robvan
Australian expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
127
About me
Australian
Speaks English, Dutch, German, reasonable French.
Registration: 28 April 2014
I am thinking of going to Vietnam for Dental work by Alexandersalvia1
So like the tittle says , I am thinking of traveling to Vietnam to have serious dental work done. I am now in the USA and we all know it is expensive here, I am only 54 years old and I have the need for the presentable smile. My local dentist ...
Yes, Turtle Lake is a circular construction with seats around it. Nothing special as such, but a city landmark: https://govntravel.com/turtle-lake-saigon-a-must-visit-tourist-destination/ Read More
I am thinking of going to Vietnam for Dental work by Alexandersalvia1
So like the tittle says , I am thinking of traveling to Vietnam to have serious dental work done. I am now in the USA and we all know it is expensive here, I am only 54 years old and I have the need for the presentable smile. My local dentist ...
When I lived in Saigon, I used to go to Starlight in District 3: https://www.starlightdental.net/centers/starlight-city-center-dist-3/. No doubt more expensive than a local butcher, but plenty modern and lots of expat clients (English spoken). I had ... Read More
What district to stay in HCM? by yudirajput
Hi,I will be arriving to HCM on June 1.I will really appreciate if anyone can advise what district to stay for a week. Preferences will be for somewhere away from night clubs/pubs.Any valuable suggestions/advise will be highly appreciated ...
@OceanBeach92107 Oh, and if you're staying at the Continental, stroll across the square past the Opera to the Caravelle Hotel and have a cocktail at the bar on the top floor. Journalists used to congregate there during the Vietnam War -- sorry, ... Read More
What district to stay in HCM? by yudirajput
Hi,I will be arriving to HCM on June 1.I will really appreciate if anyone can advise what district to stay for a week. Preferences will be for somewhere away from night clubs/pubs.Any valuable suggestions/advise will be highly appreciated ...
@yudirajput As OceanBeach said, Hotel Continental is a good choice if you can afford it (around $120 a night, maybe cheaper for a single, as always try booking with the hotel direct and ask if that's the best they can do). Refurbished, ... Read More
Buying a small motorbike by Malcolmleitrim
My vietnamese girlfriend wants to buy a new motorbike and I am trying to help her. However, I won't be in Vietnam until next month and besides, I know nothing about motorbikes. I have tried looking up prices online but once I put in my ...
@Malcolmleitrim Hi Malcolm,Here's a story I wrote for Citypassguide some four years ago. It's not entirely relevant in your case and some of it is probaby out of date (I no longer live in Vietnam), but perhaps you'll find some of the points useful. ... Read More
Driving licence for foreigner!? by JimExpatForum
Any foreigner who has successfully got the full Vietnamese driving licence? PLEASE HELP! I need to get the full vietnam driving licence for motorcycle and car, so I can then apply for International Driving Permit. I've been told by various ...
@SteinNebraskaYep, you're screwed indeed, because you let your home-country licence expire. Silly, yes? Unless you still can fix that, e.g. by going back to your home country and telling the licence people there a sob story about covid travel ... Read More
Did you bring anything to Vietnam? by Anh Pham46
Hi guys, when you moved to vietnam, did you bring anything from the US? Like small appliances, small electronics, etc and use a converter? Or just buy it all new with the correct voltage/plug? I'm just wondering if I can bring some things over ...
As some people already said, simple home appliances are cheap here -- keep your top-of-the-range Miele blender for when you return home. Most appliances these days are dual-voltage, but check -- your American single-110V appliance is probably quite ... Read More
Vaccine for foreigners by Guest2023
Here is the English translation of the story. [url=https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20210628/foreign-citizens-in-vietnam-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid19-foreign-ministry-spokesperson/61755.html]Vaccine[/url]
Yeah, paperwork etc. The same applies to the AZ shots produced in Australia that the EU doesn't recognise either. I've had both shots and would love to visit Europe next year when Australia lets me leave. (I think it's the only country ... Read More
Vaccine for foreigners by Guest2023
Here is the English translation of the story. [url=https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20210628/foreign-citizens-in-vietnam-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid19-foreign-ministry-spokesperson/61755.html]Vaccine[/url]
Hang on, after returning to Melbourne Australia I got both my AZ shots and both times I had to sit there for 15 minutes afterwards to monitor any adverse reactions. This applied to everyone. Do they just let Vietnamese walk away immediately over ... Read More
Vietnam is boring by Guest6787
I've been here 3 months in Binh Duong, just 20 km outside of the HCM city center. There's almost no variety to life here. Everything is the same. Same food everywhere you go, every day. Same boring boxed food products in every store. ...
@Gobot and others, Re things to see and do in Saigon: -- Apocalypse Now bar? OK if you don't expect to hold a conversation. I used to work in a discotheque in Amsterdam that had the same problem, though there was a quieter bar upstairs. ... Read More
Vietnam is boring by Guest6787
I've been here 3 months in Binh Duong, just 20 km outside of the HCM city center. There's almost no variety to life here. Everything is the same. Same food everywhere you go, every day. Same boring boxed food products in every store. ...
Hi Enki, Good for you to delete the "go back where you came from" comment. I'm sure I'm not the only one on this forum who doesn't know where that would be. I was born in Singapore of Dutch parents when it was still a crown ... Read More
Vietnam is boring by Guest6787
I've been here 3 months in Binh Duong, just 20 km outside of the HCM city center. There's almost no variety to life here. Everything is the same. Same food everywhere you go, every day. Same boring boxed food products in every store. ...
Hmm, Enki, not a helpful response, is it? Newcomers often reach out for advice from those who came before, struggled with the same iissues and pulled through. "Go back to where you came from" has a nasty ring to it. I suspect you're ... Read More
Vietnam is boring by Guest6787
I've been here 3 months in Binh Duong, just 20 km outside of the HCM city center. There's almost no variety to life here. Everything is the same. Same food everywhere you go, every day. Same boring boxed food products in every store. ...
I get where you're coming from. I spent five years in Saigon after five years in Kuala Lumpur, now I'm some two years back 'home' in Melbourne Aus. I preferred Saigon over KL (safer, friendlier people, no ethnic tensions, cheaper too ... Read More
Vietnamese driving license. by bertieboy123
Hello all. What is involved in a foreigner obtaining a Vietnamese drivers license ? I know some will ask why on earth i would want to drive in Vietnam lol :-) But i am married to a Vietnamese lady (Who normally drives me around when in Vietnam) We ...
Why renew an Aus licence you won't use? Well, because it's properly recognised internationally. Try doing anything semi-official overseas with a Vietnamese one :-) Then again, if you never plan on going anywhere outside ASEAN countries ... Read More
At my wit's end, a visa conundrum by avhexpat
Hello fellow expats, I came to VN on a work visa and was extended by my company last year. They handled everything and gave me new TRC card. All was good. This year is a different story. The company won't be able to extend my contract which ...
Ciambella's advice sounds right to me. Good luck. Re Veloexpat's suggestion... "You can apply on line through the Washington DC embassy for you VEC just need an address to mail in the US then have the family members or friends forward ... Read More
Dangerous theft in my apt room by Adam2005
I want to get expat feedback about a very bad experience. Last month professional thief climbed up the building and entered my room through sliding window at around 3:45am, took away my cellphone, laptop, and handbag while I was sleeping. In my bag ...
Adam, Sorry to hear your story, and no, don't lose your passport. Bank cards can be blocked with a phone call (do you know the number(s) to call?), but passports require contact with your embassy/consulate (if it's not closed), and as ... Read More
Cost of cars in Vietnam by vic50
Does anyone here know the cost of a new car in Vietnam. Looking at a 4 door medium sized sedan. What models are available??? What are the costs to run a car and cost of petrol. Registration, government taxes etc Is it best to buy new or second ...
From my experience, a driver contract is preferable to driving your own car. Monthly costs are likely to be less in purchase price and maintenance, and as has been pointed out on this thread, the driver can help in so many other ways. When we lived ... Read More
Motorbike License (Refreshing the thread of 2012) by danrodri
Hi all, disclaimer first of all: I carefully read the thread of 2012 on this topic, but I could imagine that things might have changed 8 years later, so allow me to open it as new thread. Now, I need to get a VN motorbike license. I currently ...
@goodoldboy: Yes, medical insurance is the killer. Coffee money can get you out of police checks, but your medical insurance won't cover you if you are injured without the proper documents. That prompted me to go through the whole rigmarole of ... Read More
Seeking motorbike exporting advice (single, onetime, non-commercial) by cmr0n
Hello there, Got my hands on Honda 67 and now looking for ways to ship it back home. Hence, I am looking for advice with the following: a) what is the best way to export the bike? I've read stories starting with specific freight-shipping ...
I had a beautiful custom SS67 that I wanted to take back to Australia last year. Problem was, Australia now has this law about asbestos parts in any imported vehicle -- clutch plates, brake linings, gaskets etc. If you're unlucky, they'll ... Read More
How to keep your things safe in an Airbnb or apartment by Vietnamkid
Hi, This may be naive or plain stupid, but I'm gonna ask anyways. :) I will be traveling with my laptop, camera, etc. I've always stayed at hotels in Vietnam and would leave my laptop with the receptionist when out. I am considering ...
OK, I'll try again. I was just about finished with my reply when my young-teen daughter barged in about a yoga site she 'needed' to check, and my message was gone. As I had said, we lived in an upmarket area in D7 in Saigon for five ... Read More
A waste of expertise ? by GuestPoster288
I appreciate that some members on here consider that anyone over 50 should be embalmed, tied to a stake and burned or buried at sea but it occurs to me that also within the group of ex-pats there is a wealth of experience and expertise that far ...
Indices, you're right, the second part of my reply was off thread. Sorry to waste people's time. I got a bit carried away by your opening comment about some people feeling that those over 50 should be emblamed, burned at the stake or buried ... Read More
A waste of expertise ? by GuestPoster288
I appreciate that some members on here consider that anyone over 50 should be embalmed, tied to a stake and burned or buried at sea but it occurs to me that also within the group of ex-pats there is a wealth of experience and expertise that far ...
Re embalming and vintage cars... I'm with you on the cars and motorcycles. Good luck with those, however! Do you know someone who can cut through the shifting regulations/public-servant-behind-the-desk crap? Coffee money? You'll probably ... Read More
FPT Internet connection by goodolboy
Anyone with FPT noticed their internet connection has slowed right down in the last month or so. Its driving me nuts, [b]could it be because all the schools are closed & lots of kids at home using up band width?[/b] Had the "engineer" ...
Yep, stay-at-home kids online would put a big strain on the network, and haven't sharks chewed through the cables again? I wouldn't put any faith in 'technicians' who talk about brick walls and internet boxes off the perpendicular, ... Read More
Vietnamese and Selfies by Jlgarbutt
I'm not going to complain, as I see many beautiful Vietnamese women pose for photos, and by beautiful... They are stunning. But what is the fascination of going out dressed up - some have friends in hand to do make up today at Landmark... Just ...
Yes, the selfies thing with V-fingers... When I arrived in Australia from Europe by motorbike back in 1983, I hooked up with a Japanese motorcyclist on the ferry from Melbourne to Tasmania. Every 20km or so, he insisted on stopping to take a selfie ... Read More
Any way for an expat to own a boat? by interblag
Hi all, just joined, my wife and I are new to Saigon. Is there any way for an expat to own a boat here? I've got dreams of exploring the waterways and eventually taking longer trips, perhaps even up the mighty Mekong. Am open to getting any ...
Before moving back to Melbourne six months ago, I had a Dutch friend in Saigon who was married to a Vietnamese. He was a fully accredited marine skipper who did jobs around the world including Vung Tau captaining supply ships to offshore oil ... Read More
Adopting a pet in Vietnam by Loïc
Hello, Are you a dog or a cat person? A pet can add life to a home and make an ideal travel companion during your expatriation in Vietnam. However, formalities or regulations might put you off traveling with your pet making adoption a better ...
Adopted a female kitten that literally came out of the gutter when we lived in KL. Took her with us to Saigon. Adopted another female kitten that clung to my partner's legs at the ATM in D7, and then a Maltese male dog from ARC Pet in D2. We ... Read More
30 day visa time frame. by Guest2023
What do you think the outcome will be if they introduce this 30-day maximum limit for visas. I can see a big exodus of expats who are living here on tourist visas. I'm sure an internal visa process will be offered at a ridiculous price.
What gets me is that Vietnam is a member of ASEAN, which was modelled to some extent on the EU, or the E(E)C before that, with aligned banking rules and other requirements. But the E(E)C never included communist, one-party states. As a historian by ... Read More
30 day visa time frame. by Guest2023
What do you think the outcome will be if they introduce this 30-day maximum limit for visas. I can see a big exodus of expats who are living here on tourist visas. I'm sure an internal visa process will be offered at a ridiculous price.
In some respects I'm glad I left VN a few months ago to return to Australia after 10 years (the term "Asia fatigue" springs to mind), though I do miss my lifestyle there, and the great people. I'm still coming to terms with ... Read More
Downside of Expat life? by Suppobill
I'm sure this has been covered before, but I couldn't find any threads. What are the downsides to Expat life in VN? I don't have any family to miss in the US and I wouldn't have to work in VN for my income. As a result, I could ...
Bill, There are plenty of upsides to expat life in VN, but I won't go into them because you specifically asked for the downsides. After 5.5 years in Saigon and 4.5 years in KL, here goes: 1) -- Food. Generally lovely and fresh with lots of ... Read More
Los Angeles Times Article About Americans Retiring In Vietnam by OceanBeach92107
This published on December 25, 2019 in the Los Angeles Times: ...
I agree that Vietnam is safe, apart from snatch-theft of iPhones, bags etc. We lived in KL before moving to Saigon, and were always in dread that our five-year-old daughter would be kidnapped where we lived in the expat haven of Bangsar (several ... Read More
Expat interest in politics in Vietnam by Bhavna
Hello everyone, As an expat, your day-to-day life in Vietnam is impacted by decision-making at the political level in your host country as well as in your country of origin. We would like to know how involved you think expats should be in the ...
@Colinoscapee: "Thailand is a Kingdom, Viet Nam is not, so very different." Not really, in VN you can end up in jail for criticising or disparaging the party, in Thailand for criticising or disparaging the monarchy. Same ... Read More
Advice as to a much cooler (temperature wise)to live during the summer by NomadBob123
Hello All, I still live in the US and plan to retire next year. Have been to SE Asia about 5 times in the recent past. The problem I know I am going to have is the heat. Although I live in Florida and have also lived in Texas for many years, ...
I second Baguio in the Phils -- thriving with lots of university activity. Not too sure about Dalat. More of a summer retreat , rather isolated and not much happening. Beautiful area, though. As one or two others have said, ocean breezes are your ... Read More
Motorbike License- Hard to get for Foreigners. by Silvertail26
It is illegal to ride a bike over 50cc's without a valid Vietnam Motorbike License. The laws have changed, I believe because of the amount of motorcycle accidents by Foreigners over recent years. You, until recently, were able to go through a ...
Sheesh, how did you get both licences in one day? Pray tell! I managed to get my foreign motorcycle licence transferred into a Vietnamese one, but only for the duration of my residence permit or foreign licence, whichever expired first. It took a ... Read More
Vietnam. Police state.? by Daneb51
I am retired and considering a move to Vietnam. I am a child of the 60’s. How vigorous are the police? Thanks
As some have said already, Vietnam is actually very safe. No violent crime on the streets (they're extremely strict about that, and certainly no weapons of any kind), but you may want to guard against bag-snatching in major cities, and flaunting ... Read More
Best way to learn Vietnamese language quickly by Jatinder05
Hi All, Greetings! I plan to visit Hanoi sometime next year. I would like to know what is the best or rather quickest way to learn the language? Are there any Vietnamese people interested in language exchange? I am in Delhi NCR, India right now. ...
Hi Jatinder05, Learning Vetnamese quickly? As several respondents here already pointed out, the tones make it just about impossible, at least quickly. I'm not sure to what extent I'm allowed to post links on here, but here's a story I ... Read More
Tourist visa extension by HenryJo
I want to extent 3 month tourist visa expiring on 12 December 2018. I’m a UK national. Travel Agency in Saigon has agreed 1 month extension for 80 USD. Seems one month extension lasts until 12 January 2019. However, if I need to stay in ...
Hi Henryjo, I'm afraid I can't offer specifc advice, but have you tried going through the normal, official channels? I admit it's very hard unless you have a Vietnamese speaker to help you, and it's likely to involve a lot of ... Read More
I have decided on Viet Nam to relocate/live/retire by WyonJames
Im on a mission to educate as much as possible options for the move to VN. I am a bachelor with a cat, US military veteran with service connected disability I am looking for any help, suggestions, observations on choosing where to live. I seem to ...
Vung Tau? Hmm, not too sure about that. Reasonably close to Saigon (which can be a big plus for services etc) but otherwise fairly limited in options and a filthy beach with oil rigs offshore. Danang would be a far better choice from my p.o.v., the ... Read More
Telephone company and internet. by yacocati
Hello Again. What is the best company to have with them contracted the line for cellular and for internet at home, also a good cover to use internet in my Smart phone.? Thanks.
@Jim-Minh: Private connection is always a good idea, preferably over a VPN. But I think so long as you have a good anti-virus, a firewall defender and frequent checks with Malwarebytes and something like Spybot, it should be OK. Nothing is 100% ... Read More
Telephone company and internet. by yacocati
Hello Again. What is the best company to have with them contracted the line for cellular and for internet at home, also a good cover to use internet in my Smart phone.? Thanks.
@Ciambella: >If you're going to live in a serviced apartment, WiFi is included in the rent so there's no need to bother. I would say that even if you're renting a house or whatever, you should insist on WiFi and TV subscrition being ... Read More
Do you need a driving license to buy an electric bike in SG? by glennchua
I need to get an electric motorbike for daily travel around SG. Not sure if you need a license or not ( I don't have one). Anyone who knows which shop sells them (preferably in southeast corner of D1) please share :) I'm looking for 1 that ...
The hot climate is not very conducive (pun) to batteries, so they don't tend to last as long as at higher latitudes. But they're cheaper here anyway, so don't fret too much. But yes, do check what your insurance will cover, as someone ... Read More
Telephone company and internet. by yacocati
Hello Again. What is the best company to have with them contracted the line for cellular and for internet at home, also a good cover to use internet in my Smart phone.? Thanks.
Viettel, run by the military, has the widest coverage across the country -- certainly if you're going off the beaten track. Rates are cheap, though I don't know about data (I only use my phone for voice and sms, so my battery charge lasts a ... Read More
Prescription medications in Vietnam by Jim-Minh
I have three medications that I take here in the US that can't be purchased in Vietnam or Thailand (AFAIK). I have also found that even blood pressure and diabetes medications can't be shipped to Vietnam. I am facing the prospect of making a ...
A lot of different brand medications do the same thing, so no need to get too hung up on your particulars. In Saigon I go to the Raffles Medical clinic (formerly SOS) to get my six-monthly blood tests and three-monthly repeat scripts for ... Read More
Average salary for English teacher with no degree by Froyo3652
Hi all, I've got my first interview at an English center in Ho Chi Minh City later this week and I have no idea what is a fair number to start at when negotiating salary. I have essentially zero experience, and no degree, but I have a TEFL ...
This article in the latest edition of AsiaLife magazine may give you some pointers: https://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/professional-and-passionate-teaching-in-vietnam/ Read More
Medical Scam or Business as Usual in Vietnam? by Geniusloci
Hi, I'm looking for a bit of advice. (Sorry for the long post...) Here in Australia my son and a few other benefactors have a Vietnamese friend. Their friend has a younger sister (in Vietnam with the rest of the family) who needs urgent ...
For anything more than a simple fracture (i.e., not a complicated one), go to Singapore or Bangkok. As someone said, it will be more expensive, but the 'repair' will be better. And if they ask there for (some of) the payment up front, you ... Read More
Cheapest air fares to Saigon - London? by Thaiger
My friend gave me a web-dress flight buckets or sth that had uber cheap flights if ur flexible. his family was in airlines and he used to get mega-deals. can't find it now. anyhow, whats the latest on flight to blighty? totally flexible on ...
@Thaiger: One way or return? Can make a bit of difference. Read More
Police Residence Registration by GuestPoster0147
Hi everyone We moved into an apartment in a tower building in Binh Chanh a few weeks ago. The landlords are Vietnamese people who just bought this apartment. We are their first renter. That's why we recently asked them if they registered us ...
When we first began renting a house in D7 four-and-half years ago, we threw a street food party together with the departing owner. Everyone in the street turned up with a bottle of wine (the heavier the bottle, the better), and a former government ... Read More
Vaccinations for Children by asthasr
Hi! My wife (Vietnamese, but a naturalized US citizen) and I are considering relocating to HCMC. We have two small children. Has anyone in this situation had additional vaccines above and beyond the US standard ones for their children? (E.g. BCG, ...
Having lived in several tropical countries, the last two of them with a growing child, I'm with Bazza39's advice. By all means get encephalitis and rabies for your child, the latter especially if they like patting stray dogs like mine. Also ... Read More
! Vietnamese come here by hellothere2018
Hello! What Vietnamese people think about Americans in 2018? Do they like Americans\neutral\dislike them? You can answer really short, like + (like) or - (dislike). PLEASE I REALLY NEED YOUR SINCERE THOUGHTS, brothers. PLEASE.
There's something weird going on with the website here, as Colinoscapee said too. Read More
! Vietnamese come here by hellothere2018
Hello! What Vietnamese people think about Americans in 2018? Do they like Americans\neutral\dislike them? You can answer really short, like + (like) or - (dislike). PLEASE I REALLY NEED YOUR SINCERE THOUGHTS, brothers. PLEASE.
Here you go: The Vietnam culture is probably(?) the best available. Why? The (relative) lack of social problems like the intolerance of colour, class, caste or religion (etc) we see in so many other countries. Read More
my employer, moto accident, didn't pay govt health insurance by MasterofDisaster
I've had to spend about 20 million after a motorcycle accident. I had a two year contract and work permit etc. He failed to pay any kind of insurance for me, let alone the government one required by law. I have a translated and notarised ...
Don't rely on any government-type insurance, though it costs very little and the police like to see it. Yes, it's useless. Get a solid one of your own, and check it against coverage for things like bike accidents and whatever riding licences ... Read More
! Vietnamese come here by hellothere2018
Hello! What Vietnamese people think about Americans in 2018? Do they like Americans\neutral\dislike them? You can answer really short, like + (like) or - (dislike). PLEASE I REALLY NEED YOUR SINCERE THOUGHTS, brothers. PLEASE.
@Colinoscopee: No "intolerance of colour"??? Try telling that to a black American or African visitor or expat. It's not as bad as in India (see http://www.bbc.com/news/stories-43877568) but I've met a few black travellers here and ... Read More
Money for Visa Run to Cambodia by GuestPoster229
Hello all, I need to do a visa run to Cambodia and stay there for a few days. Those of you who do this from Vietnam, where/how do you exchange money? Do you take Vietnamese Dang with you or US Dollars, or ... Where do you exchange your ...
@Colinoscapee: You're right, Bavet is what the border is called on the Cambodian side (casinos, brothels, Buddhist architecture). Thanks for the update on the fee. I haven't done the crossing since the all-new border facilities were opened ... Read More
Employment for a Writer in Vietnam? by TheThoreauLife
Dear Friends, I am relatively new to expat.com, so before my question I will introduce myself. I am an American who grew up as a military brat overseas (Italy, Spain) and lived previously as an expat in Kathmandu Nepal for eight months. I attend ...
>It might be easier to find work as a copy editor than as an originator of material. Most of the English language publications in Vietnam have reasonably competent native reporters but they still could benefit from editing for idiom ... Read More
Money for Visa Run to Cambodia by GuestPoster229
Hello all, I need to do a visa run to Cambodia and stay there for a few days. Those of you who do this from Vietnam, where/how do you exchange money? Do you take Vietnamese Dang with you or US Dollars, or ... Where do you exchange your ...
No need to get a Cambodian visa in advance at the consulate in Saigon (the embassy would be in Hanoi). You get it on the spot at Moc Bai, so much easier than any Viet bureaucracy. Just fill in a form and have the money ready in crisp US$ notes (not ... Read More
Working in bars,hotels. by elroy01
Hi there, I was just wondering how easy is it to get a job at a bar or hotel in HCMC. I want to move to HCMC in a couple of months and stay there for a long term. But first i want to find a nice job. I have a lot of experience as a supervisor in ...
Craft beer is a real fad here now. Don't know how long it will last, I think it's overblown. Probably better aim for something more solid in the longer term after you've ridden the dolphin. But that probably won't matter once you ... Read More
Advice needed: Electricity Consumption (kw) for a 92m2 household for 2 by lily.truong.jfku
Hi, I currently am visiting family in Ho Chi Minh City. I haven't lived in Vietnam for 17 years and there are many things I don't know yet (such as how people do business, how houses or apartment complex are built, etc.). I find myself in ...
You're definitely being scammed, so yes, complain to airbnb. I live in D7 in a house with four floors, five bedrooms (plus another two on the top floor we don't use), and eight aircons. Aircons are the killers -- radiant heaters in reverse. ... Read More
Foreign Banks Fleeing Viet Nam by gobot
Article of interest to expats. "Fleeing" is hyperbole, and only offers speculation about why banks are leaving/divesting. [url=http://www.atimes.com/article/foreign-banks-fleeing-vietnam/]Foreign Banks Fleeing Viet Nam[/url]
@Bazza 139 "Ok, but beware the Ides of March. "History does not repeat itself..." As a historian by training I can say that history doesn't repeat itself -- but it often rhymes! As for foreign banks bailing out, my 400-dong ... Read More
What is fascinating about Phu Quoc Island? by lupacexi
This time I want to travel with my family in Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Let me ask what is fascinating about Phu Quoc Island? I want to give my children the most interesting and impressive when coming to Vietnam.
I really don't know what's so fascinating about the island. Yes, it has a few nice beaches and sunsets, and the seafood is good; but in my experience the much-vaunted snorkelling is mediocre compared to many other places in Southeast Asia, ... Read More
An honest teaching job in VN with no bachelors degree by ALifeLessAverage
I know the forums cover this topic often, but what I cant find is an example of someone who has a legit teaching job in VN resulting in a work permit, who didn't require a bachelors degree I have undertaken 3 years tertiary study and have ...
Sorry THIGV, what are the 1960s' church reforms you refer to? Rob Read More
Vaccinations for Vietnam by Vegetivita
Hey all, I'm going to be leaving for Vietnam sometime between March and June of 2018 and I just started looking into the recommended vaccinations I should get. I had a consultation at a place in the USA called "Passport Health" and ...
Hmmm, that's the extreme list of vaccinations/barriers to cover you to some extent for everything you could theoretically encounter, including in your home country. It sounds to me like they're out to cover their backsides and/or to fleece ... Read More
Life salvation for next 10 years by Contem talk
Dear Folk I would like to create this topic as what kind of problem we will face on next ten years, and I will add for this age between 25 to 40 male and female, As one of us will be on this period so, we can see what we will face on our next ten ...
@ THIGV: No, I don't think Vietnam is headed towards a Russian model, at least not anymore. That country is now basically a mafia state run by the government, and there's no way you could call Vietnam a mafia state. I think a Chinese ... Read More
An honest teaching job in VN with no bachelors degree by ALifeLessAverage
I know the forums cover this topic often, but what I cant find is an example of someone who has a legit teaching job in VN resulting in a work permit, who didn't require a bachelors degree I have undertaken 3 years tertiary study and have ...
Perhaps slightly off-topic, but I eventually got a work permit for a sub-editing job at an English-language sub-editing start-up in Saigon. I needed to show my Masters degree from the University of Amsterdam, which showed my Masters in History on ... Read More
Life salvation for next 10 years by Contem talk
Dear Folk I would like to create this topic as what kind of problem we will face on next ten years, and I will add for this age between 25 to 40 male and female, As one of us will be on this period so, we can see what we will face on our next ten ...
Yep, "Vietnam Rising Dragon" is a good book, though when I lent it to a former Vietnamese colleague of mine whose grand-uncle was one of the featured dissidents, he said a lot of things were incorrect. Maybe they didn't quite match his ... Read More
Opening a Bank account which have logical procedure by Marlan123
Hi guys , I really appreciate if you could guide me on this as well . I read in the internet in many places about banking procedure, some of them don't make any sense , just like to make sure if those information are correct or false 1, is ...
Yep, things are a lot easier in most aspects with a Vietnamese partner, so long as you're willing to put things in their name. If not, and you are registered with a work permit for the one employer (the whole rigmarole starts again if you change ... Read More
Foreigners living in Vietnam, who are they and how are they doing? by GuestPoster348
This is from my 4 years personal experiences of meeting, socializing, working and being friends with foreigners in Vietnam. In this post, I mostly indicate foreigners who are working and living rather than tourists. This may be applicable for expats ...
Ha ha! Always happy to stand corrected. That's what civilised debate and scientific advancement are all about after all. But I still have to admit defeat on Vietnamese and it gives me the sh*ts. Read More
Opening a Bank account which have logical procedure by Marlan123
Hi guys , I really appreciate if you could guide me on this as well . I read in the internet in many places about banking procedure, some of them don't make any sense , just like to make sure if those information are correct or false 1, is ...
I have four different bank accounts in VN, including ANZ (soon to be moved across to a new entity) and Commonwealth (recently moved) because I'm Australian and need to shift money back and forth to/from there. After the VN company I worked for ... Read More
Foreigners living in Vietnam, who are they and how are they doing? by GuestPoster348
This is from my 4 years personal experiences of meeting, socializing, working and being friends with foreigners in Vietnam. In this post, I mostly indicate foreigners who are working and living rather than tourists. This may be applicable for expats ...
What gets me is that I've been told that anyone under 30 has learned (or is learning) English at school, yet no-one seems to speak it in shops, ticket offices, motorcycle repair shops, taxis, restaurants, low-level government offices etc. What ... Read More
Urologist or Oncologist HCMC by THIGV
I just got a phone call from a friend from Hawaii who is in HCMC. Her father apparently has prostate cancer and has blood in his urine. She asked me if I knew a doctor but told her that I dealt with an internist for my day to day care and that she ...
The tests were done through SOS -- don't know what lab they use. The scan was at one of the major local hospitals (not FV). Don't know the name, SOS took me there. The SOS doctor suggested the bladder examination in S'pore and kindly ... Read More
How do you travel as a dual citizen? by THIGV
My wife is coming up on her US citizenship and I was wondering how most dual citizens traveled as far as passports. She will be retaining her Vietnamese citizenship and passport which is now, if not 100% legal, at least tolerated by the US. Part of ...
This might be slightly off topic, seeing as the original question involved Viet/foreign passports, but I and my daughter hold Australian and Dutch passports -- the Australian ones have two-year, renewable residence permits in VN because of my ... Read More
Vietnam Retirement Destination by GuestPoster1888
Presently i am considering my first time visit to Vietnam in mid May.I lived in Panama a few years as an expat but didn't really like it there for long term living.I have traveled to many parts of the globe but not Asia so far.Any information on ...
I might be a bit late now with this reply, seeing as your last post was in February, but I'd be a bit wary about Vung Tau over Saigon. Yes, it's close to Saigon but not *that* close in case of emergency, and culturally it's very limited. ... Read More
Visa from the UK for Vietnam by 1312j
What experience do people have on using websites to get Visas? Need one sorting relatively quick.
I agree. Try and get your visa on the spot at the embassy in London -- you may have to pay an 'expediting fee' for them to do it while you wait. Online applications and the "visa on arrival" counter at the airport can take ages, ... Read More
Urologist or Oncologist HCMC by THIGV
I just got a phone call from a friend from Hawaii who is in HCMC. Her father apparently has prostate cancer and has blood in his urine. She asked me if I knew a doctor but told her that I dealt with an internist for my day to day care and that she ...
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis of prostate cancer. A real bummer, but as most doctors will tell you, most men die with it rather than of it, and it's a fairly simple operation to remove if you catch it in time. As someone else said, check FV ... Read More
Mui Ne thieving traffic cops by Thaiger
Every single guests says they get stopped and scammed by thieving cops in Mui Ne. No where else in Vietnam. Now, they are asking 4-5 million bribe from each foreigner. Is there any way to report/ stop these corrupt, thieving , crooked Mui Ne cops?
As someone else said, ask for a ticket to make life difficult for them -- but make sure you immediately remove the key from your bike before they can yank it out, and only present them with photocopies of your registration form and riding licence. I ... Read More
hanoi or ho chi minh city? by thayes1987
Hi, I am thinking of coming to Vietnam to teach English as a foreign language but I am unsure were is best to go, hanoi or ho chi minh city. I have a 120 hour TEFL certificate and a degree but no prior teaching experience. I will be travelling ...
I'm with Colinoscapee. Start in brash and lively Saigon and see how you go. My Australian partner and I live in Saigon, but she often goes to Hanoi to liaise with expat colleagues in the other office up there. I often join her and must say ... Read More
Purchasing a Motorbike Questions (yamaha Nouvo) by villanova
Dear all, Greetings. I'm moving to Vietnam next week and will be there for a year or so. Looking at buying a cheap bike (USD 200+) just to get me to work, a 4.5km ride each way. I'd like to ask, why are Yamaha Nouvos so cheap? Does it ...
Interesting to hear you had problems with potholes on your Nouvo. It shouldn't be such an issue. Do the rear shock absorbers still work properly, i.e. does the back 'bounce' when you give it a quick, strong push? Then you need to replace ... Read More
Visa on arrival - WARNING! by villanova
I got my 3mth multiple business visa after an hour and a half wait. stamping fee was supposed to be 50 USD. They rejected and refused my 100USD bill because it was 'old'. I offerer to pay in Singapore dollars. So I gave them 100 SGD and ...
And how much does that cost compared to doing it yourself at an embassy/consulate in advance? Their pricing schedule is a bit confusing with "stamping at the airport" etc. And their "approval letter" fee info is confusing too. ... Read More
Purchasing a Motorbike Questions (yamaha Nouvo) by villanova
Dear all, Greetings. I'm moving to Vietnam next week and will be there for a year or so. Looking at buying a cheap bike (USD 200+) just to get me to work, a 4.5km ride each way. I'd like to ask, why are Yamaha Nouvos so cheap? Does it ...
Dunno why Nouvos get such a bad rap. They seem perfectly fine to me and I have some experience with the brand, but as some people have said, Vietnamese think Hondas are superior -- which may help at resale time. If it helps, see my article in last ... Read More
Visa on arrival - WARNING! by villanova
I got my 3mth multiple business visa after an hour and a half wait. stamping fee was supposed to be 50 USD. They rejected and refused my 100USD bill because it was 'old'. I offerer to pay in Singapore dollars. So I gave them 100 SGD and ...
Yep, as mentioned by others, get your visa in advance, even if it means waiting a while at a Viet embassy or consulate abroad. The last thing you want after a long flight is to queue up for ages at the visa-on-arrival counter -- and hope it ... Read More
Voltage surge? Power supply issues by dariyka
Hi guys Living in D2, for 1 week Yesterday I left my MacBook and mobile phones charging overnight - none of them powers on since the early morning today. And when I'm trying to charge (socket, powerbank, from PC via USB cable) they are not ...
Yep, get a cheap surge protector plug -- essential anywhere in the world for thunderstorms if you have sensitive equipment plugged in. They're only about $4 or something in VN, and you can plug a powerboard into them to protect several units at ... Read More
New Vietnam Home Ownership Law by Diazo
Has anyone yet used the new law. That is are there any foreigners that have bought freestanding homes and there are on the title. Would like to hear the experiences. Many laws come and go and never work quite the way everyone thought they might. ...
As some replies so far have shown, any regulations in Vietnam -- especially relatively new ones like this about foreign home ownership -- are opaque at best, and always frustratingly inconsistent between provinces and even departments within them. ... Read More
re: Problem with staying in hanoi by pandapower
Girlfriend and I recently have a 3month old baby. Baby and mother is vietnamese. We are not married. We stay in the same home the police came and say i am not allowed to stay in the home. I now work in Singapore so i come every month to visit the ...
Yep, it's definitely the communist control mentality. Call it make-work or corruption if you like, but the desk-bound bureaucrats want to keep track of people moving through the country. The 'Western' registration requirements that ... Read More
Where to buy Lonely Planet books in Ho Chi Minh by Suzieinhcmc
I would like to buy Lonely Planet South America book. Anyone know a bookshop in HCMC that sells them? Thank you
If you order books online, you'll have to hope they ever arrive, which they probably won't -- too much stuff for the censors to check, so they'll end up in the too-hard bin. My mail in D7 in Saigon almost never arrives, unless it's ... Read More
Cellphone or Sim Card? by el_jefe_jef_fay
Hi guys, I leave in a little over a week to HCMC, and I am considering buy a sim card and/or a new cellphone. Which one do you recommend me to do? For the sim card option, I am planning to bring an old T-Mobile phone. Which Vietnamese phone ...
Ask your hotel to help you, they should be able to sort you out in no time with a local sim down the road. Viettel is best everywhere, and especially if you've going off the beaten track. Not sure about those American hostage deals, though... Read More
Vietnamese motor cycle license by asthecrowflies
Does anyone know how to go about getting a Vietnamese motor cycle license (under 175cc)? I currently hold a full motor cycle in Australia but not here. Does anyone know what the fine is for driving unlicensed? Many thanks!
Yeah, thanks Gareth. But actually getting the licence? I transferred mine a couple of years ago (beautiful card with holograph, right up there). It took me a couple of weeks of running around for something like $10, instead of the $150 the agents ... Read More
Process for Vietnamese to obtain passport by Wxx3
I'm curious as the the process and difficulty for a Vietnamese citizen to get a passport. This would be to enable them to travel and return, but eventually after 4+ years to leave for longer periods of time. Appreciate hearing your thoughts ...
I think Colinoscapee makes a good point about other other ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand offering way more free visas than Vietnam. Visa arrangements sometimes cut both ways: you make it hard for my people to enter, I'm ... Read More
Rent a scooter by Marjoriedesc
Hello, I would like to rent a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City for a long term period. Do you know any place where I can rent one? Thanks a lot, Marjorie
Yeah, this registration thing has me worried. Until not so long ago, it used to be the case that so long as you had the blue registration card on your person, you owned the bike -- regardless of whose original name was on it five changes of ... Read More
Rent a scooter by Marjoriedesc
Hello, I would like to rent a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City for a long term period. Do you know any place where I can rent one? Thanks a lot, Marjorie
So there's a Vietnamese section as well, and I can only read the Anglophone one? That would explain it, thanks. Read More
Rent a scooter by Marjoriedesc
Hello, I would like to rent a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City for a long term period. Do you know any place where I can rent one? Thanks a lot, Marjorie
Don't know why your post was moved to anglophone (an explanation would have been helpful), but I hope you can still read my response. In the short term, sure, rent a bike. In the long term, which you seem to be after, I would suggest buying one ... Read More
Sustainable Organic Farming and Technology for the future of Vietnam by Hawaiiscott
Looking forward to being involved as a catalyst in the growth of Sustainable Organic Agriculture and Technology in Vietnam. During my recent visit there I witnessed the willingness and desire for change amongst much of the population whom I was in ...
Get in touch with http://freshstudio.vn/, run by Dutch agronomists who have been doing what you're talking about for quite a while here and have been exporting to Europe etc. They're serious about quality. Read More
Vietnam Retirement Destination by GuestPoster1888
Presently i am considering my first time visit to Vietnam in mid May.I lived in Panama a few years as an expat but didn't really like it there for long term living.I have traveled to many parts of the globe but not Asia so far.Any information on ...
Dalat has a mostly pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings, but I think you'll find the cultural offerings there fairly limited like your Boquete experience. You might feel a bit closed-in, plus it'll take you a while to go anywhere else ... Read More
Driving in Vietnam vs Thailand by MikaQ5
Hello all My name is Martin I have been driving for 3 + years in Thailand so have some experience of driving in Asia , (and it was nothing like the horror stories i had heard before i first drove ) - Both City ( Bkk) and country roads ...
I've been a mopedist (?) and motorcyclist for nearly 50 years and am perfectly happy on two wheels here, but would be petrified of cleaning up a motorcyclist within 10 minutes if I drove a car. So I don't. It was the opposite when I lived in ... Read More
How to declare money at border for bank deposit? by Greg309
Hi. I want to bring some USD into Vietnam from Cambodia to deposit into my USD bank account in VN. The bank in VN says I need a receipt from customs control or they won’t let me deposit. The amount is small, less than the $5000 threshhold to ...
I have three bank accounts in Vietnam -- ANZ, Commonwealth and Exim, all with VND as well as USD options -- but so far I've not been able to deposit anything into any of them unless it came from my legal employer or I could produce supporting ... Read More
Buying a new Honda PCX 150 M/C by cycleforlifefatty
Hey, I'm looking for a new Honda PCX 150, and can I find one? A little like rocking horse teeth me thinks. Can anyone help with giving the details of an official Honda dealer who will; 1. Be helpful and even, maybe, offer me some answers to any ...
No, of course they won't give you a price over the phone because you're just price-shopping and wasting their time, but the official Honda dealers usually (or should) have a price list in the store. I studied the price list in the Honda Head ... Read More
oil changes by Guestposter822
somewhere down the line I'm sure the scrupulous mechanics have somehow convinced the foreigners that their scooters require an oil change every 500km ! you see some adds even saying they changed the oil every 300km all the way to Hanoi ! ...
OK, let's start a new topic about one-day rides along country roads around VN's major cities, Maybe we can ride together on them too with a few beers/coffees along the way. Anyone game to start the topic? I started a new topic once and ... Read More
Running red lights, no helmets.. westerners??!?! by Wald0
http://hanoiiplus.com/chuyen-chang-tay-o-ha-noi-nguoi-viet-bao-toi-cu-vuot-den/ What do you think..? Personally I think you should be shot! you respect laws in your own country but when you come here you just flip them finger.. this helmet ...
@I Do Believe: Sorry, I didn't mean to say that you'd be hopeless in NY or Aus traffic, since you obviously have lots of experience there. What I was trying to get at (clumsily so), was that driving like the average Vietnamese who grew up ... Read More
Running red lights, no helmets.. westerners??!?! by Wald0
http://hanoiiplus.com/chuyen-chang-tay-o-ha-noi-nguoi-viet-bao-toi-cu-vuot-den/ What do you think..? Personally I think you should be shot! you respect laws in your own country but when you come here you just flip them finger.. this helmet ...
Yep, fully aware of that. I could have added the run from Dalat to Nha Trang once you get past Dalat's outlying townships, but again, that's not a day trip in the province. It is, however, a most enjoyable four- or five-day loop: ... Read More
Running red lights, no helmets.. westerners??!?! by Wald0
http://hanoiiplus.com/chuyen-chang-tay-o-ha-noi-nguoi-viet-bao-toi-cu-vuot-den/ What do you think..? Personally I think you should be shot! you respect laws in your own country but when you come here you just flip them finger.. this helmet ...
You're right, there aren't many enjoyable country roads near Saigon at least, but there are notable exceptions further afield. The High Ho Chi Minh Trail in central Vietnam is generally in good repair -- probably because it's so empty -- ... Read More
oil changes by Guestposter822
somewhere down the line I'm sure the scrupulous mechanics have somehow convinced the foreigners that their scooters require an oil change every 500km ! you see some adds even saying they changed the oil every 300km all the way to Hanoi ! ...
Thanks a lot. That's encouraging news, despite Bazza139's experience to the contrary. Yes, theory and practice at borders are often quite different and can be all over the place one way or the other. You just have to go and try for ... Read More
oil changes by Guestposter822
somewhere down the line I'm sure the scrupulous mechanics have somehow convinced the foreigners that their scooters require an oil change every 500km ! you see some adds even saying they changed the oil every 300km all the way to Hanoi ! ...
@Colinoscapee and others: Sorry, I know border crossings by motorbike are off topic here, but I started a separate topic on this several months ago and never got a reply ;-) So, you never got stopped crossing by motorbike at Bavet/Moc Bai? ... Read More
oil changes by Guestposter822
somewhere down the line I'm sure the scrupulous mechanics have somehow convinced the foreigners that their scooters require an oil change every 500km ! you see some adds even saying they changed the oil every 300km all the way to Hanoi ! ...
@Wald0: When you say you can't leave the country with a big bike unless you have a "caravan paper" plus tour guide, can you do so on a smaller bike? I'd like to go to Cambodia and Laos on my CBF150. I have the blue paper but of ... Read More