At a time when the earth was desolate and uninhabited, a Golden Dragon descended from the clouds. As he alighted near the seashore, he transformed himself into a handsome young man. He was Lac Long Quan, the ancestor of all the Vietnamese people and father of all the Hung Kings.
　  Thus begins the fable of the Vietnamese people, a fable told down the centuries by grannies to their grandchildren and known by every resident of this often misunderstood country of beguiling smiles and fabulous food.
　  Few countries have had a history whose main ingredients have consisted of so much conflict. The Chinese tried and failed to make Vietnam their own. As have the French and the Americans. But today this hectic, friendly, hard talking, dog eating, rice planting jewel of Asia, remains proudly independent and amazingly forgiving. As a people, the Vietnamese are unlike any of their Asian neighbours. Where else will your curious dinner guests arrive early and wander upstairs to find your wife looking for her bra? Who else will tell you how fat you are while affectionately patting your belly? Where else will the French, Americans and Chinese be greeted with genuine warmth after centuries of conflict? Vietnam is a country like no other.
　  To ensure that you, the foreign resident, fleeting visitor or armchair traveler, enjoy your stay in Vietnam, our resident authors present a lighthearted but practical guide to the dos&don'ts of this very special country. DON'T be surprised if your colleagues sleep at their desks. After all, they’ve just finished moonlighting their night job. DO note that a smile can mean happy, sad or angry. You figure it out. DON'T be offended by personal questions such as "how old are you?" or "what an ugly husband you've got!" They are asked without malice and are not considered rude. DO be assured that as a foreigner you can get away with just about anything. Want to know how to behave with an uncooperative immigration official? Then DO buy this book!