The Men of Viet Nam: A Travel Guide to Gay Viet Nam

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: I sense disappointment among some of my fellow reviewers. My guess is that none of them have ever been to Viet Nam. What they seem to overlook are the strong points of this book: The desire filled sensitivity which the author uses in dealing with the subject. This should ideally rub off on the caring reader. Then there are the little lessons that are meant to prepare us for our visit ("The Fragile Vietnamese Heart"). The travel diary pages are another form of teaching us valuable lessons. It is important to look deeper here and not just expect a listing of all the latest happening places. With things changing so fast (raids still happen here), no print guide can ever claim to be up to date anyway. The Western view of a gay subculture doesn't (yet?) exist in Viet Nam. This country and her people deserve the insightful teachings that are contained in this book.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent teaching for the open minded traveller
Review: I sense disappointment among some of my fellow reviewers. My guess is that none of them have ever been to Viet Nam. What they seem to overlook are the strong points of this book: The desire filled sensitivity which the author uses in dealing with the subject. This should ideally rub off on the caring reader. Then there are the little lessons that are meant to prepare us for our visit ("The Fragile Vietnamese Heart"). The travel diary pages are another form of teaching us valuable lessons. It is important to look deeper here and not just expect a listing of all the latest happening places. With things changing so fast (raids still happen here), no print guide can ever claim to be up to date anyway. The Western view of a gay subculture doesn't (yet?) exist in Viet Nam. This country and her people deserve the insightful teachings that are contained in this book.

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: If you are thinking about this for "gay" infomation, forget it. The locations and venues listed for Siagon were completely out of date. I looked for most and only one was still open. The Vietnamese men I met told me the others had all been closed for "quite some time".... The information on visas and immigration and customs were wrong, I got my visa in one day and picked it up in Vietnam at the airport with a $20 extra charge. No problems with customs, no need to have multiple photos etc etc. Had I not read this book I would have planned a much longer stay in this beautiful country. Other suggestions in the book, i.e. visit the US embassy were equally out of date - it was torn down years ago! [In] reference to using Utopia tours...I found the prices for their tours significantly higher than elsewhere available in Bangkok and much higher than those available in Vietnam, where I made mine to my great satisfaction. Lastly, the "update" page on the internet was never available and emails to Floating Lotus went unanswered. Buy the Lonely Planet and enjoy your trip.

Rating:
Summary: OK as long as you only go to Hanoi and Saigon
Review: The book has useful information about customs and lifestyle in Vietnam. However, if you plan to travel there, you will need other travel books as well. This only covers Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). But, I did find the information to be accurate. If in Saigon on a Friday night go to Sam Son's! Quite the scene.