“But the most significant derivation from the meaning of as ‘water’ is the concept of people who have gathered near a body of water to grow rice for one another, and founding a stable community, sharing rain and drought, plenty and famine, peace and war: from ‘water,’ its basic meaning, has come to designate ‘the homeland, the country, the nation.’ It is in this ultimate acception that the monosyllable nước reverberates throught the deepest and farthest recesses of the Vietnamese collective unconscious and stirs there the most potent feelings. The nation’s fateful course, marked by ups and downs, is figuratively rendered as a ‘tide of water’ (vận nước) with its ebb and flow. The highest virtue demanded of a Vietnamese is that he or she ‘love the nước‘ (yêu nước).” –Huynh Sanh Thong
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About | thirstythongs
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Vietnam from the perspective of Californian Viet Kieuties
Game Recognize Game
Thinking Blogger Award: Thirsty Thong - This blog is run by a group of Vietnamese American expats. Thong, who seems to be the main blogger, offers a unique perspective of Vietnam, among other things. He’s funny and sometimes sarcastic and risky but there is much to appreciate in his head-on approach. As a Viet TRA , it’s been a struggle to overcome my misconceptions of Vietnamese Americans. Thong’s blog has added much to my perspective. Thong, if I ever make it to the motherland, I’m going to kidnap you as my guide. --Ethnically Incorrect Daughter
Thirsty Thong is an excellent blog written by a couple of Vietnamese Americans expats living in Vietnam...The blog is a funny exploration of what it's like to live in Hanoi, from a culturally-savvy, educated view point. --VKLJ
Best Humorous Blog: ThirstyThong While certainly not all fun and games, this blog definitely has me spraying coffee most frequently. I heart Bilo (sorry Tuan!) :) --Dreaming of Hanoi
Some very unique viewpoints, and that's putting it very mildly. Check out this dude Bilo: he funny funny! --The Blues Cellar
Blogging is an art. I have never promoted any other blog before other than this shitty one you're reading now. It's probably because I've never found a blog that's worth promoting here... not that I am picky or a blog connosseiur at all, but I just have never been engaged by anybody else's blog except for the one that you'll find here.--Rising Above the Phantasms of a Geek
I was reading Pao's blog and was instantly curious about this certain blog he (the first ever) promoted. Knowing how vain this guy is (LOL he won't even promote mine) he made me feel that your blog is definitely a must-read. And it is! Nice blog, Thong! Here's to worthy content! --Real Life Online
thirstythong: not exactly NSFW --VA to VN
I too thoroughly enjoy the blog, and I will be happy to help Bilo out with his English, I am a teacher after all -- but in return he can overlook the odd liter at the gas pump, ok? --It's the final word in Saigon
Anytime Bilo. Anytime... --Jessica AlbaCái gì cơ
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Got a Vietlicious joke, an idea for a post we should work on, want to guest-post, ôm ấp Bilo: thirstythong@gmail.com
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I’ve linked to your blog and wonder if you’d be interested in linking back.
thanks.
Aimee
It was good meeting you at Studio and thanks for stopping the boys from watching “prawns” at my apartment! G’luck in livelier but naughtier Saigon. Stay in touch.
Dear “ThirstyThongs” authors,
My name is John Wilpers. I am the Global Blog Coordinator for GlobalPost, a new international news organization set to launch on Jan. 12 (see https://www.globalpost.com).
My job is to build a list of blogs that will appear on GlobalPost where we will have approximately 65 correspondents in some 46 countries. We are looking for enlightening, informative posts from bloggers writing (in English) in those countries.
I am pleased to extend an invitation to you to have the most recent post of “Thirsty Thongs” included on the Vietman page of GlobalPost.com as part of our “Global Blogs” service. You were recommended by the “VA to VN” blogger as he left the country.
After reviewing thousands of blogs worldwide, we have found “Thirsty Thongs” to be one that is thought provoking and gives readers your unique perspective on what life is really like in Vietnam.
The way it would work if you accept our invitation is that we would use your RSS feed to place your most recent post on your personal page on GlobalPost.com. We would point back to your actual blog for comments and for archives, hopefully driving lots of traffic to your site. Each time you write a new post, it would replace the older one so only one post would appear on GlobalPost.com.
By appearing on Global Post’s exciting new international news website, your words, viewpoints, and pictures would gain worldwide exposure. Your posts would not only appear instantly on globalpost.com but also possibly on the sites of our partners, including the Huffington Post (7.8 million U.S. and 9.7 million global monthly unique visitors) and other news and information websites.
You don’t need to do anything differently. We do request that you consider pointing back to us from your blog (we will send out logos shortly for your consideration).
You should know that we have a few guidelines that we observe here at Global Post:
1) We do not publish racist, sexist, or misogynist comments (unless those comments are the subject of the post).
2) We do not publish obscene language or photos. While we recognize that obscenity can be difficult to define, we know it when we see it and we will let you know if we think you have crossed our line.
3) We do not permit plagiarism. Any work taken from another source must be attributed to that source.
4) We do not publish libelous or slanderous language.
5) We do not tolerate repeated errors of fact or misrepresentations of facts or quotes.
6) We do not publish work inciting violence.
Failure to observe these guidelines would result in the removal of your blog from GlobalPost. We would contact you, of course, to discuss the post in question.
Because we have a broad multicultural audience holding every conceivable political and religious viewpoint, we want to respect their views while also possibly challenging them. We will host controversial work. We will encourage robust debate of the hottest topics. We will not stifle discussion, only abuse of people, belief systems, and laws.
We hope these guidelines are acceptable to you.
I look forward getting your permission to put your RSS feed on our site. Please reply to: jwilpers@globalpost.com. Thank you!
Sincerely,
John Wilpers
PS If you choose to accept our invitation and would like a photo and a short biography to appear on GlobalPost, please send both to me with your confirmation e-mail or at some time shortly thereafter.
JOHN WILPERS
Global Blog Coordinator
The Pilot House
Lewis Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
617-688-0137
jwilpers@globalpost.com