U.S. veterans living in Vietnam

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Would like to meet any of you to help get to know about life in this country for retired ex-pats

I read your profile. I was here in Đà Nẵng in 1971-72. I'm enjoying being back.

I'm NOT interested in sharing war stories, but our situations are quite similar.

Are you coming to Đà Nẵng to visit, or have you already decided this is The Place?

I'll meet just about anyone for a cup of coffee and talk about what's working for me.

Cheers

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Would like to meet any of you to help get to know about life in this country for retired ex-pats

Veteran here (European theater 66 - 71), and along with OB I'm open to sharing my emerging experiences of a recent thirty-day recon mission to Vietnam (Danang, Quy Nhon, and HCMC). In early March I'll be relocating from New York to Quy Nhon as my initial new home while building business relationships in HCM, Hanoi, and Danang.

Fair enough OceanBeach.
I have received my online form for Viet visa today. So will plan on making reservations to fly in - to Da Nang from Chiang Mai if I can get this arranged - for the 28 Feb.
As for visit vs staying - I have found fate doesn't pay much attention to my plans - my ambition in life is to find a piece of quiet beach and spend the rest of my days there.
If Vietnam works out for me I won't want to leave.

Would like to have a coffee and listen to anything you could tell me about living there if you can take the time.

Regards,

Gia-na-dai

Hello Workplacestars

Not sure if you are saying you are in V.N. now.
I got my online visa app. today and printed it out so if I can make the arrangements I will
fly in to Da Nang the end of Feb.

If you have the time to meet up,  in March ? I would be grateful for a chance to debrief you on what you have experienced so far.

P.S.: are you still working ? I mean aren't you at retirement age?
I mean how are they about work permits there? I could conceivably teach English - no certificate
but a little experience in tutoring if it is permissible.

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Fair enough OceanBeach.
I have received my online form for Viet visa today. So will plan on making reservations to fly in - to Da Nang from Chiang Mai if I can get this arranged - for the 28 Feb.
As for visit vs staying - I have found fate doesn't pay much attention to my plans - my ambition in life is to find a piece of quiet beach and spend the rest of my days there.
If Vietnam works out for me I won't want to leave.

Would like to have a coffee and listen to anything you could tell me about living there if you can take the time.

Regards,

Gia-na-dai

If your travel budget allows, plan to visit Quy Nhon because from an initial blush it sounds perfect for you. Six and half hours by train South of Danang. Less expensive than Danang, friendly and beautiful. Of course, a bit more undiscovered than the third largest city in Vietnam. You will find desirable housing in the $200 to $300 range.

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Hello Workplacestars

Not sure if you are saying you are in V.N. now.
I got my online visa app. today and printed it out so if I can make the arrangements I will
fly in to Da Nang the end of Feb.

If you have the time to meet up,  in March ? I would be grateful for a chance to debrief you on what you have experienced so far.

P.S.: are you still working ? I mean aren't you at retirement age?
I mean how are they about work permits there? I could conceivably teach English - no certificate
but a little experience in tutoring if it is permissible.

At present wrapping things up in New York. Will arrive in HCM on March 5 on a 1-year tourist visa. Yes, retirement age. As an organization effectiveness consultant, trainer and executive coach with a deep passion for the work I will probably die with my work boots on (smile). Consultants actually improve with age (wink) if they are able to learn from all of their mistakes. I have a New York LLC the same as my username. Working and getting paid in Vietnam for services rendered will be a challenge, yet not impossible. Good questions and good wishes for your journey.

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Fair enough OceanBeach.
I have received my online form for Viet visa today. So will plan on making reservations to fly in - to Da Nang from Chiang Mai if I can get this arranged - for the 28 Feb.
As for visit vs staying - I have found fate doesn't pay much attention to my plans - my ambition in life is to find a piece of quiet beach and spend the rest of my days there.
If Vietnam works out for me I won't want to leave.

Would like to have a coffee and listen to anything you could tell me about living there if you can take the time.

Regards,

Gia-na-dai

Private message sent to you

Hey Workplace.....,

March 1st. Finally in Quy Nhon, showered, jet-lagged: from flying out of Chiang Mai to Saigon, to the bus, to the visa counter, to wait, to the p.p. control and to lost and found for my carry-on suitcase thing that they made me check in @ 913 bt, .... late for the connecting flight to Quy Nhon.... got a ticket for the morning flight @ 20.00 because VietJet Air took a partial responsibility for making me miss the flight ,.... to a motel for 550,000 VND.. to the airport at 5:00 and paid again for the carry-on and 45 minute flight to Quy Nhon and 1 hour taxi to Banh Phuc Home - where they had cancelled my reservation and could not rent to me, though it was vacant ..... to this hotel, where they kept my p.p. and I am not sure how much they are charging me for a night - Not 2 - 300.00 a month.

Not doing so well in Vietnam so far...

Maybe things will look better after I take a nap.

Hope you have a pleasant fl. back to V.N.

Gia-na-dia,
All will be good. It’s amazing what a bit of positive thinking can do.
Enjoy your trip.
Wadey

workplacestars wrote:

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Fair enough OceanBeach.
I have received my online form for Viet visa today. So will plan on making reservations to fly in - to Da Nang from Chiang Mai if I can get this arranged - for the 28 Feb.
As for visit vs staying - I have found fate doesn't pay much attention to my plans - my ambition in life is to find a piece of quiet beach and spend the rest of my days there.
If Vietnam works out for me I won't want to leave.

Would like to have a coffee and listen to anything you could tell me about living there if you can take the time.

Regards,

Gia-na-dai

If your travel budget allows, plan to visit Quy Nhon because from an initial blush it sounds perfect for you. Six and half hours by train South of Danang. Less expensive than Danang, friendly and beautiful. Of course, a bit more undiscovered than the third largest city in Vietnam. You will find desirable housing in the $200 to $300 range.

Welcome to Việt Nam, @Gia-na-dai

@workplacestars, I'm glad I re-read your post today.

I'm in the process of traveling south to Vũng Tàu, planning to stop a few places along the way.

Thanks to you, I'm adding Quy Nhơn to my itinerary.

Cheers!

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

workplacestars wrote:

Gia-na-dai wrote:

Fair enough OceanBeach.
I have received my online form for Viet visa today. So will plan on making reservations to fly in - to Da Nang from Chiang Mai if I can get this arranged - for the 28 Feb.
As for visit vs staying - I have found fate doesn't pay much attention to my plans - my ambition in life is to find a piece of quiet beach and spend the rest of my days there.
If Vietnam works out for me I won't want to leave.

Would like to have a coffee and listen to anything you could tell me about living there if you can take the time.

Regards,

Gia-na-dai

If your travel budget allows, plan to visit Quy Nhon because from an initial blush it sounds perfect for you. Six and half hours by train South of Danang. Less expensive than Danang, friendly and beautiful. Of course, a bit more undiscovered than the third largest city in Vietnam. You will find desirable housing in the $200 to $300 range.

Welcome to Việt Nam, @Gia-na-dai

@workplacestars, I'm glad I re-read your post today.

I'm in the process of traveling south to Vũng Tàu, planning to stop a few places along the way.

Thanks to you, I'm adding Quy Nhơn to my itinerary.

Cheers!

Gia-na-dai, that is some trip you've got going on...hope the sun comes out for you soon. Going with the flow in Vietnam (everywhere actually) is wise advice for a more happy and healthy experience.

OB, excited to hear you will make some time to explore QN. IMO, it is a special place.

Gia-na-dai and OB, I'll be arriving in QN on March 6th.  If this timeframe syncs with your travel plan it would be great to meet and share experiences. Feel free to DM me. Snowing here in Long Island with 2" already on the ground and more on the way...seriously looking forward to more sunshine in my life 

In Quy Nhon - for a week now.
At  decent enough hotel near the beach, renting a Honda 110, studying Vietnamese online.

Are you back from N.Y.?