I lost over 20 lbs in less than three weeks when I traveled to Vietnam in late 2005. I lost 20 lbs again during my trip last year. I attribute my weight loss to difference in the foods I was eating and the lifestyle I was living in Vietnam. I believe I ate more while there, but a gallon of Vietnamese pho has less fat than a McDonald's cheeseburger. The typical house in Vietnam has several flights of stairs, and I could have done 1,000 stair steps a day by just roaming through the house. I think that I might be onto something here, and I have a multi-part question for you to answer: 1) If you've been to Vietnam, did you lose weight when you were there? 2) How much weight did you lose? 3) What do you think was the reason for the weight loss? 4) Do you think that Vietnam could enter the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry with proper management and marketing? Enquiring minds with fat bodies want to know! There are several great answers that makes it difficult for me to decided which is the best one. This is going to the public for voting. Rick M and Dwight - I think we should team up and form a new weight loss company. I think there could be a multi-million dollar idea between Dwight's "how to" books, Rick's fat farm outside of Saigon and my stair stepping classes in Saigon!
Other - Vietnam - 12 Answers
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1 :
I like your question. I also lose weight when we visit Vietnam and I hope I can lose some again when we visit there again in 27 days. I lost only 10 pounds with staying there a month. Yes it is all the good food that is good for you to eat. If I would not drink so much of the cheap beer I would probably lose more. cheers.
2 :
Easy, the climates in Vietnam are much different than the US. When it's hot, you don't eat a lot but drink more water to prevent dehydrate. Where as when it's cold, your body needs more fat to keep it warm therefore you eat more. Also, in Vietnam people eat healthier food such as vegetables, fish, fruits and other fresh food. The food in Vietnam is much lighter and less saturated fat. Here in the US, saturated fat are butter, lard, coconut oil, dairy products (especially cream and cheese), meat, and some prepared foods. Vietnamese walk almost everywhere they go. That also contributes to their work out without a high price tag for exercise equipments that people don't use. If people in this country do the same as most Asian people do, we wouldn't have anyone weight over 160 pounds. No need to pay for a gym membership either.
3 :
Hi, I've been to Vietnam 5 times recently and 1 time years ago. I lost 40 pounds the first time - '67/'68. On the recent trips I've lost about 10 pounds each time. It's exercise, change of diet and climate. This sounds like the basis for a good diet book! Let's see: "The Halong Bay Diet", "The Saigon Low Fat Diet", or "The Viet Vegan". I'm going to try the diet again this Oct. Maybe I'll keep a journal of what I eat. Cheers, Dwight Z. http://www.yourvietnamtourguide.com
4 :
Answer to your number question. Don't you know stress also contributes to your weight ?. Perhaps people in Vietnam are happy with what they have rather than worry about things they don't have. If you can teach people to think the way we think, this should be your marketing tool. Most Asian people don't try to impress their friends or neighbors with their material things. In fact it's the other way around.
5 :
Oh this is exciting, people rush to vietnam to lose weight, wow
6 :
this is really interesting!!
7 :
I was in Vietnam and I lost weight Yes, I lost 10lbs in one month Walking was the reason for the weight loss (I am sure) I think you are right in the 4th question
8 :
Could anyone attribute this weight loss to diarrhea from food poisoning? Remember though, at home, where you would normally have fully flavoured stock made from the largest, meanest beef bones; in Vietnam, their reply is... well... bones from anorexic cows in a soup that is heavily loaded with salt and MSG!!!
9 :
Unfortunately, No. I tend to eat very healthy meals in America, Fresh veggies, lots of chicken, some fish and the remainder either pork of beef. I also do not seem to possess a "sweet-tooth" In fact, my wife and daughter seem to gain weight because I always bring about twenty pounds of chocolate when I visit. lol. I am also approaching fifty so I think my metabolism is pretty much stable. I am also of Irish heritage, and I have been known to drink a few beers from time to time. As far as entering the weight loss industry, You have stolen my idea Dan. I figured I'd shanghai some tourists, charge them 10 or twenty bucks a day, and make them work on our farm as an exercise regiment. For a couple of dollars more, I'll give them a Mekong Mud Bath lol
10 :
I have only been to Vietnam a couple of times, and I didn't really lose weight there. The first time I went I flew out via Bangkok, and got really sick from something bad there, so I sure lost weight then. The next time I flew out via Brunei and had no problems at all. Both times I had lots and lots of bananas and other fruit, so couldn't really lose much weight at all.
11 :
Are you serious you lost weight? Whenever I go to Vietnam in the summer, I gain more weight. Like I eat pho every morning and sugarcane drinks like 3 times a day. All that seafood too! But yea then again, you can lose weight by going to the beaches and stuff. A lot of the vietnamese food is healthy and nothing like fast food. That's so great! GO AHEAD!!!!!!
12 :
Well, it's not a Vietnam answer, but... When I moved to Thailand a few years ago, my weight stayed about the same but my body improved tremendously! I was thin but not toned in the US probably from crap food. In Thailand I learned to eat veggies and fruit, walk everywhere and do stuff I would never do in the US--live 4 floors up, carry groceries everyday, play volleyball, sweat and drink a buttload of water. I now have abs, obliques, cut arms and quads, stuff I never thought I would have. Maybe I'm just a vain chick, but I love the compliments I get when I visit home about lean muscles. I've been visiting the US for 2 weeks now, and I feel like a tank, but I'll feel better when I get to Thailand and back to normal, lol! I still crave mac n cheez, though... I'm not sure about a multi billion dollar industry, but I sure think it can be pitched to some folks. Cool question.
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