My BF lives in HCMC, and tells me that Hanoi "No like Gay"

As a result of his comment, 2 things occur to me:

1. It may just be a parochial thing and he simply prefers HCMC
2. This 3 word ungrammatical statement comes after 5 years studying English at my expense =))

But he may be right - and whilst you are unlikely to come across any prejudice when you're frequenting sex establishments, it might be a different matter socially.

I have to say I have never encountered any adverse looks or detected any distaste when we go out In HCMC to restaurants, cinema, bowling, nightclubs, or even beer or sports bars - and it must be quite obvious what our relationship is (why would a handsome 23yo Viet boy be hanging around some repulsive old cunt more that double his age). We never go to any specifically Gay venues - there's no need to as all the "str8" places are completely mixed