My first impression of Vietnam... after 6 years in Thailand

Description:
Saigon vs Bangkok — first impressions of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) after 6 years as a Thailand expat. Thinking about living in Vietnam? This is expat life in Vietnam vs Thailand, scored across 18 points #vietnam #expatlife #bangkok

For framing, I compare Saigon vs BKK across 18 points: cost of living, walkability, green space, cafe culture, visas, healthcare, massage & wellness, nightlife, dating, and the weather — which surprised me. As you'll see from the perspiration, I covered a lot of ground, but Saigon is actually less hot and humid than Bangkok. Full scorecard at the end.

CHAPTERS and KEY MOMENTS

00:00 Intro & street interviews: Saigon vs Bangkok
01:03 Walking to the park — my Saigon morning routine
04:00 B-Boy break-dancing (& Tupac)
05:59 Soft-sand soccer with the crew
07:25 Noise score: Saigon vs Hanoi vs Bangkok
07:56 Green space score: parks & tree-lined streets
09:46 My neighborhood: District 1 (+ favorite bánh mì cart)
11:30 Grillz Saigon
13:56 16 Grams coffee shop
15:00 Cafe culture score
16:25 Micro-interactions score: breakfast with the football crew
17:15 The negatives: smoking & Wi-Fi
18:02 Comfort score: the luxury gap
18:34 Momentum score: Thủ Thiêm, optimism & consumer sentiment
19:57 Local attitude score: farang vs Tây
20:52 Convenience score: laundry for $9
22:50 Weather score: which city is cooler?
23:05 The visa game: Thailand vs Vietnam
25:49 Wellness score: massage & acupuncture
28:53 Fitness score: Pilates, yoga & gyms
30:26 Healthcare score: my Vinmec hospital visit
32:05 Expat community score
33:26 Nightlife tour: Papi, Japan Town & the food score
36:03 Nightlife score
36:38 Dating score at 59: US vs Colombia vs Thailand vs Vietnam
37:48 Final scorecard reveal

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