herbj
Australian expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
23
Contacts
3
About me
Australian
Registration: 17 November 2009
Transferring Money INTO Vietnam by mtgmike
I've seen a lot of posts by people trying to get money out of Vietnam, I've got a few questions for those of you that have transferred money in. I posted yesterday about buying some land, this is related to that but it's about the ...
Which banks and have you used it to transfer money? Read More
Transferring Money INTO Vietnam by mtgmike
I've seen a lot of posts by people trying to get money out of Vietnam, I've got a few questions for those of you that have transferred money in. I posted yesterday about buying some land, this is related to that but it's about the ...
I do not endorse any money transfer method, I am listing what I do. I keep it as simple as possible: I trust my wife - send money as required to her account. I trust my friend in Philippines - send money as required into their account. I use ... Read More
Personal income tax for retired people - documents required. by Laurent futur Nha Trang
Hello everybody, For the retired people in Vietnam, what are the documents required by vietnamese personal income tax office to register them ? Thanks in advance :-) Laurent
I just deleted everything I was about to send you. All I will say is, you can get a TIN if you pay a fee here. Or you can get an extended 12 mth Visa once you get here which are normally used for Retirees. I don't believe Vietnam has a visa ... Read More
Personal income tax for retired people - documents required. by Laurent futur Nha Trang
Hello everybody, For the retired people in Vietnam, what are the documents required by vietnamese personal income tax office to register them ? Thanks in advance :-) Laurent
I'm Australian and live in Vietnam with my Vietnamese Wife. The Vietnamese rule of 183 days making me liable to pay tax in Vietnam was a worry, so before I finished working in Australia, I fully researched everything I could and still relied on ... Read More
the size of cars in Vietnam by maximus0760
Hi, one of the first things that strikes visitors to VN (apart from the number of motorcycles) is the size of cars on the roads. Being a developing country with lower than average per capita income, one would expect the VN car market to be ...
I have a 7 seat Kia Carens, full auto (all the gadgets) cost me $32,000 in 2013 and has just clicked over 20,000 km. I bought it to fit in the parents-in-law (child carers), after planning to have two kids. Occasionally used with a driver (I hate ... Read More
Gps enabled phone by Gareth Uk
Right now I am getting round Hcmc on a motorbike using a paper map and now hope to travel further afield.I possibly would like to buy a GPS enabled phone as I cannot read the road sign directions ( if there are any,my Vietnamese language is ...
I have a built in satnav for my Vietnamese car, it mustn't update, since the new roads don't appear and I use my Vietnamese as a toy, I always have a passenger that helps when I'm in the car. My car in Australia has a 'free maps for ... Read More
Driving in Vietnam vs Thailand by MikaQ5
Hello all My name is Martin I have been driving for 3 + years in Thailand so have some experience of driving in Asia , (and it was nothing like the horror stories i had heard before i first drove ) - Both City ( Bkk) and country roads ...
Biggest difference between riding in Thailand and Vietnam is the side of rode. Right side. Then there is the whoever is in front has right of way - so bikes coming out from homes and side streets are annoying. then there are the special lanes for ... Read More
Driving in Vietnam vs Thailand by MikaQ5
Hello all My name is Martin I have been driving for 3 + years in Thailand so have some experience of driving in Asia , (and it was nothing like the horror stories i had heard before i first drove ) - Both City ( Bkk) and country roads ...
I've seen one side car, in the Mekong. Looked like a Norton with tourists on it - so special licence required for size and would be a target for Police, because it's different and looks like money..... Read More
Driving in Vietnam vs Thailand by MikaQ5
Hello all My name is Martin I have been driving for 3 + years in Thailand so have some experience of driving in Asia , (and it was nothing like the horror stories i had heard before i first drove ) - Both City ( Bkk) and country roads ...
Great news with ASEAN Licences being recognized in all 10 countries. My Vietnamese Licence will be good in Philippines. Read More
Vietnamese citizenship for foreigner? by Wald0
Has anybody tried to get their vietnamese nationality based on marriage? 馃檲 And now mean people who don't have vn parents 馃槅
I heard of one person who received Vietnamese Citizenship. She was voluntarily in charge of a HCMC Orphanage for 20 years. Can't find it on the net anymore...... So, best of luck. Read More
Please advice me which car I should buy in Viet Nam by Sapphire Bui
Hello every one, I want to buy a new car for my family which have 4 or 5 seats and strong vehicle and nice form. I wonder which brand should I buy: Ford, Toyota, Mazda or Kia? Please kindly advice for me. I believe in your experiences. Thank you ...
I have a Kia Carens, more than enough for here. It is top of the range Carens and is cheaper than Australia. If you buy an import car, it is 100% import duty new or old, which makes it expensive. And also the hustle of extra payment in hand at the ... Read More
How much to pay in-laws? by Vagabondone
Just curious how much other expats pay their wives parents. While I was dating we discussed this and I agreed to pay $300 a month to my mother-in-law ( No father). However, this money has always been a contentious issue and she now wants $500 a ...
I pay $120 AUD per month only for Mother/Father in law. In return they work my rice paddies, take child to school and pick him up, do my shopping daily, water the garden, clean the house, baby sit the youngest etc etc etc. However, my Wife is ... Read More
Motorbike license......coffee $$ by Vagabondone
Long ago I heard there was a DL office in HCM that one could get an A1/A2 license thus way. As I recall the story there was a mechanic shop nearby that had a connection. Anyone know which DL office in HCM that offers such a "Service", or ...
I've done the same but never any road test. The initial Australian Consulate stamp cost far more than the VN Lic. But now it is translate the documents and wait for a week and submit docs and wait another week to receive the Licence for the ... Read More
Environmental protection in Vietnam by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Vietnam? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective ...
Rubbish Collection: For the last 8 mths they have had wheely bins spaced along the street at the front of my Mekong house, so it easy to go out and place rubbish into the bins. I initially had difficulty in stopping the in-laws from throwing the ... Read More
Tips and advice to thrive in Vietnam by Priscilla
Hi, When living in a foreign country, you have to adapt to a new environment, various cultures and different social codes. How did you manage to adjust to Vietnam? How long does it take to feel at home? Would you say it is an easy ...
Watch and learn, ask questions if a translator is available. Follow the lead - this is a good one, if people push in front of the line, then I do the same, I learn fast. When all else fails - put on the angry face and yell, everyone scatters. I ... Read More
Laptops held by Customs by tsshapiro
Ok, so I have a weird situation. My wife and I went to visit family in the US and when we returned we had accidentally left one carry-on bag at home. I know it was stupid of us, but we left for the airport in a hurry. In that carry-on bag was our ...
This was before Tet Holiday, Customs Officials will let it in after you pay a fee. Since it is after Tet, it might be easier. See Customs early in the morning. They may ask to look at what you have on the computer. Read More
Best cities to live in Vietnam by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Vietnam. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
HCMC - has work, if you're into that, entertainment, pollution, limited areas for recreation that are free for use. It is centrally located to the north of Vung Tau, east of the Mekong and west of the eastern beaches of Mui Ne etc....Has ... Read More
Indefinite Drivers License for expats by Vagabondone
Does anyone know if it is truly possible for an expat to get a VNese drivers license with an indefinite expiration date. I have spoken to expats that have been able to "Get" them with no test, no nothing,,but money. These are for A1 and ...
My Aussie Licence has another 9yrs left on it and soon I will have another 5 Yr Visa. My Vietnam Licence will be valid for the duration of the Visa. I have renewed my Vietnam licence 3 times. Read More
Having your significant other in your place. Is it legal? by DanFromSF
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've read it's illegal, as a foreigner, to bring a Vietnamese woman (and/or man?) to your hotel room, which is somewhat understandable. However, I haven't been able to determine what the law is regarding someone ...
Well, the relative was pissed off and she reported it - so it is possible. A female friend of my Wife did the same thing but it was a bit more messy with photo's being involved etc. I don't think it happens often and then it is up to the Police to ... Read More
Having your significant other in your place. Is it legal? by DanFromSF
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've read it's illegal, as a foreigner, to bring a Vietnamese woman (and/or man?) to your hotel room, which is somewhat understandable. However, I haven't been able to determine what the law is regarding someone ...
If anyone stays in a Hotel or any place. A copy of the Passport or VN ID Card is placed with the House Book and taken to the local authorities for stamping and registration in the government records within 24 hrs. What has occurred at my HCMC ... Read More
Having your significant other in your place. Is it legal? by DanFromSF
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've read it's illegal, as a foreigner, to bring a Vietnamese woman (and/or man?) to your hotel room, which is somewhat understandable. However, I haven't been able to determine what the law is regarding someone ...
Sorry - it's the same. It is illegal to have sex outside of marriage, not as strict as it was, and a bribe, if caught, will keep you out of trouble. If any person stays with you overnight, they must be registered in your House Book which is where ... Read More
Having your significant other in your place. Is it legal? by DanFromSF
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've read it's illegal, as a foreigner, to bring a Vietnamese woman (and/or man?) to your hotel room, which is somewhat understandable. However, I haven't been able to determine what the law is regarding someone ...
8 years ago, in a Vung Tau Hotel, I had to pay for a 'girlfriend' to stay the night. I paid for another room at half price and she stayed in my room. My Wife and I have never had any problem staying in Hotels together and we holiday often. In our ... Read More
How many expats have had to pay bribes to police? by I do believe
I have been stopped by the police maybe 10 times over the last few years for driving in the wrong lane, driving the wrong way on a one way street and speeding. Most of the time I get stopped for not being in that narrow right hand lane for ...
I don't pay bribes, however, I do pay speed up money (jump to front of the line), look the other way money etc. which is for my benefit. Because I have given food to poor families, the police and local gov't officials like me. If I or any member ... Read More