually or you are in a relationship.
How often do you get hit on by locals? Well, according to my friends, every day a bar worker once asked me to marry him and when I said we didn’t know each other that well, he told me I was breaking his heart. No hard feelings, though.
Do you find local men attractive? The men here are pretty, but I feel like eighty percent of the attractive ones are gay. They have boyish good looks, but do not seem very manly.
Would you date a local? I would if the person was right. But it has been nine months and no one has really stood out and the actual percentage of local men that would be dateable is definitely small. There would also be communication issues as not many can speak English, so I’m relegated to English teaching assistants. I’m trying to seduce one but I think he only likes Vietnamese girls. Oh, the dilemmas we face in life.
Peter Marshall Voting Code: M7 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 29 Australian, Vietnam Airlines pilot
How long have you lived in Vietnam? I’ve been coming here two or three times a week for the last four or five years. I just love the place. I’ve spent time in Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand, but Vietnam is definitely number one.
Have you dated a Vietnamese girl? Yes I have, she was part of the cabin crew. There were a few things that were different between us, in terms of her thought process. A lot of emphasis on family in Vietnam – you get one, you get them all (I mean that in the nicest way possible). It was a good experience. Vietnamese girls are fantastic. Very beautiful. So friendly and nice.
What are you looking for in a partner? I’m very picky when it comes to girls, I guess, I set the bar higher than most guys do. Some guys are happy to settle for anything. I like someone who’s ambitious, always trying to better themselves. I don’t like relationships where it becomes all about me – I become their life. I’m also not into “yes” girls.
How do you respond to locals who ask why you’re still single? Usually they think I’m gay because by this stage I should actually have a girlfriend – clearly that is not the case. I’m looking for a very specific type of person so that narrows the field quite a lot.
How does your job affect relationships? That’s been a problem with relationships in the past because you’re away for periods of time –so there needs to be a certain trust and confidence. The image that the life of a pilot is glamorous is not necessarily true. It’s actually pretty lonely – you work a lot and spend a lot of time away from home.
Amy Lewin Voting Code: F3 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 27 Originally from South Africa, English teacher
Have you had a relationship in Vietnam? That would be no. Vietnamese men are way too small. I need a man over six feet, all my past boyfriends have been over six feet. I’m always attracted to tall men, which is unfortunate because I’m only 5 feet tall. I think it’s a subconscious thing because I’m thinking of the children.
How do you respond to locals who ask why you’re still single? I say, “I don’t have time for a boyfriend” and other excuses. It’s not true, just a way to get attention off that. Don’t rub it in. All my students ask me!
How does your job affect relationships? Does it? If I had a boyfriend it’d be great because I have loads of free time.
What’s the funniest date you’ve been on here? I haven’t been on a date.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet men? The majority of western guys I meet are looking for Vietnamese girlfriends which I can understand. There are very few available men here. They are either married, looking for Vietnamese girlfriends or come with their girlfriends.
Do you have any good pick-up moves? I’m hopeless at approaching men, absolutely hopeless. I go all giggly. I probably wouldn’t approach them. I would not want a man to approach me with a cheesy chat up line. But they’ve got to be funny.
Where’s the ideal first date venue for you in Saigon? Somewhere where you can talk, but also where you’re not going to bump into someone you know. It has to be a restaurant though, I love to eat.
Chris Tran Voting Code: M3 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 33 Viet Kieu, managing director at Ad Max Vietnam
What are you looking for here in Saigon? A partner in crime, to keep me stimulated with good conversation and funny stories. Also, someone with government connections would be able to keep me out of jail.
How do you respond to people who ask why you’re still single? I’ve been known to say, “My father got married when he was 45, so I’ve got at least twelve years to go.” Also, my mum is eighteen years younger than my father, so my future wife is like fifteen right now.
How does your job affect relationships? Some people here are crazy jealous, and I’ve dated most of them. When I work late or have dinner with a client, girls think I’m cheating on them. Sometimes I feel like I need to have people write affidavits to prove what I’m doing and who I’m with.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet women? There are women everywhere, but opportunities to find intelligent, funny women are limited. If I knew where to find them consistently, I certainly wouldn’t tell anyone.
How do you approach someone you’re interested in? Half the time I’ll just say, “Hi.” The other half, I’ll say, “Long time no see,” especially if I’ve never met them.
Atsushi ‘Zeus’ Kajita Voting Code: M4 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 31 American, businessman/entrepreneur
What is your background? I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. My father is Japanese, while my mother is a mixture of Korean, Dutch, and Filipino. I have lived in a couple places, but Saigon is by far the most exciting city to date.
What are you doing in Vietnam? I came here in January 2008 without a job, did not know a single word of Vietnamese and only knew one person. My previous career in America took a hit with the housing collapse, so I decided to try out a new country and Vietnam’s growth potential was obvious. Currently, I am the managing partner for Tagon Group Limited, a trading company I formed with my business partner in September of 2008.
What are you looking for here in Saigon? Well, to establish myself careerwise, that is the number one priority. I love people in general, so meeting people is always great.
Does Saigon offer a lot of opportunities to meet women? The great thing about Saigon is the diversity of people here, most notably the foreign population. You have people from almost all continents that live, work and play in this one small area we call District 1.
Have you had a serious relationship in Vietnam? I did, but it went from the highest of the highs to the lowest of the lows in a couple of months. It was a roller coaster ride! It didn’t last that long, but it was possibly the most passionate and exhilarating relationship I have ever had in my life.
How do you approach girls? I can be shy with girls, so it’s always easy to meet girls through friends. But people in Saigon are friendly, so you won’t have trouble meeting girls here.
Tran Thu Hang Voting Code: F1 Voting Number (send SMS): 0915 757171 Age: 24 Vietnamese, recycling contractor / part-time model
What has been your longest relationship? I dated my last boyfriend for two years.
Would you date a westerner? Well, I have met many foreigners while travelling to Europe and around the region for my family’s business. I am always friendly and open to making new friends. My friends that have dated foreigners tell me that they are more affectionate, expressive and treat the Vietnamese differently than local men. I would not rule it out.
Have you been hit on by a lot of westerners? Actually, I am approached much more outside of Vietnam than inside of it. I think most westerners that come here are more attracted to the smaller girls. I’m quite tall for a Vietnamese girl and my eyes are big, which isn’t very traditional.
What would your parents say if you brought home a westerner? As long as I’m happy, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not a big deal anymore to see an Asian with other races.
Are you currently looking for a boyfriend? No, I am not.
Copyright (C) 2009 The Word HCMC. All rights reserved The Word HCMC
Copyright (C) 2009 The Word HCMC. All rights reserved." |
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