Expat Experience and Heading Home

RTLisSB Contributor

Member since 23 April 2022

RTLisSBContributor28 December 2022 09:42:03

177

Greetings all,

I can't believe my two months in Viet Nam are over already. Before I fly out, I thought I'd make a quick post about my VN experience, and Expat.com.

As for VN, I have really loved the experience. I must admit that the pollution and air quality (lack thereof) of HCMC was more than a little troubling and I don't think I'd ever get used to it. Thankfully, the air quality in Da Nang was much better. Last night I took the waterbus from D2 to D1 and back and it was incredibly sad to see garbage floating in the Saigon river even through the dark of night. And no, I will not miss people hitting their horns every twenty seconds. LOL

Regardless, the people, food, and low-cost economy more than make up for the above. I met so many incredible people in such a short-time, and all were willing to help when I needed it. I loved the food so much that I managed to make it through the whole trip without going to a Western restaurant or buying anything from An Nam, etc.

However, although I hope to return next year for 5-6 months, it will depend on the visa situation. I'm just not into doing a boarder run every 30 days. Here's hoping for a change after Tet.

As for Expat.com, I really think the site is very valuable. Specifically, I really appreciated the first hand knowledge of the posters and the incredibly quick replies regardless of topic. The only negative, and it is a very minor one, is that on one or two occasions when those that have been in country for several years gave advice, it was obvious that they had forgotten what is was like to be a stressed out/overwhelmed newbie. In other words, a couple of answers lacked details and were framed as "just do this", "just do that", when for a newcomer the devil is always in the details. Again, this is incredibly minor and overall I am very grateful for the advice on everything from buying a SIM card to arranging water delivery.

To all the contributors, thank you and please don't stop posting. Your insights are invaluable!

All the best,

Roger

AndyHCMC ViP

Member since 29 February 2020

AndyHCMCViP28 December 2022 10:17:41

1855

@RTLisSB,

Glad you enjoyed your stay and found the time to give feedback, hope to see you next time.

Yoginee ViP

Member since 11 July 2022

YogineeViP28 December 2022 10:19:05

3414

Hello Roger,

Thank you for taking the time to write this message. It is much appreciated.

As for Expat.com, I really think the site is very valuable. Specifically, I really appreciated the first hand knowledge of the posters and the incredibly quick replies regardless of topic. The only negative, and it is a very minor one, is that on one or two occasions when those that have been in country for several years gave advice, it was obvious that they had forgotten what is was like to be a stressed out/overwhelmed newbie. In other words, a couple of answers lacked details and were framed as "just do this", "just do that", when for a newcomer the devil is always in the details. Again, this is incredibly minor and overall I am very grateful for the advice on everything from buying a SIM card to arranging water delivery.

We will keep all your comments and advice in mind and we will try to improve ourselves.

I hope that we will see you on other forums soon