Mai and Owee are in or early 50’s. a little too young to retire, but eager to start enjoying life. We are middle class Canadians and both were employed. Myself by the municipal government, and my wife by our provincial health care system. We have left our jobs as of Nov 12 2009. Our final destination is a city called Nha Trang in Vietnam. There we hope to grow new roots, and hopefully be able to travel back and forth in the future.
To keep ourselves busy, we have taken over a small hotel in a less touristy area and are offering a foreign run hotel with western standards in a local and enjoyable Vietnamese area. The hotel is busy with enjoyable people who are eager for a glimpse of real Vietnam.
Update:
After flying back and forth for the past 12 years, for almost the past year we have called Nha Trang home. Mai misses Canada but is a real trooper and making the most out of our life here. On the otherhand, I have come to love living here. I am in a bit of a unique position as I can speak the language somewhat, and understand the culture and the people. I live among them as almost one of their own, and experience a whole different world than most expats in Vietnam. Part of what I enjoy about life here is that some people seek me out to learn or experience the truth about this country, and not what some people that are confined to backpack areas believe it the truth. I am enjoying my busy retirement this country and am happy to help others to enjoy it also.
Update 2
It has now been two years and we have made full adjustments to the change in lifestyle,. Besides operating the hotel, I have now become a tour guide offering Central highland tours by motorcycle or car and have become more involved in the Vietnamese tourism industry. The theme of the blog has changed from a way to keep personal contact with friends and family into a travel blog where I try to offer honest and accurate advice to those who wish to travel here. Mai is looking forward to the day soon where she will be offering Vietnamese cooking classes. Although we miss friends and family, there are no regrets in moving here ( My darling wife does not 100% agree with me)
Update 3 (2015)
Since the last update, we have closed the hotel and opened www.homestaynhatrang.com My tours have become very popular and people from all over the world come to share in the adventure. We are still all about offering advice and tours of non touristy Vietnam. We are now in out late 50’s and still going strong.
Update 4 (2019)
After years of outback adventures and meeting so many interesting people, it is time to slow down. As of March 30 2019, I will no longer be personally guiding off the beaten track tours and have We have closed our homestay. My Vietnamese language skills are still somewhat lacking but I seem no longer able to memorize vocabulary easily… Must be an age thing. I will be returning to Canada for some time and will continue this blog and answering questions. Those that are interested in Owee tour services…… I will still be able to arrange adventure and group tours tailored to your wishes.
Update 2020
Mai and I have retired and returned to Canada to look after family matters. I still maintain my connections for travel in Vietnam and am returning to guide a tour Feb-Mar 2020. I hope to be able to return to #vietnam yearly to host and guide small groups.
Update 2023
I hosted a dental tour in February as well as to others into the countryside. We toured the Mekong Delta by car and the Highlands by motorcycle. Indeed my motorcycle days are coming to an end. The politics of covid has destroyed the tourism business and I am mostly retired. I am creating a new website to help those that wish to enjoy the country that I hold close to me heart. Check out About – Vietnamtraveladvice
I can be emailed directly at owee58@gmail.com
Hi Owee
THANK YOU very much for a great job. I found here important information regarding the weather conditions. Everything what I wanted to know about the weather in Vietnam. Thanks a lot!!!
Hope you can help me.
I have a question:
Firstly, do i need any vaccinations for Vietnam?? I plan to visit Vietnam in October for about 10 day, at the moment on my list is Hanoi, Halong Bay, Saigon and a trip to Ben Tre.
Secondly, I would like to visit Halong Bay- 2 day overnight cruise would be perfect. Could you recommend me any trustworthy companies which organize this kind of cruises? Is it better to take a public transport from Hanoi to HaLong Bay or choose a package tour.
Many Thanks
Best Regards
Ale
Your welcome. OF course Hep A and B are important when traveling to any country, however, I would skip malaria medications. A person has to be in moist deep jungle to have a chance at getting bit by those critters.
Currently we use Oriental sails but there are other decent companies. You can always ask my friends at V’Explore to arrange a good cruise for you.
This was fantastic, my question was answered straight away!! You are unbelievable Owee 🙂 Thanks
I haven’t booked my flight ticket to Vietnam yet (I’m planning in September) so I don’t want to bother your friends at the moment. But l’ll try to contact them next month. Should I send my request to:
info@vexploretravel.com
Have a lovely day!!
Hi, I saw your comment re obtaining Vietnamese passport/citizenship on: http://www.tripadvisor.com › Asia › Vietnam › Vietnam Travel Forum
Apr 9, 2010 – There is a little known law that was passed about a year ago by the government. VietQ have been invited to apply for dual nationality and…
I have just been turned down by our less than helpful Vietnamese Embassy here in New Zealand. Can you quote me the Government Decree that changed the Law. My wife; Vietnamese kiwi with lapsed Vietnamese passport, me; a Kiwi, and son: half and half, are intending to immigrate back to HCMC. Quite soon if the job interview I have with the HCMC International University turns out good. It would be nice for my wife and son to get their Vietnamese Passports sooner that later to save all the visitor visa hassle. I understand that I will have to wait 6 months. Hope you can help. Terry
Better yet terry…. I will email you the forms. I am pretty sure I still have them.
Hi owee, how’s things? I stumbled upon your blog by mistake,but was glad I read on.my wife and myself will be travelling to saigon in November and would like to do a side trip to nha trang.what is the best way to travel there,also we would like some info on local hotels such as yours as we like to do some touristy stuff but would also like to see the locals as well.my wife is thai so local food we both enjoy.im a bit of a swimmer so how’s the beach and the snorkelling.any info on this would be awesome. Ok mate thanks. James
Things going great. A side trip from Where? Snorkeling in Nha Trang is the best in Vietnam however, November can see rough seas and rain. The Hoi An area worse. I will send you my email for questions.
Hello Owee,
My husband and I are travelling to Bangkok in December and staying for 4 weeks. We are on a tight budget and was searching for some DIY tours when I came across your blog – its really very interesting – thank you!!
We previously spent three weeks in Thailand Bangkok to Chiang Mai and back (not enough time really) this time we would like to visit touristy places in Vietnam, Halong Bay, Cambodia, Laos.
Are you able to kindly recommend of good tour company that we could contact please?
Many thanks
Chris
If you are on an extreme budget I suggest just traveling through backpak areas and using local tour companies. Be awwre tay it will be busy and on the main tourist trail. My frienrs at VEXPLORE travel can offer you a great vaation for a decent price. Up to you. Look at http://www.vexploretravel.com
Ask for a quote on the holiday you want and it can happen
Hi Owen,
Love your blog – thanks so much. I’ll be in Nha Trang tomorrow for 2 nights (23 & 24 June) and would love to come and meet you for a chat if convenient for you. My husband & I are moving to Vietnam soon and will be based south of Nha Trang. Would really appreciate it if I could pick your brains on a few things. Happy to buy you a beer or two for the favour!
Many thanks & best regards,
Lindsay.
Wish I could. I am on tour until the 26th. Happy to help via email
Sorry I’ll be missing you! How do I email you? Thanks Owen.
email sent.
Great, thanks so much. Haven’t rcvd it yet, hopefully will come through soon. Hope to meet you one of these days! Thanks again.
Hi Owee,
Very interesting to read your blog and many people comments and questions about anything !
We need your advise. We will be coming to Nha Trang mid May, and we will arrive very early morning by train from Saigon and we are looking for a half day rent a car to pick us up from Train Station and take us around Nha Trang until lunch time. Do you have recommendation ?
Cheers
Oh dear…. only a few hours in NhaTrang? It is probably not worth the money to pre negotiate. You can easily arrange a taxi to take you around all morning. I would guess 400000 dong should be enough.
Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
My question is, I am relocating to Vietnam very soon around the Nha Trang area, is hard to find a Viet girlfriend?
incredibly easy. Stand on a corner for 15 minutes and try not to end up married 😉
Hi Owee,
I am visiting Vietnam for 2 possibly 3 weeks after Christmas, flying in to Ho Chi Minh, sticking to the south as the northern parts that interest me might be cold and damp, plus my time is limited. Also want a week or two (additional to above time in Vietnam) going overland to southern Laos – Pakse, Bolaven Plateau etc
I’m interested in your motorcycle tours and would be grateful if you could email me a suggested itinerary and price. I’m interested in the real Vietnam, unspoilt, rustic charm, art & culture, whacky stuff, adventures, an unspoilt beach, stunning scenery, good food. A couple of tyemples would be enough as I’ve been all over Asia and seen plenty.
I’m an experienced traveller with 40+ countries under my belt, travelling alone this time but would be happy to team up with a group of adults (no kids and prefer 28+ y.o.).
I’ve owned motorbikes before (250cc) but not ridden for a few years. Have a bike license.
Regards,
Philip Clegg
Sydney, Australia
I have emailed you
Owee, thanks for your blog! I’ve been reading it for several months as prep for my SEA trip in December. I’ll be in Nha Trang for 2 days and was wondering about a local tour into “your” Nha Trang, perhaps into the countryside or up the coast a bit.
Something to get out of the tourist areas for a day. Please email If interested or know someone you might reccommend..
Thanks for all your great info and guidance you have given travelers over the years
Thanks and no problem……. Email me through my homestay website and i will set up a goid tour. http://www.homestaynhatrang.com
hello,
my name is Rob, I am a Surfer fron NorthShore Oahu , HAwaii. I been surfing here in the isalnds 30 years now. After reading all your blogs, Thank you by the way, I am moving my famiy to NHA trang ASAP. I hope that you can give me some advise about how to make a new life there, I do have a monthy income for my life,As i also servred in the Navy. Look forward to meeting you soon. Aloha Rob
Aloha….. Sorry to say the waves not so big here 😉
Hello,
We would like to go with 2 persons from Buon Ma Thuot via Da Lat (/ pongouro fall Dambri fall) too Mui Ne.
Is this possible via your organization?
Can you please send me a propsition for this trip by motorcycle?
Thanks in advance!
Dries
Yes we can. If you visit the waterfall (beautiful) there is not enough time to drive to Dalat the same day. You would go Buon Ma Thuot, Lak Lake, Dalat, then to Mui ne. I will email you