secedit
English expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
38
About me
English
Registration: 04 February 2020
VN Stock market. by Dannyroc3
While discussing some stock market topics with someone, I was asked how the VN stock market works.Not that I would get involved but how it works for locals? Do they have the equiv of an S&P500? Can people just open an account on line?A related ...
Do not invest in the Vn stock exchange as it is rigged. The amount of insider dealing is ridiculous.if you want to invest, buy physical gold in your home country - it鈥檚 a no brainer! Read More
Remuneration structure in Vietnam by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Understanding the remuneration structure when living and working in Vietnam will help you better navigate professional life. In order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats grasp everything from gross pay to net pay, we invite ...
@Cheryl It鈥檚 best if you can get your salary paid into your home country. For non US expats, this is 100% tax free! Read More
In-laws family to keep asking for gifts when they never give any by ashtray9
I'm a foreigner son-in-law, my parent-in-laws are very wealthy, with a lot of properties, just in rents that bring them more than 4/5 times more than what I earn. Now every time I travel, I bring gifts for the entire family, fancy bags for ...
@ashtray9 You must be mad. Forget the comments about showing respect - all nonsense. Keep your cash safely in your home country. Read More
Verify the Validity of a Vietnam Driver's License by Aidan in HCMC
TRA C峄║ TH脭NG TIN Gi岷 ph茅p l谩i xe (Link)(Look Up Driver's License Information)Hoping some might find this helpful.
@Aidan in HCMCGood post! Read More
Cost of living in Vietnam in 2024 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, As every year, we invite you to share your experience regarding the cost of living in Vietnam, and if possible, in the specific region or city where you live. This will help members who are planning to relocate in Vietnam. Here ...
@CherylFully furnished 1 bedroom apartment Vo Chi Vong, Tay Ho, Hanoi VND 8M per month. Electricity VND 3500K pet unit.An abundance of inexpensive property for rent in Hanoi - don鈥檛 be fooled by 鈥檃gents鈥� and their nonsense $500+ ... Read More
Process of buying home or condo in Vietnam (Saigon) by jrharvey
I realize there are probably not a lot of experts on this subject but hoping someone out there may know a few things. Not seeing much in the search or past discussions. So the story is that me and my wife are looking to buy a house or condo. I do ...
Don鈥檛 buy property in Vietnam - it鈥檚 all junk! even new buildings are dilapidatd after only 5 years. Poor quality materials and shoddy workmanship. Read More
HSBC ATM Conversion Bait by James Liu
Just a warning here about HSBC. I normally withdraw 10 million each time and with the demise of Citibank I regularly withdraw from HSBC ATMs. HSBC gives two conversion rates amount to choose from. They use their VND to USD own rate and it shows the ...
@James LiuYou must be an American or Millennial. HahahaIt is common-sense never to accept any offered rate in any country, and has always been the case. The market rate always prevails! Read More
Temporary Residence Card by Eile
Hi all. What is the eligibility for a foreigner to get a TRC. Does charity work qualify as eligibility?Thank you 馃槉
@EileIn a nutshell, unless you are specifically offered a position by a charity. forget it.Apply to a Viet charity and you will have to pay them! Everything in this country is upside down or back to front! Read More
Any experience entering Vietnam with an expiring TRC? by Missybon
I am a US citizen with a spousal Temporary Residence Card (TRC /type TT). My TRC expires May 28, 2024. I need to leave the country for an indefinite period of time but will have to come back to renew the TRC in person.I'm wondering how close I can ...
@MissybonYou can use it up to and including the date of expiry. Read More
Move from the UK to Hanoi by kapilsaini
I'm presently employed in the UK and have received a job offer from a university in Hanoi. I'm reaching out to see if you have any insights on the following:What is the air quality like in Hanoi, and does it noticeably affect daily life? Are there ...
@kapilsainiRemain in the UK - it鈥檚 that simple! Read More
Access to money/funds from your native country whilst i Vietnam / Asia by Lesshove
I am looking towards becoming an Expat living in Vietnam from the UK, my question is how does everyone access there funds from there native country of origin (Banking) without being scammed or hit for extortionate money transfer costs, my first ...
Use Transferwise to send money from UK account to Viet account - fees are minimal.if you can get a Halifax Clarity Card - no fx loading or other fees.Many Viet banks, but recently some have created problems for foreigners disallowing withdrawals ... Read More
New Foreign English Teachers Requirements Decision 4159/QD-BGDDT
[Post under review] Read More
First Trip to Vietnam with Family by Zain ul Haq
Hi Folks,We are an expat family of 5 (husband, wife and 3 children) travelling from Malaysia to Vietnam on Dec 23, 2023 and will return back on Jan 06, 2024. This will be our first ever trip to Vietnam and while we did our little Googling, we're ...
Safety and Security - be very careful in Saigon; phone and bag snatching are rife. Take a photo with an expensive iphone and it will be gone bin a flash! In contrast, the capital city has an abundance of plain-clothed security police and crime is ... Read More
Planning first visit to Vietnam - advice please by redgranite
Hi everyone.I'm planning a trip to Vietnam next June ('24) for around 3 weeks.It will be my first visit to Vietnam. I have a friend there who lives relatively close to Da Lat airport.My intention therefore will be to fly from London to Ho Chi Minh ...
@redgraniteYour itinerary and personal finances are your own personal decisions - nobody can help you with those.Internal flights are relatively cheap, but avoid VietJet Air - worse than RyanAir and with very frequent delays.No jabs needed for short ... Read More
Gifts for girlfriend's parents and siblings by jamespryder
I am from the US and will be visiting my girlfriend for a few months in Haiphong. Are there any suggestions regarding appropriate gifts for the various family members? This will be my first return trip since meeting her a few months ago so it's not ...
Never give money - they will milk you non stop.Give them something very simple like a white, plain Chinese tea set; in Vietnam, their tea sets are unwashed and filthy.Even something like a long, slightly padded cushion of for those ostentatious rock ... Read More
What do people do when they retire in VN? by qnbui
I've been planning my early retirement for a few years now and moving to VN when I retire after my dog passed away. Well, sadly, I had to say goodbye to my beloved dog yesterday. His health was failing and it was time to say goodbye. Now that he's ...
@OceanBeach92107Come on, that very silly introduction about his dog, and the subsequent response from another trying to assimilate his experience.He is in a good steady job; yes, he may be Viet overseas with experience of Vietnam - more-so he ... Read More
What do people do when they retire in VN? by qnbui
I've been planning my early retirement for a few years now and moving to VN when I retire after my dog passed away. Well, sadly, I had to say goodbye to my beloved dog yesterday. His health was failing and it was time to say goodbye. Now that he's ...
@qnbuiStop being so dramatic and emotional; decisions are based on facts in the head and not in the heart.There is nothing to do in Vietnam and you will get as bored as hell! Keep your job and home in USA, and take 2-3 weeks long holiday in Vietnam ... Read More
Moving to Da Nang and open a Brew Coffee Bar by JUAN PABLO PAZ
I live currently in Ubud, Bali and I went to Vientanam some months ago and I really liked the vibe and people, what do you say of my idea? I travel with my family, we are 4.
The market is already saturated and tourism is nothing like it was pre 2021. Need to make a living here for 4 people on coffee, forget it! Read More
Expat tax consultant by vastberaden
US guy here looking for recommendations for a US tax consultant based in HCMC.Thanks
Why do you guys bother paying tax on VN earnings? Read More
Help on visa denial by Jkb8536
Question on US Consulate in Saigon and understanding how they approve visa for Vietnamese citizens. I have a long term girlfriend that we鈥檝e been talking dating about a year and a half year from Saigon and she just got her second refusal under ...
@Jkb8536 Not a chance for a girlfriend.Your best bet is to marry her in Vietnam first.Many European countries are exactly the same鈥� Read More
Hi All, good news from Ha Noi House for Rent by SheaBirds
Hi, after 2 year of Covid, now Ha noi House for Rent market has flourished again:https://e.vnexpress.net/news/trend/skyrocketing-rents-make-life-difficult-for-hanoi-house-hunters-4528146.htmlThanks!
@SheaBirds This must be one of the most ridiculous posts this year. Stop reading Viet propaganda!Hanoi is awash with tens of thousands of empty apartments and more are being built. Demand is very low because of the exodus of expats. Before Covid - 1 ... Read More
Living in Vietnam need travel insurnace for trip home by ruthbrandish
Travelling home to UK next month can anyone advise where I can buy travel insurance for the 3 week trip. I live in Vietnam聽
Cannot understand why you would need this鈥� Read More
mailing credit cards to Vietnam by dlewis516
i have 2 credit cards (receipt has not been confirmed yet) waiting for me in New Jersey. Can anyone recommend the safest way of getting them to me in Saigon without paying excessive shipping, duty, etc. I was told to be wary of ordinary postal ...
I have the same. Brilliant! Read More
High Import tariffs by Bruce007
I recently ordered some paint brushes from a shop in Singapore, for personal use, not for resale, they sent it through DHL DHL wants me to pay government taxes which is shockingly more than half the value of what I paid for it DHL cleared it at 25% ...
3 times I have imported into Vietnam:- Contact lenses Printer cartridges Motorcycle Helmet Each time, NO paperwork / receipt. Just a nonsense email (after I requested further information). Using normal mail from UK. Spain, China - I pay nothing. ... Read More
High Import tariffs by Bruce007
I recently ordered some paint brushes from a shop in Singapore, for personal use, not for resale, they sent it through DHL DHL wants me to pay government taxes which is shockingly more than half the value of what I paid for it DHL cleared it at 25% ...
Should have got rid of all the bullshit wrapping and hand it sent as an item already owned. Read More
High Import tariffs by Bruce007
I recently ordered some paint brushes from a shop in Singapore, for personal use, not for resale, they sent it through DHL DHL wants me to pay government taxes which is shockingly more than half the value of what I paid for it DHL cleared it at 25% ...
Always this bullshit with DHL -it鈥檚 actually a scam as they never actually declare your import. You should have used normal 鈥榣ow key鈥� international mail, and asked the sender to put a nominal value. Read More
VEC extension issue in HCMC by expatec
Hello all, I posted this in the VEC post but wasn't sure if it would get lost or how often that gets updated so apologies for the double post and I can always delete here if asked. Long time member but haven't logged in a while and had to ...
New law 1st July allows changes of visa for marriage purposes. Some VEC have already been issued - again, no consistent application.. Read More
VEC extension issue in HCMC by expatec
Hello all, I posted this in the VEC post but wasn't sure if it would get lost or how often that gets updated so apologies for the double post and I can always delete here if asked. Long time member but haven't logged in a while and had to ...
Here in Hanoi, policy changes everyday. I recently got married and was told that I must apply for a VEC and then TRC. Took the VEC form and was flatly refused - I must leave the country to activate it - these brain dead idiots have no clue. So ... Read More
VEC extension issue in HCMC by expatec
Hello all, I posted this in the VEC post but wasn't sure if it would get lost or how often that gets updated so apologies for the double post and I can always delete here if asked. Long time member but haven't logged in a while and had to ...
It鈥檚 all smoke and mirrors with no consistency (or check) of applicable laws. It鈥檚 like the jungle - they do what they want. Annoying! Read More
Does anyone else have complications during the visa check in VN? by Vette Moto
By complications, I mean standing there having the officer either ask many questions and/or have periods of long silence (4-7 minutes) where the officer sits and looks around while holding my passport/visa. Getting through customs is quite similar ...
Because you look Vietnamese (and you can never hide that) , it鈥檚 a tactic to get money from you. Answer the questions and say NOTHING else! Read More