My mother was a great traveler. She often started in a country with an English (not American) speaking group and guide for a week or ten days and then went off by herself or with a friend for another two weeks or so. She went to Vietnam the December before she died. It was her “best trip ever”. One of her favorite things was how creative people were and how entrepreneurial, especially women.
@@heythave my mother would have turned eighty two the week she died. My parents traveled together until my father died twelve years prior to my mother’s death. They didn’t go to Vietnam while he was alive because he thought there were no hotels that were nice enough for my mother. He was so protective that he didn’t really acknowledge her adventurous spirit. They were among the first people to tour in China after Nixon went there. The hotels were terrible. Russian built, in a way the Chinese had no idea how to maintain. Their group actually took food with them because there were no restaurants in areas they were allowed to go to as the first tourists. People in rural areas, held their children up to see my parents as they went by. My parents were quite tall and my father had bright blue eyes with extremely bushy blond eyebrows.
@@davidgiffen6349 Wow, David, your mother, parents are ardent travelers. It would have been quite exciting to just sit and listen to her recount some interesting things from her trips. Many years ago while I was on a month and half European trip with my family, I happen to talk to a couple of elderly ladies while on the ferry between France and England (the chunnel wasn’t built yet). She was one of the few women who drove a tank during WWII. It was quite something. It’s as if you are front and center with history itself.
Having spent two separate months in Vietnam I would say that no matter where you stay from the $20 a night places to the top notch, the people are the most helpful and friendly we have experienced and go out of their way to ensure you have a good time. The French cuisine is also excellent. It’s a five star destination and it won’t break the bank.
We’re from New England but transferred to Hawaii for the last 20 years of my working life. We’ve been to Vietnam and I enjoyed your video. We’ve stayed for WEEKS at a time and can’t tell you enough about the hospitality we’ve experienced there. Your short trip barely scratched the surface, but that is what your travel experiences are for. I love watching and can’t wait to get out there with you!
We loved our tour of Vietnam. Hope you enjoy the video and also check out the blogs on our website if you want more detailed information about Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Safe travels, John and Bev
The advice to stay at nicer, luxury hotels is spot on as many of the younger vloggers are doing budget ones and miss out on some of the stuff you get when you stay at nicer places...especially as they are dirt cheap compared to mediocre hotels in the US. I was a bit confused when you got to the HCMC part as you started to discuss Hanoi stuff during that segment. I think every Westerner not familiar with Vietnamese food should do a food tour...I've seen some awesome ones out of Hanoi from MomDuty, "This Food Bangz", and "Flora and Note".
Thanks for the feedback and sorry about any confusion. We try to do as many food tours and cooking classes as possible. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Absolutely! Planning ahead is vital for a prosperous retirement. A dedicated financial advisor will help navigate the complexities, making your golden years not just secure but truly fulfilling. Here's to taking charge of our financial future and enjoying the retirement we've worked hard for!
*Jenny Pamogas Canaya* is her name. She is a genius when it comes to diversifying holdings. You can verify her for yourself by looking her up online. She is well knowledgeable about the financial markets.
Half of the fun is staying in cheaper places . Espically in Vietnam as you stated with local families and get a proper experience. And even " cheap " places are spotless and good.
It is hard to go wrong in Vietnam, but I would like to offer a different spin on lodging. My theory is that luxury lodging distances me from regular people in my destination. In 2013 I visited Vietnam for the first time. I chose a reasonably low-priced homestay (I would describe it as a small hotel which provides close personal service). $20 per night included breakfast, as well as dinner most nights. Also free were coffee, fruit juices, and fruit all day. The crazy thing is that the owner invited my daughter and me to go up to her home village north of Hanoi on a day trip. I'm heading to Vietnam in about 10 days for a 90+ day visit with side trips most likely to Siem Reap, Japan, and Taiwan.
What a great video. Thank you for sharing your travel tips. Vietnam is on my list of countries to visit. I would love to pair it with the Philippines. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is very nice, really amazing. Happy Travels.
Thanks for following along. Glad you enjoyed it. Angkor Wat was very cool. We will be heading to Philippines in May. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
You will like Vietnam. Low cost, beautiful, and friendly people. We occasionally had to say a prayer crossing the street. 🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🤣🤣🤣 John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Highly recommend Lazy Beach Bungalows on Koh Rong Sanloem (island) off the coast of Sihanoukville. Great beach and we got to see glowing planktons just outside our cabin. czcams.com/video/far34urNrB4/video.html
Thanks for being such a happy and positive couple. You're doing things the right way, and I get encouraged just seeing how excited both of you are about the places you visit. Thanks again for believing that you can really travel and live your dreams. God Bless and enjoy!
@@RetirementTravelers Your very welcome and thanks for the gracious reply. Hope you're ready to watch your channel absolutely explode, because that's exactly what's going to happen. You two have the "it" factor, and you cannot be stopped. Smile factor on a scale of 1 to 10 (12), personality factor 12. They're 10,000 Boomers turning 65 EVERYDAY, and that just in the US. Usually it's individuals with this special 'it" factor, so rarely do I ever see a couple who possesses it. Now you have been given this opportunity for such a time as this-----just like Esther in the Bible. I really believe by the time you both turn 65 your channel will have 10 million subscribers. Wish you and your family wonderful blessings for giving so many people the joy of your presence. ENJOY the JOURNEY!
I had a nerve wracking experience getting the e-visa too. It took 2 weeks to get it and it was too late so we had to do a “work around” to pay someone so they could get us an “emergency visa” which costs $500 for both. Oh man don’t trust when they say 3 working days. You were lucky you got them in time
So glad you were able to get it. We were pretty nervous that day and just got lucky. Hope you had a wonderful time in Vietnam. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Looks like another great adventure. Makes sense to not 'go budget' here. Your accommodations all look wonderful. Actually, I think this looks like a potential long-term destination. Changing the Visa program makes sense. I can see why you chose your dates around the lantern festival. Good travels...
That’s a great question. We oftentimes don’t recall the exact reason, but more often than not, we are visiting places we’ve heard about our whole lives. We begin with an idea, then that gets defined as we look for routes to and from. It never fails that when we arrive at a place, we learn of another not far away by fellow travelers on the ground or locals. Our attitude is EVERY place is interesting and so the desire to learn and grow from the experience helps us realize that there are no bad destinations. If your question is how we begin, we would say it’s the dream, then it’s the route, then it’s hotels, then smaller details. We travel full-time so keeping track of details is a challenge. Maybe we should do a video showing this process! 😉 Hope this helps! John and Bev www.retirementtravelers.com
Great question indeed. i will be touring Vietnam this summer for 3 weeks and was debating rather to do it myself, but ultimately thought joining a tour to maximize my time there. Seeing your videos and think if John and Bev can do it so can I, haha, but too late we already booked. LOL. Here's the kicker, I was born in Vietnam, albeit haven't been back in over 40 years. Excited to try all the delicious food you showcased.
Love this video. Happy you are sharing where you stayed. Please continue to do that and give reviews! Vietnam is now on our very long travel list. Retirement can’t come soon enough!
Vietnam is definitely on our bucket list as well. Thanks for the beautiful videos and helpful travel tips. We’ll be sure to apply for the e-visa early ! I think we can handle a few luxury hotels for a change. Thanks for a great video n
Thanks. A beautiful country with nice people. Great experience in Hoi An especially. Crossing the street can be a little scary at times in Hanoi. 🤣🛵🛵🛵🛵 John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Very nice and informative video! How many days were you there? Did you have to pay with local currency for the haircut and shoe cleaning? I'm planning a trip to Vietnam next year.
We were there almost 3 weeks. You will need some local currency for things like the haircut and shoe cleaning, but the experience is great. Enjoy your trip. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
John and Bev, Thuy and I really enjoyed watching you experience Vietnam. It is on our list of must dos. So, thanks for sharing your experience. Hopefully you tried Pho and Bun Mi. They are family favorites. And our semi retirement list keeps growing. Thanks for all of the tips. Ed
Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed the video. We had a great time in Vietnam. We had lots of Pho, but don't believe we had the Bun Mi. Either next time or we will come to your house. 🤣 Keep enjoying your semi-retirement and be safe. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I really enjoy your video's. Have you had any problems with food poisonings? Especially, eating food from street vendors. You guys seem to be pretty careful on where you eat.
since you guys in asian country visiting,i highly recommend to visit my beautiful country philippines.we have 1700 islands to visit plus the cost of living too is cheap..looking forward to watch you in my heritage country,you guys are awesome
Impressive that people can row with their legs! Probably a smart way to do it, but I can't imagine trying to keep the poles going in a good rhythm, lol. A water puppet show is new - even ever heard of such a thing! I think it's smart to enjoy a bit of luxury when you are able to go to these cheaper cities. I've stayed in a lot worse for a whole lot more!
Thank you guys. Nice tips. We have a similar trip booked so this helps immensely. We were just looking at accommodation for Ho Chi Minh when our tour finishes. we loved your vlog. Your smiles say it all. Safe travels. Love your work.
John and Bev, thank you so much for this video, your YT channel, and your website. Your work is very much appreciate. My wife and I have similar goals and experiences: we're retired, constant travelers and have started our own YT channel and website. Your content inspires us as do your destinations and observations. Keep up the good work. We've subscribed.
I've taken perhaps 100 overseas trips ... and have lived, worked and played in a wide variety of places. Even though, my wonderful wifey and I are down to taking only a few trips a year - usually in either Europe and S.E.Asia - so we consider ourselves fairly well-travelled. We have our scars and have accumulated some amazing experiences. I enjoy watching you two immersing yourselves in adventure ... you do it well, and seem to be having a great time. Subbed. thanks for your efforts.
Thanks so much and glad you are enjoying our channel. We are trying hard to create good content to inspire our generation to travel and live a great retirement. Safe travels to you, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
We made a similar mistake with the Visa. We were in Cambodia and it was only then I realized we needed a visa. We ended up using a visa service company which cost about $200 each. The worst part about the visa was that we had to specify our entry point, this meant we couldn't use one of the tours overland and using the Mekong River, I had to book a flight.
It is very easy to forget details. It is all part of the adventure called world travel. Safe travels and many blessings in 2024. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Fantastic video with great tips. Thank you! May I ask if you made hotel reservations and tour from the US by yourself or did you use a Vietnamese Travel agency? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Hi Bev and John I am writing down your itinerary of Vietnam as we are planning a trip to Asia. Well, almost all of your trips actually. Can you tell me where were you sitting? Was it your hotel? Was it Mai House Saigon Hotel? Thanks I love your travels!!! I am definitely following your travels and planning ours!!
Thanks and so glad you are enjoying our channel and getting inspiration. In this video, we were actually on the roof of our hotel in Cambodia as we discussed Vietnam. Good luck with your planning and let us know if we can help further. John and Bev
Hello Bev and John. Thank you for a wonderful detailed video of your Vietnam experience. We are planning our trip to Vietnam this fall. We are very interested in places and hotels in your video. Did you have a private tour guide who organized your trip? Did you use a tourist company to book all your adventures? May we have the name of the company. Thank you and happy retirement.
In Vietnam, all the hotels take credit card and it is safe. You will need cash at markets and things like that. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for your response. We are excited and yet we want to be prepare as much as we can for our Vietnam trip. Thank you . Safe travels to you as well.
I plan to visit Vietnam in November. Do you have to take any vaccinations before your trip? How long was your trip visiting 3 cities? Which airport that you flew to Hội An? Do you recommend to bring a hiking boot or just a walking shoe? Thank you.
We did take the Japanese Encephalitis. It is expensive and probably not necessary, but we are going to the jungles of Laos and wanted to sure. About 1 week per city. Flew into De Nang, then 45 minute ride to Hoi An. We only have our all purpose running shoes. They worked great for us. Good luck with your trip and you can also check out our blogs for each city on our website. John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Hi John and Bev, thank you for showing beautiful hotels. Can you tell us proper tipping in Southeast Asia Vietnam, Thailand, etc.. I’ve heard tipping in Japan is considered as an insult and they don’t accept tips there, is it true?
Thanks. Tipping was not customary in Vietnam and Thailand, but we liked to tip well for our guides, hosts, spa, etc and they seemed to really appreciate it. You are right about no tipping in Japan. We are planning a big trip there next year. Safe travels, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Beautiful video. It seems like a great trip. The whole river full of lanterns not a great idea though, not good for the fish and the environment. Should not be supported by tourists
Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Riep, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mekong River Cruise, Luang Prabang, Singapore were the cities visited. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Great and informative videos always! Did you say you hired a private tour guide? I want to hire one for a couple of days in HCMC before our tour. Can you share his/her contact information? Thanks!
My mother was a great traveler. She often started in a country with an English (not American) speaking group and guide for a week or ten days and then went off by herself or with a friend for another two weeks or so. She went to Vietnam the December before she died. It was her “best trip ever”. One of her favorite things was how creative people were and how entrepreneurial, especially women.
Glad she got to make that final trip! Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
How old was she when she passed?
@@heythave my mother would have turned eighty two the week she died. My parents traveled together until my father died twelve years prior to my mother’s death. They didn’t go to Vietnam while he was alive because he thought there were no hotels that were nice enough for my mother. He was so protective that he didn’t really acknowledge her adventurous spirit. They were among the first people to tour in China after Nixon went there. The hotels were terrible. Russian built, in a way the Chinese had no idea how to maintain. Their group actually took food with them because there were no restaurants in areas they were allowed to go to as the first tourists. People in rural areas, held their children up to see my parents as they went by. My parents were quite tall and my father had bright blue eyes with extremely bushy blond eyebrows.
@@davidgiffen6349 Wow, David, your mother, parents are ardent travelers. It would have been quite exciting to just sit and listen to her recount some interesting things from her trips. Many years ago while I was on a month and half European trip with my family, I happen to talk to a couple of elderly ladies while on the ferry between France and England (the chunnel wasn’t built yet). She was one of the few women who drove a tank during WWII. It was quite something. It’s as if you are front and center with history itself.
Having spent two separate months in Vietnam I would say that no matter where you stay from the $20 a night places to the top notch, the people are the most helpful and friendly we have experienced and go out of their way to ensure you have a good time. The French cuisine is also excellent. It’s a five star destination and it won’t break the bank.
Thanks for sharing. We loved Vietnam.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We’re from New England but transferred to Hawaii for the last 20 years of my working life. We’ve been to Vietnam and I enjoyed your video. We’ve stayed for WEEKS at a time and can’t tell you enough about the hospitality we’ve experienced there. Your short trip barely scratched the surface, but that is what your travel experiences are for. I love watching and can’t wait to get out there with you!
We agree.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We loved our tour of Vietnam. Hope you enjoy the video and also check out the blogs on our website if you want more detailed information about Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Safe travels, John and Bev
Looks like you had a great visit!
@@travelman677 Thanks
The advice to stay at nicer, luxury hotels is spot on as many of the younger vloggers are doing budget ones and miss out on some of the stuff you get when you stay at nicer places...especially as they are dirt cheap compared to mediocre hotels in the US. I was a bit confused when you got to the HCMC part as you started to discuss Hanoi stuff during that segment. I think every Westerner not familiar with Vietnamese food should do a food tour...I've seen some awesome ones out of Hanoi from MomDuty, "This Food Bangz", and "Flora and Note".
Thanks for the feedback and sorry about any confusion. We try to do as many food tours and cooking classes as possible.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Absolutely! Planning ahead is vital for a prosperous retirement. A dedicated financial advisor will help navigate the complexities, making your golden years not just secure but truly fulfilling. Here's to taking charge of our financial future and enjoying the retirement we've worked hard for!
*Jenny Pamogas Canaya* is her name. She is a genius when it comes to diversifying holdings. You can verify her for yourself by looking her up online. She is well knowledgeable about the financial markets.
Thanks you for sharing. It was easy to find her on internet, seems very proficient and flexible. I booked a call session with her.
Half of the fun is staying in cheaper places . Espically in Vietnam as you stated with local families and get a proper experience. And even " cheap " places are spotless and good.
Great video and so many awesome tips! Vietnam is beautiful! Hopefully I can go to the lantern festival one day! So amazing.
Thanks so much and hope you get to go to the lantern festival someday!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
You should try to visit!
Love it
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
It is hard to go wrong in Vietnam, but I would like to offer a different spin on lodging. My theory is that luxury lodging distances me from regular people in my destination. In 2013 I visited Vietnam for the first time. I chose a reasonably low-priced homestay (I would describe it as a small hotel which provides close personal service). $20 per night included breakfast, as well as dinner most nights. Also free were coffee, fruit juices, and fruit all day. The crazy thing is that the owner invited my daughter and me to go up to her home village north of Hanoi on a day trip. I'm heading to Vietnam in about 10 days for a 90+ day visit with side trips most likely to Siem Reap, Japan, and Taiwan.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Proper planning prevents piss poor performance...... But after the visa issue, all seems to have gone well. Great trip.
Yes, all good after that!
John and Bev
Vietnam looks great! Looks like a lot of great things to do there.
Thanks and yes there is plenty to do.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
What a great video. Thank you for sharing your travel tips. Vietnam is on my list of countries to visit. I would love to pair it with the Philippines. Angkor Wat in Cambodia is very nice, really amazing. Happy Travels.
Thanks for following along. Glad you enjoyed it. Angkor Wat was very cool. We will be heading to Philippines in May.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Ankor wat is huge and so much to see. You will love it
Thanks, we loved Angkor Wat and the New Year celebrations!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
What a wonderful compacted tour!!! Love the accommodations. Tour bikes, boats, food etc! Fabulous video guys! ~Cara 😊
Thanks. We enjoyed our time in Vietnam and, once again, encountered many nice people.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Saved this video! I want to do many of these same experiences. Such a good video. The value add with the hotels was really a great tip.
You will like Vietnam. Low cost, beautiful, and friendly people. We occasionally had to say a prayer crossing the street. 🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🛵🤣🤣🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
We just got back from Angkor Wat. Highlight of our lives. Enjoy!!
We loved Angkor Wat and the New Year celebrations in Siem Reap. One of our faves for sure.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Highly recommend Lazy Beach Bungalows on Koh Rong Sanloem (island) off the coast of Sihanoukville. Great beach and we got to see glowing planktons just outside our cabin.
czcams.com/video/far34urNrB4/video.html
Awesome video keep it up guys 🙌🙌
Thanks so much! We appreciate it.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Thanks for being such a happy and positive couple. You're doing things the right way, and I get encouraged just seeing how excited both of you are about the places you visit. Thanks again for believing that you can really travel and live your dreams. God Bless and enjoy!
Thanks for the positive words of encouragement. Many blessings to you as well.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
@@RetirementTravelers Your very welcome and thanks for the gracious reply. Hope you're ready to watch your channel absolutely explode, because that's exactly what's going to happen. You two have the "it" factor, and you cannot be stopped. Smile factor on a scale of 1 to 10 (12), personality factor 12. They're 10,000 Boomers turning 65 EVERYDAY, and that just in the US. Usually it's individuals with this special 'it" factor, so rarely do I ever see a couple who possesses it. Now you have been given this opportunity for such a time as this-----just like Esther in the Bible. I really believe by the time you both turn 65 your channel will have 10 million subscribers. Wish you and your family wonderful blessings for giving so many people the joy of your presence. ENJOY the JOURNEY!
Viet nam so amazing 🎉 . Thank you sir for share . Have a good time ❤
Thanks so much. We had a great visit to Vietnam.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I had a nerve wracking experience getting the e-visa too. It took 2 weeks to get it and it was too late so we had to do a “work around” to pay someone so they could get us an “emergency visa” which costs $500 for both. Oh man don’t trust when they say 3 working days. You were lucky you got them in time
So glad you were able to get it. We were pretty nervous that day and just got lucky. Hope you had a wonderful time in Vietnam.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Looks like another great adventure. Makes sense to not 'go budget' here. Your accommodations all look wonderful. Actually, I think this looks like a potential long-term destination. Changing the Visa program makes sense. I can see why you chose your dates around the lantern festival. Good travels...
Thanks. It was a fun adventure. We are planning a future video on potential long-term destinations.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Awesome footage, beautiful Vietnam tour, big like.
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
So fascinating! Glad you had this lovely experience.
Thanks so much Donna. It was a fun experience. We are gathering many stories!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
We're interested in your Vietnam recommended hotels , transportation .
Thank you for your postings. 0:32
The manager at the Little Riverside hotel in Hoi An was incredible. It was a wonderful experience.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
great video! Loved the overview...hoping to make it to Vietnam with my family someday
Thanks. Hope you get to go.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Great video and contents
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Amazing trip in Vietnam! Glad that you have a great time here! Best wishes from Hoi An, Vietnam
Thank you very much! We loved our time in Vietnam.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love your guys show, do you guys have a tour
Thanks. Not yet, but should we? 🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
How did you know where to go, where do you begin in building you itinerary?
That’s a great question. We oftentimes don’t recall the exact reason, but more often than not, we are visiting places we’ve heard about our whole lives. We begin with an idea, then that gets defined as we look for routes to and from. It never fails that when we arrive at a place, we learn of another not far away by fellow travelers on the ground or locals. Our attitude is EVERY place is interesting and so the desire to learn and grow from the experience helps us realize that there are no bad destinations. If your question is how we begin, we would say it’s the dream, then it’s the route, then it’s hotels, then smaller details. We travel full-time so keeping track of details is a challenge. Maybe we should do a video showing this process! 😉 Hope this helps! John and Bev www.retirementtravelers.com
Great question indeed. i will be touring Vietnam this summer for 3 weeks and was debating rather to do it myself, but ultimately thought joining a tour to maximize my time there. Seeing your videos and think if John and Bev can do it so can I, haha, but too late we already booked. LOL. Here's the kicker, I was born in Vietnam, albeit haven't been back in over 40 years. Excited to try all the delicious food you showcased.
Love this video. Happy you are sharing where you stayed. Please continue to do that and give reviews! Vietnam is now on our very long travel list. Retirement can’t come soon enough!
Thanks and good luck with your retirement. It is a wonderful thing. 😊
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Vietnam is definitely on our bucket list as well. Thanks for the beautiful videos and helpful travel tips. We’ll be sure to apply for the e-visa early ! I think we can handle a few luxury hotels for a change. Thanks for a great video n
Thanks. A beautiful country with nice people. Great experience in Hoi An especially. Crossing the street can be a little scary at times in Hanoi. 🤣🛵🛵🛵🛵
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
We hope to go there soon. Looks incredible.
It was an amazing time.
John and Bev
Hope you get to go soon.
John and Bev
03:55 So true, just keep moving so the cross traffic can anticipate your action and steer away around your motion. It's spooky to do so. YMMV.
It is a little spooky, but not too bad. Thanks for the advice.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We were there in August four years. Crazy hot but it was dry. So glad you had a good time.
Thanks. We had a great time. We also had hot and dry weather.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Great advice on the Evisa especially.
Thanks so much.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Definitely on our bucket list! Thanks for all the tips! Glad you took a cooking class! You can make us dinner 🥘 in June when we see you! 😉😍
Sounds good. 😊 No guarantees on the cooking skills. 😉 Vietnam was quite interesting. Cambodia next.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
This video inspired me to finally make this trip...not in the rainy season though.
Have fun and safe travels.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Very nice and informative video! How many days were you there? Did you have to pay with local currency for the haircut and shoe cleaning? I'm planning a trip to Vietnam next year.
We were there almost 3 weeks. You will need some local currency for things like the haircut and shoe cleaning, but the experience is great. Enjoy your trip.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
John and Bev,
Thuy and I really enjoyed watching you experience Vietnam. It is on our list of must dos. So, thanks for sharing your experience. Hopefully you tried Pho and Bun Mi. They are family favorites.
And our semi retirement list keeps growing.
Thanks for all of the tips.
Ed
Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed the video. We had a great time in Vietnam. We had lots of Pho, but don't believe we had the Bun Mi. Either next time or we will come to your house. 🤣 Keep enjoying your semi-retirement and be safe.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Yoi loves 🇻🇳 i loves you❤🌹😀
Thanks so much. 😊
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I really enjoy your video's. Have you had any problems with food poisonings? Especially, eating food from street vendors. You guys seem to be pretty careful on where you eat.
Thanks. No major issues yet with food. Fingers crossed we don't.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
since you guys in asian country visiting,i highly recommend to visit my beautiful country philippines.we have 1700 islands to visit plus the cost of living too is cheap..looking forward to watch you in my heritage country,you guys are awesome
Heading to Philippines later this month. We can't wait.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Weren’t there tourists kidnapped from a resort in the Philippines awhile back?
Enjoyed thoroughly, recently I visited Vietnam too😊
Thanks. Vietnam was great.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Impressive that people can row with their legs! Probably a smart way to do it, but I can't imagine trying to keep the poles going in a good rhythm, lol. A water puppet show is new - even ever heard of such a thing! I think it's smart to enjoy a bit of luxury when you are able to go to these cheaper cities. I've stayed in a lot worse for a whole lot more!
Thanks for the comments. Vietnam was an interesting experience!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Can’t wait to hear your comments about India. Great video - thanks!
Thanks and we can't wait to go. January 2024!!!
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you guys. Nice tips. We have a similar trip booked so this helps immensely. We were just looking at accommodation for Ho Chi Minh when our tour finishes. we loved your vlog. Your smiles say it all. Safe travels. Love your work.
Thanks guys. You will love Vietnam.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
@@RetirementTravelers for sure. Sadly we won't get to taste John's cooking. 😍😍
🤣🤣
You guys are awesome, well done. Thanks for showing us all the wonderful hotels to stay. Much appreciated !
Thanks. You are welcome.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Xin chào 🎉
Hello. Vietnam was wonderful.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I envy you. Dreaming of going to Vietnam with my loving senior wife. God bless you both.
Thanks so much and hope you get to go soon.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Looks like you had a lovely trip to Vietnam. I am planning one in May. Would it be a good idea to visit in May considering the heat?
A little earlier in the year might be better. It will be a bit cooler and less rain.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
John and Bev, thank you so much for this video, your YT channel, and your website. Your work is very much appreciate. My wife and I have similar goals and experiences: we're retired, constant travelers and have started our own YT channel and website. Your content inspires us as do your destinations and observations. Keep up the good work. We've subscribed.
Thanks for following along and glad you are enjoying our content. Best of luck with your travels and we will check out your channel.
John and Bev
Your Vietnam Airlines experience must have flown an Airbus 320, which is known for making a barking noise when it lands, due to the hydraulic brakes.
Thanks for the info. That sounds likely.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video guys!
Thanks. We are having a great time in Southeast Asia.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
I've taken perhaps 100 overseas trips ... and have lived, worked and played in a wide variety of places. Even though, my wonderful wifey and I are down to taking only a few trips a year - usually in either Europe and S.E.Asia - so we consider ourselves fairly well-travelled. We have our scars and have accumulated some amazing experiences. I enjoy watching you two immersing yourselves in adventure ... you do it well, and seem to be having a great time. Subbed. thanks for your efforts.
Thanks so much and glad you are enjoying our channel. We are trying hard to create good content to inspire our generation to travel and live a great retirement.
Safe travels to you,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I went to that water puppet show in HCMC. it was very cool! I saw a good one in Hanoi too.
That's great. It was a cool experience.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We made a similar mistake with the Visa. We were in Cambodia and it was only then I realized we needed a visa. We ended up using a visa service company which cost about $200 each. The worst part about the visa was that we had to specify our entry point, this meant we couldn't use one of the tours overland and using the Mekong River, I had to book a flight.
It is very easy to forget details. It is all part of the adventure called world travel.
Safe travels and many blessings in 2024.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wonderful video! How many days / nights did you stay in each stop?
About a week. Thanks for the question! John & Bev
How are the COVID restrictions these days ?
No issues at all for many months. Thank goodness.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Fantastic video with great tips. Thank you! May I ask if you made hotel reservations and tour from the US by yourself or did you use a Vietnamese Travel agency? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Thanks. We use booking.com and do most everything on our own. It is part of the "fun" 🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hi Bev and John
I am writing down your itinerary of Vietnam as we are planning a trip to Asia. Well, almost all of your trips actually.
Can you tell me where were you sitting? Was it your hotel? Was it Mai House Saigon Hotel?
Thanks
I love your travels!!! I am definitely following your travels and planning ours!!
Thanks and so glad you are enjoying our channel and getting inspiration. In this video, we were actually on the roof of our hotel in Cambodia as we discussed Vietnam.
Good luck with your planning and let us know if we can help further.
John and Bev
Hello Bev and John. Thank you for a wonderful detailed video of your Vietnam experience. We are planning our trip to Vietnam this fall. We are very interested in places and hotels in your video. Did you have a private tour guide who organized your trip? Did you use a tourist company to book all your adventures? May we have the name of the company. Thank you and happy retirement.
Please advise about exchanging currency and how safe it is to use credit card to pay for hotel stays. Thank you so much.
In Vietnam, all the hotels take credit card and it is safe. You will need cash at markets and things like that.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for your response. We are excited and yet we want to be prepare as much as we can for our Vietnam trip. Thank you . Safe travels to you as well.
I plan to visit Vietnam in November.
Do you have to take any vaccinations before your trip?
How long was your trip visiting 3 cities?
Which airport that you flew to Hội An?
Do you recommend to bring a hiking boot or just a walking shoe?
Thank you.
We did take the Japanese Encephalitis. It is expensive and probably not necessary, but we are going to the jungles of Laos and wanted to sure.
About 1 week per city.
Flew into De Nang, then 45 minute ride to Hoi An.
We only have our all purpose running shoes. They worked great for us.
Good luck with your trip and you can also check out our blogs for each city on our website.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
First to comment
Winner, winner chicken 🐔 dinner. 🤣
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Would like to know how long you recommend staying in each location.
We like 5-7 days to see everything and not be rushed.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hi John and Bev, thank you for showing beautiful hotels. Can you tell us proper tipping in Southeast Asia Vietnam, Thailand, etc.. I’ve heard tipping in Japan is considered as an insult and they don’t accept tips there, is it true?
Thanks. Tipping was not customary in Vietnam and Thailand, but we liked to tip well for our guides, hosts, spa, etc and they seemed to really appreciate it. You are right about no tipping in Japan. We are planning a big trip there next year.
Safe travels,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
When are you coming to South Africa?
2024. Can’t wait. 🇿🇦
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Beautiful video. It seems like a great trip. The whole river full of lanterns not a great idea though, not good for the fish and the environment. Should not be supported by tourists
Thanks.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Nana, I bet your fun to be around .
How did you find the places to go to?
We wanted to hit the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, along with attending the lantern festival in Hoi An.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
And don’t get caught with office closure due to TET holiday when submitting eVisa application.
Thanks for sharing.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
What was your route in southeast asia? That is, which country first, second etc etc. Flew into what city and out of what city in SE ? Thanks
Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Riep, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mekong River Cruise, Luang Prabang, Singapore were the cities visited.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
In which month of the year you traveled to Vietnam?
We were there in early April.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Great and informative videos always! Did you say you hired a private tour guide? I want to hire one for a couple of days in HCMC before our tour. Can you share his/her contact information? Thanks!
We didn't hire a guide in HCMC. We just walked the city on our own.
Safe travels and enjoy Vietnam.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hi guys. I'm from Vietnam and Where are you from?
Hello. We are from the United States.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Hello. We are from the United States.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
What month of the year did you go?
We were in Vietnam in late March and early April of 2023.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Is Hanoi flat walking?
The Old Quarter area in town is flat.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
If the economy collapses how will you survive?
We have good financial advisors and plenty of great, low cost places around the world to stay.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
@@RetirementTravelers wonderful 👏 ❤
$150/month rent in Kampot, Cambodia.
Beware of scammers and thefts!
Thanks. We are always careful from a safety standpoint, but always a good reminder.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com