Before I get on to today’s topic, I feel I am in need for some of your input. I have posts a number of blogs that addresses some very serious topics about the goings on in Vietnam. One reader that I respect the opinion of has asked that I delete or at least severely edit some of my posts about some of the not so pleasant things that go on here. In particular, the story of the offer of the young girl to me in the country side. https://owee58.com/?m=20100520 It is the reader’s opinion that there may be pedophiles out there that might find my blog and become interested in Vietnam as a destination because of my writing. I have another who has emailed me in the past couple of days commenting that my stories are
relevant and worth reading…… good and bad. What do you think? Should I not write about issues such as exploitation, abuse, and some of the seedier aspects of life here? Am I fueling the fire for predators to come here? Or…. Are my writings things that should be known? Darktree…. I would appreciate your opinion on this one. Am I going too far in telling the way it really is, or should I just keep these issues to myself? When I stand at the computer and hammer ut a story, I spend very little time thinking about the ramifications unless it involves the government….. Then I 
think twice. Please give my your input…. If I have crossed any lines in the majority’s opinion, I will edit or delete the posts in question.
Now on to some more light hearted issue. I received an email from the writer of another popular blog in Vietnam. ( http://vietnam720.com/travel-tips/ ). He has given me one of the biggest chuckles I have had for a while. He posted about
my bad spelling and terrible sentence structure, but also gave me a nice plug at
the same time. I would hazard the guess that he is an English teacher in Saigon. What he posted in his blog is absolutely correct. When I write my blogs I just go and go without a care for my English. When I started this blog, it was for my family and friends only and I decided whatever came out of my thoughts would go directly onto the blog. I must admit that as I get older there are things that seem to suffer and one of them is my spelling. Ben (Viet720) is absolutely correct! I do not read or correct mistakes when I write. I am so happily busy in my life that I just hammer out my thoughts and click publish. I have an auto spell checker that automatically corrects 
my spelling, but I have noticed in the past that it will insert totally different words, ah…. So much for technology. Ben also commented on my paragraph or sentence structure…. I cannot recall at the moment, but what a hoot!! I think I am going to like this fellow blogger. Shoots from the hip. When I write, I pay no attention to grammar or the proper rules of English. If I stretched my memory enough, I could probably remember the rules. I write exactly what
is on my mind, and I do not go back to edit it, moreover, I am so busy, I mostly do not even read what I have written…… just post!!
If you want excellent and detailed information on Vietnam, and especially the Saigon area, please visit Ben’s site ( link above) and please give me a break if his English is too good….. hehehe.
I will be going to Saigon in a few weeks and am looking forward to meeting him.
Well…. I was going to write about a little known place for tourists to have a good time here, but seem to have become side tracked. I guess will have to write on it tomorrow. I have a few words left before my self imposed limit so let me say this. You people are wonderful!! I have received some glowing reviews on the hotel and have made some very good friends through this blog. Perhaps I have said this before, but my faith in human nature is restored. My job in Canada ha totally destroyed it, but now my new life has totally restore it. It is truly a pleasure to meet and socialize with the people who show up at my doorstep. I am deeply humbled that some of you have seeked me out because of this blog, just to spend a day or even a few hours to chat. You are a part of what makes me happy and……… part of the adventure. Here are the missing pics from the trip to the old city yesterday…… well…….. here they are.
Yes, the VN’ese Govt. has it’s laws and policies to deal with pedophiles, of course. Ask Gary. I can’t help but consider it is also perhaps the Gov’t that is responsible for the conditions that find the poor and poorest of Vietnam having to resort to selling their little girls and boys as a source of income, survival.
I’m not sure what the answer is. Hash about it on blogs? Support and contribute to an organization that actively and effectively pursues these sorry, sick men?
I know Owen was deeply affected by his chance encounter in the countryside. Everytime we pass by or near ‘the spot’ he minds me of it and pained a expression comes over his face. Talking stops for a minute or so.
Drifter you express valid points for sure. The “rare story” isn’t that rare, however, especially in the last couple of decades, say. We seem to hear more and more about this tragic issue. Could it have been the media that has contributed to a “stream” of pedifiles to Asia in the first place? While their intention was global awareness of a seemingly growing problem. The irony..
I’m a firm believer in free speech but it seems to me with the size of the readership of Owen’s and other’s blogs, there comes with it an inherent level of responsibility. Yes, “They” do know all the tricks; scan blogs, keep in touch with each other, pass along information. I believe it is getting tougher for them therefore anonymity is sought. As much as possible and a ride out to the countryside might fit that bill. You know, in a hut out in the woods for a bit….? I had assumed anyone with even a modicum of interest in the world they live in would have long before now become aware of this issue.
Last night at John’s place, over a few Saigon Specials, I couldn’t help but be taken aback when Owen informed me he was unaware, until relatively recently, of the extent of pedophilia in Vietnam. I could scarcely believe it.
I’m going to submit this now in case the power goes out.
PS to the grammar police 🙂
Don’t worry about the spelling, grammar whatever. It’s a BLOG! If people want professionally edited material they can buy a Lonely Planet guide (they’re good, btw). But that’s not what blogs are for; blogs are personal, individualized ways to share your thoughts with the world. However you feel like doing it. If someone doesn’t like your style, they can click their mouse ….
I think Dave hit the nail on the head. Any sicko out there already knows exactly where to find victims, because his internet buddies already told him (or her, although it’s rarer for sexual predators of any slant to be female). Instead of writing to you to censor a blog about it, perhaps your critic could spend the time writing a cheque to an organization that works on child poverty or childrens’ rights.
http://www.unicef.org/
http://plan-international.org/
Maybe hilighting the work of such groups in Vietnam would make a good blog!
2 things
1) There will always be preditors in the world. Nothing you can do or say will ever stop that. Life everwhere contains both the best and worst of us and I am sure you will teach nothing new to any pedofiles out there that they don’t already know. You should continue to speak as you feel.
2) to Ben (Viet720) – It is a sign of a closed mind that cannot think of more than one way to spell a word.
Owen, people do take into account that English is your second language…..after Canadian….eh!
I do believe the Vietnamese government has policies in place to deal with pedophiles and the rare story will not bring a stream of them to the countryside. There are plenty of easier avenues for them to persue that. As for the bad grammar…….ooops sorry ’bout dat! Don’t go all anal on us Owen just keep up the good work show the people the real goods.
Dear Owen,
1) Keep writing whatever you like. This is the charm of your site.
2) While there’ll be preys, hopefully there’ll equally be good people who, throught Owee58, know where to extend help.
3) I’m not an English teacher but ‘spell check’ save me 🙂
4) Thank you for your plug too.
5) Looking forward to meeting Mr Messy 😀
As a regular reader of your stories i find them very interesting.The Pedophile story i found disturbing,probably cos its dealing with a very unpleasant issue.In some ways i am glad you highlighted the issue,the other way it troubled my mind for a while.All i could think was,”I never did like Gary Glitter,now i know why”.Bye Mate
Some peoples don’t like to face a sad reality, especially in a poor country like VN without social welfare. I would just blame the corrupt government.
I had been ready your blogs each day and not always agreed with you! but it is enjoying to read your experience. I hope you keep up with it as i am addicted to your blogs.