I'm going to tell you something you may not want to hear page 2 - Saigon forum

sushimonger · 2017-07-13T02:26:00+02:00

Exploring life as a foreigner in Saigon? Discover the harsh realities of investing in Vietnam and why many struggle despite their best intentions.

I'm going to tell you something you may not want to hear

Wxx3 Serial expat

Member since 30 January 2017

Wxx3Serial expat25 September 2017 02:48:08

#41

409

Good post by the OP and a lot of good comments.
I'm new to Vietnam, but none of this is surprising.

What I wonder about is how is Vietnam different than half the countries in the world?

Part of it is the language barrier聽 and there is more then just speaking the language fluently.

But much of it is that you (us) are simply not local. And local can be a pretty small area.

I wonder if you come from the sticks or far north, you will be treated as equally as real local?

Also, anyone here ever do business in Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey or dozens of other countries that seem to have different rules for different people?
This happens even in the western world.
When I lived in Germany, I had a friend (German) from Northern Germany, who was teaching meteorology to aircrews in Bavaria. He told me it was 10 years before he as able to buy a house. Why? because he was an outsider!

I like Vietnam a lot.聽 But I would never invest money here, but then I wouldn't in most of the rest of the world either.

Just saying

GuestPoster100620 Guest

GuestPoster100620Guest25 September 2017 06:14:11

#42

If you were brought up in a nation that approves behaviour somewhat similar to the locals, you will certainly feel at ease here. And there are lots of such in our world. Trouble is, most expats come from developed nations, where Law is respected and hanky panky is frowned upon. Therein lies the root of these Complaints!

Yogi007 Serial expat

Member since 28 July 2014

Yogi007Serial expat25 September 2017 08:18:11

#43

948

Hi there,
That "hanky panky" certainly goes a long way towards making this place economically viable for expats here that are living on incomes that would barely feed a rabbit in a developed country.

I know guys here that are living on $600 a month, and are eating and drinking well....a bit too well for some of them馃槼

Could you imagine what this desirable stretch of coastline would be like if people like the Japanese, Germans or Swiss were running the show.聽聽

I suppose when things are this cheap, we've got to expect a bit of nonsense with the way things are run here.聽聽 The trick is....don't get down in the gutter with them.聽 Keep your money in safe havens , keep the dickheads at arms length , and live here like a tourist enjoying what the place has to offer.聽聽

NO hooks, No baggage, No passengers.

GuestPoster100620 Guest

GuestPoster100620Guest25 September 2017 11:15:55

#44

Having said that, the current 'Twitter happy ' President believes there was hanky panky in the previous WH and is out to 'drain the swamp'!聽 But N Korea got in the way...

Aidan in HCMC Vietnam Expert

Member since 23 December 2017

Aidan in HCMCVietnam Expert14 January 2018 22:50:08

#45

4027

It took me only a few hours to become a millionaire in VN. I converted $200 to Dong. Presto, I'm a millionaire聽

Aidan in HCMC Vietnam Expert

Member since 23 December 2017

Aidan in HCMCVietnam Expert14 January 2018 23:03:02

#46

4027

@AustriaKarl "...enjoy an Asian country on the cheap and it's fun attributes then you can be a happy camper."聽聽As per the OP. Oops, seems AustriaKarl has been banned.