Vietnamese prostitutes openly prowl Chinatown

Middle-aged Vietnamese women have replaced their Chinese counterparts
in offering sex to elderly men and retirees along Chinatown.

In recent times, the women from China have become a rare sight after
various raids and tough action against them. However, Vietnamese women
who look to be in their mid-to-late-40s have filled the gap.

These women, believed to be on social visit passes, scour the area
around Chinatown MRT station, stopping now and then to talk to elderly
men and retirees sitting around the area, reported The New Paper.

A hawker, who declined to be named, said, "These women are not so
young, so they openly target the retirees because maybe they are the
ones who are willing to pay."

Shin Min Daily News quoted a man saying, "She (a Vietnamese woman)
started chatting with me, then pulled me to a corner and asked me if I
was interested (in sex).

"She was bold and even quoted me her price," he added.

The women, however, dress discreetly in blouses and jeans instead of
revealing outfits to avoid unnecessary attention.

Another hawker, Tan, said, "They are here at all hours of the day,
chatting up the older men who hang around here and, if they are
willing, offer sexual services.

"Before, we had China girls here… now it looks like these Vietnamese
women are taking over.

"I think it's not good for the image of the place."

Another man, who runs a food stall at People's Park Centre, told TNP,
"I've noticed quite a few Vietnamese women hanging around during the
day time and even in the evening these last few months.

"They will sit around and chat up the men who congregate here."

According to one man, the going rates for these prostitutes average
S$100 per hour.

Another man said that the prostitutes are actually from the back lanes
of Geylang, where it is now over-populated by women from China,
Indonesia and Vietnam, all vying for the same customers. Thus, they
have to resort to operating in the open of Chinatown for money.

"They know it's dangerous and the risk of being arrested is high
because they're operating in the open, but in the end, it's all about
the money," he said.

Many prostitutes have moved away from Geylang in recent years, to
neighbourhoods such as Joo Chiat, Haig Road and Tanjong Katong.

In 2009, a total of 7,614 foreign women were arrested for suspected
vice-related activities, up from 5,047 the previous year

Source: Yahoo.com