[Cyclone]

(11-07-2014 06:10 AM)Sweet Pea Wrote:  

Curious how much further these prices would drop. I was in some strange wonderland out in the provinces where food seems to be a hair's width away from free.

Many vegetables in the local markets *are* practically free. In fact whenever you buy something else (like duck meat) they would throw in a bundle of veggies, and i'd say "no, no" but then realized it's free. Many locals refuse to pay more than $1.50 on a round of market shopping
.

[Patriarch]

(11-07-2014 07:20 AM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(11-07-2014 06:10 AM)Sweet Pea Wrote:  

Curious how much further these prices would drop. I was in some strange wonderland out in the provinces where food seems to be a hair's width away from free.

Many vegetables in the local markets *are* practically free. In fact whenever you buy something else (like duck meat) they would throw in a bundle of veggies, and i'd say "no, no" but then realized it's free. Many locals refuse to pay more than $1.50 on a round of market shopping
.

I feel like such a cheap bastard sometimes. I remember getting pissed off the first time I went to buy fruit and realized they weren't quite as cheap as vegetables -- like 20 cents per pound of bananas is exorbitant.

[TheSprinter]

Very interesting thread as I may soon hit up Ba Da Nang. Ive always ignored this area in the past since Ive always heard that this area was a bit boring, or a 'little to slow', or that it lacked the energy and vibrance of say Saigon.

To top it off, Ive never been much of a beach guy (I prefer the sights of Seoul or Hong Kong than sAy a nice tropical beach).

Though after reading this thread and doing some research, there does seem to be a healthy city vibe yet without the chaos of Saigon.

I love to walk around shops and see all the people go about their routine, so Da Nang may seem like a good option.

The one selling point for me is not the cost of living...but Ive heard rumors that the girls are more fit and athletic in Da Nang than Saigon.

Im a leg and butt guy and was dissapointed with Bangkok in that department (the girls tend to be skinny fat covered in makeup and 'cute' trendy clothes).

Well...I went to search on Wiki and it shows that there are huge mountains nearby! In Seoul the girls have this strong fit, athletic legs which I live and to some extent...Hong Kong. Maybe thousands of years worth of climbing mountains plays a factor.

So my two questions is this:

1. Is the city life pretty good there? I know its not BK or Hong Kong...but are there a few big malls to check?

2. Would you guys say that the girls look pretty athletic...maybe moreso than Saigon?

[ballybally]

How about weed, is it as easy to get and non-prosecuted as in Saigon ?

[Beyond Borders]

Confirmed. Danang is indeed the shit. A bit quiet this time of year for some of you, no doubt, but just right for me and where I'm at in my life right now. Really rainy here right now too. Again, doesn't bother me.

I've only been here a day, but I can tell I'm going to love this place.

[Beyond Borders]

^ I think it actually seems rainier than it is just because of the timing. Asked a few people and it usually doesn't rain this much even this time or year.

[Russkie Dusha]

How's the air quality there?

Breathing petrol fumes and smoke here in Chiang Mai.

[Beyond Borders]

^ Pretty decent. Definitely better than Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai is down in a valley, so the smog is known to settle low there. Danang is known for being a clean place compared to other cities in Southeast Asia.

You'll still inhale fumes a bit when you're sitting in traffic on a moto, but it's not too bad and definitely a giant improvement on bigger cities like hcmc. Also a lot of wind coming in off the coast so it's constantly refreshing the air. Or at least it seems that way at the moment. I've had a very small window of observation at this point, so take it with a healthy grain of salt.

[Cyclone]

(12-01-2014 02:30 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

You'll still inhale fumes a bit when you're sitting in traffic on a moto, but it's not too bad and definitely a giant improvement on bigger cities like hcmc. Also a lot of wind coming in off the coast so it's constantly refreshing the air. Or at least it seems that way at the moment. I've had a very small window of observation at this point, so take it with a healthy grain of salt.

Wow, i can't believe you made it to Da Nang BB, that is epic. I'm glad you liking it and that means a lot for us. Ill be coming by in February to scope the place out (~5 days) but doubt you'd still be there?
.

[VolandoVengoVolandoVoy]

Before reading this thread, whenever I heard Danang, I would immediately think of Southpark.

[Beyond Borders]

(12-01-2014 01:10 PM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(12-01-2014 02:30 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

You'll still inhale fumes a bit when you're sitting in traffic on a moto, but it's not too bad and definitely a giant improvement on bigger cities like hcmc. Also a lot of wind coming in off the coast so it's constantly refreshing the air. Or at least it seems that way at the moment. I've had a very small window of observation at this point, so take it with a healthy grain of salt.

Wow, i can't believe you made it to Da Nang BB, that is epic. I'm glad you liking it and that means a lot for us. Ill be coming by in February to scope the place out (~5 days) but doubt you'd still be there?
.

I may come back for the summer if I don't get lost somewhere else.

[Beyond Borders]

Leaving Da Nang now.

A short trip, but I really like this city.

That said, the rain and drizzle this time a year was a bit much. I know I said I didn't mind it at first, but it quickly wore on me, especially with all the motorbike driving I was doing.

Assuming that like me you have the option to live anywhere at any time, I think this is best as a seasonal place to live, and I think a 6-month visa is easy enough here (according to another member - haven't researched it), so coming in summer would be best. If you're okay with taking cabs everywhere, though, the winter isn't that atrocious. Just a lot colder than the rain in Cambodia and Thailand.

You could definitely stay inside more this time of year and still enjoy clear days on the beach. I was told it has been rainier than usual for my stay. I also don't own cold weather clothes.

I didn't check out the club scene, even though I meant to. I sense from the energy around town at night that it's quite good. I'm not on the market, but the women also seem very receptive. I constantly noticed them staring from the corners of their eyes (Vietnamese try hard not to overdo eye contact), and some even overtly gaping. Many of them opened me in one way or another.

I don't sense this is a city for players to roll through like a wrecking ball, due to the conservative airs the women have to put on, but I think there are definitely quality dating opportunities available.

And the dragon bridge breathes fire. How fucking cool (if not a bit tacky) is that?



There are some unreal roadtrip opportunites in this region, hotels are cheap as fuck, and the food seemed much better than what I had in HCMC.

Da Nang (and Papa Rico) gets a huge stamp of approval from me.

[Beyond Borders]

On another note, and this will probably be hard to understand for those who don't know Cambodia as I do, I think I find Khmer women more enticing. Again, I didn't go out much, so take it as you will. Few would agree.

Vietnamese women can be beautiful and are probably more trustworthy. More sane. A better long-term bet.

But hot Cambodian women ooze a feminine sexual energy that often seems to be lacking here. Time may change my mind. It often does.

[Chaos]

^ Are you going to explore more of Vietnam now?

[Beyond Borders]

Not right now. If I had more time I would give here or HCMC a fair month, at least. This isn't my first or longest Vietnam trip.

If it was up to me, I would have come when I had more time. But I only came to meet with a friend and my girl is waiting back in pp. She quit a job to travel with me and then I kind of left her stranded.

We've got other, bigger travel plans in about a month though.

[Enigma]

(12-08-2014 03:12 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

I also don't own cold weather clothes.

Nothing but cargo shorts and flip flops for BB!

[Beyond Borders]

(12-08-2014 06:32 AM)Enigma Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 03:12 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

I also don't own cold weather clothes.

Nothing but cargo shorts and flip flops for BB!

haha Yeah, I got a bit relaxed about threads, after a month and a half at the beach. My chick actually kind of digs it too, which is funny considering how fashionable she is. Didn't really expect that.

I usually wear khaki shorts and a T these days, though I will rock a nice button up with the sleeves rolled. I still look pretty sharp most of the time though. My t-shirts are well-fitted as are my shorts. And I wear black (p)leather sandals like a lot of moneyed locals wear. People always tell me I look good, so I don't think I'm looking much like a backpacker at the moment.

I've got two pairs of pants in my bag (time for some shopping), but one is really thin and the other is jeans, which soaked up water fast. Without a warm jacket it wasn't enough. Da Nang was seriously cold for me. That's what I was really missing in Da Nang. A lightweight coat and more pants would have set me right. Back home in weather like that I'd be pimping a pea coat, most likely. When I left it was dumping cold rain all day - storm out of the Philippines, I guess - and my feet were soaked the entire plane ride.

I got off the plane in my knitted hat, pants, and socks and shoes on here in HCMC a minute ago and immediately started sweating my balls off.

[Global Entry]

Having travelled through China and SE Asia some (a few stops each in Thailand, Cambo and Vietnam, and a long time in China) I'd say that the Cambo girls are more akin to the Thai in some way, and the Vietnamese more like the south Chinese. And given that, I think what you're saying makes more sense. Chinese/Viet to me, high-end, more elegant and beautiful, but not as erotically oriented (see what I did there) as the Thai/Cambodians. Though to be sure, there are some gorgeous gals on all sides of all of the borders.

BB on lockdown though - whats the point of an asian significant other???

(12-08-2014 03:50 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

On another note, and this will probably be hard to understand for those who don't know Cambodia as I do, I think I find Khmer women more enticing. Again, I didn't go out much, so take it as you will. Few would agree.

Vietnamese women can be beautiful and are probably more trustworthy. More sane. A better long-term bet.

But hot Cambodian women ooze a feminine sexual energy that often seems to be lacking here. Time may change my mind. It often does.

[JayJuanGee]

(12-08-2014 06:04 PM)Global Entry Wrote:  

Having travelled through China and SE Asia some (a few stops each in Thailand, Cambo and Vietnam, and a long time in China) I'd say that the Cambo girls are more akin to the Thai in some way, and the Vietnamese more like the south Chinese. And given that, I think what you're saying makes more sense. Chinese/Viet to me, high-end, more elegant and beautiful, but not as erotically oriented (see what I did there) as the Thai/Cambodians. Though to be sure, there are some gorgeous gals on all sides of all of the borders.

BB on lockdown though - whats the point of an asian significant other???

(12-08-2014 03:50 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

On another note, and this will probably be hard to understand for those who don't know Cambodia as I do, I think I find Khmer women more enticing. Again, I didn't go out much, so take it as you will. Few would agree.

Vietnamese women can be beautiful and are probably more trustworthy. More sane. A better long-term bet.

But hot Cambodian women ooze a feminine sexual energy that often seems to be lacking here. Time may change my mind. It often does.

@BB: Yes: I am curious about the same... Why are you locked down BB and spending so much time with one chick?

I have actually booked a 2.5 week trip through Vietnam in late January early February, and some touristy components including Da Nang and probably around 5-6 cities - 2-3 nights per city - and traveling with a Vietnamese chick.

However, I believe my story is a bit different, since I am NO veteran to SEA travels... and I need to bust my travel cherry somewhat. I feel as if I am going to be introduced to these various areas, and likely on my next trip, I would accomplish solo.

[Beyond Borders]

^ Spend as many years in Southeast Asia as I have, stomping your liver into the dirt and banging hookers without a condum every night, and one chick is a very stabilizing, refreshing experience. Anyhow, I've fucked hundreds women, but I've always been a bit of a serial monagamist and have spent one to 2 year relationships with quite a few along the way. They provided some of the best times of my life - I don't imagine this'll be the last either, as I tend to wander off eventually.

I see nothing wrong with a steady thing in Asia (or anywhere), I'll make no excuses for it, and I think there are considerable advantages, lifestyle-wise. In fact, the sheer pussy opportunities in Asia can be quite distracting. I've often advocated guys have a bit of fun at first to get it out of the system but then lock down something quality out here. It's the way to stay sane.

And I think the whole "commitment is beta" stuff is for followers. So take that.

I've also always been pretty faithful to my girlfriends when sober. I always cheated but it only happened at parties when boozed up - never been much for being covert and sneaky. It's just not me. Now that I don't drink, well... I even lined up a couple coffee dates in Nam, one with a TV producer, and never pulled the trigger. It is what it is.

G-Global, are you a bachelor again?

[Global Entry]

No I'm engaged, but I have the cafeteria plan. Main course is always the same, but I get occasional trips to the salad bar. Just need to keep the dirty plates out of sight.

(12-09-2014 07:48 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

^ Spend as many years in Southeast Asia as I have, stomping your liver into the dirt and banging hookers without a condum every night, and one chick is a very stabilizing, refreshing experience. Anyhow, I've fucked hundreds women, but I've always been a bit of a serial monagamist and have spent one to 2 year relationships with quite a few along the way. They provided some of the best times of my life - I don't imagine this'll be the last either, as I tend to wander off eventually.

I see nothing wrong with a steady thing in Asia (or anywhere), I'll make no excuses for it, and I think there are considerable advantages, lifestyle-wise. In fact, the sheer pussy opportunities in Asia can be quite distracting. I've often advocated guys have a bit of fun at first to get it out of the system but then lock down something quality out here. It's the way to stay sane.

And I think the whole "commitment is beta" stuff is for followers. So take that.

I've also always been pretty faithful to my girlfriends when sober. I always cheated but it only happened at parties when boozed up - never been much for being covert and sneaky. It's just not me. Now that I don't drink, well... I even lined up a couple coffee dates in Nam, one with a TV producer, and never pulled the trigger. It is what it is.

G-Global, are you a bachelor again?

[crisj]

Hi Guys

Just had my login details approved, i've been following this thread for a while waiting to contribute as have been living in Danang for around 6 weeks now and can give you the lowdown.

So a little about me.

I'm in my early thirties, well travelled and recently left a good job in the UK to take some time out and pursue other interests abroad. I hit up China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia before setting foot in Vietnam with a view to settling down here for a couple of months.

I initially spent a few weeks in Saigon but found it a little too hot and sticky for my taste so settled on Danang as a good alternative. It's really wet here now and fairly cold by Vietnam standards, but the weather tends to improve around January and gets really hot toward September.

Danang is a friendly place, it's growing rapidly and the tourism industry is booming. There are lots of high end hotels here with many more currently being built at a rapid rate. There is lots of opportunity here; if you have any experience in the hotel industry you'd no doubt walk into a job as there's a shortage of Western managers. There's also good opportunities here for setting up bars/restaurants etc and the locals tell me these can be wholly owned by a foreigner now, although im yet to confirm this.

The nightlife is decent but nothing like you'll get in Saigon. I've hit up most of the bars here now and there's a good mix of expats, tourists and locals-although i tend to stay away from the expat haunts. If you're looking for thumping nightlife this is not the place, but the bar scene is decent most nights of the week especially at the weekends.

I would describe the food as 'ok.' There are two main supermarkets here which you'll need a motorbike to get to, but the choices are a little limited and im finding eating healthy and getting consistent levels of protein in a challenge. Luckily i've started dating a local girls who sells protein at the gym, although it's still hugely overpriced at around $70 a tub

The cost of living here is low but apartment prices are rising all the time due to an influx of foreigners. You can still get a nice one bed place for around $500 month but you'll have to sign up for at least six months, preferably 12 for the best rates, so a big commitment. Again the best advice is to make friends with some locals as two tier pricing here is rampant.

There are around 20 language schools here now so English teaching work is readily available although it's typical to work a few hours in different schools as full time posts are rare. Like most of Asia a white face, TEFL and degree is all that's required. I've met quite a few teachers now that have been here for a few years and really enjoy the city.

If you're location independent and looking for a place to chill out for a while i can highly recommend it here. As a long term place to stay im not sure if there's quite enough here compared to Saigon/Bangkok/Chiang Mai etc and these may ultimately be better bets.

So there you have it, a very quick overview of Danang-any questions fire away, and if anyone's in town drop me a message and we'll go for a beer or two.

Cheers

[JayJuanGee]

(12-10-2014 01:05 PM)crisj Wrote:  

I would describe the food as 'ok.' There are two main supermarkets here which you'll need a motorbike to get to, but the choices are a little limited and im finding eating healthy and getting consistent levels of protein in a challenge. Luckily i've started dating a local girls who sells protein at the gym, although it's still hugely overpriced at around $70 a tub

I find your above statement about protein to be of interest to me. I am planning to travel through that area for a couple of weeks, so a couple of weeks is NOT a big deal; however, my travel companion keeps laughing and telling me that she is going to turn me into "noodle man."

My preference is to eat meat and paleo type whole foods - yet you are indicating that you are buying protein in a tub, which sounds far from whole and/or natural. Also, next to the sea, so wouldn't there be seafood eating options?

I also read somewhere on the forum that when ordering food, a guy can just ask for extra protein and pay a little extra for that like $1 or $2.

[Patriarch]

All food is cheap, and that includes meat and seafood. To give you some concrete numbers to work with:

Breakfast: Bowl of mi quang without noodles, extra meat. $1.65
Lunch: Rice with beef, pork, and two kinds of fish. And I mean 4 servings of meat, not a couple bites like you may think. $2.60
Dinner: Entire grilled chicken, head and all, in some kind of Chinese spice rub and sauce. $6.60

Yeah, protein powder is expensive. You don't really need it though. I thought the main reason people used protein powder in the West was because it is the cheapest form of protein available. Not the case here.

JayJuanGee, seafood (hai san, don't feel like typing the special characters) and river/freshwater food (dac san) especially are very cheap by western standards. I think you'll be alright. You can order pretty much any noodle soup without the noodles.

If you want to eat a little bit nicer, my favorite restaurant's prices are about:
Clay pot rice: $0.40
Sauteed pork and Chinese sauerkraut: $1.65
Sweet and sour red snapper: $1.65
Pork and garlic in a savory tomato sauce: .......$1.65
Sour soup with fish: $1.41
Braised eggplant and sweet potato stalks: $0.94

These are pretty typical to a class of restaurant that I consider lower midrange. That's only if you don't want to leave it to chance with street food and risk getting really oily or salty food. That being said, the really cheap restaurants I go to are pretty damn good and not very greasy.

[RIslander]

I'm planning to hit Vietnam from Jan 15-Feb 15. I'm a kitesurfer so Mui Ne looks appealing... any data on that locale? I am also considering Da Nang for part of or all of the trip.