Dong for Dong

A recurring theme that I notice in some of my relationships with Vietnamese women and those of my friends is the “3 million Dong.” Let’s examine what one US dollar or 20500 dong will get you. It can get you two cups of condensed milk coffee, a delicious meat and egg sandwich, or a quick motorbike to the other side of the district.

The “3 million Dong” story is one of those stories that most guys that date locals will know all very well. It’s the classic ruse. Almost like the rabbit in the hat. Before things can get physical with your prospective love partner, she mentions one of these in passing :

My parent(s) are in the hospital and they are very ill.

I just had my purse stolen and my cell phone was inside of it.

Rent is due in a couple days and I don’t know what to do.

My computer was stolen from my room and I can’t go on Yahoo chat anymore.

My stomach hurts and I think I need an operation.

I just got in a motorbike accident and I ruined both bikes.

My Vespa or Honda SH is broken and I need to get it fixed.

I need to pay this months schooling bill.

(Their will be more added to this list)

The setup is always the same, and its in hope that you are the kind man to open up that wallet of yours and give her the amount that she absolutely needs which always happens to be exactly 3 million dong or 150 US dollars.

Two ways that you can deal with this situation, weasel your way out through great smooth talking and rebuttals like “Sure I’ll pay. Just take me to the location so I can pay it for you”, which most girls will generally never do. Or the second way is to power through that conversation by pretending not to hear anything and try to land yourself a deep sensual kiss to make her believe that true love will solve all problems. I’ve never heard the second one work, ever.

If you really like the girl give her the money and hopefully that will buy you some more time till the beginning of the next month. 150 US dollars can get you a lot of coffee, sandwiches, or motorbike taxi fare. It's all up to you, but remember nothing is ever guaranteed, especially in Vietnam.

John