Why Vietnam is perfect for travellers over 60
Cameron Mackenzie, is a New Zealander who has lived in Japan and Korea for a number of years but now finds himself ensconced in Vietnam. He is currently working as a Sales Supervisor for CBRE and residing in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Vietnam appeals on so many levels. If you are retired, or just a 'mature' traveller, then why not head here during those depressing winter months and enjoy some hot weather and sun-soaked ocean views from your apartment balcony! Work on your tan or take daily swims at a glorious beach where the water is perfect. Fill up your days with varied activities available to you or just enjoy the tranquillity; fill in that crossword with your morning coffee or chip away at the large selection of books uploaded to your Kindle.
If you fancy moving around and seeing more of what this fascinating place has to offer, I suggest you take a good month or two and avoid your rather dreary winter back home. Fly direct to Vietnam or stop-over on the way to break up the journey. Vietnam is a very safe destination! Get settled in a particular beach-side location and become a local. If you are the adventurous couple, consider selecting two destinations far enough apart to allow you to do everything in between! Multiple and single entry visas are cheap and available for either one or three months. Once here, domestic travel is safe, cheap and painless.
Make Nha Trang or Da Nang your base. If you are going to be somewhere, you may as well be by the ocean! Both locations offer affordable rental accommodation and a low cost of living. If you are over the temple/museum visits and prefer an early morning or late afternoon stroll along a golden sand beach.... then these two locations are perfect for you. Rent a cheap bicycle and ride along the beach promenade or head out towards the picturesque peninsular to view the large pagoda sitting seven storeys above the ocean cliffs. It's basically flat terrain here - perfect for those wishing to avoid over-exertion.
Fully furnished accommodation can be found either on the beach front, a block or two back but with ocean views or within a few hundred meters of the main beach…. and it will be roughly 50 per cent cheaper than what you would pay for the same quality accommodation back home. Quite often in these complexes, a gym and pool is available free of charge or for a small fee. Some restaurants/bars on the beach front have their own pools you can use. These apartments are mostly serviced (two or three times a week) and have security on duty 24/7.
Living here is relatively stress free even though you probably won't speak a word of Vietnamese on arrival! Not to worry, children here learn English from primary school and shop owners in and around the tourist areas will most likely speak basic or surprisingly good English. Almost every coffee shop, restaurant and bar will have free wifi so you can always remain connected no matter where you are... and don't worry, there is no charge for use of their wifi! You may be semi-retired (still need to check those emails and be available for online meetings, etc.) and so remaining connected 24/7 may appeal.
Both locations have modern hospitals, movie theatres, shopping malls, dental clinics and optometrists. By the way, this is a great opportunity to capitalise on inexpensive dentistry and spectacles. These are small coastal cities with a laid back feel, nice wide streets (compared to most cities in VN) and a vibrant and diverse bar/restaurant scene. Stop by your local market (everyone has one) and purchase fruit and vegetables for what we were paying back home 15 years ago. Hardly a day goes by when I do not enjoy a delicious fruit smoothie first thing in the morning.
Visas are easy and relatively cheap to obtain. Actually, the prices on these have just recently been reduced. Extensions are possible if you just don't wish to leave!
Play golf at a Championship Links course (cheap!). Why not head out to an island to explore; go for a snorkel, dive or just rent a Kayak or perhaps a motorbike. If that sounds far too exhausting then just sit on the balcony and enjoy that view and the warm weather whilst family and friends are freezing their tails off at home or sitting in traffic on their way to and from work!
On occasions you need to haggle to get the best price. I have honed my skills after having lived in Asia for so long. I urge you to learn how to count in Vietnamese. This will make shopping in particular, much easier.
It will not take long at all... a few days at most to memorize and it will make the world of difference. If you want a cultural experience, far cheaper prices (halved in the case of fresh fruit and vegetables) and to remove a stressful aspect of being in a foreign land; then just make the effort. Remember, the dear old ladies selling in the markets will not speak English and only half will have a cardboard sign with the price of their wares on it. While we are on the subject of food, you could join a cooking class and learn how to make some Vietnamese delicacies.
Finally, domestic travel in Vietnam is ridiculously cheap! Flying from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh in the south only takes two hours. Pack a small bag and make use of the Friday Fare Frenzies they have on Jetstar or what seems to be constant specials on Vietjet! There are also very beautiful and interesting locations just a few hours away by bus.
You can choose to do as much or as little as you want.
Have you ever been to Vietnam, and if so how did you find the experience? Do you feel as though you would like to return at some stage?
Let us know in the comments.
Find more information on Vietnam at the Vietnam Travel Apartments website.
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