Da Nang, Vietnam, our house near China Beach

[TheElmerfudd2]

That's not China Beach. I went to Combined Action Program School at China Beach. It was in an old French fort, very early January 1969.

[THETOYOTAable]

@rb368370.

IS NOT CHINA BEACH, is SOUTHEAST ASIA BEACH OR EAST VIETNAM BEACH IN VIETNAM.

[rb368370]

@THETOYOTAable In VN it is called My Khe Beach and you're right it's not China beach. But you must find it interesting how names become no longer acceptable due to political reasons. The audience for this video is actually US Vietnam War veterans who will always know the beach In Da Nang as China Beach. It has nothing to do with China however and was named after a USO canteen at the end of the road at the beach.

[THETOYOTAable]

@rb368370 .

YES, i respect you that is not china beach but is was name china beach. thanks for loving VN.

[22lovejon]

great video!! spot on house, just perfect all the house is lovely

[braydentanle]

Thats not China beach, mf. Thats Da Nang beach.

[FriedxTofu]

you have a wonderful house. Are u pretty far from the Hyatt Regency soon to be opened?

[rb368370]

@FriedxTofu Not far but not a walk either. I think that's done by the Marble Mountains. I am now living near Monkey Mountain and this house is in between very near the Han River Bridge.

[FriedxTofu]

@rb368370 thanks for the reply, i`m actually considering seeking employment in vietnam. i was born in vietnam, and now an american citizen. What's your take on finding employment there and living there for a college graduate like myself?

[rb368370]

@rb368370 Have you been back to Vietnam recently?

[ShikataGaNai100]

Wonderful place. I notice that a lot of fellow Disabled Veterans are considering going ex-pat to VN. to retire. How difficult is it to become a permanent resident in VN? Thanks, and again, very nice place.

[rb368370]

@ShikataGaNai100 It's impossible to become a permanent resident. I am on a 5 year visa exemption but I still must leave the country every 3 months; OR get an extension. I recommend Malaysia or Lao where foreigners can own land. Viet Nam still is closed to foreigner direct ownership or residency.

[ShikataGaNai100]

@rb368370 I actually would like to retire in Japan...Iriomote-jima to be precise. It is nearly impossible for someone to get Special Permanent Resident status in Japan or Korea. The best I can do is a 3-year as a graduate student, or 3 - 5 year as an English teacher.

[warpspeedfd]

May I ask how much it cost to build a house like yours? Is Al house still available for sale?

[rb368370]

@warpspeedfd In 2007 it cost roughly 40,000 USD with another 5-10 to fix a few things and make additions. Nowadays after inflation it could cost 50% more. Yes Al's house is still for sale.

We were so unhappy with the construction management and the quality of the finish work, my wife managed the second house herself. She bought all the materials and used real quality people for the finish work. It cost more but we're very happy with the results. In the end that's what matters.

[GimmeKitty]

How much is rent? Other living expenses? Looks pretty decent. I hear a Boston accent. You from there?

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty Boston it is. Rent 500 month.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 Wow, rent's CHEAP for such nice digs!

How does one move there?

I need a change from silly Seattle, WA!

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty It's getting hard to live here as a tourist but it can be done. To rent a house you may need a job contract and a work permit. The rules have changed recently in Da Nang. I can find out exactly if you're actually coming. Other cities may be different.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 I would just want maybe something to rent for about a week or two as a tourist.

Say, not to get too icky on you, but what's the pest (bug) situation like there? Are homes fumigated or pests controlled? I hear the culture reveres the presence of bugs, excepting those that they eat, of course.

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty I think you should get a good guide book on Viet Nam and learn something about the country before planning your trip. Viet Nam is in the tropics. For a few weeks in Viet Nam there are some lovely and clean, to western standards, resorts and hotels worth every penny.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 I've read about living in Vietnam, however not about the pest situation and the degree to which bugs are dealt with and killed, is all.

Are homes infested with them, at the outset? Was yours? I truly don't mean to sound ignorant, just that I have never read of this being addressed before.

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty I live in a house with Eurowindows which have rubber seals. We keep the doors and windows shut most of the time and use AC. My wife is a fastidious house cleaner. Once a week we find a cockroach in the house. How does it get in? I don't know. They're very smart and opportunistic. Is this an infestation, no. If food drops to the floor, I can guarantee ants will be on it in 15 minutes. Where do they come from, I don't know. Is this an infestation, no. It's very subjective.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 I see. I understand. Yes, one or two or three bugs does NOT an infestation make, that's for certain! I am very impressed with how very cheaply you live, therein, I must confess :)

How, please, did you find the place? Your tour makes it seems as though you live in a Manse. The house is rather large.

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty It's not a mansion but only a row house in a new development. We built the place. It's rented now and for the next 3 months. 

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 Wow, the home looks big, I must say ...

You built it? What do you mean, YOU or your firm, or ... you and your wife?

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty To be explicit, my wife and I had it built.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 I understand. Does she work for an architectural firm, or is she an architect? SORRY to be so inquisitive. It's in my nature, alas.

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty My wife is a retired Cai Luong singer and now a housewife.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 Oh, wow!

May I assume she's Asian, or Asian-American?

How did you and she meet? (Sorry, I am just a curious George, here. Always have been inquisitive)

[rb368370]

@GimmeKitty Email me at rb368370@gmail.com if you really want to continue the conversation. YouTube comment page is public.

[GimmeKitty]

@rb368370 I will sincerely consider doing so. Sorry to have irked you so, publicly.

[tedt282nd]

I am from boston originaly too now live in Florida. I don't like the path the country is going on and am seriousely thinking of moving. I am currently looking at Panama where I have a few special forces friends living there after moving from costa rica. Them a though came to me how about back to the nam for peace and tranquility. Sick of the hietle and bustle here and sick of all the politicians straling for themselves and killing this country..

[rb368370]

@tedt282nd I'm sorry to tell you that politicians stealing goes on everywhere and for as long as people have had power. Politicians in the US and Boston in specific are notorious for decriminalizing fraud. In fact VN reminds me a lot of Boston when I was growing up. I can pay a policeman for services and actually get to know him. In the US I'll never meet a member of Congress. I like VN for a number of reasons. The people are warm, friendly and inviting, and my wife is here.

[tedt282nd]

Sounds like you have a Boston Accent..Are you from Boston??I was in Da Nang in 79-70 scenery was beautiful back then now with no war it must be breath taking. The people always seemed to put up with the americans ..Are foreigners welcome??

[rb368370]

@tedt282nd Hi Ted, Yes I'm from Boston. Foreigners are definitely welcome. When you marry one and actually live with VN people, they draw you into the tribe, so to speak. Living here isn't easy but the people make it worthwhile.

[AirCanada014]

Very nice video RB. I'm so jealous you live in my home country I've never been back to Vietnam since I left the country in April 12, 1975. I'm planning to go back and visit my country for the first time after 37yrs. I came to Canada as an orphan and being raised by Canadian family so I never really get to know my background. I'm looking forward to visiting in few years from now. Thats a very nice home you have :)

[rb368370]

@AirCanada014 Don't come running quite yet, living here isn't so easy.

[globalhippietrail]

any backpackers hostel or chalets in danang?

[rb368370]

@globalhippietrail Backpacker hostels are getting fewer and farther between. There are plenty of cheap hotels though.

[saigondj]

To obtain such lifestyle in Vietnam, you need a gameplan. majority of us just are drawn to about how fun and how relax life in VN can be, but you have no idea what's behind the scence to sustain such lifestyle. Most VK would go broke in VN in a few months. They know how to blow money, but not make money. Thats' why you keep hearing "i wish i wish i wish". Reality of most VKs is to be part of the rat race in the a US, then escape to VN every few years. Period

[rb368370]

@saigondj It's true. VK or NNN need to have a reason for living here. You need a transportable career that can take root in the country or in Asia. Otherwise it's just a money hole.

[saigondj]

@rb368370 yeah, you rarely see a VK live there for extended amount of time. Most ly for a vacation break, then return back to work to make up for their spending spree in VN. a money hole is an accurate description

[eric91792]

nice house, I wish I could live there and have a house, so much fun there. I could just dream. I'm in the US.

[rb368370]

@eric91792 The new one's nicer.

[lekhacvu]

@eric91792

If you go to Vietnam, need informations about Vietnam travel, Let's contact with me. I'm a tour guide

[legogamecreator]

You have a nice house feel free to PM me cause i am from around there

[mixerd0822]

hi rb,im from the boston area,have always wanted to visit vietnam.you said feel free to drop bye and stay? are you serious? would love to come visit, meet your family as well,drop a line.please

[rb368370]

@mixerd0822 Yup, but we're getting ready to move out of this house and rent it. What are your plans?

[mixerd0822]

@rb368370 sometime this winter for a week?

[rb368370]

@mixerd0822 Talk to me more about it in email, rb368370@gmail.com

[rb368370]

@mixerd0822 email me at rb368370@gmail.com

[lekhacvu]

@mixerd0822

If you go to Vietnam, need informations about Vietnam travel, Let's contact with me. I'm a tour guide

chimanhvu_04 (my yahoo messenger)

[lucirz]

are you from boston? u have a boston accent

[rb368370]

@lucirz Yep

[mimosel1]

Very nice house. You got all the comfort such as air conditioning, hot water, bathroom style, especially the sea and the breeze. I would like to write to you more sort of therapy for me. I wonder if it is possible using your email address and not through youtube. I currently living in Texas and had been to Danang only 3 days and 2 nights. I wish that I could live there for the rest of my life.

Yours

mimosel1

[rb368370]

@mimosel1 Feel free to use my email address: rb368370@gmail.com

[lekhacvu]

@rb368370

If you go to Vietnam, need informations about Vietnam travel, Let's contact with me. I'm a tour guide

chimanhvu_04 (my yahoo messenger)

[rb368370]

@mimosel1 feel free to use my email rb368370@gmail.com

[mimosel1]

Very nice house. You got all the comfort such as air conditioning, hot water, bathroom style, especially the sea and the breeze. I would like to write to you more sort of therapy for me. I wonder if it is possible using your email address and not through youtube. I currently living in Texas and had been to Danang only 3 days and 2 nights. I wish that I could live there for the rest of my life.

[mimosel1]

Very nice house. You got all the comfort such as air conditioning, hot water, bathroom style, especially the sea and the breeze. I would like to write to you more sort of therapy for me. I wonder if it is possible using your email address and not through youtube. I currently living in Texas and had been to Danang only 3 days and 2 nights. I wish that I could live there for the rest of my life.

Yours

Mimosel1

[diepqdo39]

Thành phố ĐA-Nẵng cũng khá đẹp,rất tiếc năm 2005 có đi XUYEN VIET do SAIGON TOURIST tổ chức,nhưng chỉ đi qua và nghỉ ở ĐA-NANG thôi chứ chưa được đi tham quan thành phố.Hy vọng năm nay lại về VN chơi và sẽ đến thăm ĐA-NANG.Đề nghị ban lãnh đạo đổi tên CHINA BEACH vì để nó nghe chướng tai,gai mắt lắm

[lekhacvu]

@diepqdo39

If you go to Vietnam, need informations about Vietnam travel, Let's contact with me. I'll give you what I know without fare.

I'm a tour guide from HCM city

chimanhvu_04 (my yahoo messenger)

097 4344 451

[AWV34]

That's a very beautiful home. Thanks for the tour. Nice neighborhood, too. Do you work in Vietnam? Retired? Looks like a good place to retire. Gov officials bother you?

[MixMeAdrink]

Are you a businessman? Seem like a pretty expensive house.

[KobeSpawn]

looks like the philippines

[lekhacvu]

@KobeSpawn

If you go to Vietnam, need informations about Vietnam travel, Let's contact with me. I'll give you what I know without fare.

I'm a tour guide from HCM city

chimanhvu_04 (my yahoo messenger)

097 4344 451

[ngot74]

Sorry but Vietnamese laws disallow foreigners to own property in Vietnam. Don't be mislead by this video contributor.

And if you have title deed under a Vietnamese relative or friend, you might be in a rude awakening.

[rb368370]

Foreign spouses of Vietnamese people have rights relative to property. They can't outright own the property but can determine the property's fate, especially in divorce situations. It's not as terrible as you imply.

[koenigma77]

@ngot74 I beleive the rules changed this year (2009) a foreginer can now own property, I am pretty sure of it after Tow months out there I was looking at boying a little something near Danang and remember reading that somewhere.

[sddn22]

miss DaNang, cant wait to go home

[nickvanle]

i was born in Da Nang my second visit back in Vietnam i cried when i was having a family dinner, my grandma talked about how she cried all night after we escape vietnam....i just bursted out crying...my third trip will be this December.

[rb368370]

I think you will be amazed of the changes in Da Nang.  Aside for the construction, everything else stays the same. It is unfortunate.

[kennyischino]

@nickvanle My dad talked about his escape too and I was not crying but was shocked and then it hit me. My grandpa and grandma stayed there because my family in da nang is huge and so he couldnt leave them, but after that I got teary. I too am going back too da nang in december

[asian08y2k]

Nice house.

I was born in Vietnam but left Vietnam when I was just a baby. I will be going in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing the country I was born in.

[rb368370]

I love Vietnam but living here is not as easy as it looks.

[asian08y2k]

Yeah, I've heard good and bad things about Vietnam. My dad was in the war and that's why we had to leave Vietnam. I've been in the States my whole life and I want to see and learn more about Vietnam.

[rb368370]

I was here during the war too. 1st Marine Air Wing - Chu Lai. There's a lot to learn and it's very complicated. I see VN as a very large minimum security prison. It's been getting better but it may only be appearnaces.

[tungchankiet]

Hey Bro,

I was born there, you make me miss them so much

[HEO2307]

Wow very nice, I love it! Makes me want to go back to Vietnam right now!! I think Vietnam steals peoples hearts and never lets go.

[rb368370]

Vietnam people steal your heart. The rest of it is a mess.

[rb368370]

Don't need me much to be happy, Hot water, ac, internet and cable tv. Everything else is part of the adventure.

[rb368370]

Yeah I needed a lot of help, my wife. It's in her name. Now, foreigners may be able to own condo's but I don't know the conditions. Someday, maybe in my lifetime, they'll open up ownership, maybe.

[alexanderaallison]

Richard,

Wow! What does a house like that cost? Hey, I love your videos!

Thanks,

Alexander

[rb368370]

We paid 16,000 for the land and 44,000 for the house. The house needed another 5000 in repairs to fix the errors. We just, a few weeks ago, changed some windows that leaked during the rainy season. Vietnam is cheap.

[lucirz]

nice video

[rb368370]

thanks, check out the channel.

[thanharossi]

I just wanted to say what a lovely home you have. My family live just down the road from you. I often stay at the Golden Sea when I visit as its close to my family. I am very interested in buying a home in the Son Tra District. It is a wonderful place to live and I want to snap up a property before it gets too popular in demand. Nice video tour.

[rb368370]

Thanks for your kind words. It's already popular. The city is opening new tracts north of us and along the beach. You should stop by and say hi, the next time you're in the area. Richard and Thu An.

[maindudethe]

Hi Richard,

Great video. Good to see you've settled in. Keep me posted.

Egons

[rb368370]

I put up a video made from photos I shot of an MIA Repatriation ceremony at Da Nang.