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linhmartin

linhmartin

Active member

Australian expat in Vietnam

Forum posts

68

About me

Australian

Lives in Vung T脿u, B脿 Ria-Vun

Registration: 15 June 2016

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

G'day Wild_1: how pleasant to find someone with the same opinion about some of the posters on this site as myself! :) You've been in Can Tho for a long time now (unless you made it to Ecuador and back in the meantime?), so perhaps you ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

I'll let CB respond re quoted Six Senses prices, but can say we found many cheaper hotels online. Whether they're available or not is another matter - the CD Express apparently has no trouble filling more than 500 seats per trip! The ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

By way of a "Postscript", I thought perhaps worthwhile mentioning for anyone interested in the Con Dao Express hydrofoil service that it was booked out "months ago" for the May Day holiday by tourist groups from further north ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

Thanks OB, all good stuff but maybe a bit difficult for us - our 6yo niece won't be able to see above the walls below the windows on either upper or middle seating decks, and not too sure about moving around the cabin/s from a safety perspective ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

Thanks CB - but I can assure you that we're not Six Senses people, at least not in the travelling budget sense, anyway :) Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

Thanks CB - makes a refreshing change, I must say (for someone like me who was living in Nha Trang before it had any real roads and now you can't find the roads anyway, because they're full of tourists!!!). I've had some advice from a ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
linhmartin

Con dao island by linhmartin

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ...

linhmartin

Thanks. Two of our VN rels have opted out of the trip already because they're worried about seasickness - even though it's a hydrofoil and theoretically(!) should be smooth sailing. Does anyone know any good midrange hotels near the beach, ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin created a thread
7 years ago

Con dao island

My VN wife and I are planning to take our 6yo niece for a short holiday on Con Dao, travelling on the new Con Dao express hydrofoil from Vung Tau end-April/early-May (school holidays). Grateful for any early clues about good seats on the hydrofoil ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
davidoz

Visa exemption certificate by davidoz

I am an Australian citizen currently residing in Nha Trang.I am married to a vietnamese national and have a VEC. I am looking for up to date info about extensions.I was last out of the country, 3/2018 and have received 2- 6 month extensions which ...

linhmartin

Sure thing - entirely your choice. I've found many expats willing to argue the toss about the value or otherwise of keeping 'residency for tax purposes' - but it's invariably because they don't realise that we all have our own ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
davidoz

Visa exemption certificate by davidoz

I am an Australian citizen currently residing in Nha Trang.I am married to a vietnamese national and have a VEC. I am looking for up to date info about extensions.I was last out of the country, 3/2018 and have received 2- 6 month extensions which ...

linhmartin

It's quite possible that changes have taken place since I decided to go for a temporary resident permit many years ago, so please don't take this comment as gospel. I just wanted to let you know that I fortunately mentioned my intention to ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

Because I was trying to close the 'off topic' down by putting it into correct historical context - sorry you couldn't see that. But don't worry, I've provided three venues where Eva can hopefully meet some expats and/or locals, ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

I must be walking down the wrong streets because no-one's 'stared' at me in anything but a nice welcoming way since way back in those dark, early days after 膽峄昳 m峄沬 ("renewal") in 1986, when US soldiers and ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

G'day AP - I guess you're referring to my comments, since you highlighted the last sentence. I first worked in VN in 1991, returning frequently over the following decade for work-related trips. I married a Vietnamese and have lived in ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

I wonder if those who worry about 'laughing' and/or 'finger pointing' understand that Vietnamese often laugh to cover the fact they're nervous or embarrassed (usually but not always because they can't speak English or the ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

Wow - that's never been my experience! I've always found the locals extremely friendly and eager to help strangers to their city. "View others as you wish to be viewed." Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago

Singapore International School

Hi Canman - we're in a similar situation as you, ie caring for our 6yo VN niece and looking for a school where they teach English, charge reasonable fees, and can manage unruly behaviour effectively. Which school did you end up using? How is ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

The "canal" restaurant/bar - Saturdays from ~5pm to 7 or 8pm: Thanh Nh茫 104 Hu峄硁h C瓢啤ng, An C瓢, Ninh Ki峄乽 Mekong Restaurant - most evenings from 5-6 pm: 38 Hai B脿 Tr瓢ng Caf茅 ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
edemits

Looking to meet people in Can Tho City by edemits

Hello everyone! [b]I'm looking for some people to have a chat[/b], go for a drink or a walk... in [b]Can Tho City[/b]. I will be moving there next week and don't know anybody in the city yet. I am a student from Belgium (23 y/o) and ...

linhmartin

Down the same street you'll find (if you look closely enough) the Mekong bar/cafe/restaurant which has long been a hangout for local expats and tourists - it's almost directly opposite the statue of Ho Chi Minh. The local expats also gather ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
davidoz

Visa exemption certificate by davidoz

I am an Australian citizen currently residing in Nha Trang.I am married to a vietnamese national and have a VEC. I am looking for up to date info about extensions.I was last out of the country, 3/2018 and have received 2- 6 month extensions which ...

linhmartin

G'day David We used to live in Nha Trang (2003-2010) and I remember asking one of my wife's work colleagues about the seeming disparity surrounding visas, which was always a hot topic in the NT bars (then) frequented by expats. The work ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
7 years ago
Pbuizz

Living and teaching in Vietnam Questions by Pbuizz

Hi friends. I am from the United States and planning to moving to Vietnam in about a year. I have considered teaching English as a 2nd language. What are your experiences about getting TEFL certification, which TEFL certification course do you ...

linhmartin

Gobot: (American here, 'college' is just a smaller 'university'. In Australia, college = high school? Doesn't make sense!) It doesn't make sense in Australia either - a college in Australia is usually a private school or ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
gobot

Foreign Banks Fleeing Viet Nam by gobot

Article of interest to expats. "Fleeing" is hyperbole, and only offers speculation about why banks are leaving/divesting. [url=http://www.atimes.com/article/foreign-banks-fleeing-vietnam/]Foreign Banks Fleeing Viet Nam[/url]

linhmartin

Not that I want to sow any seeds of paranoia, but I'm rather surprised that no-one has yet linked the withdrawal of foreign banks from Vietnam to China's increasing belligerence in the region - which became more noticeable around the same ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

The only counting that politicians ever do is votes.................. Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

As long as 2 out 3 don't count................. Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Fair enough, I never saw that one so you must have got to it v.quickly. Coincidentally, I'm in the middle of my second reading of 1984 (featuring the Thought Police) at the moment! Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Hmmm, so that rules out the Latin/Arabic "educational" exchange between eodmatt and myself, which is fair enough if those are the rules (sorry Fred, I had no idea). Completely agree with you re Trump (and more!), but not sure why you ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Hey kingzchock (and anyone else interested in his idea of an expats gathering), I just found a thread on this website called "Expats and friends gathering for february 19th 2017". In it, a Richard Loo says they've been organising ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Oops, that "principle" comment was for Yogi, not you Thigv. Thigv, the link I provided was to our 'house for sale' ad on this website - where there is only one price. The other "half link", ie without ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

I'd better correct "principals of fairness" to "principles of fairness" before I'm tarred and feathered by the English teachers! Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Ah, sorry Thigv - now I realise that you're talking about the Hash, not our house! Firstly, Saigon Hash is not "my group" - I helped to run the Vung Tau Hash for 6 years until recently, and our pricing was different for adults and ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

eodmatt - Ego autem non conteram praecepta dentur. Thigv - sorry, misspelt your tag (but still curious about the "two tier pricing" allegation?). Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

eodmatt - the Hash rarely if ever stays in District 1, for obvious reasons. They meet outside the Caravelle to catch the hired bus to a different destination outside Saigon each week. Thagv, don't know what you mean about "two tier ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

My pleasure: /en/housing/asia/vietnam/ Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

I personally can't see the need to organise an expats gathering when expats already gather every Sunday afternoon outside the Caravelle at 1.45 pm for 2 pm departure on a Hash House Harriers trip - lots of fresh air, exercise, free drinks and ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Do yourselves a favour - buy our house! (see "Houses for sale, HCMC"). Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Oops, sorry Bhavna - just a bit of fun prompted by the comments about Saigon real estate workers/contractors waving fliers at passing traffic. But my post was actually a genuine description of our house for sale in Saigon, so thanks for highlighting ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

I've been standing out near the main road for a while now but, apart from beginning to smell a tad fishy, the only thing that looked like it might be a payment of sorts was some guy in a "Grab" helmet whistling past at 100kph, waving a ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
kingzchock

New Expats Gathering !! by kingzchock

anyone interested on organizing any gathering for all the new expats ?? please do leave some comments

linhmartin

Ok Yogi, it's all yours - furniture, fixtures and fittings included! Payment any way that suits you best, but a wheelbarrow full of cash would be nice! Offer expires as soon as we both wake up! Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
8 years ago
Kytain

DOES ANYONE BANK WITH COMMERCIAL BANK AUSTRALIA (CBA) HCM CITY by Kytain

I currently have a U.S. Dollar Savings Account with CBA. I just learned that CBA HCMC interest are being merged with Vietnam International Bank (VIB) HCM at the end of July 2017. Is anyone in a similar situation? Does anyone have insight into any ...

linhmartin

We had a foreign currency account with CBA Saigon but can't say we did much day to day banking with them because interest rates in VN banks have always been much higher. And I can't answer your question about that specific 'merger' ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Redmundial

Drink spiked on Saturday night Bui Vien - please warn others by Redmundial

Hi All...I haven't been on here for a while as wasn't around, but came back to Saigon last week and headed out to meet some friends on Saturday. We had a couple of beers and food, nothing major then they went home. So I went to universal bar ...

linhmartin

Grateful if you can describe the Aussie guys who you think drugged you, Redm... because I have friends in the Saigon Hash (House Harriers) who drink at that bar quite often. If you're worried about saying too much on here, please email me: ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

The tried and true way to unlock the bureaucracy is variously called "an envelope", "coffee money" or (shock, horror) a bribe! "Donation" and "sponsorship" are also acceptable - when we lived in Saigon we ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

Understand what you're saying - but Pilotadamp's post doesn't fit anywhere in there. He or she suddenly decided that he or she represents the entire world (without permission) by making such a lunatic generalisation as "...nobody ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

Oh really! I suppose your comment: "Harsh - I got three paragraphs in before I bit my left hand off in order to stay awake." was just being 'creative' as well? From my perspective as the target, it was a pathetic attempt at ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

I tried to provide some information to SiCoTic on the topic of visas and Pilotadamp jumps in and tells me I "write too much" and that "nobody reads all that". What on earth has it got to do with him anyway, fer chrissake! Too ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

Pilotadamp (and sycophants) - are you referring to my post? If not, please accept my apologies for the confusion (you posted directly below mine but didn't address your comments to anyone specifically, so I'm not sure). But if you are ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
SiCoTic

Backdate, Pay Twice - The Latest Visa Scam by SiCoTic

Had the misfortune of having to go to Moc Bai, last week, always unpleasant but getting there + back with everything I left with, both arms, legs, those sort of things, I consider to be a victory. Getting a 3 month Business Visa that is valid for 3 ...

linhmartin

Thanks for a few good laughs, SiCoTic - you've got my day off to a great start! The reason for this response, mostly irrelevant as I'm sure it will be, is that you mentioned Vung Tau - which is where I live with my VN wife, and have done ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

Tried your website several times, WAO SUP, but can't get access for some reason. We live in Vung Tau and visit my wife's family in Saigon frequently - but they're up near the airport, long way from D7. I was just wondering if you'd ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

Well done, Priscilla! WAO SUP - I'm intrigued about your launch of stand-up paddle boarding in Saigon. Where do you do it? (sorry, I don't do facebook). Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

I think it would be better all-round if the "beachrunner" account was discontinued, not WAO SUP's. Beachrunner is just a troll who thinks he knows something about the war, whereas WAO SUP is someone whose family DOES know something ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

You said "Southern Vietnam" - which is absolutely correct. Central Vietnam stretches from Nha Trang up to Hue, and the rest of the country is northern Vietnam. None of which has anything to do with the topic for this thread, which is ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

Never an adult (yet), but plenty of the younger set - particularly on 2 April square in Nha Trang and the Front Beach Park in Vung Tau. Another one is Segways or whatever they call them here: lots of young and older kids cruising around on them all ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Priscilla

Sports in Vietnam by Priscilla

Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Vietnam? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...

linhmartin

A favourite sport for many expats and increasing numbers of Vietnamese is a weekly run with the not for profit Hash House Harriers "chapters" in Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Saigon and Vung Tau - some having started more than 20 years ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
linhmartin

Quickest / easiest way to travel Saigon-Hanoi-Sapa-Halong Bay? by linhmartin

G'day all! My Aussie expat mate and I would like to visit Sapa and Halong Bay with our Saigonese wives in August, but it's years since my wife and I went to Hanoi and Halong Bay and I've never been to Sapa (our friends have never been ...

linhmartin

Thanks GF, and it ain't always easy to avoid the temptation to get angry when you ask a genuine question and get a mouthful of self-serving crap in response, but I tell myself that such people can't help themselves and they're not ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
linhmartin

Quickest / easiest way to travel Saigon-Hanoi-Sapa-Halong Bay? by linhmartin

G'day all! My Aussie expat mate and I would like to visit Sapa and Halong Bay with our Saigonese wives in August, but it's years since my wife and I went to Hanoi and Halong Bay and I've never been to Sapa (our friends have never been ...

linhmartin

Thanks Bazza - we're well aware of Trip Advisor and its associated entity booking.com (level 6 and 'genius' contributor respectively) - and have lived, worked, married and retired in Vietnam since 1988, including the first 5 or 6 years ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin created a thread
9 years ago

Quickest / easiest way to travel Saigon-Hanoi-Sapa-Halong Bay?

G'day all! My Aussie expat mate and I would like to visit Sapa and Halong Bay with our Saigonese wives in August, but it's years since my wife and I went to Hanoi and Halong Bay and I've never been to Sapa (our friends have never been ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
9 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Hi again Ms Tien For the sake of anyone else who may be trying to lodge a legal complaint, I'd just like to say "Thanks" once again for putting me onto the Department of Industry and Trade, Consumer Protection portal website: ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Apologies to all (except the know-it-all, of course). The ridiculous way he jumped in and highjacked this thread with his version of War and Peace (and the dangers of shopping at Metro...) got right up my nose. And I don't like being insulted ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

eodmatt, you're a self-opinionated narcissist - which is, of course, your choice. But please don't be surprised to cop some flak whenever you highjack other people's threads with your inaccurate, alarmist "warnings"! A young ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Hmmm - so in your opinion there are people who can't read the news in Vietnam (which is, of course, promulgated in many languages including English) but they are able to read your "general interest" postings on this thread. It's ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

The woman was caught TWO YEARS AGO and, to quote Oz Foreign Affairs: "According to Vietnamese law, the accused can appeal the sentence so there is still some way to go before this legal process concludes." Amen to that - que sera, ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

So this is really just a word of caution to keep your wits about you when out and about in public places. ...which applies to every country in the world, of course! Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Good and bad everywhere, docwood - you must have learned that by now? And I for one can't complain about Ms Tien's honourable intent - she's already made life much easier for me and my nephew, exactly as she offered at the start of this ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Thanks Tien - I never knew there was such a thing, so I'll definitely do that now as we have all the correspondence, bank receipts, photos, customs declarations, etc plus the company's website which makes promises it doesn't keep ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin replied to a thread
10 years ago
Tiennguyen2582

What concern you the most to live and do business in Vietnam? by Tiennguyen2582

Being a Vietnamese , I welcome all of expats to come and live in our country. I think that you have been helping us a lot to improve ourselves. Thanks to all of you. However, living in a foreign country may cause you some difficulties. If you do ...

linhmartin

Thanks Tien for asking how you can help foreigners in Vietnam. I realise you're probably just throwing the cards on the table, as it were, for some generic responses - and hence mine may be too specific, for which I apologise in advance! There ... Read More

linhmartin
linhmartin joined Helsinki expat community
10 years ago