Ao dai is a traditional Vietnamese dress that is worn daily by students, working women, and housewives who have social engagements to make. To me, it's one of the most sensuous, gracious outfits that i've ever known to wear to public.

The day we were visiting was also the day that high school students were having some kind of graduation ceremony. This presented a perfect photo opportunity - for ages I'd wanted to get a good photo of a Vietnamese girl wearing the traditional 'au dais' dress but don't like to make it obvious.

Today I heard the most unusual story, well maybe not that unusual, about a Western guy who really wanted a Vietnamese girlfriend. At first when I heard it, I thought the waiter was joking. Here is how the story goes. A couple days ago, this Western man, not sure about his age, brought a Vietnamese girl to the restaurant where I eat at a couple times a week. The waiter, who I have known for nearly two years now, was asked to translate for the man since he could not speak Vietnamese. The girl could not speak English as well.