One of these days you probably grow up, and then it's time for you to manage your own finance, and it would mean you gonna start worrying about dollars and sense, how to cushion bad situation and all.

Im gonna list down whatever I know so far. So basically there are a few types of Insurances:

Health, Life, Wealth Accumulation, Income Protection

Some terms are :
Premium - Your monthly/yearly fee to incept the policy
Premium Term - How long you wanna pay for
Maturity - When the policy reached its maximum purpose/potential
Annuity - Yearly payout

HEALTH 

This basically means Shield. Due to the expensive Healthcare cost, most of us are automatically enrolled into a state insurance Medishield through Medisave allocations. This money is a form of Forced Savings only to be utilize for Healthcare so why not make sure we get the best coverage in times of need. This is personal comfort with Hospital Ward you would like to be covered for.

LIFE

Life Insurances mainly focuses on the sum assured on TPD (Total Permanent Damage) or Death, it's about how much money to leave behind for who, and how much you think is enough. (number of years to support through grievance period x cost of monthly living). Then, there's a choice between Term Life Insurance (Just have insurance for whole life, high sum assured but no cash returns) or Whole Life Insurance (After certain years will have cash returns though most of time no profit).

I would choose Whole Life Insurance, because the premium I paid the cheapest is Aviva Whole Life Plan, the most comprehensive coverage value of money is Manulife Life Protect Plus.

Some people have multiple Life Insurances, it's called Laddering. This is a way to cover a larger sum of money in case of death while keeping the premium lower, or to "upgrade" sum assured by purchasing additional Life Insurance at different stages of life. Some policies have multipliers or Stages of Life bonus options. Whole Life could act also like a Savings Plan since you receive lump sum upon maturity.

WEALTH ACCUMULATION 

Then depending on your priority, whether you wanna accumulate wealth first or is income protection is more important,

For Wealth Accumulation, you have Endowments (savings plans) and Investment Link. There will be a lot of people to tell you do not mix Insurance with Investments. If you know other platforms, then do not go for ILP (Investment Linked Policies).

Endowments on other hand, is like a "Savings" plan, at the end, you probably cant combat inflation but you start having the savings habit. There are many kinds of savings be it for yourself, or for your younger generation. Usually you will need to pay for certain term and then when the policy matures there would be a lump sum given back to you. For this I have PruWealth and AIA Smart Flexi Rewards for this.

ILP would be like ProAchiever, where half of premium is for insurance half is for investment but they do it for you. This is for people like me who know nuts about Investment so a famous firm will do it for you. Usually the first few years your money is more for upkeep than to invest, and thus you will see results only in long run. There are however fixed premium term, but in a way no limit as to how long you want your money to roll, even after maturity. AIA Pro Achiever is an example for this. Of course, I have now been educated to alternative options such as Stashaway.

INCOME PROTECTION 

For Income Protection, then you gotta think lets say some bad luck falls upon you, how to get through it. So you think about disability income, hospitalization income, hospitalization payouts, accident payout and daily cash. Some policy only covers upon employment, some have waivers for unemployment, some are to cover freelancers, etc etc. For myself, I got the AIA Solitaire for Accident coverage to cover daily payouts upon hospitalization as that would be basically my income line. In case of an accident, my income is directly affected, so at least I can claim money for every hospitalization day, and also every week also have compensation. Post and Pre care is claimable too.

RETIREMENT 

For Retirement, there are also several ways you can go about it depending on what stage of life you are in. Payouts would be either Lump Sum or Annuity. Some would like to stretch the Premium Term while still in the workforce. Some would do a Single Premium so that they can right away get Annuity until certain age. Some people plan for retirement step by step like having Wealth Accumulation first until retirement then take up Single Premium.

OTHER INSURANCES

Then lastly is every other insurance for your assetss (car, house, travel, etc etc).

USEFUL LINKS to understand more, or just find your Insurance Agent friend :

Ultimate Insurance Guide
https://blog.seedly.sg/working-adults-key-insurance-policies-singapore/

For Whole Life Insurance
https://www.moneyline.sg/4-best-whole-life-insurance-plans-singapore/

For Hospitalization (Shield)
https://blog.moneysmart.sg/health-insurance/integrated-shield-comparison/

For Endowment
No perfect guide due to too many complicated variables

For Accident
https://blog.moneysmart.sg/personal-accident-insurance/best-personal-accident-insurance-singapore/

For Retirement
https://www.interestguru.sg/2019-in-depth-comparison-3-best-retirement-plans-in-singapore-with-high-income/

I did about 6 tours now in Vietnam. Most by students, they dont have structure and they dont have the opportunity to mingle with other prof guides. They were simply given a chance to show tourist around to improve their english. Most of them are very passionate but content wise are so so. Several historical points, food etymology, or which cultural influences were not explained. Very personal touch though, sharing what they do on everyday basis.

The food tour yst was about exploring Famous Local Eateries which many chefs and culinary experts have visited before.

"Summer" is a head chef of a fine dining and turned tour guide to introduce her favourite local eateries. She have since took few "Masterchefs" all over the world on her tour.

Very structured, well researched and well planned.

Each stop was introduced with :

1) Passion Story - History of the Eatery (how long, by who, why)
2) Etymology - Origin of food item (if applicable) and what it means
3) Essence - Comparison with variations of it at diff states or why this stands out
4) Technicality - How to eat it and whats the ingredients inside.
5) Etiquette - When to eat, usually paired with what food or drinks, what superstitions or beliefs

5 stops, 12 dishes of food,
Value for money, and quality commentary

A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON FOOD

Food is a staple of life, but also a collective compilation of culture. From the Hunting and Gathering days, we have evolved into a complex series of sub-cultures when we look into Methodology, Taste Blends, Etiquette, Festivity, and more. We will be looking into a specific topic of Food in terms of Culinary Experience.

Culinary Experience, refers to when the chef intentionally take the patron into a wholesome journey to present a certain message through medium of Food.

Functionalist

Culture is shaped from Culinary Experiences.

While most of the time, there are some universal standards and taste to food items, it is also an opportunity of Dysfunction, whereby a Chef creates seemingly contrasting flavours, or savouring a certain dish at unusual timings.

Conflict

Eventually, Food creates Power Play too. Inevitably, yardsticks, competitions, ratings and reviews emerge as means of giving uniformity and structure to food. Some Culinary Experiences takes you to the best form of Food Handling or Preparation Skill; eg de-toxic-fying Pufferfish, Sea Urchin, or preserving the beating heart of an Eel, or the Michelin Ratings. Conflict perspectives also looks at how Humans exerts dominance for Culinary Experiences such as eating worms, dogs or monkey.

Symbolic Interactionist

Food presented in a certain personal way is a form of self expression. It may be an act to document a certain event or a certain someone. With this, some form of Culinary Experience evolves taking nostalgic taste, forgotten recipe, or a chronological evolution of a certain cuisine.

Culinary Experiences

Casual Dining
Fine Dining
Royal Cuisines
Competitive Cooking
Speed Preparation
Theatrical Dining
Traditional Dining
A Journey through Time (one dish diff styles)
Contemporary - Fusion Culture
Contemporary - Plating and Presentation
Contemporary - Senses (dark, smell, taste, touch)
Molecular Innovation - Elemental
Futuristic - using chemicals to recreate dishes
Health Conscious

Day 1 Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, checked in hotel and went for a massage, then boarded a Cruise Dining of Asian Food, and a fusion of Traditional and Modern music entertainment. 


Day 2 saw me on a Walking Tour on District 1 mainly the must-see places and the French influence on Saigon; and a Motorcycle Tour to District 3, 5 and 10 for off the beaten track hidden gem such as a no name pho place of over 40 years heritage and their 8h slow boiled rich beef broth; ofcoz I gotta end it off with a Rooftop Bar with Live Band!


Day 3 - Arrived at the mesmerising city of Hoi An, loving the food, the lanterns, the ambience, pretty much everything around!


Day 4 Vietnam - My Son, Hoi An. Truly an amazing city if lanterns! Falling in love with this city and what a great way to spend Mid Autumn Night!


Day 5 - Vietnam, Ba Na Hills, Danang. Time flies, especially at Ba Na Hills, experiencing the Sun, the Rain and the Wind all in the short 5h span. Very well built Tourism Attraction with Insta Worthy shots all over and a very very very comfortable weather. Will be back!


Day 6 - Vietnam, Da Nang. The last day before the family vacation end. Today is a full day foodie experience. 2 food tours, one in the morning, exploring local eateries and a few historical sites, while the night focuses on popular food places which have been visited by chefs and culinary experts. Very interesting culture at some of the food places where they sell by per pax, no ordering needed because they only sell that particular food / set meal. Ended the day with a Han River Cruise with performance.


Day 7 - Great dining experience at Ancient Hue, where they plate food items for the Royalty in the past. Tasty food, more than wonderful service, and truly amazing skilful food art carving! Each decorative piece takes 40 - 70 mins to carve and thus its limited in quantity! Lucky me!


Day 8 - Vietnam - Hue. .

Today was a full day city tour with a Private Guide. Very informative rundown of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam from 1st to 13th Kings. In midst, there are sites and mausoleums of several kings to visit and to trace the Kings life or thinking. .

The citadel greeted us with massive walls surrounding the 520 Hectares fortress. This is indeed a witness to the power of the reign; and the confucianism beliefs presented on concretes and carvings. Detailed info found at: https://en.vietnamitasenmadrid.com/2011/07/hue-citadel-imperial-city.html .

Then we head to the tombs after a brief stop at Thien Mu Pagoda where Reverent Thích Quảng Đức burnt himself as an act of peaceful retaliation via a Dragonhead Boat along Perfume River.

So the tombs:

Gia Long was the first Nguyen king and one of Vietnam’s most significant historical figures. He reinforced Confucian values, moved the capital to Hue from Hanoi, began construction of Hue Citadel, and coined the country’s name: “Việt Nam”. .

Emperor Minh Mạng continued his father’s legacy, ruling a large empire, crushing rebellions, upholding Confucianism Values and Resisting Foreign Influences. He is reported to have 500 wives though no concrete evidence possible except that he fathered 142 children. .

Emperor Tự Đức had a strong affinity for art and poetry, a passion he channeled to craft his romantic, illustrious tomb. Tu Duc wanted his final resting place to blend harmoniously with nature. Sadly, out of 104 wives, he had no sons at all, thus left him no choice but to hand to his nephew as his successor. He is known to be the Filial King that we spend half of every month to take care of his ill mother.

Duc Duc’s dominion lasted for a mere three days before he was deposed and sentenced to death under suspicious circumstances. His small, humble tomb reflects his brief reign.

The tomb of Emperor Khải Định splits general opinion with its blend of Eastern and Western styles and thus we may admire the most elaborative and elegant tomb. He embraces French colonialism to the point that he raised 30% tax for the construction of his tomb.

Credit info also from https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/inside-guide-hue-tombs

Other than that, Ive learnt about Buu Tan (a mythical representation of emperor), Kieu - Palanquin - Royal Carriage, the Unicorn (Chinese Qi Lin lookalike, only the King's unicorn have 5 instead of 4 toes) and the 4 seasons of vietnam - Apricot, Lotus, Chrysanthemum, Willow. .

WHAT A DAY! I am also introduced to Tom Doling for his detailed archive of Vietnam History.


Day 9 - Vietnam, Hue. Today spent the first half of the day Cafe Hopping and the next half going on a Walk of Revolution of Hue.

Hue was under the Champa kingdom, and the 3rd king of 84yo decided to marry a 25yo princess, Huyen Tran of Tran Dynasty. Unfortunately, the king died and thus the princess was supposed to be cremated with the king. Being saved by his father Tran Anh Tong, Champa led a huge invasion against South Vietnam as a form of anger in 1308, and stayed in power until 1801 when Gia Long took over and named "Vietnam". 1832 Vietnam drove away and abolished the Champa Kingdom. .

Soon in 1858, Europeans came, ended Feudalism. The Portuguese created Vietnamese Language, while the French came for missionary to spread catholic. Then there are several other civil wars in between between North and South which caused the DMZ in 1955, until the Sacrificial Monk in 1963 saw the end of the conflict by assasinations. .

But the peace didnt last long until US officially attacked in 1965. In between, there is also the Tet Offensive incident 1978 and finally Reunification by Ho Chi Minh that ended the US-Viet war in 1975. The victory wasnt purely the efforts of Vietnamese but also internal conflicts, AWOL and Morality Struggles of the US within themselves. Many do not fully understand who are they fighting for. When it all seems finished, there are also 1979 Frontier war, where Cambodia and China attacked the North Vietnam. .

Through the 2 days of Hue, we kindda learnt that Vietnam from the start, was not as "powerful" as it seems for all the "won" battles, but rather because of their perseverance which eventually received generous help from external parties which eventually led Vietnam to be exhausted of all resources from all the conflicts. History is history, there are no rights and wrongs in war, just matter or perspectives; as we learn history, let us also think about our everyday battles. Who are we fighting for?

Day 10 - Vietnam, Danang. A very relaxed day, woke up with a shower so slept in, went to the Iconic "Lady Buddha" which is in our context Goddess of Mercy for the town used to be typhoon-riden until the construction of the statue. Then Cafe Hopping, before heading to Fivitel Hotel Afternoon Tea Break buffet. Went for Leg Bath, Facial and Head massage before the Nen Fine Dining Experience. Nen Restaurant - Vietnamese Contemporary Fine Dining - 8 Course Excursion Set with Palate Cleansers, Cocktail and Sparkling Water. Truly Extraordinary! A great way to end my Central Vietnam Journey, from Food Tours to Street Food to Fine Dining, having to taste a wide array of flavours from something staple to something special. Well done Summer Le, head chef of Nen! Came back to continue the massage with Full Body, Scrub, Cold & Hot Stone, and Leg Massage.