Pattaya Versus DaNang and the winner is?

[sanemax]

Just now, Destiny1990 said:

We are comparing Pattaya with Da-Nang in this thread.

 

We had this discussion a few hours ago .

I am solely referring to traffic in Da nang and why I wouldnt want to live there because of the traffic .

[Destiny1990]

27 minutes ago, sanemax said:

We had this discussion a few hours ago .

I am solely referring to traffic in Da nang and why I wouldnt want to live there because of the traffic .

Enjoy the fumes in Chiang Mai..

 

[sanemax]

1 minute ago, Destiny1990 said:

Enjoy the fumes in Chiang Mai..

 

No need for that kind of remark , not my fault that you can not understand 

[Destiny1990]

48 minutes ago, sanemax said:

No need for that kind of remark , not my fault that you can not understand 

Here something that u don’t seem to understand:

 

As for the road danger in Vietnam compared to Thailand, a quick search returns this info: 

 

Thailand has the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world at 36.2 per 100 000 with an annual estimate of over 24 000 deaths or 66 deaths every day.

 

According to the World Health Organization, on average, road traffic accidents kill approximately 14,000 people in Vietnam every year (38 per day, btw) and are the leading cause of death among those aged between 15 and 29 years. Motorcyclists account for more than half of the fatalities.

 

So, if Vietnam has a population of 95 million, and Thailand has a lower population of 69 million people, yet Vietnam sees 10,000 fewer road fatalities a year, wouldn't it indicate that Thailand's roads are approximately twice as dangerous?

 

  Based on these numbers I would suggest to be very careful crossing roads in both countries and  the chance for an accident is much higher in Thailand so then all ur posts claiming traffic is so dangerous in vietnam compared to Thailand are totally inaccurate.

 

Edited May 2, 2019 by Destiny1990

[sanemax]

6 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Here something that u don’t seem to understand:

 

As for the road danger in Vietnam compared to Thailand, a quick search returns this info: 

 

Thailand has the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world at 36.2 per 100 000 with an annual estimate of over 24 000 deaths or 66 deaths every day.

 

According to the World Health Organization, on average, road traffic accidents kill approximately 14,000 people in Vietnam every year (38 per day, btw) and are the leading cause of death among those aged between 15 and 29 years. Motorcyclists account for more than half of the fatalities.

 

So, if Vietnam has a population of 95 million, and Thailand has a lower population of 69 million people, yet Vietnam sees 10,000 fewer road fatalities a year, wouldn't it indicate that Thailand's roads are approximately twice as dangerous?

 

  Based on these numbers I would suggest to be very careful crossing roads in both countries and  the chance for an accident is much higher in Thailand so then all ur posts claiming traffic is so dangerous in vietnam compared to Thailand are totally inaccurate.

 

You cannot understand what I am trying to say .

I have tried to explain three times already , theres no point in myself trying to explain again

If you do feel that you do have the ability to understand what I am saying , just re-read my posts again

[KhunHeineken]

9 hours ago, wisperone said:

Don't know for sure. I heard the warnings and passing it along to others who may not know the law. Things are never a problem until they are a problem... coming out of a side street on a mb without stopping and not looking left isn't a problem until the approaching vehicle is going too fast and can't stop...a farang husband cleaning tables at his wife's restaurant isn't a problem until someone drops a dime on him and he is charged with no work permit,...having a woman in your room may not be a problem until that angry front desk clerk resents a viet woman sleeping with a foreigner.

This is why the expats in Vietnam laugh at the expats in Thailand.

 

None of the crap that expats in Thailand put up with exists for the expats in Vietnam. 

 

You will hardly see a police officer, let alone have any interaction with one, unless you really screw up, big time. 

 

Bar owners do not pay tea money there. 

 

I remember my first visit to Vietnam.  I was shocked to see a foreigner serving customers in his own bar.  It was then I realized I am thinking like a Thailand expat, and there is no need to when in Vietnam.  I had to shake off that feeling of always having a target on you, when I was in Vietnam. 

 

The Vietnamese are out to earn a dollar from you, not extort or steal a dollar from you. 

 

It's like you are actually seen as a person, not an ATM.   So, if a foreigner is involved in a motorbike accident, they are treated fairly.  Not the foreigner is always at fault, or the foreigner is richer so has to pay.  Of course, like any other country, if the local is at fault, and poor, you will not get compensation, but at least you don't get threatened with jail if you don't pay for a new motorbike for an accident that wasn't even your fault. 

 

Parents of small children will hand you their child, to take a photo of the child with a foreigner.  I remember the first time this happened.  I immediately thought, "scam" but no, it's common.  Once again, I had to learn to relax in Vietnam.

 

Vietnam may as well be on a different planet to Thailand. 

 

Now, some of the old security guards may try to suggest you slip them 100,000 VND (about 130 baht) for "allowing" a hooker into your room, but you just walk straight past.  These old timers are dying out and it's simply becoming rare these days.

 

No argument from me, Vietnam is a corrupt county, but the corruption does not really involve the day to day living of an expat.

 

Vietnam also has its scams and petty theft, but it's not from police, government agencies, and dodgy or criminal foreigners, and it's never for big money, and usually tourist orientated, like some over charging. 

 

I would be surprised if others who have spent some time in Vietnam didn't agree with my experience.  

 

Just to add, Thailand and Vietnam are apples and oranges when it comes to visas.  In Vietnam, it's just pay your money, and here is your visas. 

 

When I tell expats in Thailand this, they usually ask, "But how much money do you have to have in the bank?"  I tell them. "None.  You don't even have to have a local bank account." 

 

This is usually followed by more questions in disbelief.  I simply end up saying, "You have to stop thinking that Vietnam is like Thailand.  It's not, and things are easier there."  

Edited May 2, 2019 by KhunHeineken

[KhunHeineken]

18 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Sounds like a prime opportunity for the BiB to top up the tea fund. How's the corruption there?

See Post #186.

[KhunHeineken]

14 hours ago, DrTuner said:

A note and a clear win for Vietnam: I tried right mouse button in chrome, "translate to English" on that website and it came out legible. Doing that on Thai websites gives horrible Thaiglish. The Latin based script they are using is much easier to read than Thai script, too.

I am in Vietnam quite a bit these days.

 

I see how fast their tourism industry is progressing, and their desire to catch up for lost time, due to the war. 

 

You can expect to see Vietnam have a lot of "clear wins" in the future, when compared to Thailand.  One definite clear win being, casinos.

[KhunHeineken]

13 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Ehmm Angeles City In Phillipines is offering exactly the same.

Pattaya is not special at all there is affordable prostitution options in so many places in the world.

Personally i like Jomtien Pattaya but not for these cheap bars i just like it for the food climate and international atmosphere that u don’t find in most other Thai cities.

I have not been to Angeles City for some years, but I have heard it's all Korean now.

 

As I did with Sihanoukville, I must get around to revisiting the place and see it for myself, possibly later on this year. 

[KhunHeineken]

On the subject of road safety, I agree with the member who said the roads are chaos in HCMC, but then again, they are in Bangkok, as well.  In the tourist areas, the roads are fine. 

 

If we are talking about the roads in Danang, I have no problem with the roads there. 

 

Here's a Youtube clip of Beach Road in Danang.  This is pretty much my experience.  Not busy, not high speed. 

 

Looks safe to me. 

 

Also, taxis are that plentiful in Vietnam, and so so cheap, an expat wouldn't even need to own a vehicle, which may be something appealing to elderly expats. 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2019 by KhunHeineken

[Farrows3399]

2 hours ago, sanemax said:

You cannot understand what I am trying to say .

I have tried to explain three times already , theres no point in myself trying to explain again

If you do feel that you do have the ability to understand what I am saying , just re-read my posts again

What about motorbikes driving on the sidewalks in Vietnam? You have only talked about motorbikes in terms of walking across the streets. 

Edited May 2, 2019 by Farrows3399

[Destiny1990]

42 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

On the subject of road safety, I agree with the member who said the roads are chaos in HCMC, but then again, they are in Bangkok, as well.  In the tourist areas, the roads are fine. 

 

If we are talking about the roads in Danang, I have no problem with the roads there. 

 

Here's a Youtube clip of Beach Road in Danang.  This is pretty much my experience.  Not busy, not high speed. 

 

Looks safe to me. 

 

Also, taxis are that plentiful in Vietnam, and so so cheap, an expat wouldn't even need to own a vehicle, which may be something appealing to elderly expats. 

 

 

Wow truly looks great.

excellent location for doing daily walks with such pavements.

 

[morrobay]

There is no question that Da-Nang/Nha-Trang are better seasides than Pattaya.  But what about the cigarette smoking situation? Restaurants, Hotels, forget about bars and cafe's for a nonsmoker. I have heard that "everybody " smokes. 

[KittenKong]

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Just to add, Thailand and Vietnam are apples and oranges when it comes to visas.  In Vietnam, it's just pay your money, and here is your visas. 

 

When I tell expats in Thailand this, they usually ask, "But how much money do you have to have in the bank?"  I tell them. "None.  You don't even have to have a local bank account." 

This may sound better for some but personally I like the cheap Thai retirement extension. A simple cash deposit on which I earn tax-free interest, a total fee of under 2000B per year, less than one hour of my time and I have a visa extension valid for one full year.

This seems better, cheaper and more secure than anything Vietnam currently has to offer. Which is a shame as if Vietnam offered an easy and cheap renewable one year visa I would be very inclined to spend a lot of my time (and money) there, as in most respects the country is more attractive to me than Thailand is.

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

This may sound better for some but personally I like the cheap Thai retirement extension. A simple cash deposit on which I earn tax-free interest, a total fee of under 2000B per year, less than one hour of my time and I have a visa extension valid for one full year.

Only it's not simple, immigration want letters from the bank, statements, month before and after your visit, TM30's, bad luck if you have the wrong landlord, they might want to visit your home. Or a bribe from an agent. Then they want you to pay to leave the country.

 

Cambodia is simple, you pay $300 in a shop and that's it done for a year. Enter and leave the country as many times as you like, no need to report your address to local immigration every time you are away from home for a night.

 

Vietnam not quite so simple as the 1 year VISAs have disappeared for a while.

Edited May 3, 2019 by BritManToo

[KittenKong]

14 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Only it's not simple, immigration want letters from the bank, statements, month before and after your visit, TM30's, bad luck if you have the wrong landlord, they might want to visit your home. Or a bribe from an agent. Then they want you to pay to leave the country.

For me it is simple. One bank letter, a couple of photocopies, a couple of photos, one hour of my time and a payment of 1900B and it is all done for the year. I have never paid a bribe to anyone for my visa and have never had a home visit. I dont have to do TM30's either. I do have to do 90-day reports but they are easy enough.

The re-entry permit is optional as some people dont want to leave. It can be done quickly at the airport, but I agree that the procedure is pointless and unnecessarily complex and time-wasting as it could be done at the same time as the extension, without any extra forms or documents. But the re-entry permit is about the only real inconvenience here.

 

As I said, Vietnam offers nothing like this as far as I know. More fool them. They need to sort themselves out.

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

For me it is simple. One bank letter, a couple of photocopies, a couple of photos, one hour of my time and a payment of 1900B and it is all done for the year.

And a load of money ($25,000) sitting in the bank in Thai baht.

In Cambodia that same money could be banked in Dollars earning 6-8% pa ($2,000), enough money to pay your yearly rent.

Edited May 3, 2019 by BritManToo

[KittenKong]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

And a load of money ($25,000) sitting in the bank in Thai baht.

Not a problem for me.

 

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

In Cambodia that same money could be banked in Dollars earning 6-8% pa ($2,000), enough money to pay your yearly rent.

I dont pay rent. And if Cambodian banks are paying 6-8% on USD deposits it can only be because the deposit is not very secure.

[Essex Reject]

Way too much to read here, but I have just returned from a busmans holiday in Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An

 

Hue - Quite nice, but central area pretty small. Wouldn't see much point in a long stay there.

 

Hoi An - Very nice, but extremely touristy.

 

Da Nang - Clean with a lot going on, almost like a mini Vegas/Beverley Hills with the big hotels, flashing lights etc, and all the high end hotels on the front with the huge driveways/gardens. I was pretty amazed at what I was seeing. The downside for me was it is very widespread and the promenade/front is huge with hardly any people, so lacks any kind of vibe/atmosphere.

 

Also took a train from Hue to Da Nang down the coast which was great.

 

Is Nha Trang worth a visit?

[Rimmer]

Baiting troll post removed

[Mahseer]

18 minutes ago, Essex Reject said:

Is Nha Trang worth a visit?

Nha Trang fits your Da Nang description to a tee except the people part as it's busy and dominated by package tourists principally Chinese and Russians. As I've said elsewhere the former are a herded animal and travel around by the bus load if not 2 which can be a pain but the latter tend to go around in couples or small groups.

 

The main promenade is 4-5kms and an absolute pleasure to wander at daybreak as local folk enjoy the beach and if you want to get away from the masses just go back a couple of streets or north across the causeway but south towards the airport there are masses of hotels operational with others well under way.

 

Worth a visit? It certainly ain't the part of Vietnam I enjoy but if your looking for a place for a family holiday or somewhere to throw your money around in a casino then sure give it a go.

[BritManToo]

36 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

Not a problem for me.

 

I dont pay rent. And if Cambodian banks are paying 6-8% on USD deposits it can only be because the deposit is not very secure.

I'm thinking the bank in Cambodia is as secure as the bank in Thailand.

And I prefer $$$s to Baht.

[wisperone]

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

This is why the expats in Vietnam laugh at the expats in Thailand.

 

None of the crap that expats in Thailand put up with exists for the expats in Vietnam. 

 

You will hardly see a police officer, let alone have any interaction with one, unless you really screw up, big time. 

 

Bar owners do not pay tea money there. 

 

I remember my first visit to Vietnam.  I was shocked to see a foreigner serving customers in his own bar.  It was then I realized I am thinking like a Thailand expat, and there is no need to when in Vietnam.  I had to shake off that feeling of always having a target on you, when I was in Vietnam. 

 

The Vietnamese are out to earn a dollar from you, not extort or steal a dollar from you. 

 

It's like you are actually seen as a person, not an ATM.   So, if a foreigner is involved in a motorbike accident, they are treated fairly.  Not the foreigner is always at fault, or the foreigner is richer so has to pay.  Of course, like any other country, if the local is at fault, and poor, you will not get compensation, but at least you don't get threatened with jail if you don't pay for a new motorbike for an accident that wasn't even your fault. 

 

Parents of small children will hand you their child, to take a photo of the child with a foreigner.  I remember the first time this happened.  I immediately thought, "scam" but no, it's common.  Once again, I had to learn to relax in Vietnam.

 

Vietnam may as well be on a different planet to Thailand. 

 

Now, some of the old security guards may try to suggest you slip them 100,000 VND (about 130 baht) for "allowing" a hooker into your room, but you just walk straight past.  These old timers are dying out and it's simply becoming rare these days.

 

No argument from me, Vietnam is a corrupt county, but the corruption does not really involve the day to day living of an expat.

 

Vietnam also has its scams and petty theft, but it's not from police, government agencies, and dodgy or criminal foreigners, and it's never for big money, and usually tourist orientated, like some over charging. 

 

I would be surprised if others who have spent some time in Vietnam didn't agree with my experience.  

 

Just to add, Thailand and Vietnam are apples and oranges when it comes to visas.  In Vietnam, it's just pay your money, and here is your visas. 

 

When I tell expats in Thailand this, they usually ask, "But how much money do you have to have in the bank?"  I tell them. "None.  You don't even have to have a local bank account." 

 

This is usually followed by more questions in disbelief.  I simply end up saying, "You have to stop thinking that Vietnam is like Thailand.  It's not, and things are easier there."  

I agree with alot of the things you say... but my post about the hotel wasn't a Vietnam vs Thailand comparison. It was about a law on the books in Vietnam. Like everything else involving laws whether someone thinks they are pertinent or not... if someone breaks it, theres a potential for them to be caught and arrested. Like they say in Thailand, "Up to you".

 

I was speaking with a guy in Saigon back a few months ago who was doing something he thought was fine, and he and 72 other people, mostly Viets, were arrested and jailed. He spent 5 months and wasn't even allowed a phone call for the first two/three months. His family back in Europe thought he was dead. He was finally released on bail..and was awaiting a trial some more months down the road...this happened last May. I won't go into with the jail situation, but it isn't a place I would want to be. Get arrested, you have no rights.

 

Saigon you won't see police officers...Hanoi they are everywhere.

[KhunHeineken]

2 hours ago, KittenKong said:

This may sound better for some but personally I like the cheap Thai retirement extension. A simple cash deposit on which I earn tax-free interest, a total fee of under 2000B per year, less than one hour of my time and I have a visa extension valid for one full year.

This seems better, cheaper and more secure than anything Vietnam currently has to offer. Which is a shame as if Vietnam offered an easy and cheap renewable one year visa I would be very inclined to spend a lot of my time (and money) there, as in most respects the country is more attractive to me than Thailand is.

I have to disagree with you.

 

I don't call putting 800,000 baht in a bank account paying 1.5% per annum a cheap way to qualify for a visa.  Not to mention you can't use 400,000 baht of it for 5 months, and the other 400,000 baht you can never use if you want next year's visa. 

 

I don't know how you can say it is more secure when you lose the use of your money.  In Vietnam, you pay a few hundred USD and get your visa.  You are not exposed to the country's economic or political issues, or currency exchange rates, should you want to leave.  Sure, a few hundred USD is a little more expensive than 2000 baht, but look what you lose by tying up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank. 

 

It really doesn't get any more simple than pay the money, come back tomorrow, and here's your new visa.  Nothing else to do.  No hoops to jump through.  No financial requirements to meet. 

[JimmyJ]

17 minutes ago, wisperone said:

I agree with alot of the things you say... but my post about the hotel wasn't a Vietnam vs Thailand comparison. It was about a law on the books in Vietnam. Like everything else involving laws whether someone thinks they are pertinent or not... if someone breaks it, theres a potential for them to be caught and arrested. Like they say in Thailand, "Up to you".

 

I was speaking with a guy in Saigon back a few months ago who was doing something he thought was fine, and he and 72 other people, mostly Viets, were arrested and jailed. He spent 5 months and wasn't even allowed a phone call for the first two/three months. His family back in Europe thought he was dead. He was finally released on bail..and was awaiting a trial some more months down the road...this happened last May. I won't go into with the jail situation, but it isn't a place I would want to be. Get arrested, you have no rights.

 

Saigon you won't see police officers...Hanoi they are everywhere.

 

"...who was doing something he thought was fine..."???

[KhunHeineken]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Only it's not simple, immigration want letters from the bank, statements, month before and after your visit, TM30's, bad luck if you have the wrong landlord, they might want to visit your home. Or a bribe from an agent. Then they want you to pay to leave the country.

 

Cambodia is simple, you pay $300 in a shop and that's it done for a year. Enter and leave the country as many times as you like, no need to report your address to local immigration every time you are away from home for a night.

 

Vietnam not quite so simple as the 1 year VISAs have disappeared for a while.

You are correct, the 1 year multi entry visas are current suspended, but they will be back again.

 

In the mean time, nothing much changes.  You get a 3 month multi entry visa that can be extended for another 3 months, INSIDE VIETNAM, up to 3 times.  That's a total of 1 year anyway. 

 

The total cost of the initial 3 months, and the 3 extensions, is around the cost of the 1 year visa anyway. 

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, KittenKong said:

For me it is simple. One bank letter, a couple of photocopies, a couple of photos, one hour of my time and a payment of 1900B and it is all done for the year. I have never paid a bribe to anyone for my visa and have never had a home visit. I dont have to do TM30's either. I do have to do 90-day reports but they are easy enough.

The re-entry permit is optional as some people dont want to leave. It can be done quickly at the airport, but I agree that the procedure is pointless and unnecessarily complex and time-wasting as it could be done at the same time as the extension, without any extra forms or documents. But the re-entry permit is about the only real inconvenience here.

 

As I said, Vietnam offers nothing like this as far as I know. More fool them. They need to sort themselves out.

 

Vietnam:

 

No money in bank required.

 

No bank letter required.

 

No embassy letter required.

 

No photocopies required.

 

No 90 days report required.

 

No re-entry permit required.

 

No TM30 required.

 

I really can't see your argument. 

 

Perhaps it's like I said in my other post. Long term Thailand expats just can't understand how easy it is in Vietnam because they have put up with Thailand's crap for so long that what they think is easy in Thailand, is actually quite a chore when compared to other countries.  No offense intended.

[KhunHeineken]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

And a load of money ($25,000) sitting in the bank in Thai baht.

In Cambodia that same money could be banked in Dollars earning 6-8% pa ($2,000), enough money to pay your yearly rent.

Banks in Vietnam are paying the same, around 8% interest per annum, but only on VND accounts, from memory, but don't quote me on that.  Vietnam also offers foreign currency accounts.

 

Many of the wealthier expats in Vietnam have moved just an amount of money that sees them live completely off the interest.  Basically, living for free in Vietnam. 

 

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, KittenKong said:

Not a problem for me.

 

I dont pay rent. And if Cambodian banks are paying 6-8% on USD deposits it can only be because the deposit is not very secure.

For me, that $25,000USD (800,000 baht) is losing me money sitting in a Thai bank, just so I can have a visa. 

 

Interesting you say you don't pay rent.  Can you divide the cost of your property into the amount of months you have lived in it, and post the figure per month that it has cost you?  I'll leave maintenance costs and taxes out of the equation for you, and the whole subject of being able to sell it would be off topic. 

[Essex Reject]

1 hour ago, Mahseer said:

Nha Trang fits your Da Nang description to a tee except the people part as it's busy and dominated by package tourists principally Chinese and Russians. As I've said elsewhere the former are a herded animal and travel around by the bus load if not 2 which can be a pain but the latter tend to go around in couples or small groups.

 

The main promenade is 4-5kms and an absolute pleasure to wander at daybreak as local folk enjoy the beach and if you want to get away from the masses just go back a couple of streets or north across the causeway but south towards the airport there are masses of hotels operational with others well under way.

 

Worth a visit? It certainly ain't the part of Vietnam I enjoy but if your looking for a place for a family holiday or somewhere to throw your money around in a casino then sure give it a go.

Mmmm, think I'll give it a miss. Cheers anyway.