So... Cambodia or Vietnam?

[Johnsell50]

I know, this could go in another area, or this one, but it is a valid question. Thailand has too high a yearly income for their retirement visa for me. Laos has a visa system that could work, but too much work. I have a nasty ex in the Philippines so that rules that out. I have boiled it down to these two. Which country gives you the best value for your $ or pound or Eu? Which has the easiest people/government to deal with? If you only had these two too choose from, which would you choose if you were me? So far I am leaning heavily toward Cambodia but I just don't know enough about Vietnam, other than being there in the war in the late 60's and I understand that doesn't count for very much anymore. To make it easier, I am an American in my late 60's. I like to live with one younger woman at a time, until they get tired of me or think there is someone richer out there. By younger, I don't mean jailbait. I am not a barfly, or a couch potato but I do love singing karaoke in an open bar setting. I like running, walking, cycling, swimming, fishing etc. I am tired of working. I have no real money but I get $1500+ a month SS which was plenty for a decent life in The Philippines or Thai., as long as I didn't splurge. So?????

[TimeTraveler]

I've been visiting different areas of Vietnam over the last several years (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Danang, Hoi An, HCMC, etc.) In fact, I'll be checking out Nha Trang in May. Now, I can't speak to retirement visa requirements, but Vietnam is damn cheap -- at least outside of HCMC. The food is great, the beers are cheap, and the women are beautiful (in my opinion). Moreover, the beaches around Danang and Hoi An are quite nice. Granted, there is a language issue, especially outside the populated areas. That being said, however, if I were considering a retirement locale, I'd definitely have Vietnam in my top 3.

[Johnsell50]

Thanks TimeTraveler. I've done some more "Googling" and I like the looks of Da Nang. The things I don't like are no retirement visa and the "Long term" other visa's look like a real pain. Comparing it to the retirement visa Cambodia offers, it's a losing proposition. It also looks like like long term apartment rentals in PP are going to work out a lot cheaper. The only plus I can see so far are the beaches in Da Nang. I used to go to what was called China Beach in '68. It looked very good then.

[TimeTraveler]

Either way, you can't go wrong. Cambodia is one of my all-time favorites too.

[horace]

Why do both , six month Cambodia and then three months in Vietnam. However, if yer American don't yer get a 12 month visa for Vietnam? 12 m v and a few months Cambodia. I would definitely rtake the second option if I were an American.

[Johnsell50]

my only problem is it looks like you have to leave Vietnam every 3 months. It also looks like they have limits on how many months you can stay every year. I kind of like being settled in one place, long term lease, Steady lady etc,

[Kampot Homesteader]

Why do both , six month Cambodia and then three months in Vietnam. However, if yer American don't yer get a 12 month visa for Vietnam? 12 m v and a few months Cambodia. I would definitely rtake the second option if I were an American.

yep. 12 month for US. have to leave every 90 days though.

[ricecakes]

If Vietnam was Cambodia and Khmer women had the Philippine tit gene.......this would be heaven on earth.

[Johnsell50]

If Vietnam was Cambodia and Khmer women had the Philippine tit gene.......this would be heaven on earth.

Personally. one of the main reasons I have always loved Asian women is because most of their tits don't start out looking like the prows of submarines and end up doing naval maneuvers. I don't want a woman with a boy's chest but big boobs are overrated. I tell my friends back here, stateside, that Asian woman make me feel like a kid in a candy store. So true!

[Dahon]

Some short impressions based on my shorttrips - Vietnam is nice and organised. Nice people, generally low cost. Please be advised that it is illegal for a Viet woman to share hotel room with a foreign man unless they are married. Plenty of hourly places though in central Saigon.

Da Nang is a boring looking industrial town but Hoi An close by is a nice tourist sport. Nha Trang is alike a cleaned up version of Pattaya, didn't see any working girls when I was there for a few days last year. I mean, there is a scene in Vietnam but it is less open than in Thailand.

Hanoi is a great place. A bit sleepy, laid back, still has a little of that colonial feeling. Good bus system, cheap food and, most of all, one place where You don't feel like you're in a deep fryer all the time. Quite cool, actually. But Saigon is more modern, commercial.

At your age when, I suspect, you don't feel an urge to empty yourself every night, and instead have longer lasting relationships, Hanoi would probably not be a bad place to live out your days. The place does feel a bit commie but nothing to worry about. Youtube not blocked but VPN needed for adult content.

[maxx]

can you get happy pizza in vietnam

[Johnsell50]

Some short impressions based on my shorttrips - Vietnam is nice and organised. Nice people, generally low cost. Please be advised that it is illegal for a Viet woman to share hotel room with a foreign man unless they are married. Plenty of hourly places though in central Saigon.

Da Nang is a boring looking industrial town but Hoi An close by is a nice tourist sport. Nha Trang is alike a cleaned up version of Pattaya, didn't see any working girls when I was there for a few days last year. I mean, there is a scene in Vietnam but it is less open than in Thailand.

Hanoi is a great place. A bit sleepy, laid back, still has a little of that colonial feeling. Good bus system, cheap food and, most of all, one place where You don't feel like you're in a deep fryer all the time. Quite cool, actually. But Saigon is more modern, commercial.

At your age when, I suspect, you don't feel an urge to empty yourself every night, and instead have longer lasting relationships, Hanoi would probably not be a bad place to live out your days. The place does feel a bit commie but nothing to worry about. Youtube not blocked but VPN needed for adult content.

Thanks Dahon. I may try a short trip there but I won't retire there till they fix their visa's a bit friendlier.

[Dahon]

Some short impressions based on my shorttrips - Vietnam is nice and organised. Nice people, generally low cost. Please be advised that it is illegal for a Viet woman to share hotel room with a foreign man unless they are married. Plenty of hourly places though in central Saigon.

Da Nang is a boring looking industrial town but Hoi An close by is a nice tourist sport. Nha Trang is alike a cleaned up version of Pattaya, didn't see any working girls when I was there for a few days last year. I mean, there is a scene in Vietnam but it is less open than in Thailand.

Hanoi is a great place. A bit sleepy, laid back, still has a little of that colonial feeling. Good bus system, cheap food and, most of all, one place where You don't feel like you're in a deep fryer all the time. Quite cool, actually. But Saigon is more modern, commercial.

At your age when, I suspect, you don't feel an urge to empty yourself every night, and instead have longer lasting relationships, Hanoi would probably not be a bad place to live out your days. The place does feel a bit commie but nothing to worry about. Youtube not blocked but VPN needed for adult content.

Thanks Dahon. I may try a short trip there but I won't retire there till they fix their visa's a bit friendlier.

Maybe get a one year visa and go on visa runs every 90 days to see how much of a Pita it is?

[johnny lightning]

Have to add my 2 cents worth on Dahon's comments.

The hotel bullshit is no longer ironclad. There are plenty of places that will accept non married couples. That said there are plenty that still practice this nonsense but a little footwork will get you a place where they turn a blind eye or just don't care.

Da Nang is pleasant enough but if you are looking for female companionship it is one of the worst places in the country. Hoi An is fine if you like living in a tourist trap.

Nha Trang is cheap as chips, has a bit of a nightlife scene and is chock a block with Russians and Chinese. If that doesn't turn you off not a bad place to set up shop.

Hanoi has about 4 months of good weather, October November and April May. In the winter it can be bitterly cold (but is not always) and quite rainy. In the summer it is hot as hell and humid to boot. Wouldn't be my first choice. Only way you will know for sure is to have a look yourself. Good luck.

Johnny