What they don't tell you about clearing off to Vietnam

[gk10002000 5,974]

On 9/1/2019 at 5:36 AM, madmen said:

geez that's just crazy. Thanks for exposing the scaming. I think those running from tm30 form Will be jumping from frying pan in to the fire!

Yeah, there will be different sorts of pluses and minuses.  The general sense is cheaper and with what should not be too surprising shortfalls.  I work with many Vietnamese that travel back from the USA to Vietnam and they all are disgusted with the corruption they encounter.  Each one said even upon airport arrival, unless they put some cash in their arrival documents/passports, they never get through the lines. 

[gk10002000 5,974]

On 9/6/2019 at 2:34 AM, mrmalkovich said:

enerally very loud people,

In general, and not meaning to denegrate or speak badly about the Vietnamese, but I find their language absolutely horrible to listen to and it grates on my ears.  The meter and and choppy accents just sound terrible to me.  So different than descending mild tones often spoken by Thai ladies.  I work with many vietnamese and I do see a fairly wide range of pronunciation and intonation among them.  My cube mate was a very quite spoken lady.  The Viet lady on the other side of my cubicle seemed like a drunken loud sailor!  So I am sure as in many languages their are quiet speakers and loud speakers.

[Skallywag 2,086]

all about the $.  You can say what you want to say about Vietnamese friendliness, but its all because of the US $...and

We let almost 11 million vietnamese immigrate (refugees) to the USA, they love us for that obviously.  Now that number has grown to over 1.3 million because of fecundity

 

Many are still getting low interest loans on housing and other government benefits, 45 years later - why wouldn't they love us.

 

The American war in Vietnam.

The reality is, we lost 60,000 American soldiers, and many more are still suffering because of the American Military Industrial Complex.  Corporate profits making munitions with no thought as to lives lost and suffering 

 

 

 

[Jack Mountain 944]

4 hours ago, Skallywag said:

all about the $.  You can say what you want to say about Vietnamese friendliness, but its all because of the US $...and

We let almost 11 million vietnamese immigrate (refugees) to the USA, they love us for that obviously.  Now that number has grown to over 1.3 million because of fecundity

 

Many are still getting low interest loans on housing and other government benefits, 45 years later - why wouldn't they love us.

 

The American war in Vietnam.

The reality is, we lost 60,000 American soldiers, and many more are still suffering because of the American Military Industrial Complex.  Corporate profits making munitions with no thought as to lives lost and suffering 

 

 

 

Easy to blame others but at the end you are self responsible for your actions and as Donovan already sang 

 

"He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame,
his orders come from far away, no more."

 

You can regret it of course but hanging around with the grandchildren of the people you have vaporized is an really cynical act ...

 

I mean this in a general way ...

 

-----

 

He is five feet two, and he's six feet four,
he fights with missiles and with spears.
He is all of thirty-one, and he's only seventeen.
He's been a soldier for a thousand years.
He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Chein,
a Buddhist and a Babtist and a Jew.
And he knows, he shouldn't kill
and he knows he always will,
kill him for me my friend and and me for you.
And he's fighting for Canada, he's fighting for France.
He's fighting for the U.S.A.,
and he's fighting for the Russians,
and he's fighting for Japan,
and he thinks we put an end to war this way.
And he's fighting for democracy,
he's fighting for the Reds.
He says it's for the peace of all.
He's the one who must decide,
who's to live and who's to die,
and he never sees the writing on the wall.
But without him, how would Hitler kill the people at Dachau,
without him Caesar would have stood alone.
He's the one who gives his body as a weapon of the war,
and without him all this killing can't go on.
He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame,
his orders come from far away, no more.
They come from here and there, and you and me,
and brothers, can't you see,
this is not the way we put an end end to war.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Buffy Sainte Marie
Universal Soldier lyrics © Caleb Music Co., Ca

[PETDCAT 94]

As someone from the States visiting Vietnam for a few months most people were very friendly after asking where I came from. It seems everyone in the southern part of the country has relatives living in the states. I must of heard a million times...I have a cousin lives in San Jose or Los Angeles. 

[ourdon 68]

On 9/1/2019 at 2:05 AM, robsamui said:

Actually - it's not! The info above relates to the pitfalls of people coming to live here, and if that isn't you, then you'll find it boring.

I'm in Nha Trang, which has a climate the same as Koh Samui. The central part of the city is crammed full of different nationalities, with little Viet cafes side-by-side with nightclubs and Aussie pubs and market stalls, the streets are tree-lined and hung with fairy lights, a Grab motorbike costs 50 baht to go 6 Km across town, there are events and displays happening frequently . . . the only thing I miss are bars on the beach. Apart from that it's fun - and it's permanently affordable!

I've always enjoyed Nha Trang.  Found it to be somewhat cleaner with a better infrastructure than Phuket.  First thing I noticed was the clean serviced garbage cans on the corners.  I had to stop and stare for a while  Found it to be quite interesting and the people friendly especially after I got past the Russian section.

Used to be you could find a couple of beach bars a few hundred meters south of the big pink egg (pineapple?) on the beach. 

I might drop over in the new year for nostalgia's sake 

[lexlam 0]

Hi, 

Very much appreciated and many thanks for this main post as well as all other interactive replies, 

I learned so much from your shared coments here, lot of thanks to all of you here!

Actually I'm living in Thailand, thinking to pay a visit to vietnam, 

the trip is to explore the country, possible to stay longer,

I would like to ask few things and very much appreciated to get some answers,

1) How about applying Non-O Thai visa from Thai embassy in there?

- what are the current requirement?

- A better option to get re-entry from here? less complication in applying?

2) Regarding the notes about money invlation, as well ATAM machines problem,

- is it better to carry $US notes from here?

- or exchange their local currency?

- is there a money exchanger like superrich here in Bangkok?

3) About visa extension: 

- the embassy told me can get 1 month tourist visa from here and pay about 2300 TH or around that,

- tourist visa extention process there, how bout the process, fees, etc?

- how to get a business visa? the embassy here inBKK told they need a letter from company or something alike,

- how about booking hotels/airtickets online from there?

4) Job for foreigners:

- how about the business sector jobs, managerial level for foreigners there,

- if only and the easiest job for foreigners there is the teaching jobs:

- wha about teaching business,computer and IT related courses at colleges?

I would very much appreciate if some answers to the above points, which hopefully can help others to further explore some opportunities and spread more informative ideas to the benefit of all of us,

Thanks in advance, 

 

 

 

[Ron jeremy 822]

3 hours ago, lexlam said:

Hi, 

Very much appreciated and many thanks for this main post as well as all other interactive replies, 

I learned so much from your shared coments here, lot of thanks to all of you here!

Actually I'm living in Thailand, thinking to pay a visit to vietnam, 

the trip is to explore the country, possible to stay longer,

I would like to ask few things and very much appreciated to get some answers,

1) How about applying Non-O Thai visa from Thai embassy in there?

- what are the current requirement?

- A better option to get re-entry from here? less complication in applying?

2) Regarding the notes about money invlation, as well ATAM machines problem,

- is it better to carry $US notes from here?

- or exchange their local currency?

- is there a money exchanger like superrich here in Bangkok?

3) About visa extension: 

- the embassy told me can get 1 month tourist visa from here and pay about 2300 TH or around that,

- tourist visa extention process there, how bout the process, fees, etc?

- how to get a business visa? the embassy here inBKK told they need a letter from company or something alike,

- how about booking hotels/airtickets online from there?

4) Job for foreigners:

- how about the business sector jobs, managerial level for foreigners there,

- if only and the easiest job for foreigners there is the teaching jobs:

- wha about teaching business,computer and IT related courses at colleges?

I would very much appreciate if some answers to the above points, which hopefully can help others to further explore some opportunities and spread more informative ideas to the benefit of all of us,

Thanks in advance, 

 

 

 

Jobs for foreigners are quite easy to get - teaching from the people I have spoken with.

of course it's easy to to book airline tickets, hotels online, why wouldn't it be. I am also told the Internet is better in Vietnam than Thailand. 

Visa is simple, be aware I am a tourist, not a retiree. But I did speak to several people that have done the 3 month tourist visa for years and never a problem re- entering. Americans can get a 1 years business visa. Look online for visa requirements, I got a letter of invitation several times, easy to enter, different entry options available.

I came on a 1 month tourist visa and extended it thru an agent for $100 in 3 days turnaround. Very easy. 

I use gold shops to exchange money- any currency, again, very easy and the best rates" 

immigration wait is minutes, not hours like Thailand.

i have no idea what people are speaking of when they say the people are cold etc. The Vietnamese people are THE MOST friendliest I have encountered in 9 years travel in Asia. And the woman the most beautiful. 

I really enjoyed my time there and will return this winter. 

Pit has it's downfalls the same as any other country, but ticks the boxes for me.

on another note, I Walked into government immigration one day, the place was full of locals, I was waved thru  to the desk, the local people insisted I go first, never seen that before in Asia. 

I was treated royally . 

It seems most of the negativity on this topic comes from sextourists etc that don't find things as easy as pattaya. Or those with little game to pick up a legitimate local lady, which is very very easy by the way.

Edited October 16 by Ron jeremy

[Nemises 832]

Is it true that you can’t buy a car and travel around Vietnam, on your own, in your car, as you can in Thailand?

[wisperone 1,645]

21 hours ago, ourdon said:

Used to be you could find a couple of beach bars a few hundred meters south of the big pink egg (pineapple?) on the beach. 

The "Sailing Club" in Nha Trang is popular on the beach side. Restaurant and turns into clubbish at night.

Edited October 16 by wisperone

[wisperone 1,645]

I think the Viets are about the most patient people I ever seen. I was always amazed how they just went with the flow on motorscooters in traffic. Never get upset. In other places if people had to put up with that, would result in constant road rage. 

[Orton Rd 10,158]

On 9/1/2019 at 5:19 PM, Yinn said:

I go to Hanoi, in the north. War museum. 

They remember.

They also don’t like the French people. Very cruel.

 

They not have good experience with farang.

The Brits seemed to do well, if they had stayed longer fighting the communists in 1945 the Vietnam war might never have happened. As the Brits were made to leave and the hated French moved back the communists returned when they could have been eradicated by the Brits aided by the re armed Japanese.

 

 

[Yinn 3,345]

6 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

The Brits seemed to do well, if they had stayed longer fighting the communists in 1945 the Vietnam war might never have happened. As the Brits were made to leave and the hated French moved back the communists returned when they could have been eradicated by the Brits aided by the re armed Japanese.

 

 

Wow, I not know about that.

vietnam have so much war. Like Afghanistan.

sad for the people.

[Orton Rd 10,158]

I never heard about it either before, the Brits of course went on to defeat the communist uprising in Malaya. Pretty sure the Gurkha's were there as well, probably the most effective jungle infantry in the world then. Quick search says they were the mainstay

 

https://www.gurkhabde.com/the-malayan-emergency/

Edited October 17 by Orton Rd

[lexlam 0]

Thanks for the replies and shared comments, really appreciated!

As in this topic above comments, noticed there is a major problem using ATM machines, also the limitation to withdraw, would it be a better option to carry cash,, around $2000 or so, and just exchange as  the need,

how about getting married there and their family sponsor visa same process as Non-O in Thailand? 

However, the main idea of the trip is just to go explore for 1 month tourist visa, then maybe extend it there and see how the things can go, if any opportunities for a job then will see the option for settle down longer, 

Thanks for sharing your experience and comments.