Five Asia Travel Stories About Vietnam Thailand Peru and Love

In late 2024, I was riding a motorcycle down a city street with a girl I was dating at the time named La. It was already dark, but not particularly late, maybe 7:30 or 8:00 p.m., when I rounded a corner and happened upon a situation ahead. The traffic in Vietnam is bad on any day, but a couple of hundred meters ahead, I saw a particular bottleneck as the hordes of bikes and cars had slowed down to almost a stop. As I got closer, I realized a crowd had formed and they were watching something.

When I reached the crowd, I saw something that horrified me. Outside one of the local street bars, I saw four scruffy-looking young Vietnamese men, the type you may know from anywhere in Southeast Asia with military haircuts, sleeve tattoos, fake Gucci clothing, and obnoxious attitudes. On the ground, I saw a young girl who looked no older than 19, unconscious while being brutally beaten and kicked by the four men. They were absolutely hammering her.

A crowd of passersby had gathered. Some were watching, some had taken out their smartphones to film. Some were even entertained by the spectacle happening in front of them. But not a single one stopped or tried to help the poor girl.

I was horrified. I’m a decent-sized guy, and I knew I could have taken these four cowards. Each of them was only about 5’1″ and 120 pounds on a good day. I stopped the bike to intervene before La suddenly stopped me.

The Crowd Would Turn on a Foreigner

“Don’t do it,” she said. “The entire crowd will turn on you and you’ll go to jail.”

And sadly, La was right. This fiercely tribal society will stand by amused as a young girl, who could have been their sister, daughter, or girlfriend, gets brutally beaten by a gang of low-life animals. But the moment a foreigner steps in to intervene, the entire crowd will turn on you for attacking a local. As such, I rolled on, furiously dismayed by the state of humanity.

Life is so cheap in this country and in many countries in this region. I’ve even heard reports of truck drivers hitting motorcyclists and going back to run over them again in order to pay a one-off penalty to the deceased family rather than support a crippled person financially for life. As a Westerner, I will never get my head around it. It’s truly the wild west out here.

My advice to anyone listening is avoid any confrontations with locals, even when morally justified and in situations that shock, offend, or horrify any sane person. Some of these people simply have no morals. And as a foreigner, you will always be found to blame. Keep safe out there.

Story 2 A Thai Bar Girl’s Perspective

I am a Thai lady.

I was born in northeast Thailand. My husband was in the military when we met in 1971. We too had met in a bar. He was 21 years of age. He had spent a year in Vietnam, then he was sent to Thailand. Just a little about him, he has never really had any friends. He still keeps to himself, rarely talks to his family, and still has no friends.

Let me get back to my story. We had met in a bar. He looked worried and lonely. So, I went over to talk to him, and I asked him to go home with me, which he did. Two days later, he moved into my room, and we started living together. In December of 1972, our first child was born, but he went back to the USA. I didn’t know if I would ever see or hear from him again.

But in January 1973, he returned for another 6 months. Somehow, he found me and asked me to marry him, which I did. He still had no friends and still looked sad. In 1973, he brought me to the USA. We had two more children. But that’s not the story I want to tell you.

The Man I Married Has Two Sides

The man I married has two sides. One side, he cares and supports his family, even his brother and sister, whenever they need anything, even though they never talk or come to see him. The other side is the dark side, the one where he cheats on me and talks with other women online. But he has never allowed our family to go without food, housing, or care. I’m sure that he loves me and our children, but he’s always looking for something else, for he’s never happy.

But this man never lets me forget where I came from and allows me to visit Thailand whenever I want. But I can’t trust him. I think that’s because of his loneliness. This is the only way in which he thinks he can find friends.

We have been together now for almost 54 years. He still treats me as a stranger and does not bother his children or me unless we start the conversation. I feel sorry for him. There is so much love in his heart. But he has never allowed anyone to come close. Even after all these years, I still don’t really know him. But this I do know, he will give to anyone who asks.

I have asked him about how he grew up. But he is very vague about anything. And when he does answer, there is not a lot of information given.

The Story of a Thai Bar Girl

But this is the story of a Thai bar girl who married an American and became a US citizen. I never expected to ever go anywhere but to a rice field when I got older. But this man, even with all his faults, still takes care of me. So, not all bar girls take advantage of men. Sometimes the man takes advantage of the bar girl.

Story 3 The 81-Year-Old Bangkok Surprise

About 2 years ago, I decided it was time for one last big life adventure. Something different, maybe even a little romantic. My grandkids are always saying, ‘What will crazy granddad do next?’ So, I thought, how about a trip to Thailand?

My name is Paul and I’m 81 years old. I’d been browsing Thai Cupid for a while and had been chatting with a few women who caught my attention. I reached out to about five ladies, but eventually narrowed it down to two. The woman I was most interested in was named Chup and she lived in Bangkok.

We all search for our own happiness, or sometimes our own heartbreak, depending on which voice we follow. That’s just how I see it.

Anyway, the flight over to Thailand turned into a bit of an adventure on its own. Let’s just say the bathroom situation on the plane nearly became an international incident. I sat down to take care of business, and when I hit the flush button, the suction nearly pulled me straight through the seat. I mentioned this as a friendly warning to other older gents. Be careful in those airplane loos.

Meeting Chup in Bangkok

After what felt like forever in the air, I finally landed in Bangkok. Once I checked in, I sent a message to Chup to let her know I had arrived. She replied quickly and told me she was both excited and surprised that I actually came. A little later, she revealed something that caught me off guard. She admitted she wasn’t actually 48 as listed on her profile, but was quite a bit younger. She asked if I minded.

I won’t lie, I felt a bit let down, but I decided to go with the flow. In a message she sent me, she wrote, “Love never judges. Love only feels blindly with pure heart and soul.” That line stuck with me.

She was pleased I didn’t make a fuss, and she said she wanted to come over to meet me immediately. I gave her my room number and told the front desk to expect a visitor. I was exhausted from the journey and had dimmed the lights in the room. Chup had promised to help me unwind. I figured I’d get some rest before attempting any serious aerobics, if you know what I mean.

The Morning After

When Chup arrived, I gave her a hug and asked her playfully, “Where’s that back rub you promised me?” She smiled and went straight to work on my shoulders. I remember thinking how young she looked, but I told myself I was probably just tired and seeing things. As she spoke, I drifted off into one of the deepest sleeps I’ve ever had in years.

When I woke up, I noticed I was dressed in a fresh pair of boxers. Chup had apparently helped me change while I was out cold. She was asleep in the bed next to me. I had a good 5 hours of rest, and by morning I was fully recharged and feeling great. She started being affectionate, kissing my neck and being very sweet. I thought I’d surprise her with a playful gesture and reached out affectionately.

Let’s just say what I discovered was not what I expected.

I got a bit of a shock. I excused myself to the bathroom immediately, my mind racing. She followed and stood at the door, clearly upset and emotional, saying things that were mostly quotes I had sent her about love and acceptance.

Now, imagine ordering pancakes and lifting the lid to find a breakfast burrito. You’d be confused, right? That was my moment.

I’ll admit, I said a few choice words, not out of anger, just pure surprise. I told Chup, or Andy, or whatever your name is, that I needed a moment to gather myself in the bathroom. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.

Choosing to Laugh Instead

Then something strange happened. I started thinking about the 1960s when I was a young man in San Francisco during the Summer of Love. Back then, love was about freedom and expression. We didn’t put limits on what love was or supposed to look like. Maybe in a strange way, this was history repeating itself.

I stepped out of the bathroom feeling 60 years younger. I kissed Chup on the neck, smiled, and said, “You sure you can handle this?”

Story 4 The Spanish Woman in Peru

I want to tell you about Ricardo.

Meeting Ricardo in Lima

I met Ricardo last year. I had to go to the Spanish embassy in Lima, and I booked a hotel in the Barranco district. It is also well known for its nightlife, but I am not a night person and I do not go to bars. I was only interested in the beach.

I arrived at my hotel, and the receptionist was just stunning. I should clarify at this point that I am 50 years old and only attracted to men my age or a bit older. The receptionist’s name was Ricardo. He welcomed me and said, “Today is my birthday. I am 65.” He offered me some candy. There were some birthday cards on the reception desk, so I assumed it was true. The candy was clearly an excuse to start a conversation.

He asked me if I was a tourist. I said no, I was going to the Spanish embassy to deal with paperwork. His eyes lit up, and I realized he was intrigued by the idea that I was from Spain. He proceeded to ask where my husband was. I explained that I am divorced, which is true, and that I travel alone. He then told me he is separated from his wife, though still legally married.

I was attracted to him, so I agreed to meet him for a vending machine coffee at reception at 10 p.m. since he was working the night shift.

Ricardo’s Red Flags

It turned out Ricardo was well educated and comes from a middle-class family. He is also a part-time singer. But soon red flags started to appear, though not the ones people usually expect. This is where my story may seem a little different.

He told me that he descends from one of the first families of Spanish missionaries in Peru. My concern began when Ricardo started expressing some highly offensive and intolerant views. He referred to the ladies of Peru, natives, in a very disrespectful way and made inappropriate comments about different ethnic and religious groups. I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. He even went so far as to suggest that pre-Hispanic archaeological sites should be removed because they do not align with his cultural beliefs.

I was absolutely speechless and deeply uncomfortable with the level of intolerance he expressed.

He went on to talk about his appearance, saying he is handsome because of his Spanish ancestry, and mentioned that he used to be a nude model for the fine arts academy in Lima. He is indeed good-looking, and I believe his story about being a model, partly because he has a skin condition which gives him a very unique look.

Anyway, we are still in contact. He recently came to visit me again while I was staying in Surco because I had more paperwork to handle. He keeps insisting that we should have a romantic relationship, but I just can’t bring myself to be intimate with someone who holds such hateful views. He is not like other men who are just after money or a visa. What he seems to want is status, marrying a Spaniard for the sake of appearances.

Dishonesty in Surquillo

A few days ago, he gave me a tour of the Surquillo district and said, “When we get married, we can rent an apartment here.” I reminded him that he had told me he was separated but still married. He responded, “No, I’ve been divorced for 11 years.” So not only is he biased, he is also dishonest.

Why I Still Talk to Ricardo

You might ask why I still talk to him. The truth is, I’m fascinated by human nature. I like to observe people. I simply can’t help myself.

Story 5 The American Who Found Love

I’m an American. My name is Fred. I’m choosing to begin my story in 2018 as that is the year I decided to move to Thailand.

I had actually been planning to only visit Thailand on a holiday with my brother and his wife. We were planning to stay for only a month, but due to various stressful circumstances in my life, I decided I would try to start over in the Land of Smiles.

I was 32 years old, a student living and working in Orange County, California. Although Southern California is a beautiful place, I was struggling to make ends meet due to my awful salary and the extremely high cost of living. To make matters worse, I had just gone through a terrible breakup with my long-term girlfriend. I was reaching my breaking point. I needed something to change.

I was graduating from university in May of that year. One night, over some beers, I made a split-second decision to live and teach in Thailand. I was so tired of being broke all the time, I figured I’d rather see the world as a broke traveler than stay in my depressing apartment working in a job I hated. Plus, with my new degree, I wanted to take a chance teaching in Thailand.

I graduated May 19th, and by May 27th, we were flying to Singapore. The itinerary I created for the three of us had us landing in Singapore and backpacking up through Malaysia to Thailand.

The Bus That Saved Their Lives

One experience I feel is worth mentioning. The morning we were scheduled to take a bus from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, we were running late. The bus I had planned for us to take was leaving at 12:15 p.m., and it was already 11 50 when we arrived at the station. My brother’s wife said she didn’t want to rush and that we should take the 12 45 bus instead. We argued a bit, but in the end, I reluctantly agreed.

It was about an hour into the journey when we realized how lucky we were. The 12:15 bus had a major collision with a huge lorry. Online, they reported three dead and around 20 seriously injured. My brother’s wife was so adamant about taking the later bus, I have no doubt it was her intention that saved us that day.

Arriving in Thailand and Feeling Lonely

We arrived in Phuket and did the normal tourist things. I booked a resort for my brother and his wife as a surprise. They had an excellent time, but I was feeling a bit lonely being around them and all the other couples. I went out to a couple of bars, but because of my research, I was a bit overly cautious. In the end, I decided to try dating in our next destination, Bangkok, as I wasn’t really looking for a one-night stand, but rather someone to show me around the local areas instead of the tourist traps.

I decided to use dating apps to get more of a local perspective. I put on my dating profile that I wasn’t looking for aerobics and that my motivation was to discover local Thai food, history, and music. I was shocked at how many women wrote to me online initiating a meetup. I’m from America where you can send out 100 messages and maybe get a few generic responses. But in Thailand, it’s a whole different world.

Meeting Nang

I only used the app for 2 days before I connected with Nang. She was 31. She was gorgeous, but the thing that got me really interested was her sense of humor. She had me cracking up every time we chatted online. Needless to say, her English was excellent.

After five days of chatting, I asked her to meet up for lunch or dinner. Instead of answering with a yes or no, Nang just decided to change the subject. I felt a bit let down because I was going to be heading to Chiang Mai in 2 days for a week. I told her I would message her every day. She laughed and teased me, saying I was only going there to visit my wife. Her beauty, sense of humor, and quick wit had me thinking about her every day.

Chiang Mai Adventures

Chiang Mai was great. We were there during the 2018 World Cup, so being a football fanatic, it was pretty much heaven on earth for me. Nang and I would message throughout the days and nights while I was discovering one of the most magnificent cities I’d ever been to. The temples and nature alone are worth a trip. The people in the north were so warm and inviting.

One night, I got drunk with three old men I saw gambling in front of a shophouse. They tried to direct me to a bar, but I told them I wanted what they were drinking. They were quick to offer me a seat. The television was tuned into a Thai boxing fight. The upcoming fight was between a Frenchman and a Thai. The old men began shouting at me, saying I had to bet on the foreigner. I told them I don’t bet, but they didn’t care. So I figured, okay, when in Rome.

Sure enough, the poor Thai fighter was on the canvas in no time. The old men started yelling at the TV angrily as they all started pushing their money towards me. I told them it was just for fun and I couldn’t take their money as they were already giving me free alcohol. That didn’t matter to them. They seemed thrilled to have me as a guest.

As I started walking back to my room, one of the old men, a tuk-tuk driver, yelled at me to get in. He drove me to my Airbnb and again refused to accept any money. His smile was so kind and genuine. I can’t help but smile thinking back on that reckless night.

The First Date

I was having an excellent time in Chiang Mai, but was counting the days until we’d be flying back to Bangkok. I decided to be more direct with Nang. I called her while she was on a break at work. I told her I wanted to see her as soon as I landed and that we had been talking for almost 3 weeks and it was time for a face-to-face meeting. She just replied, “Okay.” I was beyond excited.

As our plane approached Don Mueang Airport, I rushed us to our new Airbnb in the Bang Na area. I was getting ready for my date with Nang when I was hit with a flood of doubt. My confidence had taken a beating over the past few years. A part of me felt like maybe this experience would end in me being disappointed or Nang not liking me. I took a few deep breaths and told myself that this was my new life and I wasn’t going to be the sad guy sitting at home feeling sorry anymore.

I was on a motorbike to the BTS to meet Nang at the Ekkamai BTS station. As the wind poured through my hair, my doubts seemed to be quickly disappearing.

I had already made up my mind that if she wasn’t as beautiful as she was in her pictures online, I wouldn’t feel let down. I would just try to enjoy the experience. As I walked through the crowd, I saw her. She was looking out across the city. I was shocked. If I’m being honest, my first emotion was fear. I knew from the moment I saw her, I wasn’t going to be able to just say goodbye. She was far more beautiful in person than her photographs.

Seeing Nang in Person

Nang turned and recognized me with a big Thai smile and said, “Hello.” I just looked at her with a dumb grin. I couldn’t seem to put my words together for several minutes. We just sat, looked at each other, and giggled like teenagers.

We must have walked 10 kilometers. It was starting to get dark, and Nang suggested we eat. When we ate dinner, she insisted that she pay. In the end, we agreed to split the bill.

Midnight in Bangkok

Before I had a chance to blink, it was midnight. It was obvious that both of us didn’t want the night to end. Being a good girl, Nang suggested we meet the following day. I was relieved that the interest wasn’t only on my side. We said our goodbyes, and it was then I kissed her. Luckily for me, she went along with it.

Moving in Together

By this time, we had a little over a week left on our 30-day tourist visas. I knew I would be extending to 60 days, but I needed to sort out where I would be staying. I had saved up $5,000 and had booked an English TEFL teaching course in Koh Samui. The problem was that my course wasn’t going to start until September. This meant my money had to stretch four months minimum, provided I would get a teaching job as soon as I completed the course.

After I explained this to Nang, she offered to let me stay at her condo as long as we didn’t sleep together. I told her I was happy to accept that offer. Nang was surprised that I agreed to take things slow. Previous to coming to Thailand, my dating experiences had been quite unfulfilling. Nang was so interesting, kind, and beautiful. I had no interest in getting into anything until she was ready.

As the next months passed, I was living with Nang. I eventually said goodbye to my brother and his wife. Just like that, it was just me in Thailand, and the only person I knew here was Nang.

The Complexities of Dating a Thai Woman

I could write a series of books on the complexities of dating a Thai woman, but I would just say Thai women are so different from Western women. It’s almost like dating a third gender. Nang took care of me like I was royalty. That being said, like many beautiful women here, Nang had an explosive temper. We had our share of arguments and issues with jealousy, but in the end, we worked through it all.

I was happier than I had ever been in my life. And although I told Nang this daily, she still assumed I would just find someone more beautiful than her. Aware that this kind of jealousy is a dealbreaker for many men, I communicated that if she was too jealous, it would have a negative effect on our relationship. Nang listened, and she slowly was able to trust me.

The Teaching Job

September came, and my teaching course began. To my surprise, I had a job offer at a private school in Bangkok on the first week of the 4-week course. The job paid more than I expected, 40,000 baht to start. By the time my course finished, my money was dwindling down. Looking back, I have nothing but gratitude for all the things that went right. In addition to the decent salary, they also would manage all the complications of obtaining a work permit and reimburse me for all my visa costs.

I was riding high. Nang was helping me with money, and now I was just happy to return the favor.

The Proposal

In February of 2019, 8 months into our relationship, I asked Nang to meet me after work to get dinner near the Ekkamai BTS station. As we stepped off the train, I walked to the edge of the platform. She began wondering what I was doing, but figured I was just trying to get a nice picture of the beautiful Bangkok skyline like I always do.

As she walked towards me, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. There were people all around us trying to act like they didn’t see what just happened. Nang’s eyes began to flood as she responded, “Yes.”

I know it may seem foolish to propose after only 8 months of dating, but I just knew. Our relationship is far from perfect, but we’ve both matured and grown well together.