4 ms·

for those that lived in Southeast Asia, how does Vietnam stack up to other places? Obvious attraction is the cheap cost of living. However, one does wonder if

for those that lived in Southeast Asia, how does Vietnam stack up to other places? Obvious attraction is the cheap cost of living. However, one does wonder if this comes with some sort of catch. Would East Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan be any different or is it worth paying more to live in those countries instead of South East Asia? I guess best thing is to try it out, but would be great if we could have a pros and cons comparison of Asia for bootstrappers/remote workers. Hell I'd go to Eastern Europe if it was cheap and safe place to work and live, but Asia seems to be the more popular choice.

chkuendig 11y ago
I'd recommend it, though only if you are up for some adventure and culture shocks and not just to work. It does come with some catches: - Rougher manners and culture than Thailand/Cambodia/Laos (casual encounters are usually very manner-of-fact) - Much more polluted than most other countries in the area (safe for the usual suspects in china) - Lot less developed than Taiwan, Korea, Japan (which are basically first world countries at this point) and still a lot behind China. So get used to more dirt, poverty and worse infrastructure - The climate in the north isn't very friendly (boiling in summer, moist and cold in winter - everything gets moldy). I heard the south is nicer in this regard.
- beachstartup 11y ago
  > Lot less developed than Taiwan, Korea, Japan (which are basically first world countries at this point) sigh. those aren't "basically" first world countries, they are first world countries by definition. either the old definition, or the new definition. in fact they invented the term to describe countries like tw, kr, and jp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World
sixQuarks 11y ago
If you have a weak stomach, it might be tough. I spent a week in Vietnam and got food poisoning twice, one right after the other. Also, there is non-stop beeping and noise on the roads which can be VERY annoying after awhile.
studentrob 11y ago
I lived in Cambodia for 2 years and am now living in southern Taiwan. I loved Cambodia and also love Taiwan. There is too much to write about. In short, for a first timer to the region, I'd say go to SE Asia. English is better in those countries than China/Japan/Taiwan. I have not visited South Korea. The thing about SE Asia as opposed to eastern europe is... It is cheap and warm all year If you have some connection to east Asia, maybe you would prefer there, but for a bare bones bootstrap, SE Asia is great
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]

chkuendig 11y ago

I'd recommend it, though only if you are up for some adventure and culture shocks and not just to work. It does come with some catches: - Rougher manners and culture than Thailand/Cambodia/Laos (casual encounters are usually very manner-of-fact) - Much more polluted than most other countries in the area (safe for the usual suspects in china) - Lot less developed than Taiwan, Korea, Japan (which are basically first world countries at this point) and still a lot behind China. So get used to more dirt, poverty and worse infrastructure - The climate in the north isn't very friendly (boiling in summer, moist and cold in winter - everything gets moldy). I heard the south is nicer in this regard.

beachstartup 11y ago
> Lot less developed than Taiwan, Korea, Japan (which are basically first world countries at this point) sigh. those aren't "basically" first world countries, they are first world countries by definition. either the old definition, or the new definition. in fact they invented the term to describe countries like tw, kr, and jp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World

sixQuarks 11y ago

If you have a weak stomach, it might be tough. I spent a week in Vietnam and got food poisoning twice, one right after the other. Also, there is non-stop beeping and noise on the roads which can be VERY annoying after awhile.

studentrob 11y ago

I lived in Cambodia for 2 years and am now living in southern Taiwan. I loved Cambodia and also love Taiwan. There is too much to write about. In short, for a first timer to the region, I'd say go to SE Asia. English is better in those countries than China/Japan/Taiwan. I have not visited South Korea. The thing about SE Asia as opposed to eastern europe is... It is cheap and warm all year If you have some connection to east Asia, maybe you would prefer there, but for a bare bones bootstrap, SE Asia is great

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]