Aidan
@Aidan in HCMC
Canadian expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
4555
Contacts
9
About me
Canadian, In a relationship
Lives in Ki谩潞驴n Giang
Speaks an absolute blue-streak in English. Arabic (haltingly)
Registration: 23 December 2017
About
Shortly after taking early retirement in 2017, I moved to Vietnam and spent the first 2.5 years living in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City.
I then moved to Thai Nguyen City, about 80 kilometres north of Hanoi, and spent 2.5 years there.
Since May of 2022 I've been living on Phu Quoc Island.
To say that it was a steep learning curve would be an understatement. The difference between Vietnam and Canada was at first a little overwhelming, but with time I've settled in quite comfortably.
Occupation
I am ... for now, still kickin' it!
My expat journey
Ki岷縩 Giang, Vietnam
London, England, England
Saint Petersburg, St.-Petersburg, Russia
Montr茅al, Quebec, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Pointe-脿-Pitre, Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe
Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica
Yucat谩n, Mexico
La Pointe, Martinique
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
K枚ln, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Kalmthout, Flanders, Belgium
Ban Kab么ng, Khammouan, Laos
Kampot, Cambodia
Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hanoi, Ha N峄檌, Vietnam
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Activity
Long distance call to Canada by mikelaf
Hi聽 I live in Phils and I have to call to Canadian Govt sometimes. PLDT have no more discount card...and is very expensive . What apps is good and safe? ThanksMike
@mikelaf Hi Mike.No way, absolutely no way CDN gov't will accept WhatsApp calls except for emergency services. I do know, from personal experience, that Revenue Canada (our "Tax man") accepts any/all collect calls.What branch of the gov't were you ... Read More
Off Topic Posts - Whats on your mind? by SimCityAT
This thread is for everything Off-topic..........https://www.askideas.com/media/13/Burning-Whats-Up-Gif-Picture.gif
So, now I know what a "Foley Artist" is.I like it more than AI slop we're seeing/hearing these days. Read More
Celebrating 50 years of Gone Saigon by snake77
Announced in the news today: Ho Chi Minh City to set off fireworks at 16 sites for 50th anniversary of city named after President Ho Chi MinhI remember how 11 Years ago, on the even of 30 April 2015 I was sitting with a few locals on a sidewalk in ...
@snake77 Okay, so back at you.What's your guess? What will its official name be, let's say, 50 years down the road? Read More
Helmets in VN by qnbui
I'm probably going to be riding a scooter in VN wen I go there and I'm taking a class to get my motorcycle license before I leave for VN. So my question is, are the helmets in VN DOT or SNELL rated? Or only if I purchase imported helmets like Bell, ...
(Missing photo, repost) Read More
Photo amendment on Tourist Visa Application! by giscivil92
Hello Guys,I just received an Amendment on my photo(79% similarity), I'd like to how much similarity is needed to satisfy photo requirement!?
@Aidan in HCMC I appreciate your kind and genuine guidance!My prediction? You can expect several more requests for amendments/corrections.Yes, I checked again, I've one more correctionIt may well be in the best interest of people from these ... Read More
Photo amendment on Tourist Visa Application! by giscivil92
Hello Guys,I just received an Amendment on my photo(79% similarity), I'd like to how much similarity is needed to satisfy photo requirement!?
Hello Guys,I just received an Amendment on my photo(79% similarity), I'd like to how much similarity is needed to satisfy photo requirement!? - @giscivil92 Reports from member's are that a 75% match warrants approval.My prediction? You can expect ... Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
@giscivil92 Be careful. There are countless reports of people coming to VN with promises from the employer to secure for the foreigner a Work Visa. A promise which sometimes is not kept. Be wary of this. It is a real concern. Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
@Aidan in HCMC Dear Aidan, I'm really sorry to take your time, and also appreciate it for your genuine guidance, Could you please mention that visa agency here to contact, Please if possibleSee member OceabBeach92107's post, #8, above. They are a ... Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
... thousands of people traveling to Vietnam now and in the future may encounter the same issue.You didn't mention "..and in the past". 馃槈So many travelers spend significant time, money and effort and additionally they have to deal with ... Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
@OceanBeach92107 Anyway I just access the Vietnamese embassy to complaint! if they are not supposed to give any services why they take money once they know my nationalities in advance馃槒馃槕! we didn't find cash on the road to donate for ... Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
@OceanBeach92107 It doesn't make sense by evidence!First of all, Vietnam originally never been as immigrant country so far! therefore a refugee preferably choose an immigrant countries such as Canada, Germany, England or other European countries ... Read More
How many days normally take the Vietnamese Tourist visa to be issued!? by giscivil92
Hello folks,I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕What is your experience in this case!?
Hello folks, I applied for Vietnamese tourist visa 10 normal days ago!? but after 10 days it is still under the process!!!馃槕Sorry to hear that.Is that normal or no!?apparently bizarre!馃槕No, it is not the norm. In fact, reports are that ... Read More
How's The Weather Where You Are? by Aidan in HCMC
Got a notice of "Severe Weather Alert" for the next 5 or 6 days.
And with a mighty thunderous clap, the heavens opened up.Heavy downpour of rain for the past 4 hours. Nice drop in temperature, now just have to keep an eye on the creek out back. Read More
"What to look for on: TV, Online, Radio, & Cinema" by SimCityAT
I've watched a couple of films lately, and I recommend them both. 1) Irena鈥檚 Vow19 year old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer in Poland when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be ...
Sanders is a former U.S. Army officer who moved to Europe after inheriting his estranged father's real estate business. He also secretly operates as the Vigilante Citizen, a ruthless vigilante who targets those who have escaped justice. While much ... Read More
Celebrating 50 years of Gone Saigon by snake77
Announced in the news today: Ho Chi Minh City to set off fireworks at 16 sites for 50th anniversary of city named after President Ho Chi MinhI remember how 11 Years ago, on the even of 30 April 2015 I was sitting with a few locals on a sidewalk in ...
@snake77 ...What's your guess? What will its official name be, let's say, 50 years down the road?Saigon. The city's locals call it Saigon, the many people I know up North (Hanoi/Thai Nguyen) call it Saigon, all the old folk songs and poetry call it ... Read More