Alas, it will be my second venture into Asia, but my first time to Viet Nam. At the same time, I am nervous, yet tremendously excited. So, I am in my early twenties and have been with my boyfriend for 3 years now. Our plan is to travel to Viet Nam next year, and celebrate Lunar New Years over there. Let’s call my boyfriend, “Logan”.

To further elaborate, Viet Nam is where most of all of Logan’s family (relatives) are. It is his hometown and we will be staying with his relatives.

Logan’s family in Viet Nam is quite poor, and each time he returns to Viet Nam, all of the relatives expect money to be given to each of them. (There are over 20–30 different families there who expect money).

I will be staying with some of the relatives, and I am unsure what they expect of me. If I will be treated as a guest, or if they already see me as part of their family. Logan’s relatives do not have enough money to do any sort of fun activities in Viet Nam, so they are always excited when Logan visits with his parents. This is not only because they receive a large sum of money each, but also because they are able to do fun activities with all the expenses being paid for by Logan and his parents.

I am a bit nervous because I have already experienced some cyber bullying from Logan’s abundant amount of female cousins in Viet Nam. Logan says that they are all pretty judgmental. Additionally, he says that most of his uncles are drunks. So, now that you understand my situation a bit better, my ultimate question is, do I bear gifts? If so, to who? I am thinking I should bring a gift, or give some money to the most responsible adult there (which is his auntie, and will be the main one looking after us when we are in Viet Nam). Logan has so many relatives over in Viet Nam, and I do not want to be rude, or make a bad impression.

Any other words of advice about my trip to Viet Nam? Have you been there? How was your experience?

Logan and I will stay in Viet Nam for approximately a month or a bit longer.

Thanks in advance!

Topics: travel, relationships, Vietnam, family, Asia, relatives, foreign