Relocating to Vietnam ?

[smo]

2 hours ago, ballpoint said:

The infrastructure is far poorer than Thailand, and these days many Thai provincial cities are better equipped for "western living" than even HCMC is. 

Cases in point:

 

1) Last year - or the year before can't remember - VN celebrated the opening of (drum rolls please) its very 1st, bona-fide 7/11 store in HCMC. A news clip showing the first few moments was hilarious: customers and staff alike run around like chicken with their head cut off, someone had to shout out traffic direction at the soda fountain! Recently I happened upon a travlog on youtube done by a VNmese young man crossing the border from Laos into the metropolis of Mukdahan. After visiting the fruit market that sell "fruits so big and so cheap," then walking down the "big boulevard, wow, there are so many cars," next to the local wet market where his group was able to taste some Vnmese dishes, he then proceeded to take the viewer to one of the trip highlights: a visit to a 7/11 store - where "things are clean, of good quality, you don't have to haggle over price and there's air-conditioning!"

 

2) To those been spoiled by the abundance of spacious, well-maintained public bathrooms available in every nook and corner of Thailand, beware of the landmines that await you under similar circumstances in VN - that is if you can find one. You can thank me later for the heads-up.

[sanemax]

5 hours ago, Spidey said:

Saigon is a very cosmopolitan city. There you go a photo of a cosmopolitan friend in Saigon.

 

Her one red big painted  toenail looks very appealing , as my papa always said to me " You can tell what kind of Woman She is , by her big toenail" 

[sanemax]

3 hours ago, smo said:

The hat and pouty lips remind me of Maria Schneider (gone too soon...) in "Last Tango in Paris."  A second career as fashion photographer or a portraiturist awaits (if it wasn't your first already.) Basically the ability to evoke beauty from just a few essentials (white skin, red lips, hat strategically adorned...) Something a man can hang up in his living room and fantasize - without invoking the wife's wrath...

 

 

Yes, the Lady in my photo was very adorable and as I was standing across the road , She needed to bend down to adjust her shoes with her legs at 90 degrees akimbo  , revealing her white underwear and her sunglasses attached to her dress pulling it down very much and not leaving much to the imagination , had I been some pervy kind of guy , I would have taken a photo and posted it on here , as I am not a pervy kind of guy and consider myself to be a respectable gentleman , I will not post those photos on here    

[Marcous]

I was in Hanoi last month and found the humidity really stifling. Though it was cooler than Chiang Mai, walking anywhere I would have to wash my clothes when I got back to my hotel.

The ground stayed wet for 2 days even though there was no rain.

Right now in Hanoi the humidity is 99%.

[dotpoom]

"With the Thailand visa regulation clampdowns"

  Above is the opening words of the OP...and I ask..."What clampdowns"? Nothing has changed for me, am doing the same thing that I was doing 18 yrs. ago.

  Proof of income method is the only change I read about?

 PS...Appoligies if you are referring to visas of a different nature. I had the "extention of stay" on my mind. I didn't read the full length of the post.

[BritManToo]

46 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

"With the Thailand visa regulation clampdowns"

  Above is the opening words of the OP...and I ask..."What clampdowns"? Nothing has changed for me, am doing the same thing that I was doing 18 yrs. ago.

  Proof of income method is the only change I read about?

 PS...Appoligies if you are referring to visas of a different nature. I had the "extention of stay" on my mind. I didn't read the full length of the post.

What he meant ........

 

"With many corrupt immigration officers denying legal extension applications within Thailand, and illegally denying entry to foreigners at several land/air entry points"

 

I gave up on extensions in Thailand 4 years back when I couldn't even get an appointment to see immigration for a marriage extension without paying an agent.

Now you've got an assortment of corrupt officers denying applications for assorted bogus reasons.

Lately they've started questioning the source of your 400k bank deposit for marriage extension applicants, even though there is no mentions of source of funding in the rules.

 

Stop being an immigration apologist, it's clear Thailand immigration officers have many problems doing their jobs and are constantly looking for large bribes. Even the head of immigration has been suddenly removed and investigated. The whole department is rotten to the core.

 

The surrounding countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines), all you need to stay is the money to buy the VISA.

No paperwork mountains, no home visits, no local friends, no immigration interview, no financial scrutiny, no 90 day reporting, no address reporting on entry to country.

Thailand has become bogged down with corrupt officials looking for 20k extra to do their jobs.

Thailand no longer provides value for money.

[Darkside Gray]

13 hours ago, Mahseer said:

How about elsewhere in Vietnam? Hoi An down the road from Danang is far more laid back and consider Da Lat which has more of a temperate climate.

 

 

Should also consider Vung Tau 90 mins from HCMC on the coast cool breezes good restaurants and good accomodation.

[Darkside Gray]

So after a visit to Da nang and 10 days in Vietnam you are an expert on the country???

[BritManToo]

8 hours ago, smo said:

1) Last year - or the year before can't remember - VN celebrated the opening of (drum rolls please) its very 1st, bona-fide 7/11 store in HCMC.

There are Circle K and Family Mart everywhere.

Nothing special about 7-11 franchise.

[Wake Up]

Hanoi’s real name is Hanoise.  Would not choose to live there if housing was free.

 

Saigon is a good city IMO but does not beat Bangkok.  

 

To each his own but Thailand is still the best retirement place IMO unless you are struggling financially. If you are struggling financially your whole world sucks. 

[JohnOFphon]

27 minutes ago, Darkside Gray said:

Should also consider Vung Tau 90 mins from HCMC on the coast cool breezes good restaurants and good accomodation.

And a casino nearby.

[Cadbury]

6 hours ago, sanemax said:

Her one red big painted  toenail looks very appealing , as my papa always said to me " You can tell what kind of Woman She is , by her big toenail" 

She is about as Vietnamese as I am. Illegal Cambodian hooker jumped the border more like it.

Here are two photos of a Vietnamese woman to help you recognise one when you see one. 

[Wake Up]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

What he meant ........

 

"With many corrupt immigration officers denying legal extension applications within Thailand, and illegally denying entry to foreigners at several land/air entry points"

 

I gave up on extensions in Thailand 4 years back when I couldn't even get an appointment to see immigration for a marriage extension without paying an agent.

Now you've got an assortment of corrupt officers denying applications for assorted bogus reasons.

Lately they've started questioning the source of your 400k bank deposit for marriage extension applicants, even though there is no mentions of source of funding in the rules.

 

Stop being an immigration apologist, it's clear Thailand immigration officers have many problems doing their jobs and are constantly looking for large bribes. Even the head of immigration has been suddenly removed and investigated. The whole department is rotten to the core.

 

The surrounding countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines), all you need to stay is the money to buy the VISA.

No paperwork mountains, no home visits, no local friends, no immigration interview, no financial scrutiny, no 90 day reporting, no address reporting on entry to country.

Thailand has become bogged down with corrupt officials looking for 20k extra to do their jobs.

Thailand no longer provides value for money.

Never paid a single bribe to immigration and always do my extension of stay myself and mail my 90 day forms. No problem at all. Not rocket science and not a big deal. If you are leaving Thailand because of immigration “problems” something is wrong with you or you are broke. 

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

Never paid a single bribe to immigration and always do my extension of stay myself and mail my 90 day forms. No problem at all. Not rocket science and not a big deal. If you are leaving Thailand because of immigration “problems” something is wrong with you or you are broke. 

I don't care how easy your VISA is or isn't, and I don't care why either.

I only care about mine, and mine is way easier to get in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
I spend 40kbht a month, nobody needs to see more of my money than that IMHO.

Boasting how you're better than me just makes you appear mentally ill.

I'm putting you on ignore with all the other 'boasters and gloaters'

 

When I first came to Thailand I just needed 120 pounds for the 1 year VISA.

Now I only need $300 for a 1 year VISA in many nearby countries.

[Cadbury]

25 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

There are Circle K and Family Mart everywhere.

Nothing special about 7-11 franchise.

Much of the stuff written here is claptrap and the opinions of holiday blowins. I have lived in Vietnam almost 13 years. Never been hit by a motorbike, I rent a large 4 bedroom, three bathroom villa in a provincial city near Hanoi for US$500/month. I have a 5 year marriage visa exemption for US$70, no other money and no paperwork except a residency certificate. Cost of living compared to Thailand about 50 to 60% less. 

I work in the travel industry in Vietnam and spend 30% of my time in Thailand. I am a position to compare both. I enjoy my time in Thailand but always pleased to get home.

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

Much of the stuff written here is claptrap and the opinions of holiday blowins.

Agreed, the 'love Thailand or you're worthless' nutjobs are getting pretty desperate when claiming 7-11 is a good reason to live in Thailand, or the VISA extension process in Thailand is entirely reasonable. My last purchases in Vietnam earlier this month were in Co-Op Mart, hadn't noticed them before but they were very reasonable prices.

 

I don't have any complaints about cost of living in Thailand. 

I'm happy with what I have.

 

[Bigz]

I think when it comes to food Vietnam is a better place than Thailand. At least in Saigon the food seemed cheaper, better quality and more suitable for a farang. Awesome baguette sandwiches amongst others and generally a great Asian couisine with a French twist.

[Pravda]

Can you tell me how is Internet and post compared to Thailand?

 

Is internet fast and reliable and is the post more or less expensive to ship overseas?

 

 

[Spidey]

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

She is about as Vietnamese as I am. Illegal Cambodian hooker jumped the border more like it.

Here are two photos of a Vietnamese woman to help you recognise one when you see one. 

She was Nigerian. 555

[Ulic]

I had a slightly different take. Yes the beer/alcohol is cheap, western type condos being built like crazy and that should bring down the rental prices which were substantially higher than Thailand for western level airconditioned type apartments, food was excellent and more Big C's being built so lots of western type foods available (but not to the same extent as Thailand). The Vietnamese were very friendly but little English is spoken outside tourist areas. I found the driving far more civilized and safer than Thailand. Everyone wearing helmets, driving much, much slower, and using an I see you, you see me, respect approach. Yes, it appears more disorganized but everyone keeps an eye out and respects everyone else. The horns are just quick beeps to alert other drivers to their presence in a blind spot. Not long honks of anger at someone driving like an idiot. I had no trouble crossing the street, just move steadily across making eye contact with traffic. I ride my scooter in Thailand and in Vietnam and it is easier and safer in Vietnam. The nightlife is definitely quieter, more clandestine. I never saw any, but I have been told it is readily available. I have made three trips to Vietnam and enjoyed them all. I think Vietnam is a definite option for retires leaving Thailand unless you enjoy the wall to wall "nightlife" Thailand has on offer. Just my opinion.

[AAArdvark]

20 hours ago, sanemax said:

  I prefer not to go into those places ,  due to concerns about food poisoning , as you dont know how long the food has been there and the food is unrefrigerated and left in the heat

 

20 hours ago, sanemax said:

many of the streets are cluttered with parked motorbikes , food vendors , seats and various other things, making the streets unable to be used for walking along ,

And how is this different from Thailand?

[CH1961]

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You make eye contact with the m/c drivers and step into the road at a steady pace while maintaining eye contact.

Magically they all miss you (cars and busses as well)

Dangerous game you're playing ????

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, Ulic said:

I think Vietnam is a definite option for retires leaving Thailand unless you enjoy the wall to wall "nightlife" Thailand has on offer. Just my opinion.

Wall to wall nightlife was available everywhere, maybe a little more discreet than Thailand.

And not shy at all, I would sit in the park reading a book and get approached often, "Hi, would you like to see my room?".

Inside some of the bars at Vung Tau was wall to wall hookers, I was so intimidated I walked out of a few bars.

[AAArdvark]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I spend 40kbht a month, nobody needs to see more of my money than that IMHO.

Boasting how you're better than me just makes you appear mentally ill.

I'm putting you on ignore with all the other 'boasters and gloaters'

What BS.  Saying that you spend more than 40K is hardly boasting.  There are people who live on 30K so will you please stop boasting about 40K.  There are ways of saying how much you live on that is indeed boasting and there are ways of saying it that is just the facts.  Some people could spend 200k and still feel and act like they are living frugally.

I don't see why anyone has to defend how much or how little they spend. 

[Vacuum]

15 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Re speaking to young women, I've always found the speaking part to be highly overrated....

 

Re the photo above, the one on the left looks kind of Thai to me....

Agree, she's more 'covered'.

[BritManToo]

34 minutes ago, AAArdvark said:

What BS.  Saying that you spend more than 40K is hardly boasting.  There are people who live on 30K so will you please stop boasting about 40K.  There are ways of saying how much you live on that is indeed boasting and there are ways of saying it that is just the facts.  Some people could spend 200k and still feel and act like they are living frugally.

I don't see why anyone has to defend how much or how little they spend. 

I spend 40k/month, not more than.

I won't look down and insult you if you only have 15k/month like most Thais, I won't worship you if you have 100k/month.

Valuing people for the amount of money they have/spend reveals posters who are shallow/bad/mentally ill, people are more than the money they have available to spend. Something the Thai authorities as Buddhists should know themselves. Once such people reveal themselves I always put them on ignore, it makes my personal ThaiVISA experience so much better..

[tideout]

5 minutes ago, Ulic said:

I had a slightly different take. Yes the beer/alcohol is cheap, western type condos being built like crazy and that should bring down the rental prices which were substantially higher than Thailand for western level airconditioned type apartments, food was excellent and more Big C's being built so lots of western type foods available (but not to the same extent as Thailand). The Vietnamese were very friendly but little English is spoken outside tourist areas. I found the driving far more civilized and safer than Thailand. Everyone wearing helmets, driving much, much slower, and using an I see you, you see me, respect approach. Yes, it appears more disorganized but everyone keeps an eye out and respects everyone else. The horns are just quick beeps to alert other drivers to their presence in a blind spot. Not long honks of anger at someone driving like an idiot. I had no trouble crossing the street, just move steadily across making eye contact with traffic. I ride my scooter in Thailand and in Vietnam and it is easier and safer in Vietnam. The nightlife is definitely quieter, more clandestine. I never saw any, but I have been told it is readily available. I have made three trips to Vietnam and enjoyed them all. I think Vietnam is a definite option for retires leaving Thailand unless you enjoy the wall to wall "nightlife" Thailand has on offer. Just my opinion.

The market here is in a bit of a bubble to put it lightly. For those who are thinking of investing, I believe it's more of a crap shoot than you might hear. Those I hear talking about it differently, have a dog in the race, so to speak. As Cadbury mentions there are some great deals on housing, if everything works out right (great looking place btw!). FWIW, I'd include renting. It's only fair to mention though that many of these buildings, apartments and neighborhoods are inundated with construction projects that never end. Some of it happens because of incompetence and some is even tied into corruption (I'll leave it there). Prices in D1, D2 and D7 continue to rise I"m afraid. 

 

It isn't an English speaking country so I'm not surprised when people don't speak English. Having said that, it is surprising how close to District 1 (Central district for many) you can be and feel totally out of any English. This would include not just conversation but restaurant menu's, shop signs, looser ideas about written contracts etc.... People may be more and more unfamiliar with dealing with a foreigner in the neighborhoods farther away from the city center. I've been in parts of District 7, for example (where a lot of Korean and Japanese live now) and you can feel like you're in the backwaters of the Mekong. The nightlife most people see and experience here is in the tourist zone and not very indicative of what you'd find in even some nearby districts. Many of these districts are largely dead as a door nail after 10-11pm. I'm not sure why most foreigners would go even in the early afternoon.

 

I always thought Vietnamese were the worst drivers I'd ever seen. I drive about 6 days/week for work in Ho Chi Minh........Thai drivers have the same suicidal tendencies, not looking, multitasking etc....only they really do drive at faster speeds. Crazy. It's also good to know that there is really no traffic enforcement in the HCM I'm familiar with. Let me repeat that....NO Traffic enforcement. Police set up on the road and quite literally do nothing but take bribes all day. The result is the chaos you see on a daily basis here.

[Zyxel]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You make eye contact with the m/c drivers and step into the road at a steady pace while maintaining eye contact.

Magically they all miss you (cars and busses as well), while in Thailand they would have run you down.

 

It's very easy once you know the rules, you just need to gather your courage for the first few crossings.

And don't forget this rule: to do a left turn at a busy crossroads m/c drivers often do this:

 

[natway09]

Yes, there are millions of motorbikes but If you walk briskly across the road, do not hesitate once started they are used to it & you will be fine.

Food in Ho Chi very good.

What are the long term resident requirements ?

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, natway09 said:

What are the long term resident requirements ?

$300-$500 a year depending on your nationality, working and marital status.

Americans married to locals can do it cheaper.