Cost of living and where suggested in Vietnam

[GregBow]

Hi

Am in Thailand 69 year old Australian retired and tired of it.

Where in Vietnam would you suggest and how to get visa more than the 30 day tourist visa.

All inputs welcome

[Korat Kiwi]

Hi Greg, 

 

  Surprised no replies yet.  I'm a kiwi in my early 60s and looking at Vietnam too. 

 

  I think Thailand is going to hell, not the place I remember only 12 years ago. 

 

  I'll keep you posted when I find more info.  If Vietnam doesn't pan out then  maybe Cambodia... Sihanoukville.  But I want to go look first.  Have heard both good and bad things about that place. 

 

Regards Andy 

[BritManToo]

There is no long term VISA to Vietnam, which is why we aren't there.

[Korat Kiwi]

Cheers for the info.  Hopefully they will adjust that and get onto the tourist/retirement train soon. 

 

I think it could be a good jaunt for us. 

[GypsyT]

I hope they start to issue 6 & 12 month visas soon again. I could see buying a condo here, in Nha Trang.

 

I've been very happy in Nha Trang for 40+ days (I got EU passport which gives me 45 days visa free).

Way better for me than Jomtien area where I used to be in Thailand. Cheaper too; 5 star hotel w breakfast less than $30/day for 2.

Negative things are heavy dangerous traffic, noise and pollution.

However, positive things are more numerous and this is a place I could live in retirement at least 5-6 months in winter.

 

PS. Everyone gets 30 day visa free to Phu Quoc island. Easy to go and check if you like it.

 

Edited March 4 by GypsyT

[KhunLA]

19 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

I hope they start to issue 6 & 12 month visas soon again. I could see buying a condo here, in Nha Trang.

 

I've been very happy in Nha Trang for 40+ days (I got EU passport which gives me 45 days visa free).

Way better for me than Jomtien area where I used to be in Thailand. Cheaper too; 5 star hotel w breakfast less than $30/day for 2.

Negative things are heavy dangerous traffic, noise and pollution.

However, positive things are more numerous and this is a place I could live in retirement at least 5-6 months in winter.

 

PS. Everyone gets 30 day visa free to Phu Quoc island. Easy to go and check if you like it.

 

Not sure buying a condo in a country without a proper retirement visa would be the best move.

 

Everyone's opinion that I respect, and has spent lots of time in both (Nam & TH) tell me TH is better, much better.  Some things in Nam are less expensive, but the infrastructure is a decade or 2 behind TH.

 

Have the same air & water pollution issues of TH, with the added hassle of being closer to them typhoons that pop up over there during the 'season'.  The weather teeters out by the time it gets to TH.

Edited March 4 by KhunLA

[GypsyT]

"Everyone's opinion that I respect, and has spent lots of time in both (Nam & TH) tell me TH is better, much better."

 

When it's so easy and cheap to go and check by myself I prefer to do so. I also like to see all countries in Asia.

 

I do listen others, like I did when I backed out of FL retirement dream. I got very good advice here. Thanks for that!

[KhunLA]

8 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

"Everyone's opinion that I respect, and has spent lots of time in both (Nam & TH) tell me TH is better, much better."

 

When it's so easy and cheap to go and check by myself I prefer to do so. I also like to see all countries in Asia.

 

I do listen others, like I did when I backed out of FL retirement dream. I got very good advice here. Thanks for that!

Advised to give it pass, and no desire to sit on a plane or deal with airports, and then have to rent a scooter when there, which technically not allowed, along with the infrastructure a bit lacking, so pretty sure it would be a waste of time & money for us.  Even as a holiday, recon for retirement.

 

Watched some of Paddy Doyle's Nam YTs, very nice, but simply reinforced what I've been told & read.  First couple days there, his travels were hindered by numerous landslides, and having to wait till they were cleared.   Some lovely countryside though, but that's about it.  Not a city person myself, so no desire to hit 'those' tourist spots or live at.  And basically, just another SEA country, not really seeing the difference.

 

No real retirement visa, so that kills it completely, since liking stability, and as I don't do rentals, I would want a house with all the toys.  Not realistic there.

[GregBow]

On 2/27/2024 at 9:13 PM, Korat Kiwi said:

Hi Greg, 

 

  Surprised no replies yet.  I'm a kiwi in my early 60s and looking at Vietnam too. 

 

  I think Thailand is going to hell, not the place I remember only 12 years ago. 

 

  I'll keep you posted when I find more info.  If Vietnam doesn't pan out then  maybe Cambodia... Sihanoukville.  But I want to go look first.  Have heard both good and bad things about that place. 

 

Regards Andy 

Hi Andy

Sorry not answering before.

There are many agents in Vietnam who can arrange long term visas.

I can get detail of one the guys in HCM use if you like.

I had a work permit and was there for 8 years straight after being there 20+ years before.

Huge differences - for the better!

The issues in closing the company I was managing through insolvency make it unlikely that I can return but would if I could.

Been to most if the provinces and it is a truly lovely place.

Hard but loyal people and everything is there if you know where to look.

I can say the same for Thailand but I have now actually moved back to Australia after 30 years of working abroad for proximity to family and health reasons amongst others.

Best of luck and contact me if you want detail if visa lady

 

Greg

 

[BritManToo]

On 3/4/2024 at 12:56 PM, GypsyT said:

"Everyone's opinion that I respect, and has spent lots of time in both (Nam & TH) tell me TH is better, much better."

When it's so easy and cheap to go and check by myself I prefer to do so. I also like to see all countries in Asia.

I do listen others, like I did when I backed out of FL retirement dream. I got very good advice here. Thanks for that!

Agree, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia all good with slight differences.

Alcohol extremely cheap in PI and Cam, if you're a serious drinker they are the place to go.

Sightseeing and touring, Vietnam wins hands down.

Thailand has the cheapest accomodation and women.

 

Easiest to stay in Philippines, next Cambodia, then Thailand, and last Vietnam which has no long term VISA (unless you marry a local).

[Nick Carter icp]

On 2/27/2024 at 8:22 PM, Korat Kiwi said:

Cheers for the info.  Hopefully they will adjust that and get onto the tourist/retirement train soon. 

 

I think it could be a good jaunt for us. 

 

   Vietnam tried tat a few years ago, may retirement visas easy to get , then many of the people who couldnt afford the Thai retirement visa moved to Vietnam .

   Vietnam saw what sort of people were coming to retire and discontinued the retirement visa

[Northstar1]

Vietnam has by far the friendliest people and accommodation and women are much cheaper than Thailand.

it’s a very beautiful country!

[1happykamper]

On 3/7/2024 at 8:51 AM, Northstar1 said:

Vietnam has by far the friendliest people and accommodation and women are much cheaper than Thailand.

it’s a very beautiful country!

Yesssss! This is the big reason I prefer Vietnam over Thailand. 

 

Viet people are curious... girls much smarter. Da Nang is a real city... plus the other 2 big ones of course. Chiang Mai.. Phuket and Pattaya still don't have the city vibe...boring skyline. Da Nang is the newer upcoming city in all of SE Asia. 

[GypsyT]

For me Nha Trang wins hand down. DaNang has beautiful river bank walk but I didn't like rest of the city.

 

I'm back to EU now and already planning next winter in Nha Trang 😉

I also plan to continue train trips along the ocean, up & down.

PS. I miss Thai girls... and Thai food... but nothing else.

 

 

 

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Good thread. Anyway, back to the visa question . . .

 

Back in late February, VN talked about waiving visas for up to 6- and 12-month stays. Too good to be true, I know. I scan the Viet English press every day and not a peep since.  However, there may be an update soon. The National Assembly will be addressing tourism issues June 4-6, as reported a week ago at Vietnam Plus news site. This below is all that was said:

 

Quote

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism is scheduled to be questioned about the recruitment, training and policies for athletes and artists; the generation of jobs for them after they reach the peak in their career; the implementation of tasks and solutions to stimulate demand and restore tourism in 2024 and the following years; measures to develop night tourism products; and specific policies to attract investment in cultural, sports and tourism activities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. 

 

Vietnam is getting crushed by other tourist hotspots in SEA. I hope they will have something concrete to offer this year. I also find this issue of residency with Thai taxation consequences somewhat worrisome. And frankly, as noted above, I find living in increasingly busy Bangkok (4.5 years straight) or anywhere in Thailand is getting on my nerves. I have lived in Cambodia many years ago and Vietnam up until 2019. 

 

The best VN visa right now is the 90-day MULTI-entry useful but not satisfactory for longer stays. However, there have been some fresh expat reports of the e-visa portal being unable to process payments and no amount of emails via the specific trouble report link were being answered for days on end. 

[Pattaya57]

On 5/6/2024 at 11:28 PM, GypsyT said:

For me Nha Trang wins hand down. DaNang has beautiful river bank walk but I didn't like rest of the city.

 

I'm back to EU now and already planning next winter in Nha Trang 😉

I also plan to continue train trips along the ocean, up & down.

PS. I miss Thai girls... and Thai food... but nothing else.

 

Can I ask how you got to Da Nang and Nha Trang? I'm looking at flying into HCMC and then take the train up to Nha Trang (8.5 hours) and then train to Da Nang (10 hours) then fly back to Bangkok.

 

Trains are 1st class sleeper but don't know what that means obviously.

 

My Mate flew to Da Nang for a quick visa run 18 months ago and has stayed there ever since on 90 day e-visa so thought It's time I checked out why he loves it so much 😀

[GypsyT]

I flew to both cities from DMK by AirAsia. One ways were about $ 45-55. Nha Trang airport is CRX - Cam Ranch. Bus to Nha Trang was $3,50 / 80000VND. No need for reservation, just step in and pay cash.

At DaNang airport area, walk about 100 meters to other side of the arch, you get -50% off the taxi since they'll make a U-turn and don't pay the airport fee 🙂

I don't think train is better for you if you plan to travel at night. You can't save that much and don't see anything. The coast is beautiful, I've been told. I'll do it next winter. Day time is fine and in short sections. Stop n go as you please. Tickets are very cheap.

 After visiting Dalat I took a suicide bus down to Thap Cham. Then a train to Nha Trang to see country side and check out Vn trains. It was nice and cheap. They sell food, snacks, fruits and drink in train.

Sometimes an old military dressed woman came by and yelled loud about something. People laughed but small kids were scared. I think it was just a show?

Enjoy! You may be the only farang, like I was, and get lot of friendly attentions from kids. They wanted to speak English and could pretty well. I asked "How did you learn?"  "With Apple!" was an answer. Steve Jobs did some good to Vietnamese kids, I think.

 

[Pattaya57]

Thanks @GypsyT

 

I'm planning to spend 6 weeks in Sep/Oct to sus out where I'd like best to then spend 6-9 months in (Da Nang or Nha Trang)

 

To break up the trip I've worked out what I think is a good day-time train schedule to see a couple of extra cities and a lot of the country side.

 

Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet

(4.35 hrs - 06:30 - 11:05)

 

Phan Thiet to Nha Trang

(3.53 hrs - 09:46 - 13:39)

 

Nha Trang to Quy Nhon

(4.30 hrs - 13:59 - 18:29)

 

Quy Nhon to Da Nang

(5.23 hrs - 08:17 - 13:40)

 

Any comments/suggestions appreciated.

 

Edited June 21 by Pattaya57

[Jingthing]

On 2/27/2024 at 8:22 PM, Korat Kiwi said:

Cheers for the info.  Hopefully they will adjust that and get onto the tourist/retirement train soon. 

 

I think it could be a good jaunt for us. 

They definitely will do no such thing.

Sorry, they're just not that into us.

Come and open a legitimate business, have special skills, marry a local probably, and then you're talking.

FORGET ABOUT VIETNAM for regular retired expats.

 

Edited June 21 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Have you checked out the Philippines? Countless beach area options and if you want a cool weather hill city try Baguio City.

OP says he's interested in Sihanoukville Cambodia. NO NO NO! Unless you're a Chinese "businessman" forget it. A ruined city.

Yes retirement visas super easy in Cambodia, much easier than Thailand.

I could probably live in Siam Reap but nowhere near a beach. 

Edited June 21 by Jingthing

[Korat Kiwi]

I have lived in the Philippines.  Married to one.  Escaped before I got murdered by her psycho brother. 

 

Lived in Bohol but visited a few other places.  Great beaches and good scuba diving. 

 

Crap food. 

[GypsyT]

2 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

To break up the trip I've worked out what I think is a good day-time train schedule to see a couple of extra cities and a lot of the country side.

Perfect planning! Enjoy.

I'll do same all the way up to Hanoi.