Moving to Da Nang

Hello departed00,

Please note that your thread is now on the Da Nang forum.

If I am not mistaken, you are looking for a property agent and recommendations for good movers. Right?

Just wanted to be sure as there are two different topics in one thread.

I am sure that someone on this forum will be able to assist you.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

@departed00  For the Hoi An end of the beach I recommend Ha at Nha Toi.

Might be easier to take all on the plane - booked in advance not so expensive. Posting is ok, but things can get knocked around. On VNA I think one bike for free - check!  You will need to get bike boxes but will for posting anyway. Vietnam airlines have been very good with bikes in my experience

@departed00

Hi departed00. That was me who recommended Viettel Post a while back. Sorry to hear you're having difficulty sorting out the logistics with them.

I absolutely agree with jnickr's post re: taking it with you on your flight. Not expensive (not at all).

Please let us know what you decide to do and how your experience was.

Best of luck in your relocation to Da Nang!

So i'll be relocating from HCM to DN in around 3 weeks to live.
If anyone can recommend an honest property agent there that would be really helpful. I'll be looking for a one bed place as close to the beach as possible. Also i'll need to ship up my 2 bicycles and around 30kg of stuff (maybe 2 medium boxes.) Someone recommended Viettel post but hard to get an answer from them. I'll take quite a bit on the plane but it would be much easier to have it shipped to my door there.

Thanks.
-@departed00

I have no clue as to your financial situation, so this may seem really crazy, but you can always look into having a private SUV driver take you from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang.

With a little detour you could swing over to the coast, a mostly beautiful route, or time the trip to doing a border run at Mộc Bài and then take the road(s) through the central highlands.

I've done the coast route (Vũng Tàu to Đà Nẵng/Huế) 3 times and the central highlands 1x, usually in conjunction with a move.

Because I usually move out of an apartment first and then stay at inexpensive places along the way, it's actually quite affordable on my budget.

With the current tourist economy doldrums, some private SUV drivers are willing to significantly reduce their rates.

Regarding an "honest" rental agent here in Đà Nẵng/Hội An, I'd recommend waiting until you actually get here before contacting one.

The most dishonest dealings are usually accomplished long distance.

Pop me a PM if you need help here in this region.

Good luck!

O.B.

Cẩm Thanh, Hội An

Quảng Nam

@OceanBeach92107 Thanks, that's an interesting option with the SUV. I suppose you'd have to cover the drivers accommodation costs etc as well along the way but it might still be reasonable. I can't fly with my bike as it's an ebike with a large battery so that's a no go.

@OceanBeach92107 Thanks, that's an interesting option with the SUV. I suppose you'd have to cover the drivers accommodation costs etc as well along the way but it might still be reasonable. I can't fly with my bike as it's an ebike with a large battery so that's a no go.
-@departed00

My experience:

You propose a general itinerary including preferred route and planned stops with departure date and ultimate arrival date.

The driver will give you a flat rate, covering total km, petrol, tolls, their meals & their lodging.

No hidden charges.

Until the driver discovers if you always like to eat Vietnamese food, they will arrange to take you some place where you can get something to eat and they will get food on their own.

You can choose your own lodging along the way, while they will probably get a bed in an inexpensive motel or even with relatives/friends along the way.

I have one driver from Quy Nhơn whom I continue to use a lot for long distance travel.

We always eat Vietnamese food together and I insist on renting him a room wherever I'm staying.

I do that on my own because I like to treat him well.

He's a very loyal guy who always looks out for my best interests when we are on the road (he often picks up the check for coffee or meals).

But there's no need for you to do those things unless you want to.

Ideally, before you ever give him the itinerary and proposed trip details, you will have a good sense of what the total cost should be and you can offer him a certain amount for the whole trip.

You offer him a low reasonable fare and leave room for him to ask for a little more and you will both be happy and you won't risk paying an exorbitantly high price, and you can decide if you want to tip him at the end.

Also, in my experience this works best if you already know the driver or the driver is referred to you by someone trustworthy.

Needless to say, there is the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime adventure experience that an airplane flight simply won't provide.

Also, since you are a cyclist, you will be scouting out locations for future bike trips

Good luck!

@OceanBeach92107 Thanks for the detailed reply. Are you able to give a rough ball park figure for what they may charge from HCM-DN? I suppose the trip could be done in 3-4 days with a few stops. I will make some enquiries and see how it compares. Baggage wise not a huge amount, although there will be a bicycle and a few smaller suitcases.

@OceanBeach92107 Thanks for the detailed reply. Are you able to give a rough ball park figure for what they may charge from HCM-DN? I suppose the trip could be done in 3-4 days with a few stops. I will make some enquiries and see how it compares. Baggage wise not a huge amount, although there will be a bicycle and a few smaller suitcases.
-@departed00

You can do it in 2-days and one night.

Train is another option, you could take all your stuff on a train and organise a car to pick you up in Da Nang.

@OceanBeach92107 Thanks for the detailed reply. Are you able to give a rough ball park figure for what they may charge from HCM-DN? I suppose the trip could be done in 3-4 days with a few stops. I will make some enquiries and see how it compares. Baggage wise not a huge amount, although there will be a bicycle and a few smaller suitcases.
-@departed00

Here's how "I" would do it for the shortest route timewise:

HCMC to Buôn Ma Thuột and overnight.

Buôn Ma Thuột to Quảng Ngãi (via Pleiku) and overnight again.

Quảng Ngãi to Đà Nẵng

70% of the current Grab rate is ₫9,750,000 VNĐ for the 958 km trip (7 seater).

I know drivers who would probably make the trip for significantly less than that and others who would demand a little bit more

@departed00

I've sent you a PM. If you're set on shipping and not carrying, I use those guys a lot for smaller shipments.

I can recommend them.