If I remember right there was a Vietnam thread created on GC specifically for news and Vietnam discussion, but nobody used it so it got buried.
Why not turn the Thailand forum into a SEA neighbour forum and we'll see what comes up ?

If you've "had enough of the immigration hassles" how is Vietnam a solution? Can only get a 12 month visa if you're American these days AFAIK.

timmydownawell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:23 pm If you've "had enough of the immigration hassles" how is Vietnam a solution? Can only get a 12 month visa if you're American these days AFAIK.

1. No asinine 90-day reports. (Online version works intermittently, as many have reported.)
2. No physical visits to IM offices for TM30 filings every time you leave Thailand and return.
3. No paying the landlord's fine for not reporting the foreigner as a resident.
4. No arrival/departure cards, which mean absolutely nothing to your arrival notices and you still have to file TM30
5. No certificate of residence needed from immigration at exorbitant fee of 300 baht to buy motorcycle or renew licence.
6. No embassy multiple trips to get countless expensive notarizations of this, that and the other form required by immigration.
7. No authorization stamp by embassy affixed to old passport to show immigration my new passport is related to the old one.
8. No going to the police station to report loss of departure card.
9. No worries about different interpretation of rules by different immigration districts or even different immigration officers in the same f*ckin office.

OK, is that enough?

And yes, long-term VN visas have been getting hard to get. But I often travel so no biggie.

I never said Thailand wasn't a shitty police state. You could always come back to Cambodia.

I revisited Vung Tau, VN, before Christmas and I was overcome with relief and relaxation, unlike I've felt in a long time. However, I've been giving Siem Reap some thought. Got a few months to decide. The ease of a long visa is a big plus in Cambodia.

Khmu Nation wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:11 pm

ExPenhMan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:56 am PS: I'm very likely to be moving back to VN in the spring. I've had enough of the immigration hassles, super high prices and world class air pollution.

I am not sure why you are expecting Vietnam to be some expat utopia because it isn't. Visas are a pain in the arse, prices have shot up, tourist numbers are huge and pollution....um....have you been to Saigon?

Good luck.

While only about 50% (or less) huge than Thailand, yes VN's tourists number are up. However, as mentioned in the article below:
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/pla ... 34336.html

"The number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam reached an all-time high of 18 million in 2019, up 16.2 percent year-on-year.
The growth was driven mainly by Asian tourists, with 14.3 million people from the continent touching down in 2019, up 19 percent.

China = 5.8 million
South Korea = 4.3 million
Japan = 952,000
Taiwan = 926,000

"Thailand topped in terms of growth,with a 45.9 percent rise taking the number to 509,000."

Only 3.7 mil non-Asians (20.5%) indicates something...


In terms of expats, the main attractions are the low cost of living, relative feeling of safety, and an abundant number of coastal cities and single mums to choose from. As a result, more and more geezers are heading to Vietnam for retirement.

I live in Vung Tau and would like to see a Vietnam sub-forum.

ExPenhMan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:04 pm

Khmu Nation wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:11 pm

ExPenhMan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:56 am PS: I'm very likely to be moving back to VN in the spring. I've had enough of the immigration hassles, super high prices and world class air pollution.

I am not sure why you are expecting Vietnam to be some expat utopia because it isn't. Visas are a pain in the arse, prices have shot up, tourist numbers are huge and pollution....um....have you been to Saigon?

Good luck.

I know all about it. Have lived in VN a total of more than 3 years. Saigon? Hanoi? Never.

Here's why, on a daily basis. AQI in Saigon now 157, Hanoi 197. And here in Bangkok 151. Every morning I open my curtains to a cloak of dirty grey air. Not what you call an encouragement to get out and about.

Ha Noi, on many days, is the most polluted city in the world..... One can only imagine the long-term impact this will have on the health of the population.

I vote no, I only have interest in Cambodia and Thailand.