Job Discussion Forums

[kbot5]

Hello!

I really appreciate reading so many topics and opinions shared on this forum. Even the negative responses are rather entertaining. I saw one post with a similar question to this one, but wasn't widely answered.

I'm SO excited that I've accepted a position to start in a few weeks and need a little advice on gift giving. I know that I want to bring lots of little things from Chicago (go Cubs) for the youngins, but for administrators and families who host me for dinner, does anyone have experience with appropriate tokens of gratitude? Perhaps something that is desired from the US but not commonly sold in Vietnam?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

It's a nice thought kbot5, but if you are just arriving here as a regular teacher (no home stays etc), I wouldn't bother. A country like Japan, however, apparently is a very different matter.

[kbot5]

Hmm, I guess I was mistaken. Thanks, Sergeant.

[Kawika]

Yeah, gifts aren't a big deal / expected, but if you get invited to a house for a meal you can bring fruit or wine to share. You should say hello and goodbye to all family members to be respectful. Also, take off your shoes before coming inside / check with the host before walking in.

If you do bring something unique from Chicago, I know I would appreciate it if I were your new coworker / employer. Some people bring back candy / chocolates for coworkers when they go on vacation.

Coming back from Hawaii, I brought chocolate covered macadamia nuts, they were a big hit.

Good luck with the move

[kbot5]

Thank you! I was definitely planning on bringing chocolate. And someone I'm meeting in Hanoi requested cheese of all things - I guess it's more expensive in Vietnam? Pity... I love cheese.
Thanks very much for your help.

[8balldeluxe]

Bring $2 bills. get a bunch of them, they are lucky here. Chocolate may melt in the summer in transit.

[bludevil96]

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Fair enough bluedevil96 and I guess you and I just disagree. As the OP is in America, I can't see any harm in him/her squirreling away the $2 notes (easy to get after all), or even bringing over some of the chocolates you mentioned, but some of the other things like spirits, perfume etc can be purchased here. Sure there are counterfeits out there, but there are plenty of decent shops as well that sell the real deal. Maybe clothes are a bit different as there are some very good knock-offs but with spirits and aftershave (don't know about perfume - never shopped for it but I imagine it's similar), you know straight away by the quality whether it's real or not. Also don't forget whatever is brought here, will have to lugged around.

In regards to electric devices, I've bought a gaming console, a cell phone, laptop and an MP3 player in Saigon and Hanoi and they all work fine. VN is comparatively expensive when it comes to electric devices, but not outrageously so, or least I don't think so.

However, most importantly, IMHO, gift giving is not expected! Like I wrote before, this isn't Japan and, my understanding is that if if you going to work in Japan, it's very bad form not to bring gifts when meeting your new bosses, colleagues etc. In that context, then no problem - that's their culture. In regards to the Vietkieus coming back with a ton of goods, well, they often already have friends and family here. When I first arrived in VN, I didn't know anybody and there was nobody who I felt I needed to give presents to. I'm assuming the OP will be in the same boat I was.

In regards to personal consumption, I do have a few suggestions. If you are a reader kbot5 you should perhaps consider buying a Kindle before getting here, assuming you don't already have one. I was on the hunt for a Kindle Fire (maybe the other types are easier to get - I never tried) and, although I finally got one, it was a real hassle. Also, as has been mentioned before on another thread, if the OP has a large build or big feet, then stocking up on underpants and shoes would also be a good idea.

Anyway the above is just my two cents and if the OP wants to be generous when it comes to giving out the gifts then fair play to him/her and I would see it as a really nice gesture.

[kbot5]

I very much appreciate the advice - the $2 bills will be most convenient for transport since I only plan on bringing a backpacking pack, no luggage.
I am also very happy to hear that Snickers made it over to Vietnam.

[LettersAthruZ]

[bludevil96]

[quote="1st Sgt Welsh"]but some of the other things like spirits, perfume etc can be purchased here. Sure there are counterfeits out there, but there are plenty of decent shops as well that sell the real deal. Maybe clothes are a bit different as there are some very good knock-offs but with spirits and aftershave (don't know about perfume - never shopped for it but I imagine it's similar), you know straight away by the quality whether it's real or not. "

Sarg. You're forgetting the mentality of Vietnamese. They don't trust anything that is made here since the market is inundated with Chinese products. For example, my neighbor and I use the same baby milk powder for our child. I buy mine from the local distributor but she drives across 2 districts and pays 3x the price for the same can of powder because it was "hand carried" from the U.S. On spirits, Remy Martin / Johnny Walker here are considered counterfeits, even from supermarkets by locals. I've personally have purchased and drank them and if they're fake, I couldn't tell. Again, we're talking about the psychological mindset of the Vietnamese.

VN is comparatively expensive when it comes to electric devices, but not outrageously so, or least I don't think so.

I've found this is no longer the case. Five years ago, definitely but no longer and if anything, cheaper here.

However, most importantly, IMHO, gift giving is not expected!

OK, this is where you and I strongly disagree and I would say go ask your Vietnamese counterparts. It's pretty much an unwritten rule but it's the same as tipping your children's Vietnamese teacher. There's no rule, law, or expectation on paper but EVERYONE is expected to chip in. Don't let that fool you. They're not going to come out and say you're cheap but the underlying feelings are there. I'm not talking about anything extravagant but just anything to show to their friends that they have friends who are foreigners or relatives overseas. It's buying a little respect if you will. My colleagues (engineers) who at times, leave to visit their hometowns will inevitably return to work with something for their team, usually snacks or fruits from their hometown, and that's just among Vietnamese. If you're dating a Vietnamese, don't even think about visiting her parents without a gift. Just stop along the way and buy them a kilo of fruits or something.

Trust me on this.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Some interesting thoughts there bluedevil96 .

In regards to conterfeit goods, sure they exist. However, the genuine articles can often be quite easily found here as well. For example, I know what proper Irish whiskey tastes like and, when it comes to the Jameson I've bought here at supermarkets, I am 100% positive it's the real thing. Besides, if I am kind enough to buy someone a present of authentic Jameson whiskey and they take a sip and can't tell the difference between that and some fake, cheap Chinese knock-off, well, I wouldn't know what to say except that I wish I hadn't of bothered. You know, throwing pearls before swine sort of thing .

Pertaining to electric devices being competitively priced here, maybe. I only really paid attention to it when I was buying my laptop as it's a fairly expensive outlay. That's not just in Vietnam, but anywhere. I've bought a few laptops in Australia and, to be honest, the pricing to me seemed a little bit high here, but, that was just my impression and maybe I'm talking through my hat on that one.

In regards to the Vietnamese giving gifts after they come back from holidays etc that's a good point and, you're right, I've seen that many times before. Like you said, usually it's not much (maybe a key-ring, fridge magnet etc), but I think it's a nice custom. It is also true when you are going to a party or meeting the girlfriend's parents, you are expected to bring something for the host, even if it is just a basket of fruit. However, the important distinction is, IMHO, that the gift giving happens, at least from what I've seen, between people who already know each other or who are involved with a family member.

Like I said, when the OP first arrives in VN, I'm assuming s/he will have no friends, romantic relationships etc in the country. Those sort of things will come later and therefore so can the gift-giving. Besides, like I said, whatever is brought here will have to carried around and most people seem to do a bit of traveling around the country before settling in. If something comes up and the OP needs gifts in the meantime s/he can simply just buy them here. If kbot5 makes a home here, establishes relationships with Vietnamese people and then visits the U.S. on holiday, by all means, s/he can pick up a few gifts in the States. But, my personal take on it, is to worry about that later and not now.