departed00
Welsh expat in Vietnam
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Welsh
Registration: 08 October 2020
A visa conundrum... by departed00
I've lived in VN for the best part of 10 years and usually get a 2 year TRC through my job each year.It's renewal time again, however there's an issue. I now live in central Vietnam, but my company is based in HCMC. I'm being told that i cannot live ...
@ajairon That's great to know. It does seem silly that you have to work where you got your WP, especially these days. Read More
A visa conundrum... by departed00
I've lived in VN for the best part of 10 years and usually get a 2 year TRC through my job each year.It's renewal time again, however there's an issue. I now live in central Vietnam, but my company is based in HCMC. I'm being told that i cannot live ...
@jayrozzetti23 they're very helpful-the issue is that VN won't accept a WP and TRC from different cities/towns. So in effect you have to live where you are working. This is annoying for many people who live long term in Vietnam and work remotely ... Read More
A visa conundrum... by departed00
I've lived in VN for the best part of 10 years and usually get a 2 year TRC through my job each year.It's renewal time again, however there's an issue. I now live in central Vietnam, but my company is based in HCMC. I'm being told that i cannot live ...
@OceanBeach92107 yes was registered quickly by the landlord here. After chatting with my HR they said that the WP procedure (or exemption if married) is 'slightly' more modern now in that they can do it a lot of it online and you don't need that ... Read More
A visa conundrum... by departed00
I've lived in VN for the best part of 10 years and usually get a 2 year TRC through my job each year.It's renewal time again, however there's an issue. I now live in central Vietnam, but my company is based in HCMC. I'm being told that i cannot live ...
@Hoanghaflowapparently you don't need the police registration for the work permit anymore which is good, just for the visa/trc. The other option apparently is to leave and re-enter, and pick up the new visa at the airport. But that's hassle. Read More
A visa conundrum...
I've lived in VN for the best part of 10 years and usually get a 2 year TRC through my job each year.It's renewal time again, however there's an issue. I now live in central Vietnam, but my company is based in HCMC. I'm being told that i cannot live ... Read More
Child's Birth Certificate - Advice/Concerns by gamechanger140122
Hi All,I am Australian Citizen living at present in Australia.I have 35 weeks pregnant gf who is in Vietnam. She got pregnant soon after our last meeting and break up as I was going to get married here.She don’t wanted to drop the child as she ...
@gamechanger140122 It's interesting she said that. I've been told from the authorities here (central VN) that we must be married to get my name of the birth cert. The only other way down the line is a DNA test to prove paternity. The child will get ... Read More
Bringing pit bull to Vietnam by Sararella
Hi there I’m looking for information on whether it is possible to bring my pit bull from Bali to Vietnam. Has anyone brought this breed in before without any hassle ? I haven’t read anywhere that Vietnam has breed restrictions like most ...
Vietnamese on the whole are terrified of dogs and will actively avoid them. This is due to most dogs here being somewhat feral and untrained, resulting in very bad behaviours that go unaddressed. Also rabies is still common here, so people are ... Read More
Child's Birth Certificate - Advice/Concerns by gamechanger140122
Hi All,I am Australian Citizen living at present in Australia.I have 35 weeks pregnant gf who is in Vietnam. She got pregnant soon after our last meeting and break up as I was going to get married here.She don’t wanted to drop the child as she ...
Actually it's almost impossible to put your name on the birth certificate unless you are married here. The only other way to do it here is to take an (expensive) DNA test and then present that to the local authorities who then (no doubt with coffee ... Read More
International schools in Da Nang by olabubu
I'm trying to find some international schools in Da Nang. I want to move there next month and I need a school for my 7 year-old daughter. I know that there's Singapore International School there but I don't know the fees.... Are there any other ...
The accreditation of International schools here is an interesting topic. I'm in the education field and can share a few things. Most of these 'accrediting orgs' for example from the UK, charge huge fees directly and indirectly to give the cert, it's ... Read More
Health insurance. by GuestPoster300
Hi All .Looking for expat health insurance . Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated . thanks .
@Digga juz My work used Liberty for the last 4 years and in hindsight it was excellent. Every single hospital i visited across the country was direct billing so i didn't have to pay anything, just handed over my membership card. My monthly ... Read More
Issues with renting a house in Da Nang by departed00
So i've been here 5 or so months and am enjoying the town again. I'm looking for a house to rent but am coming up with some strange demands from realtors. Almost all are asking me for between 3 & 6 months rent up front. They say this is 'how ...
Thanks OB. I'm prepared to potentially sign a 2 year contract although would prefer 1 year as you never know here with things like construction and things like that popping up next door.When we walk away we sometimes get a call later that day ... Read More
Issues with renting a house in Da Nang
So i've been here 5 or so months and am enjoying the town again. I'm looking for a house to rent but am coming up with some strange demands from realtors. Almost all are asking me for between 3 & 6 months rent up front. They say this is 'how ... Read More
Anyone on Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Vietnam? by DogChild
I have a benign tumor on my pituitary gland so I have to inject myself weekly with Testosterone. Is anyone here on TRT over there and if so do any of you have doctor or source recommendations (assuming Testosterone can be purchased legally over the ...
@Ricko120 The only testosterone available here is sustanon and a weak version of propionate and even they are hard to find here now. TRT isn't really a thing yet in Vietnam and most people who need it here use underground labs stuff (which is ... Read More
The cost of Living in Vietnam in 2023 by Mickael
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience on the evolution of the cost of living in the region or city where you live in order to answer future requests for information from new members of the site who would like to ...
Rental prices in the cities at least rising rapidly. 7tr gets you an 'ok' 1 bed or studio in Da nang, but if you want a nice one bed you're looking at 10tr+ so similar to HCMC. Phones plans and data still very cheap, i rarely pay over 60k a month ... Read More
debit card use by lord enki
any forum members have information on debit card use @ the bank?tried to use my foreign debit card @ at the teller station in Vietcombank and was told that the process will not be allowed any longer. have been doing this for @ least a year and now ...
I've been here 8 years and the only bank i've found that doesn't charge the local fee (20k-60K) per withdrawal and doesn't have a withdrawal limit with my UK Visa/Mastercards is VP Bank. Try it and let me know if it works. Read More
Just moved to Da nang from HCM-Update
Evening folks. I've been in DN for a week now after moving here after more than 5 years in HCM. Weather has been decidedly awful, rain and much lower temps than HCM making apartment hunting difficult indeed. I finally found an ok one bed place in ... Read More
Suitcase from Nha Trang to Danang by honem
When I left Nha Trang I left a small suitcase with a friend. I would like it sent and delivered to my apartment in Danang (An Thuong area) to arrive about the 16th of December.Advice/suggestions welcome.Thanks.
I just sent 50kgs (4 boxes) from Saigon to Da nang for 300k, Viettel post booked on their app. I'll let you know if it works out! I also sent my bicycle on the train yesterday, it was 190k. Read More
What are your Christmas/New Year plans by AndyHCMC
Hi,Seasons greetings to everyone - what are your plans for this years Christmas & New Years celebrations is it alone with a Bia or full Christmas meal with all the trimmings?
Moving to Da Nang from Saigon! Hopefully it won't be too wet.... Read More
Visa Runs…..maybe the party is over. by GuestPoster1236
Spoke to an Australian today, he’s just completed his 8th visa run . On return to Vietnam , he was told that was the last E Visa he’ll get …..& after leaving VN , will need to wait 12 months to re apply. He’s in a ...
I work in a few gov hospitals here so get to meet a few ppl higher up the chain. Apparently there was a huge audit and clean out of the immigration dept in the south which has been ongoing for most of this year. That has been one of the reasons for ... Read More
Quiet coastal town in VN? by narcrepellant2525
Is there any quiet coastal town in VN without gazillion cars and scooters running 24/7? Something like size of 40-50.000 ?
Your best bet would be somewhere like Hoi An or Da nang in terms of the balance between amenities and quiet. There's an art to finding a quiet place here but it's still a bit hit and miss, Barking dogs, roosters, beeping horns, angry neighbours, ... Read More
Suitcase from Nha Trang to Danang by honem
When I left Nha Trang I left a small suitcase with a friend. I would like it sent and delivered to my apartment in Danang (An Thuong area) to arrive about the 16th of December.Advice/suggestions welcome.Thanks.
@Hai Doan Ha ah it's HCM to Da nang, i'll give it a try. Thanks. Read More
Suitcase from Nha Trang to Danang by honem
When I left Nha Trang I left a small suitcase with a friend. I would like it sent and delivered to my apartment in Danang (An Thuong area) to arrive about the 16th of December.Advice/suggestions welcome.Thanks.
@Des500 Hi Des. What about shipping a bicycle from HCM to Da nang? I need to do this next week, i think the train is around 500k but it would be nice if they could pick up from my place here. I'm gonna use Viettel post for the rest of my stuff, ... Read More
Testosterone or Sustanon in HCMC by IBTFU
Hello, I am on testosterone replacement therapy and I'm moving to HCMC in a few days. Is legitimate Testosterone Enanthate, Cypionate or Sustanon readily available OTC in HCMC pharmacies? What is the cost? Thank you.
@Soolaa legitimate enanthate or cypionate is not available here unfortunately. You can get low dose propionate (Tesmon) but that's not really ideal. There's a lot of UGL (underground lab) stuff being sold here online though so if you're comfortable ... Read More
Prescription Injection by catravel
My family member needs a monthly "50mg fluphenazine decanoate intramuscular injection" and we have a proper referral letter from a hospital in her home country. Is there a good hospital near district 7 for this medical treatment? Hopefully, it ...
Can't they just self administer it? Diabetics inject multiple times a day as do many other people on hormone therapy and the like. It's extremely easy to do, as long as the medication is readily available. Read More
Transfer Money out of Vietnam With Transferwise by Bill2014
Is this possible. I transferred into Vietnamese bank account from UK high street bank very easily bypassing the RIPPOFF bank charges from the UK banks.( They really are lowlife SCUM ) Just wondering if anyone has done it the other way from ...
Not possible unfortunately with either Wise/Revolut or any of the other fintechs. The local banks will allow you to transfer out (i do it regularly to the UK) but they normally ask for wage slips, contract/TRC and PIT details. I do it with HSBC and ... Read More
Moving to Da Nang by departed00
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 ...
@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. ... Read More
Moving to Da Nang by departed00
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 ...
@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 ... Read More
Moving 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 ... Read More
Apartment price increases... by departed00
Anybody noticing increasing rents across the board and prices starting to get unreasonable? I was surprised at this as it definitely seems that there are much less foreigners here. I also know of many who have left fairy recently due to companies ...
So the situation in Vung Tau currently seems very pricey for what you get so i've decided (finally) on Da Nang for at least 3 months. Will move start of Dec but the prices in DN seem to also vary quite wildly. Anything near the beach in An Thuong or ... Read More
Apartment price increases...
Anybody noticing increasing rents across the board and prices starting to get unreasonable? I was surprised at this as it definitely seems that there are much less foreigners here. I also know of many who have left fairy recently due to companies ... Read More
'The Song' Vung Tau by departed00
I noticed a rather large new development called The Song has sprung up in Vung Tau. On the surface it looks nice and modern, but a lot of the Airbnb reviews are quite negative. Does anyone live here and can shed some light, or have any ideas about ...
Where i'm living now at The Sun Avenue in HCM (a newer Novaland project) any patch of land at the front seems to have 2 or 3 roosters on it. It's incredibly irritating especially as i work at home and they go off constantly throughout the day. I ... Read More
'The Song' Vung Tau by departed00
I noticed a rather large new development called The Song has sprung up in Vung Tau. On the surface it looks nice and modern, but a lot of the Airbnb reviews are quite negative. Does anyone live here and can shed some light, or have any ideas about ...
@colinoscapee Yes i thought as much. No blocks/air-gap just one layer of bricks then plaster and that's it. Read More
'The Song' Vung Tau by departed00
I noticed a rather large new development called The Song has sprung up in Vung Tau. On the surface it looks nice and modern, but a lot of the Airbnb reviews are quite negative. Does anyone live here and can shed some light, or have any ideas about ...
@Safepeter that's annoying-seems to be an issue in almost all the apartments here. I live in a 3 year old Novaland tower now and i can hear my neighbours on both sides talking, cooking, sneezing et al all very clearly! Read More
Question about cost of living in Vietnam post-COVID by WillyBaldy
Hello dear expat folks,So back in March 2020, I had to leave Vietnam in a rush as probably a few of you did when borders were closing and COVID was frightening. Well, COVID is still somewhat frightening, but we're more used to it. So, fast forward ...
@OceanBeach92107 That looks great! I've certainly been 'Mr Indecisive' this year and thought for too long about moving, i think with the current looming price increase it's the kick i need for sure! I've been looking at Da nang prices which seem to ... Read More
Question about cost of living in Vietnam post-COVID by WillyBaldy
Hello dear expat folks,So back in March 2020, I had to leave Vietnam in a rush as probably a few of you did when borders were closing and COVID was frightening. Well, COVID is still somewhat frightening, but we're more used to it. So, fast forward ...
My landlord after 2 years today came at me this week with a 30% rent increase out of the blue. Pretty unexpected although i do get the apartment for a fairly good price. I didn't get any covid reduction though and have been a great tenant, swings ... Read More
Phu Quoc - The reality of life with a young child? by KirstyJ82
Hi there!An employment opportunity has presented itself which would mean myself, my husband and child (currently 13 months old) re-locating to Phu Quoc for a minimum of 12 months. The island looks beautiful - if this was just me and the husband we ...
I've been living in Vietnam for over 6 years and have also spent a few months at a time in Dubai. The two countries couldn't be more different in every way, and coming here from Dubai would be a huge adjustment.Where in Dubai you tend to get the ... Read More
'The Song' Vung Tau
I noticed a rather large new development called The Song has sprung up in Vung Tau. On the surface it looks nice and modern, but a lot of the Airbnb reviews are quite negative. Does anyone live here and can shed some light, or have any ideas about ... Read More
Road rules... by Guestposter822
Just wondering if it's legal to turn right at a red light ? I've noticed that some Vietnamese stop and some go through the red light when turning right...
I live near Mai Chi Tho, a very busy road to the south of D2. There's pretty much always a police check point here as it's the main road in/out of the city to the south from Thu Duc and the west.3 days ago i saw a BMW X5 quickly swerve across the 3 ... Read More
Apartment search strategies in Saigon by GuestPoster2469
Hi EveryoneI'm moving to Saigon in about two weeks time, to work in Go Vap. I've lived in Tan Binh before so I have a good idea of the area. Last time I was able to find an apartment with an English speaking landlord just walking down the street ...
Try to negotiate in VND only and get the price fixed in VND into your contract. The agents typically get half the first months rent for a 6 month contract and a full months rent for a 12 month contract as commission. I still think it's a renters ... Read More
Electricity billing in rental apartments by brookesclaudia32
Hi Everyone,I just wanted to check if anyone else has had this problem. I've just moved into an apartment in HCMC D7, and the agent wants me to pay electricity from the 11th September when they took the electricity meter reading. However I moved in ...
Ah the old electricity debacle. Most apartment owners/renters will pay EVN direct at maximum of 2.5kw/h i believe. If you use under 200kw/hr a month it's cheaper again. Since i moved into an apartment here 2 years ago i pay EVN direct via my banking ... Read More
Vung Tau vs Da nang for living by departed00
I consider myself very lucky in that i'm able to keep my job in HCM but work remotely from either of the above cities. I'm planning a potential move in a few months, but am looking for feedback on living in both towns. I've lived in DN before ...
@OceanBeach92107 you've thrown me a curve ball now! I've always thought of Hoi An as being a bit touristy but I've never explored the outskirts. Have you been in VT for a while? If so why are you thinking about leaving and heading back to the ... Read More
Vung Tau vs Da nang for living
I consider myself very lucky in that i'm able to keep my job in HCM but work remotely from either of the above cities. I'm planning a potential move in a few months, but am looking for feedback on living in both towns. I've lived in DN before ... Read More
working from home by Guest8462
Hi guys, I'm a live internet streamer and entertainer . People watch me online and I also go out and stream showing off places of interest and also fishing.I was looking into moving to Vietnam to do this and rent an apartment to work ...
One of the problems here if you become resident (i.e here for longer than 6 months) are the very low tax bands, which makes Vietnam a very high tax country. That's why most professional working expats have their tax covered by their employers ... Read More
Spine Surgery by Kooler42
Need spine surgery for Stenosis and Degenerative Disc.Any capable Surgeons?
The director of Cho Ray hospital fairly recently went to Malaysia for routine surgery. I know this because i work in a health related field here. If a well well connected former Dr and hospital director goes to a different country for surgery then ... Read More
Salary negotiations Vietnam by RCP79
Hi all, I've been through several rounds of interviews for an expat job in HCMC. (experienced / management level) Today, afer round 3 the HR director is asking me to share them my salary expectations. So I've been Googling for some latest ...
Most expats will negotiate salary here in net amount, and most foreign companies will cover your tax here , otherwise most foreigners wouldn't come when they look into the tax rates. The reason for this is the higher rate of tax is very low ... 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 ...
I normally get a one or two year license that matches my TRC. They just translate and notarise my UK car license then in around 2 weeks i get the license delivered to my work. It's a pain having to do it every year but apparently once ... Read More
Dating Older Women in Vietnam by Jayonthekeys
Good Morning/Afternoon. This is my first time posting on a forum, let alone this one. I'm a 27 year old professional. I have lived all my life in the UK & I am looking to travel to Vietnam to potentially live the rest of my life. I have ...
At the risk of sounding unpopular why choose HCM? There are much nicer places to live in Vietnam such as Da Nang where there is much less pollution, less overcrowding and much cheaper housing. Most ppl come to HCM to work and i can understand if ... Read More
Transporting bicycle from HCM to VT by departed00
I'm a keen cyclist living in HCM and would like to be able to bring my bike over to VT a couple of times a month to enjoy the let's say more 'sedate' traffic and scenery. Due to time restraints and the 200+ km round trip from HCM i ...
After some in person enquiries it seems like Futa bus will take a bike for 120k on their big bus from D1. Hoa Mai said they will take a bike for free if they can fit it in. Read More
Transporting bicycle from HCM to VT by departed00
I'm a keen cyclist living in HCM and would like to be able to bring my bike over to VT a couple of times a month to enjoy the let's say more 'sedate' traffic and scenery. Due to time restraints and the 200+ km round trip from HCM i ...
I've taken the Greenlines HCM-VT ferry a number of times as i love to be out on the water. The initial hr or so is lovely until you get into the open water before Vung Tau where it can get very choppy. Last time it was too rough to dock in ... Read More
Transporting bicycle from HCM to VT by departed00
I'm a keen cyclist living in HCM and would like to be able to bring my bike over to VT a couple of times a month to enjoy the let's say more 'sedate' traffic and scenery. Due to time restraints and the 200+ km round trip from HCM i ...
Thanks guys. I saw that the Can Gio ferry will be opening soon so that's one option to take a few km off the trip. I also just found at that the greenlines ferry will carry a bike at 100k extra (captains coffee money according to my friend) ... Read More
Transporting bicycle from HCM to VT
I'm a keen cyclist living in HCM and would like to be able to bring my bike over to VT a couple of times a month to enjoy the let's say more 'sedate' traffic and scenery. Due to time restraints and the 200+ km round trip from HCM i ... Read More