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It might even surpass your other Asian experiences. 
I roomed with an ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) lieutenant during a training course, and he taught me this song. I didn't even know it was a Twist until years later.
Later, on a few occasions when I was operating out in the jungle in Vietnam, I ran into some civilian woodcutters. They weren't supposed to be there (it was a free fire zone), but I'd stop my platoon and talk, and sing them the song. The Vietnamese would literally be rofl at my performance. Their reaction also telegraphed their sympathies, as the North Vietnamese and VC hated what was a patriotic song of South Vietnam. I don't know if I won any hearts and minds, but it was a pleasant, friendly contact and then we went on our way.
My only understanding of the lyrics was that it was a sweetheart back home singing to her South Vietnamese soldier about his love of his country, its mountains and jungles and seashore. And when she sings "Anh yeu em," it means "I love you."
In Vietnamese nightclubs in the U.S. 10-20 years ago, they'd put me onstage with the band to sing this song...again, with the same rofl reaction. What's up with that?
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one of his skits
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