Mike Wagner
American expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
47
About me
American
Lives in Unknown
Registration: 07 August 2019
Vietnam Policy update March 11th, 2020. by Johnny Le Manh Hung
Business visa can only be approved under some conditions: 1. Have sponsor company ( NO AGENCY) 2. Stamp visa at Viet Nam embassies/ consulates before entry Viet Nam ( No visa on arrival at Viet Nam airport and ground border) Airport letters are only ...
Yes, in case your aren't from Europe, you will need to either have a valid visa in your passport or make one in an embassy or a consulate prior to your trip. Read More
Vietnam suspends entry for Schengen, UK arrivals
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/covid-19-moves-vietnam-suspends-entry-for-schengen-uk-arrivals-4069186.html Tough but necessary Read More
Vietnam suspends a few nationalities from VISA application by Dan911
The Vietnam Government will deny to issue visa for ALL NATIONALITIES from Mar/15 to Apr/15/2020 (even if they already had the Approval Letter) Please delay or cancel your trip and wait until having the update information from the Vietnam ...
Dear god, just renewed mine yesterday, lucky bastard I am Read More
Sending money temporarily to Vietnam from US, it needs to go back. by SteinNebraska
Please help because I want to be sure I do this the right way so I don't get more of my US money trapped here. I need to send some money from the US to VN temporarily to buy two parcels of land. I have money in my company account here but I ...
(Sorta off-topic I apologize, but I find buying land now and transferring USD into VND (now) very risky too. The economic landscape is about to change drastically this year, I would advise caution.) Read More
DO NOT Wear A Surgical Mask UNLESS... by OceanBeach92107
If you have a cell phone in Vietnam, you probably received this message telling you NOT to wear a surgical mask EXCEPT in certain circumstances, the reason being; people who wear masks all the time are LESS LIKELY TO WASH THEIR HANDS because of a ...
I agree, hand sanitizer or soap and water are by far the number one on the list, masks come second. I just heard that scientists have found out that the incubation period can last up to 24 days (10 more than thought originally). (And the virus is ... Read More
DO NOT Wear A Surgical Mask UNLESS... by OceanBeach92107
If you have a cell phone in Vietnam, you probably received this message telling you NOT to wear a surgical mask EXCEPT in certain circumstances, the reason being; people who wear masks all the time are LESS LIKELY TO WASH THEIR HANDS because of a ...
So, as the virus is contagious during incubation and there's no way to know who's got it or not, a mask (plus hand sani) are a must have(?) (or have I missed the point made by these SMS?) Read More
Adopting a pet in Vietnam by Lo茂c
Hello, Are you a dog or a cat person? A pet can add life to a home and make an ideal travel companion during your expatriation in Vietnam. However, formalities or regulations might put you off traveling with your pet making adoption a better ...
I have two cats. They are the best :) They are vaccinated and neutered. They used to be abandoned kittens, my gf and I decided to adopt them, AMA Read More
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City - Corona Virus by Zozz7
Hello All, I just moved to Saigon (for few years) by mid of December from Europe and i have some concern regarding corona virus. I am following daily basis the international news but I am interesting what could be in the local news. How risky the ...
The best case scenario is to never have an outbreak here. Once it starts spreading, knowing that it is contagious during incubation, it can hardly be contained. Vietnam is a developing country with high population density... The press belongs to the ... Read More
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City - Corona Virus by Zozz7
Hello All, I just moved to Saigon (for few years) by mid of December from Europe and i have some concern regarding corona virus. I am following daily basis the international news but I am interesting what could be in the local news. How risky the ...
yeah but all those businesses (+ the banks that lent too much), these high rise condotels such as Muong Thanh for instance are/were the recipe for a disaster. They'll blame the virus for their downfall but that's all on them, they've ... Read More
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City - Corona Virus by Zozz7
Hello All, I just moved to Saigon (for few years) by mid of December from Europe and i have some concern regarding corona virus. I am following daily basis the international news but I am interesting what could be in the local news. How risky the ...
The virus may not be as dangerous as SARS but it is for sure way more contagious which is the main issue, knowing how people travel nowadays etc. Panic isn't necessary but knowing what to expect is. Vietnam has not halted flights from and to ... Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/vietnamese-tourism-hubs-wary-of-chinese-tourists-4047385.html "The city plans to find new sources of tourists to offset the declining number of visitors coming from coronavirus-infected ... Read More
China Halts all International Group Tours. by GuestPoster1236
As of today , Monday 27/1/20 Beijing has halted all International tour groups. Decision is indefinite until this vIrus is contained. Who knows how long that could take Since the bulk of tourists to Vietnam ,Thailand etc ...are in these zero ...
Bye-bye Muong Thanh and cie Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
Yeah tourism in Vietnam and in SE Asia in general is going to get hit hard this year. However, the administration is extremely slow to react and act in general, so if there's another change in visa policies regarding tourist visas (back to ... Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
I've spent a year in Cambodia 6-7 years ago. I wouldn't mind going back for a vacation but not more. The country has changed too much lately to me. Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
People used to having 3-month tourist visas will just spend less time overall in VN. As you said even just the hours of waiting for a 1-month visa will get them to rethink their plans Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
Yeah, I'll do something like that too if there's no workaround. South Korea also has 90-day exemptions, Singapore too but that is another budget etc. Besides, discounts should be rather aggressive this year if people decide to stay away from ... Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
I agree that breaks are needed when you live in Viet Nam anyway. 30 days are too short to my taste though, I can do 2-3 months then enjoy a break elsewhere. I agree as well that the NCoV situation will drive a ton of people away from here (and ... Read More
Anyone have any further info on this upcoming tourist visa change? by qnbui
From what I've read and heard, it affects tourist visas over 30 days and you have to get re-stamped every 30 days. Could drive away expats from VN like the Thai laws that are driving away expats in Thailand. Hopefully it doesn't affect most ...
1-year tourist visas have been terminated something like 1.5y ago if I recall correctly. If he's American it is still possible to get one but he'll have to exit every 3 months. Read More
Expensive TET by GuestPoster697
This is a good article about the escalating cost of TET lucky money and gifts. We have budgeted 20 million Dong for this year. People simply expect extremely much from their relatives who live abroad or who are married to foreigners. As described in ...
Stunning but not that surprising as pretty much all that matters to people in Vietnam is: money. Read More
Payment methods in Vietnam by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Once you聮re settled in Vietnam, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country. Which are the most common payment ...
N26 doesn't charge anything for payments or withdrawals abroad as well Read More
Payment methods in Vietnam by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Once you聮re settled in Vietnam, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country. Which are the most common payment ...
VN is very much so a cash-based country. ATMs are everywhere. Credit/debit cards can be used in supermarkets, for online shopping (Lazada, Shopee...), in electronic stores... Read More
Troubled and Confused by laststanding
Just wanting to get some opinions from people out there. So here is my situation and please feel free to express opinions. Ok here it is and see ! A year and a half ago I married my Vietnamese girlfriend of 4 years. Our relationship and experience ...
I mean, it might not be a traditional kinda answer, but I'd recommend dating at least a few women in let's say SE Asia and understanding how it goes or can go before seriously committing to a relationship (around here), espesh if this ends ... Read More
Vietnam Girl Asking For Money by Caliborn
Hello everyone. I know this subject has been beaten into the ground but I thought I would raise it again. For conversations sake, let's say the girls name is Bibi and she lives near the Mekong delta and is 14 years younger the me (I am in my ...
Expect these kinds of things in most developing country girls you'll run into Read More
Living at Vinhomes Central Park
lol, if this is the only problem you have with your accommodation, you are truly blessed Read More
Dating in HCMC - is this normal or am I being scammed? by BT1989
Hi, expat from Australia checking in. Recently moved to HCMC as a single guy, with that being the case obviously active on the dating scene. Still trying to get my head around all he customs/etiquette but I'm getting there. I have an account on ...
Yup, that pretty much sums up the whole thing Read More
ATM withdrawal limits with a local bank account and bank card by WillyBaldy
Hello folks, I'll be spending about 7 months in Vietnam and I'm still in very good term with my former step family in Saigon and I was talking strategy with my ex Vietnamese wife who now lives in Canada how to best transfer money from ...
I know Sacom and Vietcom charge 1k per withdrawal, HD and VP charge nothing (talking about going to the ATM of the bank you've an account with) Read More
ATM withdrawal limits with a local bank account and bank card by WillyBaldy
Hello folks, I'll be spending about 7 months in Vietnam and I'm still in very good term with my former step family in Saigon and I was talking strategy with my ex Vietnamese wife who now lives in Canada how to best transfer money from ...
Yeah most banks only give out 3 mil max per withdrawal, which is a real joke in a cash-based country, and some even charge you 1k per withdrawal while you've an account with them ... "lol" Read More
mobile phone safety when using it on the streets by radiktus3
Im moving to vietnam this sunday for my work, probably for a long period of time. And i am so excited about a new country, i bought a new smartphone and blogging gear (i make travel videos). Then I read somewhere that "you should keep your ...
It should be fine, just be mindful that it can get snatched and that should be enough for you to be careful about it Read More
Nha Trang : sea of hotels and expensive restaurants ? by Guestposter822
Just got back to Nha Trang after been away for 2 years (quite a long time). Must say I am quite shocked at how quickly this great town is losing its small town appeal. Hotel tower after hotel tower (no doubt funded by the Chinese) seems to be ...
Viet Nam is very much like that in general, it is all about a get-rich-quick scheme, and when it comes to pollution, environment annihilation, debts piling up etc. that doesn't matter. Vietnamese seem to believe that tourists and foreigners are ... Read More
must haves! by sadezz
Hello, We move to HCMC next week from the UK and was wondering if theres any must haves we need to pack that we cant get in Vietnam such as tampons... any advice appreciated! thank you
I find 100% peanut butter with no sugar made in VN for cheap at Big C. And, (5 blades) cartridges can easily be found on Lazada. Hope that helps Read More
Anybody else think that Vietnamese coffee is more like cocoa? by robsamui
I'd been looking forwards to getting to Vietnam for a long time, and one of the highlights was the coffee. I'd read a lot about the excellent Viet coffee, the influence of the French on cuisine in general and couldn't wait. But I was ...
thank you so much for clearing up that huge misunderstanding! Read More
Looking at moving to Vietnam by B.DeMatos
hi i would like to move to Vietnam as i have been there for holiday and have loved it! Problem is sorting out the logistics of moving. i have 3 cats, so they would have to come with me. i would need a flat to stay whereby the unit is on ground ...
It is possible. Be very sure that all vaccination necessary is done and documented and contact airlines before as not all of them may accept your cats. Once in VN be careful of local vets as they have very little idea of what they're doing ... Read More
must haves! by sadezz
Hello, We move to HCMC next week from the UK and was wondering if theres any must haves we need to pack that we cant get in Vietnam such as tampons... any advice appreciated! thank you
Supermarkets such as Big C, Coop.Mart or Emart will have all you need, no worries Read More
Too good to be true? by HenryJo
After hours of searching for an apartment to rent for 1 month (most offer only minimum 6 months), came across a decent one today. It is listed online for 拢26 per night. I made contact with owner and arranged a viewing. After seeing apartment, ...
Noise pollution is a nightmare in VN. Have a go for a few nights and see how you like it. Read More
Anybody else think that Vietnamese coffee is more like cocoa? by robsamui
I'd been looking forwards to getting to Vietnam for a long time, and one of the highlights was the coffee. I'd read a lot about the excellent Viet coffee, the influence of the French on cuisine in general and couldn't wait. But I was ...
ask for ca phe den(black) nuong(hot)/da(iced) khong duong (no sugar) and believe me that will not taste like cocoa at all (it'll be a pretty bitter black coffee) Read More
Cost of smart phone by Malcolmleitrim
I will be spending most of the winter in Vietnam and I want to buy a smart phone specifically for use there. I was originally intending to buy one on arrival in Vietnam and sign up to a package, but some people tell me that electronic gadgets are ...
https://www.thegioididong.com/dtdd Read More
Buy a 50cc imported (nopp) by GuestPoster8941
Hey guys, I live in Saigon since 1 year now and I have to replace my old bike (Honda cup50) with a new 50cc. It's really not easy to find a good bike in 50cc. A lot of Chinese, fake honda or some Sym / kimco not really sexy so I dont want ...
you can always get one of these good looking electric bikes ;-) Read More
Buy property / land for my kid by moldis
Hi, Is it allowed here to buy property or land for my kid ? (My kid is Vietnamese citizen) - what the rules in Vietnam for such operation ? Appreciate for any help
I'd pass if I were you. Better save a bit of money in a more stable currency (USD, EUR, JPY etc.) in case shit hits the fan with the Vietnamese economy Read More
Looking at moving to Vietnam by B.DeMatos
hi i would like to move to Vietnam as i have been there for holiday and have loved it! Problem is sorting out the logistics of moving. i have 3 cats, so they would have to come with me. i would need a flat to stay whereby the unit is on ground ...
I'll just address the cat situation. I've got two (got them in VN), Vietnamese aren't fond of cats at all (animal cruelty is everywhere here), so finding someone (or some kinda of BS vet that'll lock your cats in a cage the whole ... Read More
Dating in HCMC - is this normal or am I being scammed? by BT1989
Hi, expat from Australia checking in. Recently moved to HCMC as a single guy, with that being the case obviously active on the dating scene. Still trying to get my head around all he customs/etiquette but I'm getting there. I have an account on ...
Draw boundaries concerning money and spending rather quickly if you want to give the relationship a chance. She is pretty, young and knows English. I'd be wary if I were you. Read More