Why expats love Vietnam?

Ha ha ....

Don't let Bazza get into your head Willy......

Got you thinking hasn't he..?

Don't worry about the Yukon, MR Grizz, you'll be hibernating all winter anyway.
Paying half😜 ? The ladies go to extremes measure to try to latch on to the prince of Danang.
No worries from Bazza, the ladies here are educated compared to their Thai cousins, they know of your criminal anscetry.
And with our new handsome prime minister, this is the sought after destination for the Asian nymphs , it wins hands down over the trumpster and the colony of convicts😛

Actually, Yogi is of Canadian heritage.    Grandpa was from Montreal. 
My daughter done a student exchange there 2 years ago.

There's actually a town in Alberta named after Yogi.    Can't tell you what it is ....that may identify me.😆  Yogi has a selfie of himself next to the town sign.

Here , in NT I knew a few Canadian guys .  They were here for a few years but have all left.. marriages tanked, not unusual here.   One guy was from Calgary, another from Toronto, another from Victoria on the island.    Lots of English speaking Expats have left here now.  Too many Chinese & Yogi won't be too far behind them.

Phuket next week for a while.  Re charge the batteries.

PAW NOTE. 🐾🐾
About the women in SE Asia........yogi thinks they've all read the same book.🤪

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      ..unable to cater for yer weird tastes in Viet Nam..?

    Aghast!   ..be careful, Yogi...        ..it's much safer here...   

   Perhaps you should first read of Fred's (Miss?) adventures in Fhuket
 
   Cheap tail has many options,  (covering the full LGBT spectrum)

         ..and Fhorget the Food!...     ..it's overpriced too...

      Sigh!   Why do I worry?    Tourist traps ain't yer style

           ..does OO7 really know the score..?     

               Please?   Beaches; not Bitches...         
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Phuket?  We recommend this place, top notch:

https://www.agoda.com/the-shore-at-kata … abbed=true

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    Lest our (irr)egular readers wonder if we have wandered       

   A few banned books (in Thailand + Philippines) written by yet another
  Oztralian (Neil Huchison) after being bitten by S.E. Asia's Beautiful
  women include 'Money Number One' and 'A Fool in Paradise' 
    Prerequisite reading whilst researching current cultures to satisfy the
  hedonistic pursuits of easily obtainable amour...  ..& Love..?   Nope!

    Comedy + Tragedy are always a good mix, so (also prerequisites) are
  good supplies of tissues & continent pads 'cos you'll wet yerself both
  laughing + crying...     ..seriously...

     Real? Men are well known to succumb to sexual desire over rational
  reasoning, and sex tourists come with the terror-itory.    Which brings
  us back to why Viet Nam is the preferred destination of destiny

             Ethos, Pathos, Logos.  Ethics, Emotions, Logic. 
   Truth is the first to fail in conflict and Logic always comes last...

    ..which is why Viet nam will always win...        
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vndreamer wrote:

Phuket?  We recommend this place, top notch:

https://www.agoda.com/the-shore-at-kata … abbed=true

Yep...that's Kata beach.     Yogi will dig a hole there and hide out for a couple of weeks.

I'll be coming back here though ........Yogi likes to “ forget, refresh & reset “ the mindset at regular intervals....hence why I like these things called “visa runs”.   Yogi logs his movements..( not bowell) and that'll be my 100th border crossing since I got here.    I'll have to raid  a Bee hIve or Picnic basket to celebrate....😆😆


Actually, just south of Pooket is Langkawi, Malaysia.   Great scenery, nice & quiet & totally different to most Expat hangouts in SE Asia.    The alcohol & whore scene doesn't exist.    It's good to walk around & not see bloated morons sitting on bar stools in the streets everywhere. 

There is a place in Vietnam just like it though.......and that's where Yogi might be relocating to when he gets back.   

Anyway...time for Yogi to go forage for the mornings meal.

Bazza139 wrote:

.
    Lest our (irr)egular readers wonder if we have wandered       

   A few banned books (in Thailand + Philippines) written by yet another
  Oztralian (Neil Huchison) after being bitten by S.E. Asia's Beautiful
  women include 'Money Number One' and 'A Fool in Paradise' 
    Prerequisite reading whilst researching current cultures to satisfy the
  hedonistic pursuits of easily obtainable amour...  ..& Love..?   Nope!

    Comedy + Tragedy are always a good mix, so (also prerequisites) are
  good supplies of tissues & continent pads 'cos you'll wet yerself both
  laughing + crying...     ..seriously...

     Real? Men are well known to succumb to sexual desire over rational
  reasoning, and sex tourists come with the terror-itory.    Which brings
  us back to why Viet Nam is the preferred destination of destiny

             Ethos, Pathos, Logos.  Ethics, Emotions, Logic. 
   Truth is the first to fail in conflict and Logic always comes last...

    ..which is why Viet nam will always win...        
.

Those book titles....
Money number One     &. A fool in Paradise

Very applicable around here.😆😆

They say you should always follow the “smart money” in any kind of investment or venture in life.
The Vietnamese have made an Industry out of following the “dumb money”

No wonder they think we're all stupid.

It's so funny to watch here....another form of entertainment

Would you believe a Russian guy here was selling T shirts with     “ I'm not stupid” stamped on it.

Smart money investment for ya Bazz.

Phuket???? Someone is doing ok! Quite, excuse me, very expensive there. Spent 9 winters , mainly in Thailand. Once n Phuket. 1 week.
I was in Nha trang in March, couldn't wait to get out of dodge, Chinese and Russian mafia town.
And yes, I've been around enough to know the game here.
That's why I came to Vietnam, sick of seeing the expats in Thailand, existing on bar stools etc, ( living the dream) , it wears on you after a while.
Have fun in Phuket.

Nha Trang's lost its “vibe”. It was great a few years back.     
A Chinese guy stabbed to death last night in Nha Trang Centre near the Cinema .   
There'll be pay back.😆

A lot of tension now with 200,000 chows coming in every month.  40,000 Russians as well.     They're even advertising their drug sales online here...🤓

You rarely hear an English speaking voice.  Lots of Russian restaurants, mini marts, cafes , shisha bars.....but the Russians we get are not the cream of the crop.  Same with the Chinese,,,all on Zero dong tours. 

The Russians take their own $4 bottles of vodka to restaurants & eat the cheapest stuff on the menu.....Rice & noodles.     The Chinese regularly argue over bill.$$. Often stand up fights erupt over that issue.

And no body likes anyone.  The vIetnamese hate the chows, & vice versa,,,no one likes the Russians....the Russians & Ukraine don't like each other.  The  Vietnamese think the English speakers are mostly stupid, sexually frustrated enebriates that are easily fleeced of their money.

The best scenario here would be to live about 30 minutes either side of town.   There's a nice beach town.Doc Let, Just north of here. Crystal clear water, no crowds, local market , a few general stores & street food a plenty.

If you live by your self security would be an issue though. 

Yogi is a bit concerned about that.......if he goes out for the day ,,,Goldilocks might break in & eat all his porridge.😳

Yogi, do like me and move to a Mekong town. Yeah, it's boring but much safer and no tourists or "ba tau" (what you call chows).

I was in Mui Ne back in May, it's the same thing you describe but kind of worse because it's smaller.

Yogi007 wrote:

The best scenario here would be to live about 30 minutes either side of town.   There's a nice beach town.Doc Let, Just north of here. Crystal clear water, no crowds, local market , a few general stores & street food a plenty.

If you live by your self security would be an issue though.

Now you have gone and blown the secret spot, Yogi.  I thought you knew better.   

In those small towns the key is to get to know the neighbors.  Nothing like a bunch of nosy grandmas for security.

WillyBaldy wrote:

Yogi, do like me and move to a Mekong town. Yeah, it's boring but much safer and no tourists or "ba tau" (what you call chows).

I was in Mui Ne back in May, it's the same thing you describe but kind of worse because it's smaller.

Ba tau, it must have a similiar meaning to bà tám, is that right?

colinoscapee wrote:

WillyBaldy wrote:

Yogi, do like me and move to a Mekong town. Yeah, it's boring but much safer and no tourists or "ba tau" (what you call chows).

Ba tau, it must have a similiar meaning to bà tám, is that right?

No, Ba Tàu is the derogatory name to call Chinese, which has been around for more than 60 years.  Bà Tám is the slang for a woman who is a chatterbox, gossiper and meddler.  This term has only been in use for the last two decades or so.

Ciambella wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

WillyBaldy wrote:

Yogi, do like me and move to a Mekong town. Yeah, it's boring but much safer and no tourists or "ba tau" (what you call chows).

Ba tau, it must have a similiar meaning to bà tám, is that right?

No, Ba Tàu is the derogatory name to call Chinese.  Bà Tám is the slang to call a chatterbox, gossiper and meddler.

Ok, thats what he was referring to as "chows".

colinoscapee wrote:

Ok, thats what he was referring to as "chows".

I've never heard of the term "chows" until I read that comment.

THIGV wrote:

Yogi007 wrote:

The best scenario here would be to live about 30 minutes either side of town.   There's a nice beach town.Doc Let, Just north of here. Crystal clear water, no crowds, local market , a few general stores & street food a plenty.

If you live by your self security would be an issue though.

Now you have gone and blown the secret spot, Yogi.  I thought you knew better.   

In those small towns the key is to get to know the neighbors.  Nothing like a bunch of nosy grandmas for security.

Aah.....clever observation Thigv.

Yes...Doc Let is a nice spot..........but is Yogi being cunning.???

It could be the “decoy” play to throw them off Yogi's scent.    Yogi has been known to frequent that charming little place  , but his real choice of destination is shrouded in secrecy.....Area 51 maybe??

Yogi will be there in late August to soak up the ambience

I rode the bus to NT beside a stewardess, she says they are adding more direct frights from Russia, to NT. I didn't like the place. Nice town and beach but the clientele?
Was the chow stabbed by a Russian?

Canman63 wrote:

I rode the bus to NT beside a stewardess, she says they are adding more direct frights from Russia, to NT. I didn't like the place. Nice town and beach but the clientele?
Was the chow stabbed by a Russian?

I have no problem with NT, just keep away from the tourist areas, pretty much the same as most places.

Canman63 wrote:

I rode the bus to NT beside a stewardess, she says they are adding more direct frights from Russia, to NT. I didn't like the place. Nice town and beach but the clientele?
Was the chow stabbed by a Russian?

The Chinese guy was knifed by Vietnamese.  It's in the news.
The Russians cut the throats of two Ukraine drug dealers here a while back.
They Also cut the fingers of another Russian.
Plenty of Russians arrested for ATM & cyber fraud as well.   Some of them copped 14 years prison here.

Yogi was actually offered a “ Job” by the main Russian mover & shaker here.   I politely declined.   I didn't need the money either , but the job description didn't involve work.   I just had to “hang out” with this guy.   

I eventually fell out with some Russians here over “women” ....😆.  It's a good idea NOT to piss off a Russian women here with dodgy associates.  The crazy bitch was a body builder and seriously wanted to kick Yogis ass into the next province.   I changed address after that episode.   You would not believe the series of events that led to that train wreck experience.

Other than that...I've never had a problem with Russians or Chinese.

Ciambella wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Ok, thats what he was referring to as "chows".

I've never heard of the term "chows" until I read that comment.

Same here. I'm surprised Colin hasn't heard "ba tau" before as I heard this slang countless times. With the extreme political correctness going around social media in the West, this forum is a breeze of fresh air! 

Yogi007 wrote:

Canman63 wrote:

I rode the bus to NT beside a stewardess, she says they are adding more direct frights from Russia, to NT. I didn't like the place. Nice town and beach but the clientele?
Was the chow stabbed by a Russian?

The Chinese guy was knifed by Vietnamese.  It's in the news.
The Russians cut the throats of two Ukraine drug dealers here a while back.
They Also cut the fingers of another Russian.
Plenty of Russians arrested for ATM & cyber fraud as well.   Some of them copped 14 years prison here.

Yogi was actually offered a “ Job” by the main Russian mover & shaker here.   I politely declined.   I didn't need the money either , but the job description didn't involve work.   I just had to “hang out” with this guy.   

I eventually fell out with some Russians here over “women” ....😆.  It's a good idea NOT to piss off a Russian women here with dodgy associates.  The crazy bitch was a body builder and seriously wanted to kick Yogis ass into the next province.   I changed address after that episode.   You would not believe the series of events that led to that train wreck experience.

Other than that...I've never had a problem with Russians or Chinese.

I presume you are talking about the karaoke stabbing...it was Chinese, not Vietnamese.


https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/four- … 49604.html

A rather harsh penalty for singing off key.   

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       I like the Chinese saying...

   "Barking dogs make a lot of noise - but say nothing"

       (some) songs are just noise...

          ..or is it we only hear the ego..?     
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That's better,,,the  Chinese are keeping it in-house.  Initially the Vietnamese were the suspects .

They've been also thrown out of the same place for illegal gambling 😳..seems odd since the VN play cards & pick up taxi girls there all the time.   

They mustn't “tip” the right people 👩‍✈️😆........classy joint.

The Russian Taxi girls get “double” the rate the VN girls do.....that's pissing a few locals off as well. A few fights have erupted over that as well.

The trade off......the  Chinese women are PAYING local gigolos for boom boom. 😆.    They're picking up local blokes on Tinder & offering money for “lewd” behaviour.

Money seems to cover all cultural discrepancies .

I find it quite funny when I read people who have written how bad expats from developed countries behave here.

Yet, you hardly ever see them commit crimes here, it seems to be other asian countries and people from the old soviet block.

So we can't be too bad.

Yep....I now refer to NT as the “ Socialist Swill Riviera “.    And that's exactly what it's become.    The original friendly “vibe” has disappeared......likely forever.

Even walking the streets now,,,the VN assume I'm Russian & don't even acknowledge you.

8 years ago...hardly a Russian is sight.  Most of them in MUi Ne......the people here would always smile.    The Russians treat the locals like crap.....and the Chinese & Vietnamese despise one another.

The Chinese & Russians are ALL now involved in Massage studios, prostitution, drug dealing  along with Hotels, guest houses, restaurants & souvenir shops.   

So.....200,000 Chinese & 40,000 Russians come in every month on foreign airlines, stay in hotels leased by themselves, eat at their own restaurant,  “bonk” at their own brothels & buy shitty T-shirt's from their own shops.    Same with the tour agencies.

IF/ When the new 2300 room CASINO  Condotel opens ......that will bring more shit into town.   

My VN friend at the gold shop said once the VN loan sharks are being overtaken by the Chinese mob......that's when things will get nasty. 
Most of the VN under current laws can't get into the casinos., unless they're on good salaries. 

So there's a big game in town & the local “spivs” are not a big part of it.

Should be good fun eh......watching all the communists fighting over market share in prostitution, gambling, money lending & drug dealing.

But it keeps getting better........the Khanh hOa Tourism mob are putting the feelers out for direct flights to NT from India......those guys have forgotten more about corruption than these blokes will ever learn.

Let the good times roll.

And to think I wanted to rent in NT for a few months.........I nearly made a “boo boo” Looking else where now.
Wadey

Just in case Anne-Lise is still here...

Anne-Lise wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm Anne-Lise from the Expat.com team. In a survey we ran on expatriation trends in 2019, we realised that a lot of professionals were considering Vietnam as an expat destination. We, therefore, decided to put together a little piece about why Vietnam will be becoming a big expat hub in the coming years.

What do you think? Is there anything we have missed?

Overall the article is ok, but too glowing which is the style of travel writers. I prefer reality especially for expats who are making large emotional and financial commitments to relocating around the world. Versus tourists, who in two weeks will be back home.

you will be able to live comfortably in any of the big cities for under $500 (including rent).

That is just false and will mislead potential expats. You need to correct the online article. Numbeo is a terrible source. I can't believe you didn't you ask/search your own Vietnam forum for the single most important statistic in this article.  Toui Tre just published a detailed estimate including insurance, visas, some medical, How much does it cost an expat retiree to live in Vietnam?
It is almost double your estimate and still probably low for Saigon.

The biggest omission is every visitor's first shock: how unsafe they will feel because of the drivers.
Also note the language barrier is a bigger problem than
you should be able to get about using English — at least at the beginning of your stay. . Language requires adaptability and active work to overcome, compared to Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines for English speakers.

gobot wrote:

Just in case Anne-Lise is still here...

Anne-Lise wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm Anne-Lise from the Expat.com team. In a survey we ran on expatriation trends in 2019, we realised that a lot of professionals were considering Vietnam as an expat destination. We, therefore, decided to put together a little piece about why Vietnam will be becoming a big expat hub in the coming years.

What do you think? Is there anything we have missed?

Overall the article is ok, but too glowing which is the style of travel writers. I prefer reality especially for expats who are making large emotional and financial commitments to relocating around the world. Versus tourists, who in two weeks will be back home.

you will be able to live comfortably in any of the big cities for under $500 (including rent).

That is just false and will mislead potential expats. You need to correct the online article. Numbeo is a terrible source. I can't believe you didn't you ask/search your own Vietnam forum for the single most important statistic in this article.  Toui Tre just published a detailed estimate including insurance, visas, some medical, How much does it cost an expat retiree to live in Vietnam?
It is almost double your estimate and still probably low for Saigon.

The biggest omission is every visitor's first shock: how unsafe they will feel because of the drivers.
Also note the language barrier is a bigger problem than
you should be able to get about using English — at least at the beginning of your stay. . Language requires adaptability and active work to overcome, compared to Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines for English speakers.

Agree with Gobot, living in a provincial city on 500usd is a push, let alone Saigon or Ha Noi. Most decent places to rent in the smaller cities are around 350usd a month, plus utilities.

"Agree with Gobot, living in a provincial city on 500usd is a push, let alone Saigon or Ha Noi. Most decent places to rent in the smaller cities are around 350usd a month, plus utilities."   Colinoscapee

Agreed as well.  The only way a person or persons can live on $500 or less monthly is that they have to live like a local and the major expense they don't have, RENT.  Otherwise, it is going to be very difficult and most expats are going to have to pay rent.

$500 a month? I certainly can't attain this feat!

Canman63 wrote:

The gals I hang with INSIST on paying half. My my yogi, u must up your game, these gals are trading stocks on their phones, not playing candy crush!
Perhaps I can take you under my wing someday, seems like your den is not in a good part of the forest.

I'll just quote CanMan, though others have referred to his comment.

These women are real. I've met a fair number of  them.

Are they only playing the long game?

Maybe.

But it seems a genuine point of personal honor with them that they pay their own way.

That doesn't mean they aren't interested in an expat. 

Just on her terms...

To be quite honest with you ocean beach, I've met some very nice ladies in Asia. Ex is a lawyer, only reason we're still not together is I had to return home for 8 months a year, we still speak. I treat them with respect and vice versa, not every relationship ends in a positive way, in the west or in Asia.  But people saying that these woman all want money etc is not reality.

.
        A Lawyer that doesn't want money..?     WoW!!     

                   Reminds me of the "Honour amongst thieves"

                   ..haven't seen that yet...         

                      ..but then, Truth is often stranger than fiction...   
.

Oh man, if my budget was only USD$500/month in Vietnam I'd end up homeless after a couple of days that's for sure! Maybe I could sell my body to these older Chinese ladies in NT whom Yogi is talking about... but I'm a bit too much of an expired stock to be a gigolo.

WillyBaldy wrote:

Oh man, if my budget was only USD$500/month in Vietnam I'd end up homeless after a couple of days that's for sure! Maybe I could sell my body to these older Chinese ladies in NT whom Yogi is talking about... but I'm a bit too much of an expired stock to be a gigolo.

Apparently yogi has the male gigilo market cornered. Hahaha😜
The Russian mafia is wasting no time settling in Asia. They have been in Thailand for quite a while as well.
Sad to see, but the whole area is a hotbed of money  laundering, criminal activity that seems to go un noticed.
As long as they grease the right palms.

Vietnams two best buddies during the war are now their two biggest problems.

Only this week Vietnam states they are concerned about “Overtourism “  and the negative affects it's starting to have.   

We've all seen the high rise ghettos that are springing up everywhere, most of which are poor quality and would be more suited to social/ welfare housing in the back blocks of  run down western cities....but wouldn't meet engineering specs anyway.

In 2000 only 10 million Chinese had travelled OS.     Today it's approaching 200 million.    They make up over 20% of the worlds travellers.    The passport offices in China are running 24/7 and still can't meet the demand.

What will it be like in 2025....a few short years away.   I've read that Khanh Hoa Tourism is targeting  400/450,000 arrivals (mainly China) a month within 3 years.       

I'm off to Thailand for a regular “sabbatical “😆 next week.    Actually the Chinese visitor numbers are DOWN in Thailand.......wonder where they're going. .?

Boracay island 🌴 the Phillipines....was a nice place.   Now , it's overun by Chinese tour groups.   

Bali.....same there, it's overrun now and spoilt. I  first went to Bali straight after school in 1978.   Saved up by working weekends & school holidays  in a timber yard .    It was true paradise then, hardly any bitumen roads.  A beach hut, kero lantern, and cold outdoor shower.

Was there 6 months ago.......McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hut & 80,000 Aussie,s punching the f#ck out of one another in Bar fights.

I suppose the days of finding an idyllic tropical destination in SE Asia will increasingly get harder.   Everyone's chasing the tourist $$ while they can get it.

They're still are places, but for how much longer....?