About dplast

Status:

Considering a Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Fair Oaks, California, United States

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Vietnam: Postpaid service for mobile phone operators in Vietnam?:

Maybe I missed something in the original post. After arriving in Sai Gon I head over to a phone shop, buy a sim card and wait while the insert it. No big deal installing it, just want to make sure if there are any problems it will be taken care of. I normally use Mobifone service. Normally add a bit more money like 100,000 for minutes and I'm on my way .

Vietnam: Payment of goods and services in HCMC:

Yup, Travel Writer pretty much hit it. Even though Saigon has changed a lot over the past 10 years or so when the only ATM machine was at the New World Hotel, cash is still king here. Using Dong, shows your not a Rube but stuffing some of your native currency, ones or fives, can give you a comfortable feeling and most places will take it if you run out of Dong. To my thinking is a ATM/cash card is only to get cash a credit card is for stuff you buy. More and more places are taking credit cars, so if you want to conserve your cash ask about using a credit card. Exchange dollars to dong and the reverse at one of the jewellery stores or gold stores as they are refereed to here across from Ben Thah Market, just an old habit but the rate is always good and it gives me that on the edge feeling. Which I cherish and something Sai Gon is losing. Yes, when I use a credit card the charge me 2 % but think my bank in the states charges me a higher rate on my ATM withdrawals. Oh ya, when and if you get out into the country side, carry cash. Get a money belt or any way a secondary place to carry your cash so when you pay for something they don't see all your money. On last thought -The rail road and buses only take cash. Though the rail road is working on a system that will take credit cards but don't hold your breath. Remember, "Toto your not in Kansas any more" and that is one of the things that makes it worth the trip.

Vietnam: looking for a small apartment in Saigon:

I'll be back in a few weeks and I'm looking for new digs for a month or two. Looking in dist 1 and would like to stay in the same area were I had been renting a room for the past 6 years on Le Thi Rieng St in the area by Zen Plaza. Low floor as I have a bad leg, furnished including a desk I'm a blogger, in the 500 - 600.00 range. Thanks

Vietnam: Social Security:

Hi, A couple comments from Doug who has been living part time in Vietnam for 13 years. Myself, have my SS check direct deposited to my account in California, then draw it out via ATM. Part of this is a good plan. Good is my money stays safe in the USA but the bad is fees are getting higher and higher on ATM withdrawals. What I've been going to do is open a bank account in Saigon with a Vietnamese bank and transfer money via wire, still the fee but lower. Another way might be find a bank that has offices in the USA and Vietnam, fees would be less. You could use HSBC but don't think they pay the high rate on savings. I have a friend who picks up his SS check every month through the US Embassy. No fees but a pain in the ass. Take a look at SS web site and find the official policy if you want your money sent over.

Vietnam: Problems in Vietnam's administrative formalities ?:

Mien Thi Thuc / Visa Exemption - not sure about this visa as it's not available to folks like me but think you would have to get an extension to stay an extra day and you probably can't get a day extension, may be another 90 days and my guess it's going to be a lot of hassle. You might think about getting a 30 day tourist visa through a travel agent or just taking your chances and paying a fine at the airport. Doug

Vietnam: Taxi:

I'm in Saigon and my thinking is taxi companies are all about the same, most of their staff are surly, not friendly, crazy drivers and posses very limited English skills. Though the up side is that using a taxi is cheap. So the drivers work on squeezing as much dong as they can get. I'm thinking from city centre, Saigon it's around 150,000. However, there is a short way and a long way according to my Vietnamese friend. Not sure how that effects fare. 10 years ago, it was mostly rouge cars for hire, some with meters some with out, that's when you really had to pay attention. One last point, you stand a better chance of getting a far deal if you walk away from the taxi's lined up except at the airport or other organised transportation centres where they give you a coupon with the drivers name and taxi number. I'm going to try this again - meanwhile check out dougsasia.blogspot.com

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City:

If your using Vietnam as a base you might find that flights out are a bit more expensive than Bangkok flights and BKK offers a better selection. Bangkok makes a good base, easy to get to most places. Though the bus from Saigon to Cambodia is a good deal and maybe an easier deal than from Bangkok. Somebody mentioned laundry, if the sun is shinning most hotels or laundry guys offer cheap, same day service so you can have it done as you travel.

Vietnam: How can a foreigner learn Vietnamese in a short time:

ha ha how can a person learn Vietnamese even over a long period of time.. Anyway, for me it's a tough language, made that way by having pretty much no words or sounds in common with English. However, some do master it but guessing there is no easy route.

Vietnam: Extended stay VN:

A month a go I took a few days and headed to Phnom Penh and got my 3 month visa renewed, now that I look at it its a B3 type. Never knew that was a business visa, flipped through my passport and I've been getting them for years but never really requested one, so not sure how that works. Anyway getting a visa extended is not a problem. Any travel agent in Saigon can do it. The bus line I took to Cambodia SAPACO offers a 6 month extension through Phnom Penh. If you going for a long stay, make your original visa request for a year and see what happens and if that fails, go for 6 months and so on. Vietnam is a pretty loosy goosy place and laws are always a changing so learn to play it that way . Meanwhile check out Dougsasisa.blogspot.com

Vietnam: Good Dental Clinic In Hanoi:

Does the same recommendation of westcoast international dental clinic hold true for Saigon. My doctor's office recommended Starlite Dental in Saigon, what do you think? Was going to BKK for dental work but if I can get quality painless work done in Saigon I'll do that.

Date Joined:

6/10/2003

Total Posts:

24

Posts/Day:

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