In one online ad, a dating service promises to help men conquer three women within 90 days, or their money back.

A dating class in Ho Chi Minh City, Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Love Institute, based in Hanoi, has been drawing in singles with courses like “The art of flirting” and “Secrets about women that you don’t know.”

The idea is that urban life and modern work has gotten too busy for people to meet that special someone in natural settings. Cue dating services like the Love Institute and Ho Chi Minh City’s Success and Happiness Institute, which have been stepping up their advertising on social media, Groupon-like discount sites, and relationship forums.

One recent class in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap district saw a turnout of eight students, including a civil engineer, an IT technician, and a business administrator.

Founder and director Dao Hop Thinh, 25, taught the three-day course, with tips on self-improvement, as well as five steps to make a girl fall in love.

“Dating is like making a deal and the product is your own value,” Thinh said. “We will teach you how to be confident.”

The only woman, 26-year old bank clerk Kim Ngan, said in a round of introductions that she took the course out of curiosity. Tan said that after working for several years in finance, he wanted to learn “how to love.”

All the students nodded knowingly as Thinh explained that common pitfalls in the early stage of dating are impatience, imprudence, or incompatibility.

He then offered advice on how to break the ice and how to accept rejection.

Thinh told Tuoi Tre he bases the lessons on personal experience, as well as outside sources on relationships and psychology collected over three years.

In Hanoi, Nguyen Van Son said he uses similar references for his courses. The 25-year-old launched the enterprise under Info Pro, a consulting and training company. He said the monthly classes, held on Huynh Thuc Khang Street, are full.

“What I can promise is that you will understand more about women after this class,” he said.

The fee for a 3-day course is VND1.4 million (US$70) but it has been brought down to VND600,000 (US$30) for students and VND800,000 (US$40) for others.

The Success and Happiness Institute is also offering opening deals and online discounts for courses like “Conquering women” or “Nurturing love,” which normally cost VND950,000 (US$43).

Source: Tuoi Tre