[DamonHVictor]

(04-23-2017 04:16 AM)Northern Wrote:  

Is there a legal way to stay in VN for a few months (3 to 6)? It looks like all the websites advertising VN visas are not not legitimate -
http://vietnamembassy.org.au/thu-tuc-cho...i-goc-Viet

My first trip to Vietnam in October 2015, they only had 1-month and 3-month visas. When I got my visa in October 2016 they had a special 1-year multi-entry visa for Americans. I'm not sure if the visa system has reverted to what it was before....it seems pretty fluid. I used vietnamimmigration.com and yeah, at first it seems a total crap shoot with finding a legitimate visa website.

[airelibre]

You're right about the visa regulations constantly changing here.

There is a new official government portal for applying for e-visas. No embassy visit required:
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/...uc-dien-tu

[dogthom]

So I decided to spend a few weeks in Da Nang over Chang Mai.

I'm wondering what I can expect from the free-lancers there in the bars. Are they any good? Over priced? I've heard they want $100? Do they go back to your apartment?

I really don't like paying for it, but I've been pipe lining heavily on Viet Cupid, and so far I'm getting lots of interest from 3 and 4's and older single moms. Many are really fugly.

I'm sure sleeping them would be easy with a bit of effort, but dealing with the post sex aftermath would not be fun.

I'm not into breaking hearts or leading girls on, or dealing with 20 text messages a day especially when they know where I live.

It's a pretty conservative town; not sure how many are down for no strings sex only with a middle aged white guy.

Thoughts?

[Henny]

I had sex with a 50 something year old Milf in Ban Da Nang, so I suppose I banged a gran in ban da nang

[Papi Rico]

(06-26-2017 09:36 AM)Henny Wrote:  

I had sex with a 50 something year old Milf in Ban Da Nang, so I suppose I banged a gran in ban da nang

Just to be clear, it's Da Nang. There is no Bang and Ban prefix in the city's name. Officially it's Thành phố Đà Nẵng. I'm not sure how you could have actually visited and missed that part, but the 50-year old milf sounds like great fun.

(06-26-2017 09:36 AM)dogthom Wrote:  

I'm wondering what I can expect from the free-lancers there in the bars. Are they any good? Over priced? I've heard they want $100? Do they go back to your apartment?

I really don't like paying for it, but I've been pipe lining heavily on Viet Cupid, and so far I'm getting lots of interest from 3 and 4's and older single moms. Many are really fugly.

With all due respect, I'd venture to say you're on the wrong forum. Plenty of "middle-aged White guys" have passed through without having to resort to shoring or smashing 3's and 4's on VietCupid. Step up your game.

[Wander]

Can someone tell me what the surfing is like in Ban Da Nang, are there decent beach breaks there for beginners?

[PduJ]

I am landing here tomorrow to see what it is about. PM for a beer and some good talks

[Mortay]

Hey guys. So I just spend 3 weeks in Da Nang for a visa run, and pretty much what everyone has said previously is still accurate. (Shout out to Papi Rico and everyone else who contributed to this thread. You guys helped me plan my trip perfectly)

Here is my review:

Da Nang is probably not the best city for game, but definitely a good place for an expat or digital nomad looking to reside somewhere long term. Even though I was preoccupied most of the time working on my online business, I still managed to get 2 lays (one night game, one tinder), explore the sights, chill at the beach, and get some great food. The beach is nice and quiet during the day. There are tons of coffee shops all over the place (however Wifi can be kinda spotty). It is easy to get around by foot, and food is incredibly cheap.

I stayed right on Bach Dang Street with an awesome river view overlooking the psychedelic bridges that light up at night. It was central to everything and a prime location for pulling. I rented a scooter for $5/day and it was about a 5 min drive to the beach. Unfortunately, I didn't see much surfing going on in the main beach area (near Temple Danang), but there may have been some other surf locations nearby. Driving in Da Nang is not bad at all. There's barely any traffic although the horn pollution can be annoying. As suggested earlier, I think it is better to stay on the city side rather than the beach side. I didn't see a lot going on the beach side other than older tourists staying in hotels and a lot of construction. However, it may be worth staying over there if the beach is your top priority as there are still plenty of good bars and restaurants.

Generally, everything in Da Nang closes pretty early, which sucks if you are trying to get late night food. During the week, the city shuts down at about 11pm except for a few bars like the Golden Pine and Bamboo Bar. It's hard to find anything else open after 11pm, but there are a few street food places you can find. During the weekends, places stay open a little later and bars will close around 2 or 3am.

Sky Bar at Novotel Hotel is probably the best club to go to. There are actually a lot of Asian tourists there but it is still decent talent with a good female ratio. The majority of girls will be Korean chicks on vacation, so it is not a bad spot to pick up a Korean flag assuming she is not on vacation with her bf. You can also check out Waterfront Bar, which is more of a modern bar that does live music and brings in an older crowd. You will find western girls in their 30's to 40's who are on vacation trying to relive their "pre-wall" years. This could be a good opportunity for an easy lay with a thirsty older western woman. The Dawn Beach Bar is a laid back shack bar on the beach which makes a great date spot. If all else fails, the Golden Pine is always the best option to fall back on where it is consistently packed with locals and expats mingling to loud EDM blasting.

From my experience, I found the girls in Da Nang very friendly and receptive. They will definitely talk to you and engage with you in friendly manner... but do not take that as a sign that she is interested in you sexually at first! There is no need to game here right off the bat. Make her willingness to be friends with you work in your favor. If you come off as a non-threatening innocent friend, she will feel comfortable to meet you later for a date, and then you can work your magic when isolated.

If you are looking for a good gym, there is one called Olympia for $8/month. It's got all the weights you need for lifting. There is a fancier gym called California Fitness for like $30/month. Other than that, here is a list of my favorite food and cafe spots:

Vietnamese
Bánh xèo bà Dưỡng- best vietnamese pancakes
Hue Ngon Restaurant
Viet Bamboo Restaurant
Taco Ngon- great tacos

Cafe
Cafe Namumamu- good wifi, coffee, and variety of food
Cộng Cà Phê- strong vietnamese coffee, popular Korean destination
TMS Coffee- good vietnamese coffee, good wifi

Western
Red Sky- literally called "the best steak in town"
Al Fresco's- good overall western food
Limoncello- Italian

I can definitely see Da Nang a viable option for living long term as it is still relatively under the radar. I will definitely be returning at least for another visit. There are barely any tourists around, no backpackers, so you definitely stand out as a foreigner. Walking down the streets, you will get a ton of looks from the locals (mostly taxi drivers), but they are extremely friendly and will not hassle you too bad. With the hotel construction going on, it's only a matter of time before Da Nang blows up, so take advantage of this gem now!

[John Michael Kane]

Welcome to the forum Mortay, and thanks for the write-up. Rep point added. Da Nang is tops on my chart for long-term digital nomading in Vietnam. I like the chill factor much better than in a massive city like Saigon or Hanoi. Question: How did you find the air pollution there? Bad, manageable or minimal?

[Mortay]

I'd say minimal...Being close to the water, the air seemed a lot fresher and cooler compared to Bkk. Also, I had no mosquito issues, didn't get bit once.

[Cr33pin]

(08-03-2017 05:29 PM)Mortay Wrote:  

There is a fancier gym called California Fitness for like $30/month.

Nicest gym I have seen in any country I have been to.... an after coming from Bangkok and spending $140 a month for a gym membership (gainz are life), I was blown away to find out how cheap California Fitness was.

[GetSchwifty]

Hi all, and thank you OP and the other guys for the precious advice. I am new here, I am a digital nomad usually based in Bangkok. I got tired of the Thai visa BS, I am now in Saigon and will go check out Da Nang next Saturday.

My long term plan is to live in Bangkok 3 month and another city (out of Thailand) 3 month.

Plan for next week is reckon the city, hitting the gym again (I've been injured for the last 3 weeks), eat healthy, and bang my first Vietnamese chick (didn't manage to score, it's MUCH harder here than in Thailand it seems).

See ya guys there !

[Seth_Rose]

(08-06-2017 01:30 AM)GetSchwifty Wrote:  

Hi all, and thank you OP and the other guys for the precious advice. I am new here, I am a digital nomad usually based in Bangkok. I got tired of the Thai visa BS, I am now in Saigon and will go check out Da Nang next Saturday.

My long term plan is to live in Bangkok 3 month and another city (out of Thailand) 3 month.

Plan for next week is reckon the city, hitting the gym again (I've been injured for the last 3 weeks), eat healthy, and bang my first Vietnamese chick (didn't manage to score, it's MUCH harder here than in Thailand it seems).

See ya guys there !

How is the Vietnamese visa situation? Is it better than Thailand or are you just going to be switching between different countries?

[GetSchwifty]

I think it's much easier, they are pretty lax. It depends of your nationality, personally I had to pay $19 to get a "pre-approval" letter, then $25 stamping fee at the airport and I got 3 month. No questions asked. I think you can renew it pretty easy.

So doing 3 month Thailand/ 3 month Vietnam seems like a plan, then none of them can falsely accuse you to work illegaly in the country and deny entry.

[Seth_Rose]

Thanks man! Didn't know 3 months was an option for a tourist visa.

[Kdog]

Any websites you guys use to look for apartments?

[John Michael Kane]

On Facebook you can join the group Da Nang Expats which buy/sell/rent listings. Different prices, different locations. Not a bad place to start.

[Lunar Torch]

Somebody can indicate me where to rent an automatic scooter (Honda or Yamaha)? The places I called asked for a huge deposit (600 usd) or my original passport.

[CleanSlate]

(09-21-2017 01:40 AM)Lunar Torch Wrote:  

Somebody can indicate me where to rent an automatic scooter (Honda or Yamaha)? The places I called asked for a huge deposit (600 usd) or my original passport.

Are you staying in a hotel for a short time, or in an apartment long term?

Although I'm not in Da Nang, Vietnamese hotels usually have bikes for you to rent, albeit shitty ones but they still do the job. By law, you do have to give the hotel your passport but that's never an issue.

If you're staying long term (6+ months), I recommend you buy a bike. It costs less over time than renting. If you insist on renting, offer to give them a photocopy of your passport. If they want your original passport, look elsewhere.

Never heard of them asking for a $600 deposit... LOL you can buy a bike for that!

[Fortis]

I'm shocked guys didn't like Da Nang, it has that perfect friendly vibe. It was the perfect break from Busy-ass China. I will be back there eventually.

[RatInTheWoods]

Da Nang is pretty chill, great beaches and uncrowded place, easy scootering around.

By the way, NEVER give them your passport when you rent a scooter. Just offer them around $200 deposit. If they say no, try another place, someone will take it.

Same deal in Thailand. I always get a scooter without leaving your passport. I think you'd be crazy to leave your passport over a scooter hire.

Be aware a rare shady trick in Thailand for them to come and take your scooter with the spare key in the late night, to make you think it's stolen, and of course you have to pay for it.
I usually tell them a different hotel to the one I am staying at, so they can't find it when they come looking. This is also another reason for not leaving your passport, your max risk is $200.

[Lunar Torch]

(09-21-2017 01:58 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

Are you staying in a hotel for a short time, or in an apartment long term?

I'll stay a few months in a condo... Still hesitating between the beach side and the city centre, I'll visit both by scooter tomorrow. RVF people on this thread recommend to stay downtown, but the few people I have met in Danang told me they prefer to live on the beach side...

(09-21-2017 05:07 AM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  

By the way, NEVER give them your passport when you rent a scooter. Just offer them around $200 deposit.

That's exactly what I did. I have finally found less exigent rental places on facebook, they are harder to find than the ones listed on google maps but have much better deals (around 60 usd / month instead of 150 usd for an automatic non-vietamese brand).

[Malone]

I preferred the beach, but that's because I hate people and traffic and there's far less of them there.

The big road right on the beach is great for scootering too. Mostly empty.

[RatInTheWoods]

+1 for the beach, its chill and not far to scoot in to the action.

You can also game the tourist women in and around some major hotels there, if you tire of local action.

[soltopia]

I found Da Nang to be incredibly dull and spent more time in Hoi An, which sucked too after a while with all the Chinese tourists spitting everywhere.

Why would anyone choose to stay in Da Nang when you have Saigon, Bangkok, Bali etc so close.