Relocating to Vietnam ?

[smo 245]

2 hours ago, ballpoint said:

The infrastructure is far poorer than Thailand, and these days many Thai provincial cities are better equipped for "western living" than even HCMC is. 

Cases in point:

 

1) Last year - or the year before can't remember - VN celebrated the opening of (drum rolls please) its very 1st, bona-fide 7/11 store in HCMC. A news clip showing the first few moments was hilarious: customers and staff alike run around like chicken with their head cut off, someone had to shout out traffic direction at the soda fountain! Recently I happened upon a travlog on youtube done by a VNmese young man crossing the border from Laos into the metropolis of Mukdahan. After visiting the fruit market that sell "fruits so big and so cheap," then walking down the "big boulevard, wow, there are so many cars," next to the local wet market where his group was able to taste some Vnmese dishes, he then proceeded to take the viewer to one of the trip highlights: a visit to a 7/11 store - where "things are clean, of good quality, you don't have to haggle over price and there's air-conditioning!"

 

2) To those been spoiled by the abundance of spacious, well-maintained public bathrooms available in every nook and corner of Thailand, beware of the landmines that await you under similar circumstances in VN - that is if you can find one. You can thank me later for the heads-up.

[sanemax 21,498]

5 hours ago, Spidey said:

Saigon is a very cosmopolitan city. There you go a photo of a cosmopolitan friend in Saigon.

 

Her one red big painted  toenail looks very appealing , as my papa always said to me " You can tell what kind of Woman She is , by her big toenail" 

[sanemax 21,498]

3 hours ago, smo said:

The hat and pouty lips remind me of Maria Schneider (gone too soon...) in "Last Tango in Paris."  A second career as fashion photographer or a portraiturist awaits (if it wasn't your first already.) Basically the ability to evoke beauty from just a few essentials (white skin, red lips, hat strategically adorned...) Something a man can hang up in his living room and fantasize - without invoking the wife's wrath...

 

 

Yes, the Lady in my photo was very adorable and as I was standing across the road , She needed to bend down to adjust her shoes with her legs at 90 degrees akimbo  , revealing her white underwear and her sunglasses attached to her dress pulling it down very much and not leaving much to the imagination , had I been some pervy kind of guy , I would have taken a photo and posted it on here , as I am not a pervy kind of guy and consider myself to be a respectable gentleman , I will not post those photos on here    

[Marcous 62]

I was in Hanoi last month and found the humidity really stifling. Though it was cooler than Chiang Mai, walking anywhere I would have to wash my clothes when I got back to my hotel.

The ground stayed wet for 2 days even though there was no rain.

Right now in Hanoi the humidity is 99%.

[dotpoom 8,185]

"With the Thailand visa regulation clampdowns"

  Above is the opening words of the OP...and I ask..."What clampdowns"? Nothing has changed for me, am doing the same thing that I was doing 18 yrs. ago.

  Proof of income method is the only change I read about?

 PS...Appoligies if you are referring to visas of a different nature. I had the "extention of stay" on my mind. I didn't read the full length of the post.

Edited April 25, 2019 by dotpoom

[BritManToo 38,694]

46 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

"With the Thailand visa regulation clampdowns"

  Above is the opening words of the OP...and I ask..."What clampdowns"? Nothing has changed for me, am doing the same thing that I was doing 18 yrs. ago.

  Proof of income method is the only change I read about?

 PS...Appoligies if you are referring to visas of a different nature. I had the "extention of stay" on my mind. I didn't read the full length of the post.

What he meant ........

 

"With many corrupt immigration officers denying legal extension applications within Thailand, and illegally denying entry to foreigners at several land/air entry points"

 

I gave up on extensions in Thailand 4 years back when I couldn't even get an appointment to see immigration for a marriage extension without paying an agent.

Now you've got an assortment of corrupt officers denying applications for assorted bogus reasons.

Lately they've started questioning the source of your 400k bank deposit for marriage extension applicants, even though there is no mentions of source of funding in the rules.

 

Stop being an immigration apologist, it's clear Thailand immigration officers have many problems doing their jobs and are constantly looking for large bribes. Even the head of immigration has been suddenly removed and investigated. The whole department is rotten to the core.

 

The surrounding countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines), all you need to stay is the money to buy the VISA.

No paperwork mountains, no home visits, no local friends, no immigration interview, no financial scrutiny, no 90 day reporting, no address reporting on entry to country.

Thailand has become bogged down with corrupt officials looking for 20k extra to do their jobs.

Thailand no longer provides value for money.

Edited April 25, 2019 by BritManToo

[Darkside Gray 537]

13 hours ago, Mahseer said:

How about elsewhere in Vietnam? Hoi An down the road from Danang is far more laid back and consider Da Lat which has more of a temperate climate.

 

 

Should also consider Vung Tau 90 mins from HCMC on the coast cool breezes good restaurants and good accomodation.

[Darkside Gray 537]

So after a visit to Da nang and 10 days in Vietnam you are an expert on the country???

[BritManToo 38,694]

8 hours ago, smo said:

1) Last year - or the year before can't remember - VN celebrated the opening of (drum rolls please) its very 1st, bona-fide 7/11 store in HCMC.

There are Circle K and Family Mart everywhere.

Nothing special about 7-11 franchise.

[Wake Up 1,953]

Hanoi’s real name is Hanoise.  Would not choose to live there if housing was free.

 

Saigon is a good city IMO but does not beat Bangkok.  

 

To each his own but Thailand is still the best retirement place IMO unless you are struggling financially. If you are struggling financially your whole world sucks. 

Edited April 25, 2019 by Wake Up

[JohnOFphon 343]

27 minutes ago, Darkside Gray said:

Should also consider Vung Tau 90 mins from HCMC on the coast cool breezes good restaurants and good accomodation.

And a casino nearby.

[Cadbury 16,606]

6 hours ago, sanemax said:

Her one red big painted  toenail looks very appealing , as my papa always said to me " You can tell what kind of Woman She is , by her big toenail" 

She is about as Vietnamese as I am. Illegal Cambodian hooker jumped the border more like it.

Here are two photos of a Vietnamese woman to help you recognise one when you see one. 

[Wake Up 1,953]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

What he meant ........

 

"With many corrupt immigration officers denying legal extension applications within Thailand, and illegally denying entry to foreigners at several land/air entry points"

 

I gave up on extensions in Thailand 4 years back when I couldn't even get an appointment to see immigration for a marriage extension without paying an agent.

Now you've got an assortment of corrupt officers denying applications for assorted bogus reasons.

Lately they've started questioning the source of your 400k bank deposit for marriage extension applicants, even though there is no mentions of source of funding in the rules.

 

Stop being an immigration apologist, it's clear Thailand immigration officers have many problems doing their jobs and are constantly looking for large bribes. Even the head of immigration has been suddenly removed and investigated. The whole department is rotten to the core.

 

The surrounding countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines), all you need to stay is the money to buy the VISA.

No paperwork mountains, no home visits, no local friends, no immigration interview, no financial scrutiny, no 90 day reporting, no address reporting on entry to country.

Thailand has become bogged down with corrupt officials looking for 20k extra to do their jobs.

Thailand no longer provides value for money.

Never paid a single bribe to immigration and always do my extension of stay myself and mail my 90 day forms. No problem at all. Not rocket science and not a big deal. If you are leaving Thailand because of immigration “problems” something is wrong with you or you are broke. 

Edited April 25, 2019 by Wake Up

[BritManToo 38,694]

13 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

Never paid a single bribe to immigration and always do my extension of stay myself and mail my 90 day forms. No problem at all. Not rocket science and not a big deal. If you are leaving Thailand because of immigration “problems” something is wrong with you or you are broke. 

I don't care how easy your VISA is or isn't, and I don't care why either.

I only care about mine, and mine is way easier to get in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
I spend 40kbht a month, nobody needs to see more of my money than that IMHO.

Boasting how you're better than me just makes you appear mentally ill.

I'm putting you on ignore with all the other 'boasters and gloaters'

 

When I first came to Thailand I just needed 120 pounds for the 1 year VISA.

Now I only need $300 for a 1 year VISA in many nearby countries.

Edited April 25, 2019 by BritManToo

[Cadbury 16,606]

25 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

There are Circle K and Family Mart everywhere.

Nothing special about 7-11 franchise.

Much of the stuff written here is claptrap and the opinions of holiday blowins. I have lived in Vietnam almost 13 years. Never been hit by a motorbike, I rent a large 4 bedroom, three bathroom villa in a provincial city near Hanoi for US$500/month. I have a 5 year marriage visa exemption for US$70, no other money and no paperwork except a residency certificate. Cost of living compared to Thailand about 50 to 60% less. 

I work in the travel industry in Vietnam and spend 30% of my time in Thailand. I am a position to compare both. I enjoy my time in Thailand but always pleased to get home.