jrharvey
American expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
131
About me
American
Registration: 16 February 2023
Activity
Vietnam, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Vietnam, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your ...
What was your first impression when you arrived?Been to many places but Vietnam truly was one of the first places that really felt different. Very raw, very unfiltered. I loved it. Thats the best way I know to describe it.Did you face any challenges ... Read More
Buying land in Vietnam by lambieallan
Can anyone help me my wife who was voting to me wants to buy a block of land in her hometown not very expensive she says she will do the paperwork but what I not be better off getting a lawyer to do this any help appreciated
@Aidan in HCMCI think it means they held a vote which resulted in a clear 1 - 1 majority in her favour. Sounds about right lol Read More
What are Vietnamese workers like as people? by Rudi2255477
Hello,I am planning to open a small factory in the Asian region and would like to learn more about what Vietnamese people are like.How do they generally behave or perform as workers?In comparison to Chinese workers, what are the main differences in ...
From my experience hiring one huge cultural difference I see is just generally such a chill attitude and relaxed thinking about time and deadlines. Im an architect and my wife and I run an architecture firm between the two of us. We have tried to ... Read More
Is Booking.com full of scammers in VN? by Dannyroc3
I have used BOOKING for many years and in several countries with a 95% satisfaction.IN VN I have used it with pretty good results as well, though I did take a room in Siagon where they gave me a much lesser room that not only didn't match the room ...
Yes unfortunately this is a thing and just something to watch out for. This is not only just a thing on booking but all sites. Its quite often they will show photos of rooms that are unavailable or flat out dont exist and put you in a completely ... Read More
Fake products in VN by Dannyroc3
The subject of fake products is something I run into a lot.My GF swears everything from cosmetics to Hershey bars are fake. I was thinking of buying a Bluetooth speaker. but wonder if they are just copies.When I look on Lazada, for a MArshall BT ...
I just ran into this exact thing. My favorite headphones are the Sony XB-400 which I was able to buy directly from the sony store in District 1 HCMC. They recently discontinued and I needed a new pair so I ordered online. Full price and the add said ... Read More
One way flight into VN by Svho
Anyone have first hand experience flying into VN with one way ticket into the country? Does the government require a return flight or to another destination? I have been there 3 times and a native from Danang. Looking to make a move ...
I agree Ive never had a problem with a one way ticket into the country on my VEC but sometimes I have to argue with the airline a bit. Read More
Severe Traffic Police Crackdown? by expat97
Is anyone aware of/heard of a massive traffic police crack-down?My wife reports that the traffic police all over Vietnam have started about 1 week or so ago totally MASSIVE crack-down with huge fines.Fines for almost everything (i can only ope that ...
Please take this with a pinch of salt. I am foreseeing a domino effect in development, you should be able to put them in order accordingly: Ruthless traffic law enforcement, delivery riders month-to-date earnings is reset to 0 or negative in one ... Read More
Bait & Switch Rental Listings in Vietnam by OceanBeach92107
I thought I would start this thread, since bait and switch in hotel condominium and apartment and house renting listings is so very common here. I thought of it because I am assisting a friend from the United States in obtaining a place to live here ...
Ill start with probably the scarriest story of the thread. Hopefully nothing gets worse than this. My wife and I were looking for an apartment and we found one that looked modern, clean and a good price. My wife did all communication so we wouldnt ... Read More
Severe Traffic Police Crackdown? by expat97
Is anyone aware of/heard of a massive traffic police crack-down?My wife reports that the traffic police all over Vietnam have started about 1 week or so ago totally MASSIVE crack-down with huge fines.Fines for almost everything (i can only ope that ...
Unfortunately Vietnam has the habit of going from the wild west to extremely strict overnight. Any time a rule is enacted or enforced its complete chaos. The rules are necessary because things have been out of hand for way too long however there ... Read More
Can anyone recomend an experienced CPA that deals with US expat taxes
I really hate that I even have to ask this on a forum but Im not exagerating that I have reached out to over 50 CPAs from all over and I cant find anyone willing to assist someone living overseas. The very few that actually reply all say its too ... Read More
Shipping within Vietnam by kevinodprobate
I’m wanting to get to Da Nang from Saigon, but my bag exceeds the 44lb limit so airline wants $150 extra. Is there a good, reasonable way to ship a package weighing less than 25kg between these two cities?
Most airlines allow 23kg which is about 50lbs. If your bag is actually 54lbs can you buy a small tote or duffel and throw the extra 4lbs in there?. Read More
Bringing pets into Vietnam by bindlestiffblues
hey ya'll, my name is eric. me and my partner jessica are planning to move to da nang this year. we have two cats and one dog. as far as i can tell, we are each allowed to bring two animals into vietnam without an import license. am i understanding ...
I brought my dog here 2 years ago. Its extremely important to follow every rule exactly. Once you bring them keep in mind its very, very difficult to take back depending on what country. I am from the US and I didnt realize that after 6 months ... Read More
Moving to Vietnam for my semi-retirement by mmain
Hi everyone, my name is Martin, and recently moved to Vietnam, near Vinh Yen a few weeks ago. My wife and daughter are Vietnamese citizens, so I am here on a Visa Exemption, which was fine for when we lived in the UAE and just visiting periodically, ...
Just a heads up Vietnam taxes you on WORLD WIDE income. I am finding this out the hard way. Doesnt matter where the money comes from, what you did, what bank it went into. Your taxed in Vietnam for that income at Vietnams rates if you spend more ... Read More
Experiencing ageism from young expats by AlbertDifi
Hello. I've lived off and on in Vietnam for 15 years and thought I'd finally post about an odd phenomenon I have encountered in the past five years in HCM, That is, not even receiving a responding hello from young expats. They remain silent, do not ...
There could be a couple of things going on here. #1 you have to understand there are expats from all over the world that may or may not speak your language. They may look just like you but from a country where english is not that great. #2 A lot of ... Read More
Please, can I rent a boat without a license in Phu Quoc? by Alalba Alba
Hi, We are visiting the island only for 6 days…i don’t enjoy soaking up the sun without much to do and Phu Quoc doesnt scream adventure to me…so If I am going, I’d like to rent a boat, without a captain…thanks for ...
Not sure about renting a boat without a captain but I can say my wife and I hired a captain and boat to pretty much give use a totally custom tour of the island for snorkeling, fishing, island hopping and everything we wanted to do. It was very ... Read More