Is Vietnam the New China?

Hey Laowinners!

With all of this talk about a mass exodus of people and companies leaving China, it makes you wonder, where are they headed?

Despite the two nations hating each other more than even Japan vs. China, they are certainly doing a lot of business with each other, with Vietnam turning its northern landscape into a manufacturing hub for both Chinese and western companies. 

When Vivi was working for TCL, she was even offered a lead position in Hanoi for the Chinese TV company.

Industry aside, what about expats looking for that Asian experience? 

Vietnam has long had a decent sized expat community, and for good reason. I've been there twice now, once in 2012 and once in 2016. I rode the entire country on a clapped out Soviet bike with my buddy, Andy.

#1 - It's cheap.

This mess of beers cost me about $5. Don't worry, this is what the locals do with the empties, and we cleaned them up afterwards. 

I bought this old Soviet 2 stroke motorcycle for about $100 and rode the entire country.

#2 - Helpful folk + The authorities are not trying to arrest you, harass you, check your documents.

People who didn't speak a lick of English not only fixed our bikes for free, but gave us beer and food. 

We drank and ate, and talked in languages we didn't understand. We resorted to drawing pictures and playing drinking games. It was unfair, cus one dude had an extra thumb (effect of Agent Orange https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange in the area)

#3 - It's exotic. It looks like southern China with all the beautiful greenery, and dirty road side markets. One difference is that instead of almost hitting people in the road, I ran over a turkey... Don't know why there were turkeys there.

You can live out your communist fantasy as old school propaganda is everywhere. It's literally...  everywhere.

Road side markets sell everything, from cigarettes and snacks, to live animals and meals. Join the chaotic mess of craziness with motorcycle or scooter, pull off anywhere, make a friend, have fun. 

#4 - It's undeveloped and unexplored in many regions. Follow a beaten path, or get off of it, its definitely an adventure!

BTW, it's Communist, but YouTube isn't blocked ;)

Thanks for your support. It means everything to me and my family Have an AWESOME WEEK!