Life while raising a baby here review
I've never felt so hopeless living anywhere except for here. Pre-having a baby this was the best place ever, vibing, everyone so lit and partying. Post-having a baby this place is torture.
Everyday is a struggle, here is my list
- Smokers EVERYWHERE, and if you ask them to stop smoking they smirk and smoke even harder. Absolutely shit-tier behavior. I'd expect this from ghetto people in my home country.
- Everybody is in a rush, they push and shove you to get out of the way. Having a kid is viewed as a burden/slow for the flow of traffic. noone lets us go first nor holds the door for us
- Everybody has an opinion on how you should raise a kid, but also says it in a demeaning manner talking down to you...the kicker is they will have the nastiest fingers and touch your kid. Or the woman says something, while their husband is smoking a cigarette in front of their kid.
- Honking all throughout the day, for absolutely no reason. I drive a scooter, taking a left turn. a car or bike at least 100meters+ behind me 100% of the time will floor the gas pedal and speed up hoping to pass me. Like brody if you just let me turn like normal we wouldn't be in danger and you wouldn't even lose a second of your life to begin with. The drivers here are absolute animals on the road. They even pass on the right, or simply won't let you pass at all EVER.
Every night is a struggle, here is my list
- Vietnamese karaoke til midnight, hard to put baby to sleep (there is noise violation laws on paper, but they aren't enforced, so I am in the RIGHT to be upset over this)
- Houses are built wall to wall, neighbors are walking heavy footed stomping and slamming doors, making noise like crazy. Ask them to quiet down, they blame society make so much noise, why I have to change? Live here so long no one ever complain.
- Honking all throughout the night
It feels as if everyday moving around Vietnamese, it is a power-struggle/fight. EVERY POSSIBLE MOMENT they can beat you in movement, they will, even if it risky and puts us all in danger.
Of course, I could report them, but what cop is going to do anything about this? In a civilized society could call cops, reasonably expect them to show up and have the neighbors get fined so they can act civilized. Also, just from my experience and hearing others stories, Vietnamese are terrible at dealing with conflict. Never accepting responsibility, no accountability, and childish retaliation behaviors. It is quite scary to think about just politely asking a Vietnamese to improve their behavior, because they may just end up peeing in your yard everyday in retaliation. Resorting to bully tactics.
We already left the country, just leaving this as an honest review for others.
EDIT: I think the comments from fellow citizens of Vietnam have proven my point in the conditions and view points the society has towards the vulnerable people of society (children+pregnant women). For the people who think that my review comes across as "entitlement". I did a little research and please do know that your country Vietnam agreed to commitments as part of their membership within the ASEAN member states as well as the global space for all the things I had mentioned. Vietnam literally committed to providing all the things I had mentioned. Fellow citizens are failing their duty as citizens of this great nation from doing their part to represent their country in the best way possible. Citizens are failing to meet commitments the leaders have put forth and strive for. Citizens should take notes from fellow ASEAN member states and learn and implement better practices.
1. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
• Vietnam’s Status: Vietnam was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the CRC in 1990
• Emphasizes the best interests of the child in all actions (Article 3).
• Calls for an environment conducive to children’s development and well-being (Article 27).
• Recognizes the need to protect children from harmful environments that disrupt their mental and physical health.
• Calls for measures to protect children from environmental harm, including secondhand smoke.
2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• Vietnam’s Status: Ratified in 1982.
3. ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children
• Vietnam’s Status: As a founding member of ASEAN, Vietnam has endorsed this declaration.
• Addresses the shoving, all forms of violence including shoving should be eliminated.
4. ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)
• Vietnam’s Status: Actively participates in ACWC initiatives as an ASEAN member.
Where all these commitments apply in society, as well as my concerns
• Priority Boarding: Airports, trains, buses, and immigration services in Vietnam can adopt practices from ASEAN neighbors like Thailand and Singapore to provide priority boarding and seating. This ensures the safety and convenience of pregnant women, children, and elderly individuals, aligning with their rights to special care and consideration.
• Shoving Pregnant Women: CEDAW and the ASEAN Declaration emphasize the elimination of violence and discrimination in public spaces.
• Smoking Around Kids: Vietnam can strengthen and enforce smoke-free zones in public spaces, especially in areas frequented by children, such as parks, playgrounds, and public transport. These measures align with the CRC and ASEAN commitments to children’s health.
• Noise Pollution: CRC highlights the need for environments conducive to children’s well-being and development. Vietnam can implement stricter noise control regulations during nighttime hours, particularly in residential areas, to ensure children and families have a peaceful environment conducive to rest and development.