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Hi thanks for your post.

I have been traveling since yesterday, I am back in the States now for a month (and to vote). In fact I logged out after sending my post you responded to. Let me address your questions one at a time:

Vietnam still has a communist government. Yes. I do not deal with the government, do not work in Vietnam, so I do not have much observation about that. I am there attempting to learn the language, and just enjoying myself.

People are not vocal about the government. They simply do not discuss it. Ever. I am quite happy with that, as I do not want attention in that regard, and I would not want them to have attention in that regard. It is a communist government. Yes. However the relations with America seem to be improving now.

But you won’t hear any feedback from the locals about things, and you won’t hear any feedback from me, as well. Do not worry about it. I think that is the way to deal with things. Really I have had zero contact with, or concern about, things such as government. But then again, I don’t talk about that.

I have mentioned to each of them, that I am for Donald Trump (American politics seems a safe subject). They all seem quite willing to discuss American politics, and seem interested in him. Seems I am the foreigner they know who is strongly for Trump (I am completely open about who I am supporting), in fact it seems a completely safe subject. I limit discussions to American politics. I simply do not even mention local politics. Ever.

I really do not know if anyone expects bribes. I am not working there, so I really have no contact with any agency which might. That said, America seems to be developing good relations with the country. Maybe someone else knows more about this, than I do.

Infrastructure is good. There is a lot there, and it seems well-maintained, for the most part. I compare what is in Vietnam in some ways with what is in Thailand, or Cambodia, but it seems more organized. With three main differences.

First off, there is not much nightlife. They just don’t really do that. Vietnam is not the place to go if you are interested in free-wheeling sex, or your idea of a good time is to sit in a bar getting looped. If that is what you are looking for, there are plenty of other places which would probably be more to your liking. On the other hand, it IS possible to meet a girl and have a serious relationship.

Think of how things used to be in America. If you like a girl, you can meet a girl, but be aware she will be thinking about you as a possible mate. From the beginning. Be serious and upfront. Do not take advantage of them, and you’ll do fine, probably. But again, Vietnam is not the place to go, just to play. Don’t do that there, is my thought. Go somewhere else, for that, if that is what you’re looking for.

The second point is, there is a great deal of attention made, to keep streets clean. Every night, it seems. A lot of the attention via people with an actual broom, out cleaning things up. Also the same, for road construction. Lots of work goes on at night. You will find a great deal of things to pay attention to, to keep you on your toes about the local conditions, but it does seem clean.

Third difference. There seems to be a good amount of effort made, to keep the wiring city-wide organized, as it is in America. By comparison in some countries, there is an amount of wiring which seems excessive, almost free-wheeling. It seems organized in Vietnam.

There is a huge amount of rain now. For about half the year (just starting to wind down right now, for the year). If you are driving (said, not encouraging that, it can be extremely risky) but if you do, be aware that sudden rainstorms can cause the flooding of the road, under over-passes and other places.

Since many, many people are riding scooters, keep that very much in mind. The thing is people drive slower when it rains. There are definite risks to driving there, but then again it is possible, and very convenient. Just be very, very, very aware traffic there, is not traffic here. It is completely ungoverned. Really. Completely free-wheeling. And dangerous, yes.

I have not had any contact with the healthcare system yet. That said, other foreigners have told me to maintain an overseas medical policy which will cover you in a hospital. I think the care here is good, but again I have not had any first-hand experience with that yet, and I am maintaining my overseas coverage just in case.

Housing is pretty cheap, if you look. Hotels can gobble up your savings, but if you get out and find a real place, it is very reasonable. Hotels are not though.

Very little violent theft. It is so non-violent here actually one can be lulled into losing something to being snatched. That is a problem. I had a phone stolen right out of my hand, by a pair on a motorcycle in fact. I then had the replacement, also grabbed, but I held onto that one. Now I have a very inexpensive phone I use in public.

That seems to be an issue. Locals are also robbed. But I have not yet heard of a violent theft.

One comparison I heard, was someone saying that women are more frequent victims, and also foreigners. I agree with that. So be careful when in public. That said, there is virtually NO violent crime. It just doesn’t really happen, at least that I have heard about, or seen. Nothing.

Good questions. Hope you find the information useful.

It is quite an interesting place. So far, so good.

Thanks.