This video documents David Khai's experiences after living 90 days in Vietnam. He shares both the positive and negative aspects of his life there, aiming to provide insights for viewers considering a similar move. The video covers various topics including air quality, cleanliness, safety, cost of living, social life, and cultural experiences.
David mentions several instances of what he terms "foreigner tax":
David's main frustrations with Vietnamese bureaucracy and administration stem from the lack of a single, reliable source of accurate information. He explains that online information is often inconsistent, and even asking multiple locals about the same topic can yield three different answers. He uses the examples of visa extension processes and business registration as particularly difficult areas to navigate due to this lack of clarity and consistent information. He also mentions difficulties in finding official websites to clarify information.
David states that he made more friends in three months in Vietnam than in the previous ten years in Australia. He attributes this to the difference in social dynamics. In Australia, he felt people tended to stick to established friend groups, making it harder to break into new circles. In Vietnam, he found it much easier to strike up conversations with strangers in cafes and other public places, leading to new friendships. He also highlights the more active social life in Vietnam, with venues often staying open later, fostering more opportunities for social interaction. In contrast, he implies that making new friends in Australia largely happened within the context of existing social groups (school, work).
David contrasts his cost of living and transportation expenses in Australia and Vietnam:
Cost of Living: He states he has saved significantly more money in Vietnam due to the lower cost of living. While he plans a separate video detailing the specific cost breakdown, he emphasizes the affordability of food and other necessities in Vietnam.
Transportation: In Australia (Melbourne), he owned a car, incurring significant yearly expenses for registration, petrol, insurance, and maintenance (at least 5,000 AUD). In Vietnam, he uses Grab for occasional trips (15,000 VND, roughly 1 AUD, for a trip from his location to District 1), which is far cheaper than comparable Uber rides in Australia (40-50 AUD). He also rents a motorbike for under 90 AUD per month, with petrol costing around 4 AUD per tank. He finds the motorbike more fun and freeing than car travel, despite traffic.
