Vietnam Tourism CRASHES, Obsessed with FAKE Travel Awards!!

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  • Опубликовано: 23 дек 2024

Комментарии • 1,3 тыс.

  • @L3462-f1r
    @L3462-f1r Месяц назад +295

    Upon my arrival at Saigon Airport, I noticed that the customs line was moving quite slowly and the officer appeared rather unfriendly. It is important to remember that visitors come to Vietnam to contribute to the economy, not to ask for handouts. A warm and welcoming demeanor towards all visitors is crucial as it sets the tone for their overall experience.

    • @name128ewa
      @name128ewa Месяц назад

      Vietnam has seen enough poor western begpackers, drunk ESL teachers and cheap charlie retirees They'll rather take the billions of dollars through foreign direct investment, rather than the puny $30 a day budget by your typical backpacker.

    • @DouglasW-m9z
      @DouglasW-m9z Месяц назад +14

      Welcome to Vietnam 🇻🇳 ☺️
      Vietnam got you, your wallet

    • @_-_-.-_-_
      @_-_-.-_-_ Месяц назад

      Maybe not you but lots of westerners come to Vietnam (a developing country) with entitlements and fake alpha mentalities.

    • @VanTran-ne4yf
      @VanTran-ne4yf Месяц назад

      what abot travel to france and cant speak French ? 10 time worst than Vietnam

    • @777torch777
      @777torch777 Месяц назад +16

      @@L3462-f1r Unfortunately you are absolutely right - I am always shocked how government doesn’t give a shit what the first impression of their country is. SGN arrivals hall during Ted is a total zoo - I pay extra and get guided into line 4 though, but it should have to be that way. Nevertheless the USA, UK and many others countries are not any better

  • @paulduong5342
    @paulduong5342 Месяц назад +70

    I’m a retiree. I suggest that Vietnam should have a 6-month visa and extend up to a year. I plan to stay longer. I went there last year, and I travel from Ha Tien to Ha Noi. Vietnam is a beautiful country.

    • @tokaitrading8335
      @tokaitrading8335 Месяц назад +7

      Less Visa renewals means less chances of taking bribes

    • @Meomeosaigon
      @Meomeosaigon Месяц назад +2

      You can buy a house to have visa 10, 20 years like Thailand did ❤

    • @Gmail.comyama
      @Gmail.comyama Месяц назад

      @@paulduong5342 looks like foreigners can apply for e-visa

    • @raygale4198
      @raygale4198 9 дней назад

      @@Meomeosaigon Non Viets cannot own a property in their name, they have to be part of a business group or through marriage.

  • @tomnguyen7112
    @tomnguyen7112 Месяц назад +91

    1) get rid of scam 2) promote discount tours 3) visa friendly

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад +2

      My friend plus wife plus mother visited Vietnam this year. He told me food is not so good, travel and accommodation is expensive. He will never go back

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад

      @@tomnguyen7112 discount tours? Like the 300 usd ha long bay tour? Or the cheaper version ones

    • @armyguytravels
      @armyguytravels 29 дней назад

      @@keangwooichoo6138food is amazing, and it’s super cheap here. I don’t get it

  • @TerenceDuffy
    @TerenceDuffy Месяц назад +82

    The visa application website is a nightmare!

    • @markopolo945
      @markopolo945 Месяц назад +4

      So true and then I tried to call and would get no answer for days.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +3

      Nightmare

    • @bendigo1961
      @bendigo1961 Месяц назад +3

      Yes as a regular visitor to Vietnam I am astounded by the clunky visa process. Surely there must be a better way.

    • @InvestingWithAdamK
      @InvestingWithAdamK Месяц назад +2

      I couldn’t get it to work and ended up needing to use a company to complete the paperwork

    • @DaveEPie
      @DaveEPie Месяц назад +5

      I did mine in 20 minutes the first time
      About 10 minutes the second time

  • @jimtso9802
    @jimtso9802 Месяц назад +44

    Corruption is the #1 issue that turned me off on Vietnam. Too many scams and corrptions!

    • @honganlam2036
      @honganlam2036 Месяц назад

      Exactly! Very bad leaders ! 🤮🤮🤮🇻🇳🇻🇳🇻🇳

    • @chekim2
      @chekim2 Месяц назад +7

      Same here. I am fluent in Vietnamese language (having lived there for 10 years in the 80s) but still being scammed at many places. There are too many dishonest businesses and individual service personels, no one seem to take the lead to show them the long term benefit of doing business honestly. It's very unfortunate coz they really have a lot to offer otherwise.

    • @SR-pr2xz
      @SR-pr2xz 25 дней назад

      Well at least it is in your face unlike US corruption. Although the political corruption is pretty much in your face now

    • @tomsewell2462
      @tomsewell2462 22 дня назад +2

      I doubt Thailand, and I know Philippines, is at least as bad. Just gotta be smart.

    • @jimtso9802
      @jimtso9802 10 дней назад +1

      @@tomsewell2462 In my opinion, Thailand is better, and Philippines is worse.

  • @ILoveLibertyJustice
    @ILoveLibertyJustice Месяц назад +133

    You are 100 % Correct. I talked to thousands upon thousands of retired workers who have millions upon millions of dollars that they want something to do with and Vietnam is not a topic of conversation because of their poor visa or non existent retirement policies. Our millions of dollars only go where we are wanted, welcome, safe and hassle free. Great video. Obviously Vietnam is not ready.

    • @venkateshdharurkar2100
      @venkateshdharurkar2100 Месяц назад +6

      Dear, It's a very important issue highlighted. You took bold decisions to highlight the government openly.

    • @ILoveLibertyJustice
      @ILoveLibertyJustice Месяц назад +6

      @@venkateshdharurkar2100 It is a very important issue actually. I have met many great great Vietnamese people here in the US that I love so dearly and have seen so many videos and streams of Vietnam and it’s very sad that allot of people will never enjoy the Vietnamese people in Vietnam or the beautiful country it self. I’m sure there is a reason why the government doesn’t allow foreigners to stay longer. I completely respect it but that doesn’t mean I cannot comment about it. I wouldn’t dare comment about it in Vietnam because my comments would not be valuable since it’s a communist country. I write boldly because I can think for myself and I am not restricted by any political or religious beliefs be it western or eastern ideologies. I write openly and boldly but I mean no harm or disrespect to anyone or any government. I only wish to express myself in a way that many others have in regard to the content of this video.

    • @Scooter-y3e
      @Scooter-y3e Месяц назад +6

      Your friends will come out of retirement and go works for Home Depot if they invest in Vietnam.

    • @GiangHoang-hd8uk
      @GiangHoang-hd8uk Месяц назад +7

      Ok, Vietnam will developer day by day. We no need fast due to rich not for all. Vietnam want Living with happiness. Look usa million people living in tent on street look as animals.

    • @Scooter-y3e
      @Scooter-y3e Месяц назад

      ​@@GiangHoang-hd8ukAt least homeless in USA have a welfare services, hospital and shelter provided by the government. What does Vietnamese government have to offer to the homeless in Vietnam?
      It's only the Vietnam officials can get rich fast. The rest of the people are 3rd rate class citizens 😂

  • @stolennimbus
    @stolennimbus Месяц назад +80

    I have never been to Vietnam and have been thinking about visiting. However, a few of my friends, including American Vietnamese, have warned me that a lot of locals (in the cities) would try to get you to pay as much as possible for everything and scams are everywhere.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +9

      Avoid

    • @kevbrown1867
      @kevbrown1867 Месяц назад

      You have to have your guard up the minute you walk off the plane .
      Be careful of people that are overly friendly especially the young girls those misfits are just scheming on ways to make your wallet lighter and clean you out .

    • @Crypto-Jas
      @Crypto-Jas Месяц назад +15

      Like in every city …… Vietnam is beautiful, your comment is slightly exaggerated as you need to be a little streetwise everywhere you go. Of course it happens but as I say it happens everywhere. Hope you are well. 👏

    • @DevineOne
      @DevineOne Месяц назад +21

      I go to VN almost every year if I can. I love the VN people and food. I've learned Vietnamese due to my love of the culture and people. I do try and avoid tourist areas so it could be why but I never experience what your friends say. You're missing out on an experience. I'm guessing you live in the US but don't have a bad opinion of where you live? To give you an example, I could say I wouldn't visit the US due to shootings, zombie cities like Chicago, LA, New York etc... Also, I wouldn't visit London in the UK due to the stabbings, pickpockets and phone snatchings. These things can happen anyway in the world.

    • @_-_-.-_-_
      @_-_-.-_-_ Месяц назад

      The Vietnamese American mostly can't even speak Vietnamese let alone know about their country, culture and origins.

  • @philphan8802
    @philphan8802 Месяц назад +12

    Great job for detailing the truth about the issue of declining tourism business. We just came back from Bangkok and the people their welcome foreigners with open arms and beautiful smiles! We were in Vietnam last year, and we do feel a difference.

  • @tracyrreed
    @tracyrreed Месяц назад +42

    I have been to Phu Quoc twice in the past 5 years. They have overbuilt. I saw lots of empty hotels and resorts which hadn't even opened yet. Too greedy.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад +6

      Too much rapid over-development. They've destroyed the area between Da Nang and Hoi An. Used to be one long, pristine beach. Everywhere else, they want to constantly build, build, build and put resorts everywhere. It's an issue for certain.

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад +1

      @tracyrreed I saw vlogs some beaches are polluted

    • @tracyrreed
      @tracyrreed Месяц назад

      @@keangwooichoo6138 Everything is polluted in VN. They don't hesitate to throw their trash wherever they want. It's sad.

    • @ToTa-mh6re
      @ToTa-mh6re Месяц назад +3

      Going to PQ to see the fake Italian buildings.

    • @tracyrreed
      @tracyrreed Месяц назад +2

      @@ToTa-mh6re Exactly! The copycat European architecture is amusing. That's not what we go to VN for but the developers seem to think it is!

  • @Phoenix-lx7hh
    @Phoenix-lx7hh Месяц назад +9

    You’re absolutely correct about everything and don’t forget to mention the lack of PUBLIC RESTROOMS. This is very critical because every time I went to visit VN, I always get food poisoning. No matter how careful I am and it really suck

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад

      Where do you eat most meals? (Now u r scaring me lol)…eeek

    • @RicardoPadilla-j3t
      @RicardoPadilla-j3t 9 дней назад +1

      haha it's true!

  • @davidtran337
    @davidtran337 Месяц назад +12

    Scams are everywhere you go. It was a scary experience. Never want to come back.

    • @flashmedia8953
      @flashmedia8953 Месяц назад

      You are a weakling. No back bones

    • @cnn787-i9e
      @cnn787-i9e 11 дней назад +1

      what scams? I've been to VN many times and I have never experience any scams. Stop lying

    • @Prapatpong-f9k
      @Prapatpong-f9k 4 дня назад

      @@cnn787-i9eScams on I show speed RUclips is lying? Lol 😆 😅😅

  • @qn5947
    @qn5947 Месяц назад +95

    VN should learn from Thailand and posts a scam hotline number everywhere so victimized foreign tourists can call in to report these price scams and gouging. It only takes one scam for most of these foreign tourists to never come back to VN.

    • @L3462-f1r
      @L3462-f1r Месяц назад +10

      I was in Bangkok and people are more friendly and they are upfront for price. I feel my money is worth spending in Bangkok. I definitely visit Thailand again!

    • @user-ik8wd9vm7r
      @user-ik8wd9vm7r Месяц назад +7

      ​@@L3462-f1rin Bangkok they rip you off upfront. Public AC buses are 40 baht, tuk tuk 150 baht for 2 km distance, food overpriced and 400 to 500 baht entry tickets to each museum or attraction. If that is not a rip off, I don't know what is

    • @L3462-f1r
      @L3462-f1r Месяц назад +5

      That is not considered overcharging. The pricing reflects the standard rates in their locality. All prices are clearly stated and the decision to make a purchase or visit a location is entirely up to you.

    • @xuanhuynh8429
      @xuanhuynh8429 Месяц назад

      VN won't learn from Thai; they only learn from CN, and I bet they'll never get better anytime soon. After 1975, com propaganda, brainwashing, and culture revolution ( AK CN), it's in the blood and brain of its people. And I'm a VN boat person after 1975.

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад

      @@qn5947 thailand is democratic monarchy, vietnam is communist. Are you sure a hotline can work?

  • @thunt1565
    @thunt1565 Месяц назад +29

    Alright, Ken and other readers - let me share my reasons why I'm looking forward to moving OUT of Vietnam (again...).
    Background: I'm from the US, lived on Phu Quoc 2016-2018 as a co-owner of a restaurant there. Moved back to US in 2018, came back to Vietnam in May and married a lady I had met in 2017. I have traveled a fair bit around Europe, SE Asia, and the Caribbean/Central America.
    We moved to Da Nang based on previous visits to the area. Even here, which is about as good as it gets in Vietnam, it's less than ideal.
    Infrastructure - roads and all that goes with them (footpaths/sidewalks, parking, flow/control/signage, accessibility, etc.) are very poor (to be clear, I'm not saying all roads are in poor physical condition - some are, but the problems are deeper than just the quality of the build). Best road in the region is the one to Sun World's Ba Na Hills (about 25 km away from the city). It was privately funded and built by the Sun Group - NOT the Vietnamese government.
    Traffic? Beyond ridiculous. "It's their culture", used as an excuse to explain the lack of enforcement of any motor vehicle laws, lost all relevance after a week or so. Sure, I can drive and ride around like a local now, but it's a huge negative to anyone new wanting to stay here long term. Try walking around HCMC during rush hour - footpaths/sidewalks become another vehicle lane, and you'll be screamed at (or worse) if you don't move to let motorbikes take them over. Want to know the true number of traffic fatalities and injuries? HA! You'll never find accurate numbers as the government won't divulge them.
    Corruption and petty crime and bureaucracy - had to pay a few extra million dong to get the marriage paperwork completed in a timely manner - otherwise it would have sat on the desk of the little government pr*ck for many months. Friends have had many things stolen. All countries have hoops to jump through for visas, marriages, etc. - but the communist core of control and maintaining bygone processes is maddening.
    Shopping/groceries - I compare the largest Vietnamese grocery to an average US grocery, and it covers about 40% of the standard goods available. Malls? SE Asia is mall mecca! In Thailand you have multiple top rated mall chains - Central, Terminal 21, Siam (at least one, more in Bangkok, CM, Pattaya) in every major city. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand all have fantastic malls - any brand name you would want, huge, affordable & delicious food courts, polite and very friendly people working in them. HCMC and Hanoi each have only one top level mall. But, "customer service" is only seen at the higher end hotels or restaurants. Grocery store or retail shop? Great customer service is the exception, not the rule.
    Thank you, Thailand, for offering the DTV that easily includes your spouse. See you soon!

    • @benpham8268
      @benpham8268 Месяц назад +7

      You are absolutely right. They keep stabbing themselves in the foot.

    • @truecentral718
      @truecentral718 Месяц назад +7

      Only an American wouuld cite a lack of shopping malls as a reason to leave a country. That says a lot more about American 'culture' than about Vietnam. Personally, I see the lack of malls and mega-marts as being an absolute bonus.

    • @EricP-sb1wl
      @EricP-sb1wl Месяц назад +2

      @@truecentral718 did you read everything he said ? Shopping malls is of the 10 reasons. You forgot about petty crime, corruption, stealing, bad roads….etc.

    • @truecentral718
      @truecentral718 Месяц назад +2

      @@EricP-sb1wlDid you read what I said? I said he cited it as A reason - not THE reason. Works both ways.

    • @raygale4198
      @raygale4198 Месяц назад +4

      Sounds like you will be happier back in the USA. I was just in Vietnam a month back. Saigon has plenty of shopping malls there are two or three multi level malls within 5km of Tan Son Nhat airport, how many do you want? The road system in Vietnam was layed out for ox carts and bicycles, a lot of Saigons roads are near 300 years old as is the city and inner suburbs. I was also in Danang same trip, the roads there are totally fine, wide footpaths, generally okay road surface and traffic safe enough for a mid 60's year old Australian to hire a scooter and ride down to Hoi An for an evening meal. I would never ride in Saigon, my reflexes are just to slow, I jump on a grab there. I don't know the most recent traffic numbers but the last time I asked when I was there in 2014 was around 1,700 fatals a year. Remember there are near 10 Million people in the Greater Ho Chi Minh City area, that's a city that physically is quite small, in Australia the land area would be equivalent to a mid sized country village.
      The problem and it's mainly an American thing, is you come to Vietnam and expect it to be just like America, or that Vietnamese should be subservient to Americans. You're in their country, play by their rules, respect their customs.

  • @jackchan5784
    @jackchan5784 Месяц назад +61

    Retired Canadian here. I travelled Vietnam this year from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min City, and I must say I prefer other countries in that area over Vietnam. The VISA problem, along with scams and unsanitary conditions ensures that I will not return to Vietnam. I will be buying a condo in another country and will travel all the other countries but Vietnam is on the bottom of my list.

    • @GiangHoang-hd8uk
      @GiangHoang-hd8uk Месяц назад +2

      @@jackchan5784 ok, Vietnam not welcome retirement people due to the retires not usful for economy

    • @letsrollbabe9174
      @letsrollbabe9174 Месяц назад +27

      @@GiangHoang-hd8uk This is a dead wrong perception, retirees have a lot of money if you let them stay longer they only help the economy grow

    • @GiangHoang-hd8uk
      @GiangHoang-hd8uk Месяц назад

      @@letsrollbabe9174 no, in Monaco is right. But people want retirement/ living long time in Vietnam with old salary max 5000usd/month.

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад +3

      @@letsrollbabe9174 This guy puts words into his mouth, do not believe him.

    • @nguyenkhue4021
      @nguyenkhue4021 Месяц назад

      @@letsrollbabe9174 Like Thailand with their 2.3% grows right LMFAO

  • @Viajaconmigo23
    @Viajaconmigo23 Месяц назад +23

    I just came back from Hanoi and I noticed how tourism has been affected there, I went to a 5 star hotel and we were only 5 people staying there, I felt sad for Vietnam because is such a beatiful country and I would have loved to stay longer.

    • @ateam6486
      @ateam6486 Месяц назад +2

      September 2023 i was the only person at the hotel in Panabo Philippines. I had the entire place to myself. Once there i only saw 1 other tourist.

    • @noeminoemi1350
      @noeminoemi1350 Месяц назад

      @@ateam6486 Where is Panabo PHilippines?

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +3

      Greed has destroyed tourism

    • @1737time
      @1737time Месяц назад

      living in VN I know this consequence will happen 10 years ago. These weaknesses have existed for a long time and I know they cannot be fixed. They belong to the nature of social culture and the selfish, uncivilized character of the majority of people.

  • @elias.knotman
    @elias.knotman Месяц назад +24

    Noise pollution, aggressive driving and lawless traffic culture and garbage everywhere. These also deter some people eho find it impossible to relax when in Vietnam.

    • @thaimountainguy7804
      @thaimountainguy7804 9 дней назад

      Yes, don't forget to mention unwalkable footpaths because it's either a motorbike or a storefront that blocks the way, forcing pedestrians to walk into the street. Absolutely senseless.

  • @lbj4993
    @lbj4993 Месяц назад +6

    I've been in Vietnam for 5 years as a retiree, and the visa situation has been a nightmare and quite costly from day one. Those of us who like to live here long-term and call the place home, have very few visa options, and we bring in money, we rent apartments long-term and we spend money daily which obviously benefit the local economy. One can get a 3-months single-entry tourist visa and be told to leave the country when those 90 days run out; there's no extension possible, so leave the country for a few minutes, turn around and come back in, that of course is if you want to come back to your apartment and the place you call home...why, it's nonsense. Then there's the phony business visa, which can be renewed 3 or 4 times for a total of 1 year, but it still requires us to hand over our passports every 90 days to an agent, so he can make the magic happen and somehow get us an extension stamp good for another 90 days; and btw, the cost for that extension is easily 25X what that stamp should cost, but it saves us a border-run, and money somehow goes into the right pockets. This business visa btw, isn't exactly on the up and up either, since it should be attached to a work permit, which none of us have or can get as a retiree, so it's phony but it flies under the radar. The last option is to marry a local gal, which opens the door to a 2-3 or 5-year excemption (visa), and it's actually doable and not too complicated. So why oh why is imigration so unfriendly in Vietnam, and why are 95% of the imigration officers at the borders so rude...??? I can move to Cambodia and get a 1-year visa instantly, and it's about 1/3 of the price we pay in Vietnam, and no border runs required for 1 full year. To extend the stay there, one goes to a local travel agent and hand over a few hundred dollars, and all is good for another full year, no problems, no border-runs just sit back and relax. And it gets even better in the Philippines where you can get a 3-year visa that only requires a couple trips to a local imigration office every year I believe it is, then all is set, and of course it's dirt cheap as well compared to Vietnam. So again, a 90-day tourist visa is really the ONLY (legal) OPTION if you want to live in Vietnam, after those 90 days, be prepared to meet with a visa agent, hand over money and passport, and btw, there's NO GUARANTEE that a new visa will be granted, that's a complete unknown, but if it is you'll be picked up in some mini van and driven to the border, then waddle through no-mans-land into some office where a robot-behaving humanoid will give you an exit stamp, then continue past some non-friendly officers a few hundred meters into the land of Cambodia to a smiling imigration officer who greets you and gives you an entry stamp so you instantly can turn around and get an exit stamp from another somewhat friendly officer, then proceed back across no-mans-land back into Vietnam only to be greeted by another humanoid who manages to slam a couple stamps somewhere in your passport...could be page 7, page 32, or really anywhere the passport happens to open, because efficiency ain't valued too much, if at all...But our problem as retirees is that Vietnam has a lot to offer, it's a beautiful place with awesome people, and we really want to live here, but the visa situation is upside down completely; it's as if they don't want foreigners here at all, which is rather strange because we live, we shop, we travel and we spend money constantly. So what gives, and why do I have to escape into another country every 90 days, and pay that country to walk on their soil for a few minutes, it's annoying to even think about. Vietnam could simply come up with a 1-year visa at whatever price and thereby keep all the money in VN and let us live our lives best we can without all these border-runs, but it's obviously a business the Imigration dept isn't willing to give up. The 6-month visa idea that's brought up in this video doesn't make any sense either, it's just like a bandaid on a huge cut; we need at least a 1-year visa to make it worthwhile, otherwise it's adios Vietnam, and that's sad. Cheers

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад +2

      Im reconsidering myself! I was in Cambodia two years ago, no hassle at custom! Everything was easy and I would definitely go to Cambodia again just to chill and enjoy the culture, people and FOOD!

  • @JOHNPoST-y4u
    @JOHNPoST-y4u Месяц назад +37

    The visa is always the #1 consideration. We do not want the hassle.

    • @altran1125
      @altran1125 Месяц назад +4

      maybe they dont want you to stay long term? take the hint

    • @ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123
      @ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123 Месяц назад

      @@altran1125 Then why did they extend evisas to 90 days? Thats quite a long time. You are just making stuff up, the reason the evisa system sucks is cause they dont bother redoing the website. Even Cambodia has a simple nice quick evisa website.

    • @ritas3696
      @ritas3696 Месяц назад +4

      ​@@altran1125That's fine. Just don't complain about tourism affecting their economy 😂

    • @EricP-sb1wl
      @EricP-sb1wl Месяц назад

      They put some stupid dumb ass to run the country’s tourism and that’s why they couldn’t compete with neighboring countries.

  • @dancooper5741
    @dancooper5741 Месяц назад +52

    All of their scams are coming back to bite them. We all said it would & it has.

    • @ianstuart5660
      @ianstuart5660 9 дней назад

      You were frightened by the ordeal?

  • @heresit
    @heresit Месяц назад +41

    Corruption put me off from vietnam, wasn't a very good impression of the country when your ask for bribe to pass the luggage check at the airport. Once you dwell deeper, you realise corruption is still truly everywhere in the country.

    • @Obi_too_kenobi
      @Obi_too_kenobi Месяц назад

      I know there is a lot of corruption but I understand it (ok ok not that I am a fan of it )
      But the fact is it’s a poor country and the men retire at 60 years old, and if your income is not that high, then your pension will be even lower so in all those years till retirement, they need to grab as much money as they can for there old age remember there is nothing like a old folks home or something like Social Security

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +2

      @@Van_TT 100% corrupt!

    • @1.4billion65
      @1.4billion65 Месяц назад

      ​@@Van_TTsame for everyone

    • @hp4415
      @hp4415 Месяц назад

      Acting like Vietnam is the worst? How about you check Vietnam corruption ranking compared to neighboring countries like Thailand?

    • @jimtso9802
      @jimtso9802 Месяц назад +4

      @@Obi_too_kenobi Poverty is no excuse for stealing. Corruption is stealing!

  • @dhhbtd
    @dhhbtd Месяц назад +17

    The Vietnamese might be friendly but NOT the government officials.

  • @vnnesq
    @vnnesq Месяц назад +76

    long lines at the airport, scams as soon as you hit the curb, no mass transit, not walkable, lousy weather, air pollution, food safety, trash everywhere, high prices for 5 star hotels and resorts compared with Thailand and Malaysia

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +5

      💯

    • @altran1125
      @altran1125 Месяц назад

      lousy weather? what a moron

    • @kevod09
      @kevod09 Месяц назад +6

      Yep Totally agree👍

    • @Suns236
      @Suns236 Месяц назад +5

      Bingo

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад +7

      No worry, on the rainy day you can swim everywhere.

  • @Harinisridharanca
    @Harinisridharanca Месяц назад +48

    You have the guts to quote the loopholes of a communist country. Truly appreciate 🎉

    • @Anonymous------
      @Anonymous------ Месяц назад

      Vietnam is not a communist country, it has no communism nor socialism, it's all capitalism with a lot of corruption in the government, just like India.

    • @chrisowen184
      @chrisowen184 Месяц назад

      The government is communist. The people are capitalist.

    • @GrantandShirley
      @GrantandShirley Месяц назад +1

      Looks like you have not been to Vietnam lol

    • @Anonymous------
      @Anonymous------ Месяц назад +2

      @GrantandShirley
      But he spent a lot of his life in his mom's basement. 🥴

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад

      He has balls unlike most vloggers

  • @sheldonstack9740
    @sheldonstack9740 Месяц назад +6

    Metro rail- 15 years delayed, New airport 10 years delayed, no work permit for foreigners married to a Vietnamese person just effectively a 3 year tourist visa. - overall Vietnam lacks focus

    • @duongglobalbusinessconsulting
      @duongglobalbusinessconsulting  Месяц назад +1

      Foreign citizens married to locals can get a temporary/permanent residence card. No SEA countries offer work permits based on marriage.

  • @hmoobs1
    @hmoobs1 Месяц назад +15

    Thank you for bringing the visa issue up. I visited Vietnam 3 times in the last 10 years but trying to get a visa has always been my iffy question wheather I should visit Vietnam at all. Plus those bad taxi drivers at the Da Nang Airport that pretended to be both Grab Drivers and Taxi drivers at the same time...SMFH.

  • @k.williams4925
    @k.williams4925 Месяц назад +20

    I agree totally. Pre-covid, I went once a year and I found the people more welcoming than in other Asian countries. I went again recently and found it very unwelcoming, especially the immigration officer. I'm a retired police officer from America with plenty of money to spend. I was hoping that by this time, Vietnam would have it's arms wide open for retirees. But sadly no. So I'm opting for Thailand's 10 year wealthy pensioners visa. Extremely easy to get.

    • @siroliver8367
      @siroliver8367 Месяц назад +2

      They don't speak english , malaysia and philippines are more friendly

  • @norbertschmitz3358
    @norbertschmitz3358 Месяц назад +39

    You are spot on!!!!!
    Being a 68 year old Australian.....I was very keen to spend X-mas in VN.
    But having to supply a photo...as an elderly person with little IT knowledge....and all the rest....I decided to visit Indonesia instead!
    My 5000 AUD spending money, including locally spend money on accommodation, will be very welcome....I'm sure of that.
    Sorry Vietnam.....get your act together!

    • @flashmedia8953
      @flashmedia8953 Месяц назад +7

      Nice!

    • @name128ewa
      @name128ewa Месяц назад +7

      Ok boomer. Vietnam attracts billions of foreign investment dollars, not your meager 5000 AUD.

    • @chrismichaels6928
      @chrismichaels6928 Месяц назад +3

      I’m laughing. I’m a very young 52 years old from the US but I really struggle with IT shit. I had to at least have a friend provide emotional support during my application process for an E - Visa. To be fair, there were no issues and I was granted my 90 day visa 3 business days later. I’m now living in Da Nang. Side note - my asthma in the States was all but non - existent. It’s been raging since I got here. 😢

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +1

      Wise choice

    • @sbui66pip
      @sbui66pip Месяц назад

      Stay in Australia mate.... foreigners think they can own our country because you flash a little cash around. Go to Thailand instead - Vietnam will grow without you

  • @reinerdesouza9438
    @reinerdesouza9438 Месяц назад +32

    Every country in S.E. Asia gives EU visitors free stay on arrival including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia. First thing it irritates me is Visa requirement. International travellers dont like to visit Visa required countries. Plus Vietnam tries to fleece tourists. I have experienced both in Vietnam. It is one country i just visited once.

    • @blipblop92
      @blipblop92 Месяц назад +5

      Welcome to communism. We have to check if you gonna be bringing in anti-communism 😂

    • @Anonymous------
      @Anonymous------ Месяц назад

      ​@@blipblop92
      Vietnam is NOT communism nor socialism, it is capitalism with heavy corruption in the government, like in India.

    • @hugueslecorre4893
      @hugueslecorre4893 Месяц назад +1

      EU nationals get free 45 days visa exemption, to renew, you must step out for 30 days. I do this continuously alternating with Thailand.

    • @DevineOne
      @DevineOne Месяц назад +1

      I get 45 days on arrival free. I just went in Aug.

    • @DevineOne
      @DevineOne Месяц назад +2

      @@hugueslecorre4893 You only need to cross the border and can come right back in with a new 45 days visa.

  • @HồnganhNguyễn-q1p
    @HồnganhNguyễn-q1p Месяц назад +5

    Him not only criticizes but also give the solutions.Thank you, cảm ơn anh

    • @hp4415
      @hp4415 Месяц назад

      Check your comprehension skills, not criticize? do you even understand stand English?

  • @HankLuong-l9g
    @HankLuong-l9g Месяц назад +28

    I got scammed in Viet Nam . I will not visit again

    • @BillyGringo
      @BillyGringo Месяц назад +3

      Would you mind sharing how you got scammed, please? I was planning on visiting but I keep reading comments like yours.

    • @ay_ya404
      @ay_ya404 Месяц назад

      Spill the bean please...

    • @siroliver8367
      @siroliver8367 Месяц назад

      It's your fault

    • @RealAfricanDude
      @RealAfricanDude 13 дней назад +1

      ​@@siroliver8367How can you say that when you don't even know the story? 😂

    • @archietravers5697
      @archietravers5697 4 дня назад +1

      Been going to Vn since 2021 and scammed twice. Once was a cyclo driver and the other a black taxi. Total of scams cost us $24aud. If you are gullible, doesn't matter what country you are in.

  • @limitlesslylizzy
    @limitlesslylizzy Месяц назад +18

    Been to Vietnam twice and scammed both occasions by taxi driver, never going back there!

    • @binhNguyen-mv6bx
      @binhNguyen-mv6bx Месяц назад +1

      you lucky you didn't get scammed at the airport

    • @limitlesslylizzy
      @limitlesslylizzy Месяц назад +2

      @@binhNguyen-mv6bx no actually I was scammed by taxi drivers from the airport, in Hanoi airport , hoi An and in Ho Chi Minh , it’s their daily bread.

    • @grantperkins368
      @grantperkins368 Месяц назад +3

      ​​​@@limitlesslylizzyget a grab or a set price taxi ticket from inside the airport. There's also a public bus which costs 14:17 way less, like about a dollar with all your luggage, in hcmc

  • @lamcso
    @lamcso Месяц назад +19

    After being scammed from the point I checked into a HCMC hotel, the hotel check-in receptionist stole all my USD currency in my passport holder, to our dinner table food bills overcharged by items not ordered, scammed in the city market square when buying Viet coffee, my friend lost his camera place in a decent Aircon souvenir shop while checking products. just too to lust here.
    We all told our families and friends to avoid these places as too stressful for vacations.
    Too any scams and thefts incidents to elaborate here. Every visitors came back with at least few scams incidents.

    • @phunk8607
      @phunk8607 Месяц назад +1

      Ummm mate this sounds like it’s on you. Very complacent mindset and air headed ness not a VN thing

    • @ttran3444
      @ttran3444 Месяц назад +2

      @@phunk8607 when visiting a country full of thieves, one must be mindful.....and NEVER to go there in the first place.

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад

      Omg damn

  • @DesertCoyote-t5k
    @DesertCoyote-t5k Месяц назад +48

    As an American, I’d love to come visit Vietnam. I’m even looking for a country to retire to. The problem is that I can go to Thailand, that I can go to Malaysia. I can go to these two countries to visit without having to apply for a visa. I get a visa on entry. These countries also have something called a retirement visa, like the Philippines, Thailand, even Cambodia..

    • @fishbait007
      @fishbait007 Месяц назад +3

      What’s the difference? Capitalism vs communism

    • @danny24042002
      @danny24042002 Месяц назад

      That's not a problem sir. That's a relief for people here

    • @DesertCoyote-t5k
      @DesertCoyote-t5k Месяц назад +11

      @@fishbait007 I don’t care about politics these concepts are out of my control. I follow the rules of the country I reside. I respect their culture. I spend money to support the country that graciously allows me easy entry.
      I would just like easier entry into Vietnam and options for retirement, which currently don’t exist IMHO.

    • @beaverish
      @beaverish Месяц назад +6

      @@DesertCoyote-t5k The country wants your money but doesn't want you here long term.

    • @Anonymous------
      @Anonymous------ Месяц назад +2

      ​@@fishbait007
      Vietnam has no communism nor socialism, the people live in capitalism with heavy corruption like in India.

  • @sonotleong
    @sonotleong Месяц назад +21

    Well said, they need to stop the tea money bullshit from officials and do their job properly.

    • @Hoangsa74
      @Hoangsa74 Месяц назад +1

      Did you mean "courtesy money"?

    • @sonotleong
      @sonotleong Месяц назад +3

      @@Hoangsa74 Don't be so kind with their terminology. Tea money, coffee money, do your job cause I aint giving no money officials.

  • @forreal8014
    @forreal8014 Месяц назад +9

    It is what it is, can’t teach an old dog a new trick. When I mentioned the problem of the scams? The local people would tell me if I don’t like, go somewhere else. Per-half, they don’t look at it as a problem, so I go to Thailand and Malaysia that is more foreigners welcomed spot.

  • @Chili099
    @Chili099 Месяц назад +6

    Ken you’re so correct. So many people that enter vietnam through immigration they seem to never say anything not even Welcome to Vietnam. Why they took away 1 year visas for Americans. They used to do 1 year visas. Why the change. Maybe there is a reason ? Not know. Many visitors tell me they feel they’re not welcome when coming through immigration.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +4

      Taking away 1year American visas is one of the very few good things they did!

    • @LD-Orbs
      @LD-Orbs Месяц назад

      @@garymacdougall4465 Why do you think so? Also, do other nations have one year tourist visas?

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад

      @@LD-Orbs no one wants 'Merikans!

  • @harrikangur
    @harrikangur Месяц назад +9

    Been trying to get the visa as a tourist. Denied already 3 times for random and incorrect reasons. Seen multiple reports online from other travelers who have had their visa rejected multiple times as well. Neighboring countries have VOA or visa exempt. No wonder hotels and restaurants are empty in Vietnam.

  • @traveller711-q6f
    @traveller711-q6f Месяц назад +5

    I got sickness twice in vietnam. In hanoi its air pollution that caused me pneumonia. On the train from da nang to saigon I got diarrhea Tap water in vietnam is heavily polluted. In saigon there are too much noise and garbage everywhere. Moisquito bited me daily.

  • @paultownsend8443
    @paultownsend8443 Месяц назад +40

    The first timg on arrival is the horrible treatment at immigration long lines and unfriendly staff
    Scammers at the airport
    I live in Vietnam 6month a year and love the people
    Singapore Changi 4 took 4 minutes from arrival at immigration hall i was out great system, Vietnam has the talent to do the same but don't care about tired travellers

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +8

      Sim card and taxi scams!
      Singapore immigration and Vietnam immigration - chalk and cheese! Singapore is professional!

    • @Ghekko-kw3zz
      @Ghekko-kw3zz Месяц назад

      ​@@garymacdougall4465Changi is the best in the world, 90 days on arrival, $5 train straight to the city in 25 minutes, zero scams, wide price spectrum.

    • @EricP-sb1wl
      @EricP-sb1wl Месяц назад +1

      Those custom agents look like they hate their jobs. They should train those stupid agents to say welcome to Vietnam to all tourists.

    • @raygale4198
      @raygale4198 Месяц назад

      Tan Son Nhat is overloaded, I arrived there about 11.00 pm just a month back and the immigration ques were back to near the airbridges. Hopefully the new airport being planned over near the Di Anh area will relieve the overload. That tied in with the new train/tram line that will run elevated from the airport back to the Saigon river where it goes under ground and joins into the new metro underground should make it less stressfull.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад

      @@EricP-sb1wl they're paid peanuts!

  • @edwardreuben6650
    @edwardreuben6650 Месяц назад +6

    We want to retire in Vietnam but it is so hard. So we are looking at Thailand. Unfortunately you gave all the reasons why we are frustrated. Great video and thanks for talking the truth.

  • @BaoNguyen-rg5ve
    @BaoNguyen-rg5ve Месяц назад +37

    I love Vietnam but..
    The very first impression after you land is the long lines at custom. The officers are not friendly or welcoming. Very poor first impression.

    • @theyhateme8763
      @theyhateme8763 Месяц назад

      @@BaoNguyen-rg5ve immigrantion in Japan takes hours. Vietnam seems pretty fast and when you're leaving you can buy pass the lines of you're a resident or citizen .customs I lost often then not get waved through .most times the song even run my things through the machine. Just waved through..I find them effective

    • @user-qz4mh9cg5b
      @user-qz4mh9cg5b Месяц назад

      I don't think they get pay much so they don't really want to be there serving us. They are also very jealous of foreigners. They are grown up in a communist country and most of them have never been to a Western country.

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад +6

      Long lines at custom because no ones would put a US$5 note in their passports.

    • @kennethnguyen6960
      @kennethnguyen6960 Месяц назад

      If you are Vietnamese, you may appear less friendly than foreigners.

    • @hineang5927
      @hineang5927 Месяц назад +5

      ​@@kimduong2332this practice needs to stop

  • @WilliamWee-h4d
    @WilliamWee-h4d Месяц назад +3

    You're Honest & Truthful - 2000 - 2010 - Enjoyed Ha Noi - Sai Gon - Bia Hoi - An Ngon & 2024 - Expensive & Stressful - Modernized

  • @Liveforfood9394
    @Liveforfood9394 Месяц назад +23

    I love Vietnam and want to go there while we are cold in the winter.
    I traveled from south to north the last time I visited.
    Here are few suggestions they could do better to draw more tourists.
    1 food hygiene
    2 not enough public washrooms. I can eat multiple time a day, but can't fine a clean washroom. I don't mind to pay for a clean washroom each time I use, this way we will have cleansers to keep it clean.
    3 visa free for 90 days will help the economy.
    4 vendors should try to be more relaxed and a smile. I was being criticized in Ha Long Bay for checking prices and didn't buy at the fruit stand. Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are for friendly.
    5 have to tip at the airport to go through faster or you could wait for a long time.
    6 could not tell the things I paid were the fair price even when I did haggling😅
    There were not a single airport in the world that I visited had the same problem.
    I'm not upset at all, just don't feel comfortable and hesitate to visit again.

  • @DH-CA
    @DH-CA Месяц назад +3

    I live in Hoi An/ Đà Nẵng and agree with you about the shops are packed with junks that nobody want to buy. My wife and I cannot find cloths and shoes that fit us. We have to go to Bangkok to do shopping or ordering online…
    It’s really ashamed… I’m a viết Kiểu and there are so many good things about Vietnam. But everything is only focused on the short term interests… the government need to take the lead and promote long term interests

  • @VK-tq4il
    @VK-tq4il Месяц назад +10

    Mr. Ken, I think you should present this speech to the government house. Lack of tourism, business failures and the scams in Vietnam I am surprised you did not blame the Chinese !!!

    • @hypocritehater1673
      @hypocritehater1673 Месяц назад

      Blame others for your fault,i know it,s typical for people like you,shame on you harebrain😂

    • @pvantran82
      @pvantran82 Месяц назад +1

      Please explain why blaming the Chinese? I'm intrigued.

    • @VK-tq4il
      @VK-tq4il Месяц назад +2

      @@pvantran82 If you watched the previous shows, ken always blamed the Chinese bad influence in Vietnam.

    • @chrisowen184
      @chrisowen184 Месяц назад

      The Vietnamese are generally not pro-China. There were riots a few years ago when the government proposed allowing "foreign" business to invest in economic zones. The government backed down.
      The same happened when the population got fed up of lockdowns. The government backed down.
      The government knows that it walks a very precarious line because the population does not like the government.
      Unless the population is behind you, you can assume that anybody suggesting changes will be given 5 minutes and then shown the door.

    • @jt6231
      @jt6231 Месяц назад

      @@VK-tq4il the government encourages anti-China propaganda. He didn’t mention wave of mainland Chinese visiting Thailand and Malaysia due to their government friendly out reach. He wants the western visitors but those are not enough to make up for the loss. West rather visit their own type of cultural(US to Europe and vice versa).

  • @kimpoindexter1481
    @kimpoindexter1481 Месяц назад +8

    I as an American can get a 90 day visa. My wife is a Fijian can only get a 2 week visa. Therefore we go to Cambodia for a long term stay and just visit Vietnam for short visits. Vietnam healthcare is wonderful, but when my wife can only stay two weeks, hospital surgery becomes infeasible.

    • @user-qz4mh9cg5b
      @user-qz4mh9cg5b Месяц назад +4

      Go to Thailand or Singapore instead. You don't need a visa and the healthcare is much better.

    • @OpoOnTheGo
      @OpoOnTheGo Месяц назад +1

      The kingdom of wonder is always a safe choice, never fell in love with a place and it's people so quickly. Hope to spend a fair bit of my future there

  • @TheBureauAsia
    @TheBureauAsia Месяц назад +8

    The working holiday visa is a great idea, I took advantage of the Japan-Australia one in the late 90s which allowed me to stay for 18 months in Japan working and travelling, learning the language and culture, and so on, which left an indelible mark on me 🙌 One thing I'd like to see is the locals in Saigon not sitting around waiting for matters out of their control to change, there are many things they can do at hẻm level, street level, neighbourhood level, community level that can make the tourist experience better without intervention from above. Interesting vid, Ken.

  • @xevenau
    @xevenau Месяц назад +39

    As a viet born in America, I had high expectations of what it would be like to visit Vietnam for my first time. I can tell you this, there are an abundance of good food, but their lack of hospitality, their hygiene, and how they operate as a country is just beyond me.

    • @PTL4179
      @PTL4179 Месяц назад

      This is a communist country running by a group of old people, people development to make their citizens smarter wasn’t their goals.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад +3

      You are American...not Vietnamese.

    • @Midnighter1886
      @Midnighter1886 Месяц назад

      Funny. I was thinking similar things whenever I come back to the US. Abundance of good food, but also ABUNDANCE of fat people (including fat Asians). Dressed like bums in sweats, t-shirts and shorts at airports and churches. Houses are messy and shoes (with crap from the street) worn inside the house. Trash on the streets. Graffiti everywhere. Road rage and gun violence all the time. How they operate as a country is just beyond me. Savages.

    • @xevenau
      @xevenau Месяц назад +2

      @@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 thank god

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад +1

      @@xevenau I dunno. At least, in Vietnam, these folks care about their families and aren't buried in a $100,000+ of debt just to breathe air.

  • @kylekost8947
    @kylekost8947 Месяц назад +12

    Good video and excellent points. Vietnam is one of the most difficult places to enter as an American of any country in the world I've visited. On my first entry I was hassled at customs. They were trying to get me to pay hundreds of dollars for something made up. Luckily when I showed them I had almost no cash, they let me pass through. Not a great first impression. I love Vietnam and travel there often, but they don't make it easy. And I've never seen Vietnam travel advertised in the US. Most Americans have no idea how beautiful the country is and the wide diversity of places to visit.

    • @FenceSitter-ei3cv
      @FenceSitter-ei3cv Месяц назад +2

      Totally BS... Look at the video! It's stitched together. I bet he's not even in Vietnam.

    • @chrismichaels6928
      @chrismichaels6928 Месяц назад +2

      @@FenceSitter-ei3cvI live here … he’s definitely in Vietnam. All videos on RUclips have editing. 🤦🏻🤣🙄

    • @altran1125
      @altran1125 Месяц назад

      not sure how long ago that was but I haven't had those problem and most people I know it been awhile since that happen.

    • @kylekost8947
      @kylekost8947 Месяц назад

      @altran1125 about a year ago. Only happened one time and I've been back multiple times since with no issues

    • @FenceSitter-ei3cv
      @FenceSitter-ei3cv Месяц назад

      @@chrismichaels6928 Nah.. it looks likes he's pasted in.

  • @Jeff-sm8of
    @Jeff-sm8of Месяц назад +13

    It's a hassle to bring money in and impossible to take money out.
    At the airport xray machine I put my wallet through but on the other side a few 100k dong was missing. I let it go. Didn't want to miss my flight.

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад +5

      In the Osaka airport Japan when changing money I forgot US$500 on the counter, one staffman chased me returning me the forgotten money.

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад

      @@kimduong2332 ❤

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад +2

      Omg

    • @hoanghainguyen2412
      @hoanghainguyen2412 8 дней назад

      The x- ray machine is next to the way you walk in, no way they can stole your money without you or someone see it.

  • @OnlyInstaGoX
    @OnlyInstaGoX 12 дней назад +3

    The only thing prevent me and many tourists from coming to Vietnam is the visa process. I can go to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and many countries with no visa required or visa on arrival.

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад

      Visa on arrival is nice, we did that when we went to tour Cambodia in 2019. We would have stayed longer and live like locals …. but had obligations back in the States. So far, we enjoyed Cambodia. Gonna see if we like Vietnam in 2025…

  • @GaryNichols50
    @GaryNichols50 Месяц назад +14

    Excellent video - probably my favorite of yours. I am a retiree from the USA and have been considering moving to Vietnam. But due to some stories I have heard about the visa process, I have been altering my plans to reconsider Thailand or the Philippines instead. I really prefer Vietnam as I was stationed there (Monkey Mountain - Son Tra, near Da Nang) during the war and fell in love with the beauty and the people of Vietnam. I hope the government of Vietnam realizes how hard they make the process to move there and decides to make it easier. Most beneficial to me would be a Retirement Visa.
    And by the way, I have been in the 20% for a long time. Great channel and you always pass on valuable and interesting information.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад

      Avoid Vietnam.
      I lived there for fourteen years

    • @GaryNichols50
      @GaryNichols50 Месяц назад

      @@garymacdougall4465 We are different people. Your experiences have nothing to do with my experiences.

    • @DaveEPie
      @DaveEPie Месяц назад

      The visa process takes about 20-30 minutes.
      It’s all online and it’s very cheap in my opinion.
      I was in Danang last year. Beautiful beaches and you can travel over to monkey mountain in 15-20 minutes.

  • @sagepirotess6312
    @sagepirotess6312 Месяц назад +10

    I went to sapa for 5 days. I was the only tourist in all attractions excluding the mountain. It be like walking Disneyland, and the park was empty except for you.

  • @Kevin-xz4jq
    @Kevin-xz4jq Месяц назад +78

    I finally took the plunge and moved to Danang for six months. I was shocked when i got extorted by the police TWICE!
    I asked my local friends what the heck was going on..they said "oh, we all know you have to feed to pigs"
    This was a huge redflag for long term stay or doing business. 99% of my experience was fantastic..and the people and businesses i interacted with were so professional and polite.
    But corrupt cops shaking down tourists is worse than embarrassing.

    • @knightsbridgehouse
      @knightsbridgehouse Месяц назад +8

      Visa requirement for South Africans costs over $250 to get a visa. Simply too expensive.

    • @theyhateme8763
      @theyhateme8763 Месяц назад +5

      @@knightsbridgehouse fix your country

    • @SHADO3DMC
      @SHADO3DMC Месяц назад

      what happened?

    • @777torch777
      @777torch777 Месяц назад +16

      Same thing happened to me when my Vietnamese wife got pulled over driving car in Saigon - she had to pay equivalent of $200 for “making an illegal u-turn” or lose her license and car on the spot - no ticket or receipt of course… I was about to sign papers to purchase a nice apartment in Nha Trang couple of days later, but I realized that I rather go somewhere else than coping with BS like this (usually I don’t take stuff like this quietly, but my wife asked me to stay completely out of it). Nevertheless Indonesia is probably worse. I like Vietnam, but the chaos at the immigration at SGN airport is always a turn off - I pay the extra $ to either fly in business class on VietnamAirlines or pay the “expeditor fee”. Besides the corruption problems, the insane traffic in Saigon and the visa/immigration topics, tourism is a no brainer - the beautiful country, the awesome people and the food speak for themselves.

    • @darshuetube
      @darshuetube Месяц назад +7

      Hmmm, it is either bribe or have the license withheld.... Bribes are bad but people break law and bribe the cops because the alternatives are worse.

  • @tanmai6035
    @tanmai6035 Месяц назад +6

    I am Vietnamese and I'd say the street seller scams are horrifying even to Vietnamese domestic tourism. And when you are in restaurants in Saigon or Ha Noi, it's more expensive than in Thailand because we have real estate bubble that we don't really know when it will pop but it makes everything expensive and hard for everyone. Let's market it as the land of scams.
    Thailand makes it easy for all kinds of tourism: individuals, groups, digital nomads, retirees, conferences... If there is something they can do to attract tourists they will update new laws constantly. Allowing same sex marriage also makes gay tourists come to Thailand and spend and even live there longer.

  • @chweehar
    @chweehar Месяц назад +4

    Another area that needs improvement is immigration at the airport. When we arrived in Saigon last July, it took us more than an hour and a half to go through, which, compared to other countries, would only take 15 minutes. The arrival hall was small, and with many airlines arriving at the same time, the officers were slow in processing. That definitely needs to improve.

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад +2

      No money no honey.

    • @DaveEPie
      @DaveEPie Месяц назад

      I went through immigration 3 times in the last 4 years. It took me 15 minutes each time.
      Upon returning to LAX , it took me about 1 hour 25 minutes- there was almost a riot at lax because people were so pissed off.

    • @samsun7314
      @samsun7314 Месяц назад

      @@DaveEPie Great story

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад

      @@DaveEPie oh try rioting in Vietnam entry (I dare anyone lol)…only in America smh

  • @Heshhion
    @Heshhion Месяц назад +12

    Vietnam's visa is it's weakest point.. EVERYONE is going to Thailand. Such a shame because Vietnam is amazing!

    • @dancooper5741
      @dancooper5741 Месяц назад

      Was amazing.😆

    • @sanhtu77
      @sanhtu77 Месяц назад +2

      nah i like vietnam how it is.

    • @nguyenkhue4021
      @nguyenkhue4021 Месяц назад +2

      They can go to Thailand for all we care, Tourism is not an essential part of the economy to take more priority than other like manufacturing, if you have good tourism, good for you, but if not then meh

    • @penguinpringles
      @penguinpringles Месяц назад +1

      @@nguyenkhue4021Ho Lee Fook are you Pho real? Vietnam was built on tourism

    • @nguyenkhue4021
      @nguyenkhue4021 Месяц назад +1

      @@penguinpringles Tourism was 7.0% of Vietnam total GDP in 2018 and it shrinking lol, you might mistaken Vietnam for Thailand though

  • @garymacdougall4465
    @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +4

    Ken, I first visited Vietnam over twenty years ago. Lived and worked there for iver fourteen years. Seen it all. Used to be the number one VIP at Majestic hotel. Once the GM invited me to Dalat to collect their award.
    Domestic air travel is killing tourism also. Greedy insanity. Shooting themselves in the foot.
    Visa application is a nightmare as us immigration at HCMC.

    • @kimduong2332
      @kimduong2332 Месяц назад

      Tourists are their money tree.

  • @walking_in_the_shade
    @walking_in_the_shade Месяц назад +14

    Do something about the scams would be a start! I visited Hanoi for a few days earlier this year. Within hours of my arrival, a scam was attempted by a guy telling me my sandals were coming apart and needed glueing and he just happened to be carrying a bottle of super-glue (how fortunate for me eh?). I knew there was nothing wrong with my sandals as I had only purchased them the week before so I told him to p*ss off and stop bothering me. It just soured my day and my experience of Vietnam.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад +3

      Taxi scams galore

    • @Drifterteetea
      @Drifterteetea Месяц назад +1

      I've been told that my flip flops need waxing and polishing by one of the shoeshine guys 😂. I am still mind blown years later.

    • @DaveEPie
      @DaveEPie Месяц назад +3

      Just tell them no thank you- the shoe repair people are basically living on the street- just out trying to make one dollar so they can eat that day.
      Try to look at them with compassion- a firm NO will keep them away

    • @tonyphantom2299
      @tonyphantom2299 Месяц назад

      That’s not a scam .You can say No and keep walking. Its a scam when you say yes and they charge for other stuff on top.

    • @tonyphantom2299
      @tonyphantom2299 Месяц назад

      @@garymacdougall4465 Take grab!

  • @alfredvierra4122
    @alfredvierra4122 Месяц назад +1

    Thank you. I always look forward to your videos. The 90 day is a positive step. Beginning the last week next month I will spend two and a half months in Vietnam through and beyond the Tet holiday. I was there for two months early last year on a 30 day visa which necessitated a day trip to Cambodia so the 90 day visa is a blessing. This will be my fourth trip to Vietnam in the last seven years. It would have been at least one more had it not been for covid. You are correct, not only is the country beautiful but so are it's people. I had intended to move there but without a retirement visa I would be required to leave every six months. Things will work out one way or another.
    Again, thank you for your work and info produced in your videos.

  • @leo5869
    @leo5869 Месяц назад +7

    First of all Saigon is one of my favorite Asian cities. I have been there many times on business and as a tourist. One suggestion is for the Vietnamese government to study the Thailand tourist visa system. As a US citizen, I can go there for 60 days with a visa free entry and no fees, with a 30 day fee based extension. For Vietnam, I have to apply for a 30 day single or multiple entry fee based visa ($25 or $50)...and the web site is clunky and not clear. I have to enter my First Name with both my First and Middle name to match my passport. This not clear at all and is a common mistake where a redo is allowed, but will cost you another 3 business day delay in getting this visa.
    I don't mind paying this fee, but other countries are much easier to enter, so why bother with Vietnam's clunky online visa system when other alternatives are so much simpler. Been to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore without any extra visa applications or fees. Vietnam needs to observe what is working for other countries and compete with them to get those tourist dollars to come back and enjoy all the great things about Vietnam.

    • @MichaelCollinge-r7d
      @MichaelCollinge-r7d Месяц назад

      Visa requirements to enter communist Vitnam will stay and will never be abolished like in Thailand or other Asian countries. Why? Because a lot of extremely corrupt communist officials in the foreign ministry are getting rich from pocketting the visa fees from foreign tourists and overseas Vietnamese. No communists will ever say no to such free money.
      The only way that overseas Vietnamese and foreign tourists can force the communists to change their corrupt ways is to stay away. Visit other Asian countries. Do not bitch, moan, complain. Communists do not give a damn about your complaints. They only care about pocketting your hard currencies. And if tourists and overseas Vietnamese are not coming to Vietnam any more, then the communists will change their way. If you all stay away from Vietnam for a few years, the communists will miss your hard currencies and will have to change their way of making money to welcome you back.

  • @brainteasers8
    @brainteasers8 Месяц назад +2

    HI Mr. Duong, I completely understand the context of your video. Way to go! Vietnam has to attract more YOUNG FOREIGNERS...Cheers

  • @andrew.l.5493
    @andrew.l.5493 Месяц назад +4

    Excellent video and correct in everything you say. Having travelled to Vietnam a number of times and loved it, I was always put off by the visa process. Visa on arrival should be standard and as I am nearing retirement age, Vietnam is not on my radar as possible place to live permanently. Countries like Thailand and Malaysia have far better infrastructure for tourists and retirees. Even Cambodia has improved a lot in recent years. A number of my expat friends are all considering going there now. Vietnam never even makes an entry into conversations about long term stays for foreigners. Subscribed and liked.

  • @Ronald-de9yj
    @Ronald-de9yj Месяц назад +29

    Vietnam is worth visiting, but once done, no point in going back.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад +4

      Lots of good things in Vietnam...and you could spend years exploring it. You just need to stay out of certain places like HCMC. Also, the areas with high foreign tourist traffic are pretty bad...because that's where the criminals congregate.

    • @keangwooichoo6138
      @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад +2

      That is what most travellers told me

    • @Mary_InesP
      @Mary_InesP Месяц назад

      That´s only your point of view.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад

      @@Mary_InesP Obviously, Princess Obvious.

    • @Smuggler169
      @Smuggler169 Месяц назад +1

      I will be visiting next month first time. Staying three weeks.

  • @philsummers9931
    @philsummers9931 Месяц назад +5

    Everything you say makes sense Ken! Vietnamese Government needs to sort it out.

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад

      Never happen

    • @GiangHoang-hd8uk
      @GiangHoang-hd8uk Месяц назад +2

      Im Vietnamese and we support government keeping tourist not fast due to we don't like culture change

    • @philsummers9931
      @philsummers9931 Месяц назад

      @@GiangHoang-hd8uk Fair enough, I can appreciate that, but would retirees change your culture or just enjoy it? I think that it is important for a government to look after its own citizens first, just asking if increasing tourism from retirees would be a good compromise. After all, if they don’t behave you can kick them out.

    • @GiangHoang-hd8uk
      @GiangHoang-hd8uk Месяц назад

      @@philsummers9931 change culture is lose country. Usa cheating only. We don't want become Ukaraina....
      You understand.... what's I said?

  • @DanniChan_Worldwide
    @DanniChan_Worldwide Месяц назад +13

    Concur fully! I'm an American expat living in Thailand on a long term retirement visa, and heard great things about Vietnam. The Vietnam visa process was PONDEROUS, and upon arrival, I left a day early.

    • @name128ewa
      @name128ewa Месяц назад +9

      Good. Too many retirees and ""digital nomads""" (guy who spends $1 a day on coffee but spends 6 hours at the coffee shop) will ruin Vietnam. Vietnam is good as it is.

    • @anthonynguyen1701
      @anthonynguyen1701 Месяц назад

      ​@@name128ewayou must be really dumb to even write such nonsense

    • @garymacdougall4465
      @garymacdougall4465 Месяц назад

      ​@@name128ewamost expats will spend hours trying to find a beer fifty cents cheaper!

    • @sanhtu77
      @sanhtu77 Месяц назад +2

      ​@@name128ewaexactly right

    • @sanhtu77
      @sanhtu77 Месяц назад

      ​@@name128ewatoo many "expats" think other countries should worship the ground they walk on

  • @jason.phan23
    @jason.phan23 Месяц назад +8

    compare to other countries, vietnam has poor public transportation and bad sidewalk for tourists who want to walk. Most of time you will have no choice but to walk on the street , cause motorbikes invade all the spaces in sidewalk. And you will have to take grab bike or taxi , if want to visit places. In Bangkok , Singapore,.. U can easily try MRT/BTS, they cover almost landmarks, tourist attraction around city. Services are also poor and having high scam alert. They want short term money but they will have to pay heavily in the future.

  • @Disillusioned2022
    @Disillusioned2022 Месяц назад +58

    In Vietnam, everything is done under the table. it's a disgrace. When I got my TRC i saw the advertised price - went to apply, but NOONE and I mean NOONE would accept my application. EVERY single time I went to submit my application online or in-person, I was contacted/told "you need to submit via the service". What they are saying is "We don't want to process your application directly because we don't get any money for doing so. Go by the 3rd party service so we get X money given to us under the table". VIETNAM will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER change. It's a communist country and as such, will never be on the side of the citizen or foreigner.

    • @ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123
      @ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123 Месяц назад +11

      Communism isnt the issue, China is "communist" but it's 100x more efficient and less corrupt and the govt is way more concerned abt improving things than Vietnam. Something is just uniquely wrong with Viet's government.

    • @Summer_Traveler
      @Summer_Traveler Месяц назад +4

      @@Disillusioned2022 Thailand, Cambodia, Laos are better

    • @dancooper5741
      @dancooper5741 Месяц назад

      It’s a basket case. The ONLY reason anyone , or any business goes to that country is for cheap sweat shop labour & cost of living for low budget tourists. They’re prepared to put up with the shitty way things are to save money on production or holiday costs. The once nice places to go are now overdeveloped with rubbish , low grade construction & the scams keep on coming. The best years of Vietnam have come & gone.

    • @DioSfak
      @DioSfak Месяц назад

      @@ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123 In China they quite literally are still praising to this very day and still have super large bill boards of Mao the mass murderer of his own people.... It is mind blowing they salute that mass murderer.

    • @fishbait007
      @fishbait007 Месяц назад +9

      @@ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh123 I almost died laughing from this comment. If anything it is even more disfunction.

  • @ymaster8719
    @ymaster8719 Месяц назад +8

    I travelled to Vietnam once but never again, and this is why, first the airport custom officer was so unfriendly with an attitude of treating tourists like prisoners, then the taxi driver from the airport to the hotel asking for tips, the shoppers short changed and scammed you for a few more dollars, the bus drivers driving restlessly ,the locals are unfriendly and stared at you, the streets are dirty and there is no traffic rules, crossing the roads is a mightmare and make sure to hide your bag and never carry a backpack as pick pocket and bag snatchers are everywhere.

  • @NDemanuele1
    @NDemanuele1 Месяц назад +24

    I hate to bring up the Elephant in the room, these issues have a lot to do with the Government interference unfortunately. While the other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have different government structures which is far easier to setup its marketing and branding identity to tourism.

  • @QuinnPrice
    @QuinnPrice Месяц назад +5

    Excellent analysis. I'm a retiree in Ecuador as we speak. I would love to live in Da Nang if they could make the visa easier.

  • @Mark-sr3dk
    @Mark-sr3dk Месяц назад +2

    Đường...you made a lot of great points. Please kêep up your great work.

  • @DuyDi-rj5rk
    @DuyDi-rj5rk Месяц назад +13

    🤣🤣🤣The Vietnamese government is afraid that tourists will stay in Vietnam forever.
    What's a joke!

    • @hineang5927
      @hineang5927 Месяц назад +3

      yes they are afraid that ppl might overthrow them.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад +1

      ...with good reason. If policies were relaxed, VN would be turned into yet another over-priced Western hellhole, complete with hordes of old pdf files, gheys and an assortment of other strangeness.

    • @MrBojo-jv4qq
      @MrBojo-jv4qq Месяц назад +1

      Not everyone wants tons of tourists or long term stay pensioners from the west. It's not all about money. Some people treasure peace more.

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад

      @@MrBojo-jv4qq Yuppp.

    • @DuyDi-rj5rk
      @DuyDi-rj5rk Месяц назад

      @@MrBojo-jv4qq tourism is the main reason of Thai welcoming to Westerners

  • @InvestingWithAdamK
    @InvestingWithAdamK Месяц назад +3

    Vietnam would have been more fun if weren’t on our toes everywhere. People looking to take advantage. Spent 19 days there. Had fun, but don’t plan on going back
    Was very disappointed to see how much trash was all over Ha Long Bay. And, yes to what you said. The parasailing and things of that nature were super commercialized very short and pricey for what it was.

  • @keangwooichoo6138
    @keangwooichoo6138 Месяц назад +5

    Vietnam and thailand should never depend on tourism for the economy. Dangerous

    • @damnguyen2721
      @damnguyen2721 7 дней назад

      No one should, covid proved that

  • @jbrown-acuity
    @jbrown-acuity Месяц назад +5

    Vietnam is not international conference and festival friendly. This is a critical issue.

  • @10mudpuppy
    @10mudpuppy Месяц назад +5

    I was in Vietnam in March for 3 weeks this year. The ETA is no big deal I really enjoyed my time there. There is plenty to see and do the only 2 problems that I can see is, not a lot of people speak English and the motor scooters park on the sidewalks making people having to walk on the side of the road in the cities. Go between January and March.

  • @studio_asia
    @studio_asia Месяц назад +2

    great content and the comments section
    I am planning to visit Vietnam next year and was thinking of it in terms of retirement
    After reading the comments here, I am still going to visit, but probably not retire

    • @cyang7850
      @cyang7850 10 дней назад +1

      I’m going in 2025 too because my husband was born in Vietnam and want to see his country again. We would love to live there 3 to 5 months out of the year but now I’m scared(after reading about nightmare entry line, bribes, extortion, theft, yikes). Though I understand every country has all the negative activities listed, but in Vietnam, sounds like this happens quite often😱. If I have a good experience in 2025, I’ll definitely return to Vietnam & bring my older gfs to enjoy the beauty of Vietnam & it’s culture (food, local people and culture is what we enjoy most while traveling)

  • @Ronster528
    @Ronster528 Месяц назад +5

    I love Vietnam alot, its friendly and welcoming people, the chill vibes on the streets, safe environment (petty crime is prevalent everywhere in the world but Vietnam has one of the lowest *serious crime* rates). Just one thing I dont like is the immigration gates at the airports, my wife who is a Vietnamese and I have had been asked for *coffee money* twice while clearing customs. It puts quite a dent on the happiness of starting a holiday. On the topic of scams I feel its a touché topic as every country has it as well even in Singapore. But on the topic of Visas I agree with Ken and many others that Vn can do alot more to promote not only tourism but investments and retirement visas as well.

  • @tanletran7270
    @tanletran7270 Месяц назад +1

    Thanks for sharing & totally agree with you regarding the present state of Vietnam tourism - government visa scam, long queues at airport ,poor hospitality service even in the international branded hotel - we had a horrible experience with the check in staff and the management of Intercontinental Phu Quoc .Anyone want to book this hotel best to avoid it

  • @andrewbishopsgate
    @andrewbishopsgate Месяц назад +8

    Applied for tourist visa for the whole family, everyone except one of my kids. No reasons given after multiple follow up on their official site. We had to rebook our flight and ordered an expensive urgent tourist visa to remedy. Come on Vietnam

  • @carl056
    @carl056 Месяц назад +1

    Visa application was a nightmare. And they were late providing mine. Plus they updated their site three days after they issued the visa

  • @tripkulas2054
    @tripkulas2054 Месяц назад +13

    For Vietnam, there is something broken, but in the philippines, the system is totally broken. If you think this situation in vietnam is already worst, you have not yet seen the situation here in the philippines. Nothing could go worse in this country

  • @tonythaiger93
    @tonythaiger93 Месяц назад +3

    I saw traveler boxes being ripped open on the international airport luggage section. Open looting even in 2024

  • @chriss7213
    @chriss7213 Месяц назад +4

    A great commentary and I agree with your points.

  • @khounchailinlavong6089
    @khounchailinlavong6089 Месяц назад +2

    As a person that's travel to Vietnam 3-4 times in the last decade i haven't been back in 6 years but it's definitely hard to wanting to go when the visa is 30 days you're correct but one of the best food places to enjoy in the world, much love good luck in your future endeavors

    • @DaveEPie
      @DaveEPie Месяц назад

      Pretty sure you can get a 90 day visa online.

  • @mikenguyen9983
    @mikenguyen9983 11 дней назад +9

    I agree with you 100%.
    But the cost of travel to VN is higher than the Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, …. Hotel and resort in VN is more expensive, food is also more expensive. And lots of Vietnamese trying to charge more to the tourists. So tourists won’t come back after their first trip to VN.

    • @GuitarsAndSynths
      @GuitarsAndSynths 9 дней назад

      rather head to PI or Thailand.

    • @raygale4198
      @raygale4198 9 дней назад

      Vietnamese will charge whatever people will pay, if you barter the price drops instantly.

  • @jk-zm2fs
    @jk-zm2fs Месяц назад +3

    I'd love to come and stay in Vietnam as a retiree. I'd rent a condo/apartment, eat in restaurants, play golf, and travel around the country and pay in USD and CAD. I currently have a Thai retirement visa, own 3 condos in Thailand, spend about 80,000 baht a month. There are a hundred thousand guys like me who would be interested getting a Vietnam retirement that allows long-term stay. Help get the visa process changed!

    • @agencequebecpresse7427
      @agencequebecpresse7427 Месяц назад

      There used to be an investor visa, if you bought a 100 000 US $ or + condo, not sure now, Life in Vietnam is cheaper than thailand

    • @jk-zm2fs
      @jk-zm2fs Месяц назад

      @@agencequebecpresse7427 I would never buy property in a communist country.

    • @duongglobalbusinessconsulting
      @duongglobalbusinessconsulting  Месяц назад

      There is still an investor visa. It has always been THB 9,000,000.

  • @godowdy6
    @godowdy6 Месяц назад +3

    Extremely well presented! Vietnam has been on my bucket list. for quite some time BUT after watching this video, I think I will just return to Thailand or go to one or two of the near by countries. I am too old to go through any hassle!

  • @koufax174
    @koufax174 Месяц назад +1

    Excellent content! I love Vietnam. I’m a SE Asian slow traveler. If Vietnam had a retirement visa Vietnam would be my home.

  • @NathanDrake-hm6li
    @NathanDrake-hm6li Месяц назад +20

    Vietnam was colonized By foreign invaders for thousand of years. They welcome foreign guests but don’t want no long term foreigners . It makes sense

  • @tko8218
    @tko8218 Месяц назад +17

    Japan previously had a complicated "red tape process" to enter the country about a decade ago. Former Prime Minster Shinzo Abe removed those barriers and tourism has since taken off. Vietnam can look at Japan as a case study.

    • @tonyphantom2299
      @tonyphantom2299 Месяц назад

      lol, yeah right. That’s never gọing happen.

  • @greenroads2524
    @greenroads2524 Месяц назад +1

    As a tourist, I found two issues; The first is the short length of visas. The other is the litter and public urination everywhere.
    While walking in sidewalks, I would often smell urine and see guys openly Pee in the streets or tossing garbage. This took away from Vietnam's natural beauty and gave visitors a bad impression.
    I hope the government will implement policies to address public urination and garbage. Educating citizens and installing more public restrooms …... Clean streets and proper sanitation are important for attracting tourists. Vietnam is a beautiful country with very nice people and it has a lot to offer... if these minor things eliminated it would be the best place for tourist and definitely generate a lots of money for Vietnam to help the economy. Thank you for your video

  • @peter-o6f7g
    @peter-o6f7g Месяц назад +5

    I love your content about Vietnam. I hope we will meet soon. I have already contact your staff already 😅

  • @luther_beckett
    @luther_beckett Месяц назад

    I breezed through immigration when I arrived in Da Nang. Just came back to the area. I moved back to Hoi An. I know some locals who run businesses. Ken's talk about local businesses resonated with me. Still... Hoi An is a great place to be. Good people in local shops, markets, restaurants, etc. I was happy to see who is still in business.

  • @nikkirosenbek5471
    @nikkirosenbek5471 Месяц назад +12

    Vietnam's 3 month visa sucks, but it's still much better than its 30-45 day visa last time. Anyway, Vietnam's delicious cuisine, breathtaking scenery and friendly people are absolutely irresistible. Its delicious street food including Pho, Bun cha, Bahn mi; and spectacular scenery of HaGiang loop, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay; as well as unforgettable Son Doong Cave, Hoi An and Golden Bridge are incomparable. Unlike any other country, exotic and beautiful Vietnam with its rich culture and long standing history, is absolutely worth visiting again and again. Every year, my family and I always come back to Vietnam, particularly the amazing ancient town Hoi An. In fact we have already booked a flight to Vietnam for a 3 month vacation to escape the winter blues.

    • @chrismichaels6928
      @chrismichaels6928 Месяц назад +4

      Agreed! Living here now. It’s not for everybody but I love it!

  • @ExpatGlobetrotter
    @ExpatGlobetrotter Месяц назад +2

    Exactly right! The short visa is such a deal breaker. It makes no sense that VN hasn’t come up with a retirement visa yet, and one with realistic requirements. If VN would come up with a retirement visa that had lower requirements than Thailands i think they could steal a lot of would be Thailand retirees. Something like $10,000 in savings OR $1,500 in pension monthly income.
    And those Tuk Tuk bicycle drivers need to be licensed bearing a license number in big numbers and saying call this phone number to report me if I try t scam you. They are a huge problem in Hanoi.

  • @amarcuard
    @amarcuard Месяц назад +11

    Correct on 💯%
    Getting scammed every corner, Sapa in North worst example of places visited, children exploitation laying on floor begging all over place. never again. Thailand free of visa, safer, cleaner.

  • @218Mike
    @218Mike Месяц назад +2

    Ken I really appreciate the information you share on RUclips. I love your country and would absolutely love to retire there. I have visited three times since I retired here in America. If you ever get a retirement visa I will be one of the first to come there and I will definitely spend money there.

  • @Notamuffins
    @Notamuffins Месяц назад +12

    My family went to Vietnam many years ago and had to put a $20 bill inside each passport. Why? So the customs wouldn't block us entering or leaving the country. Relatives took us to eat around the city and disabled children would constantly beg us for money. I just don't see what's so great to travel there.

    • @duongglobalbusinessconsulting
      @duongglobalbusinessconsulting  Месяц назад

      Why would your family be blocked if you are coming legally?

    • @Maipenrai55
      @Maipenrai55 Месяц назад +2

      I saw this for myself years ago. Viet Kieu family didn’t put the money in the passport, and the immigration officer started screaming at them, crumpled up a passport and threw it at them!

    • @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717
      @the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 Месяц назад

      @@Maipenrai55 Well, the Viet Kieu are traitors, aren't they?

    • @Midnighter1886
      @Midnighter1886 Месяц назад

      LOL. So many dumb@ass viet kieu still believing in such paranoid info from their parents or relatives who haven't been back since the war almost 50 years ago. Stuck in the past. Can't think for themselves.

    • @huyduong8907
      @huyduong8907 Месяц назад +1

      I've been to Vietnam several time, have never bribed, never had any problem, never seen officials screaming, crumpling up passports and throwing them at people.