禁漫天堂

The best ways to meet someone in Vietnam

Young people in Vietnam (18-26) love to socialize and are frequently out and about in large groups. In Vietnam, embracing the going-out culture will be one of the easiest ways to make new friends or find a significant other. If you do find yourself going on a date with a Vietnamese citizen, it is not uncommon for a friend to join so everyone feels safe or to meet family early on.

Another great way to meet people is by signing up for a fitness or outdoor activity. Meeting someone this way automatically gives you something in common and is easy to connect with or schedule doing the same event together again. It's also easy to suggest going for a cold beverage after the event that you've completed together.

Many marathons and sports clubs meet regularly in the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City so you can keep your social life and heart happy at the same time.

Read also Leisure activities in Hanoi聽

Dating apps in Vietnam

Dating apps and websites have changed the game because they allow you to use Google Translate or make your date take time before responding. Some of the most popular online dating apps in Vietnam are:

• ;
• ;
• ;
• .

While each application offers a different yet similar platform, if you are using more than one, you are likely to see a repeat of the same faces. Even if you don't find a love match, you may still meet a new friend. Who knows whom they could introduce you to?

Dating customs and stigmas in Vietnam

While the younger generations are adopting a more Western approach to dating culture nowadays, Vietnamese families will still adhere to many traditions. Meeting family and friends happens very early, and if it doesn't happen, it might deter the relationship from continuing. Before you meet the family of a significant other, make sure everyone is on the same page with how long you have been dating and also which gifts you should bring. Also, be prepared for it to become a bigger affair than expected, with neighbors or other family members popping in to say hello. The main things to remember before meeting family are to show up clean, presentable, with gifts, an empty stomach, and patience.

Good to know:

At the first meeting, bringing fruit as a gift for your partner's mother and alcohol for their father will be highly appreciated. Also, to avoid embarrassment, discuss it with your partner before the meeting, and they'll likely tell you exactly what to purchase or bring with you.

If you are going to a wedding with a significant other or celebrating a holiday, be prepared for a lot of questions and a lot of drinking. It may feel like an interrogation, but the Vietnamese are curious about your intentions and probably haven't heard a lot about you before this initial meeting. While out with your significant other, let them lead on how much affection in public they are comfortable with. Many Vietnamese people are still quite conservative, so avoid kissing and touching in public to avoid a disagreement later.

Vietnam is a flourishing country and is no longer considered a third-world developing nation. You will be meeting different people with amazing insights, but there are always a few red flags to watch out for. For example, if your Vietnamese partner frequently wants you to invest in businesses or continues to only see you on the terms of gifts and meals paid for, it may not be a lifelong relationship. Vietnamese people who are truly interested in getting to know you will want to spend time in cafes with a lot of communication and lots of picture-taking for social media. Be prepared for an onslaught of matching garments that will look adorable in photographs.

If you and your Vietnamese partner are talking about marriage, make sure to discuss finances and expectations for elderly parents. Commonly, taking care of parents will fall on the shoulders of the children and, thus, their spouse. It is also common to live with family or have family come to live with you, inside or out of Vietnam.

Read also Diversity and inclusion in Vietnam

The LGBTQIA+ scene in Vietnam

LGBTQIA+ rights in Vietnam are difficult to understand. While the country is mainly progressive, there are a few backward or traditional mindsets towards relationship styles and gender identity. As a foreigner, you will not experience outright homophobic actions and are safe to be out publicly and hold hands or live in local areas as a same-sex couple. Local citizens face the brunt of pressure from family and friends, resulting in a mentality that 鈥渋t's fine for others but not our family."

Over the last five years, many landmark decisions, including recognizing being a homosexual as a valid identity and not a medical crisis, have been made by the government. There are also several activism groups working towards full inclusion and equality. The 2022聽聽convinced the government of Vietnam to recognize that being gay was not a medical condition and to continue honoring post-transgender sexual confirmation surgery.

The good news is that in 2015, legislation on same-sex marriages was changed, but not in the positive way you expect. While same-sex marriages in Vietnam aren't illegal anymore, they are not legal either and instead have been removed from the legislation entirely, making them a neutral ground.

Good to know:

As of 2022, any couples falling into the LGBTQIA+ category may have their marriage blessed via traditional Vietnamese ceremonies, but only marriage licenses from abroad will be recognized legally in Vietnam.