Why Move From Thailand To Vietnam?

I spoke with many in Danang, it was various reasons.
Poor currency exchange
VISA regs,
Keeping $800 k in the bank
Poor air quality
Prices rising( not cheap anymore) and then the scams, trying to bleed every cent from the tourists, from the taxi from the airport. It never ends.
One of the main reasons was the attitude of the Thais towards western people. And people not being treated very well anymore, other than your cash, they just don't seem to want us there anymore.
Ocean, you speak of the US currency, it has been strong, other currencies have been decimated there.
I call it the trifecta, my currency has gone down 25 percent, prices have risen 25 percent, food portions have gone down 25 percent, etc etc etc.
Overall it's just better value in Vietnam, people far friendlier.
They actually seem to want me there, happy to serve me , and I feel wanted.
For the first time tourist, it may not be apparent, but travelling there for 10 years, I have truly seen the demise of Thailand.
I'll never return.

Back when red shirts and yellow shirts were fighting some tourist blogs reported that the Thais weren't as friendly any more.

Anyone I've met here that went to Thailand and came back complained that the wages for teaching were barely enough to cover the rent and basic expenses. There was no money left to have fun.

I think most people will agree that Thailand has been in decline during the last couple decades while Vietnam has been improving.

Vietnam becomes the obvious first choice for those who wish to remain in Southeast Asia when you start looking at the other countries in the region for various reasons such as safety, culture, cost of living, level of development, etc.

However, most people who have lived years in Thailand are genuinely shocked by the contrasts on their first trip to Vietnam.

Yes, VN offers a low cost of living, the mostly friendly people, the same tropical weather, and relative safety, stability and security, but not much else.

If you've made the move, it's something you need to accept. For those who are planning on changing to VN, it is something you must expect.

Best to make a preliminary trip or two to have a look around and try to get used to the place first.

I moved to Saigon 5 years ago and married. In 2016-2018 we spent 15 months in Bangkok for my wife to go to a very good university. If she could get a job there, we would move back tomorrow.

I like Thailand better.
Standard of living is a step up from Vietnam. In fact one drawback is some streets off Sukhumvit are too modern and clean, feels like being in California, not exotic enough for me!
City transport is a big step up, probably beats all cities in the US. Since we were there, they've added many more lines and stations. Makes it convenient and cheaper to live farther out. Saigon metro - yeah right, waiting.

Bangkok waterfront and water transport is all developed. Beautiful.
Waterfront property in Saigon is derelict with Thao Dien the exception. The canal system is tin shack on sewers, I live near one, reminds me of Manila. Yes there are plans to remove the shacks, someday.

I've grown to like malls; for restaurants and food courts, international grocery stores, shopping, to escape hot weather. Bangkok, hotter than here, has dozens, far more modern than Vietnam. And the discount clothes shopping is unbelievable.

Bangkok has many parks, some huge parks, manicured, trash free. Saigon has a few small parks, not so well maintained because, it is poorer here.
Apartments there are smaller but same $400-$600 price range as urban Saigon. Same with condos in towers, $100k-$150k price range in both cities, again smaller there.

City traffic is heavier in Bangkok, there are too many cars. As Saigon middle class continues to buy cars, it is becoming same same here.
Thai drivers actually obey stoplights and most other road rules. Just feels more like the US on the road, civilized, not the anarchy and shoving here. Yes more get killed on the highways, I blame their fatalistic superstitions trumping personal responsibility.

We wouldn't have to live in Bangkok either. There are lots of beach towns, even islands. I doubt I will ever learn enough Vietnamese language. Thai seemed a little easier to pick up, tones yes, but less Chinese sounds, less yelling. The Thai people we met seemed pleasant enough, we had mostly good experiences, but I would certainly not call it Land of Smiles. Vietnamese are not that different in my experience. You have to break through deflector shields before one will be friendly, at least in Saigon.

I have enough money that exchange rate and retirement visa aren't issues. A TRC married to a Vietnamese in Vietnam is equivalent to the stability of living in a country with a retirement visa. Anyway, life is a journey. I like moving around. 
Can we get the jets back up, please?

gobot wrote:

I moved to Saigon 5 years ago and married. In 2016-2018 we spent 15 months in Bangkok for my wife to go to a very good university. If she could get a job there, we would move back tomorrow.

I like Thailand better.
Standard of living is a step up from Vietnam. In fact one drawback is some streets off Sukhumvit are too modern and clean, feels like being in California, not exotic enough for me!
City transport is a big step up, probably beats all cities in the US. Since we were there, they've added many more lines and stations. Makes it convenient and cheaper to live farther out. Saigon metro - yeah right, waiting.

Bangkok waterfront and water transport is all developed. Beautiful.
Waterfront property in Saigon is derelict with Thao Dien the exception. The canal system is tin shack on sewers, I live near one, reminds me of Manila. Yes there are plans to remove the shacks, someday.

I've grown to like malls; for restaurants and food courts, international grocery stores, shopping, to escape hot weather. Bangkok, hotter than here, has dozens, far more modern than Vietnam. And the discount clothes shopping is unbelievable.

Bangkok has many parks, some huge parks, manicured, trash free. Saigon has a few small parks, not so well maintained because, it is poorer here.
Apartments there are smaller but same $400-$600 price range as urban Saigon. Same with condos in towers, $100k-$150k price range in both cities, again smaller there.

City traffic is heavier in Bangkok, there are too many cars. As Saigon middle class continues to buy cars, it is becoming same same here.
Thai drivers actually obey stoplights and most other road rules. Just feels more like the US on the road, civilized, not the anarchy and shoving here. Yes more get killed on the highways, I blame their fatalistic superstitions trumping personal responsibility.

We wouldn't have to live in Bangkok either. There are lots of beach towns, even islands. I doubt I will ever learn enough Vietnamese language. Thai seemed a little easier to pick up, tones yes, but less Chinese sounds, less yelling. The Thai people we met seemed pleasant enough, we had mostly good experiences, but I would certainly not call it Land of Smiles. Vietnamese are not that different in my experience. You have to break through deflector shields before one will be friendly, at least in Saigon.

I have enough money that exchange rate and retirement visa aren't issues. A TRC married to a Vietnamese in Vietnam is equivalent to the stability of living in a country with a retirement visa. Anyway, life is a journey. I like moving around. 
Can we get the jets back up, please?

I concur.

Maybe this is why https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 … -off-penis

But based on my research into VN marriage and infidelity, you are not going to escape the wrath if you don't change your ways. 

gobot wrote:

I moved to Saigon 5 years ago and married. In 2016-2018 we spent 15 months in Bangkok for my wife to go to a very good university. If she could get a job there, we would move back tomorrow.

I like Thailand better.

On the surface, Thailand is quite appealing but the deep-rooted ongoing political problems involving the military and monarchy make it an undesirable place to live, for me at least. People often say "it doesn't affect foreigners" but it holds the country back in terms of development and the economy and ruins the mood of the entire nation, and also provides me with a headache I don't need.

You must have gained some awareness of this during your 15 months there.

In VN, you only see tanks at the museum, not on your way to work.

johnross23 wrote:

On the surface, Thailand is quite appealing but the deep-rooted ongoing political problems involving the military and monarchy make it an undesirable place to live, for me at least. People often say "it doesn't affect foreigners" but it holds the country back in terms of development and the economy and ruins the mood of the entire nation, and also provides me with a headache I don't need.

You must have gained some awareness of this during your 15 months there.

In VN, you only see tanks at the museum, not on your way to work.

I agree Thai politics is a mess, a military dictatorship un-democracy, volatile because the people will actually demonstrate and fight. I think capitalism will trump increasing authoritarianism though. Vietnam is far more stable because the government is so predictable and people don't object except in conversation. Philippines, I would actually fear for my life, and Malaysian govt can't decide whether to respect its citizens or be a caliphate.

gobot wrote:

Philippines, I would actually fear for my life, and Malaysian govt can't decide whether to respect its citizens or be a caliphate.

Meanwhile, in VN, it's sometimes difficult to tell if you're still alive or not.

VISA cregulations. thailand doesn't want long-term tourists... J