Hi! I am Vietnamese, born in the US. I have a tutor growing up and can read very little and speak the language with a horrible accent. (But, I try...) So, growing up, my parents went back to Vietnam and discouraged us children from going. I have always had a desire to visit when I finish graduate school, but my parents, particularly my mother has said some horrible things about Vietnam:
1. It's dirty. So, I looked up an article and read an article about people defecating on the side of the roads! She said the sanitation is horrible.
2. Crime. She said if I were to ever visit, I may be a victim or the frequent rape, burglary, etc.
3. She said that the living conditions are intolerable and that I would not enjoy my stay.
4. She always talks about the supernatural and superstitions in Vietnam. It's very creepy, yet annoying because I would not enjoy it if the majority's mentality was this way.
5. Dress. She said some people dress very inappropriate, even go topless or revealing their private areas, which I feel is inappropriate.
6. She said that I would not like the customs of the Vietnamese people and that they have poor manners, and will burp, fart etc in public areas.
Are these things neccessarily true? I surely hope not. I want to visit my extended family and grandparents (I have not seen them in over 12 years.) Any input is greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I'm writing an essay on the Watergate scandal and I have to talk about the Vietnam War since it leads to the Pentagon Papers and the eventually cover up of the burglary to steal those papers.

I came across a section in a book that reads Cambodia was a neutral territory but before it states that the North Vietnamese had "safe" havens inside the country.

Could somebody please help me understand this? Thanks in advance.