Vietnam

18/03/2026

The hot 50 yo Russian on Tinder turned out to be 58, but she was still fit and we met at the Bread & Butter Cafe on My Kye beach, where she was wearing nothing but a black bikini. The cafe was the fanciest cafe I've been in so far. Totally western with the price point to go with it. I bought her a coconut coffee on ice and we sat there chatting while I kept looking at places I shouldn't. Hey, it's wasn't my fault! Maybe next time I'll turn up in my G string budge smugglers with my bits hanging out.

Before meeting the Russian it was time to clean up. With a shower and shave, I hit the streets looking for a hairdresser. The first shop was more of a salon and needed a booking so I kept going only to find the coolest barber shop. I asked how much and he said $VND60,000 ($AUD3.20). I thought that can't be right so I typed 60000 into the phone and he gave me the thumbs up. He turned the beat box up and started dancing/prancing around me to the beat, his scissors going at the speed a cutter runs over a comb on a shearing hand piece. How he doesn't get RSI I have no idea. The haircut was first class. 10/10

I found my date sitting outside the cafe under an umbrella. She had a hard time understanding my accent, likewise me with her Russian, but we communicated slowly and resorted to the odd Google translation. Between Google maps and Google translator I'm not sure how anyone travelled in the past. They are two essential travel tools. Two other essential travel apps for Asia are obviously Grab and Moreta Pay. 

Vietnam uses QR codes, not Visa/Mastercard. Only the larger more corporate stores will have card facilities. Initially I used VNPay, but for foreigners it works nowhere and requires a local mobile number. Moreta Pay has been fantastic and has worked everywhere, you just need an internet connection.

Her name was Ksenia and we got along quite well. I was really interested in her views on the Ukraine war, Putin, and living in Russia. Turned out we had simular views and my interest and desire to go-to Russia started growing even more. She is returning home in 2 weeks, and it seemed she was looking forward to doing so. I started thinking maybe she could help me out if I went there? After a while of chatting, her roommate, a more solid built but still attractive woman turned up. I'm sure she just wanted to check me out. I couldn't understand what they were saying to each other but I got the vibe it was all good.

Ksenia is a lover of Salsa dancing and knowing that I can't salsa for shit, I volunteered for a few lessons. We stood up and I tried to repeat the moves she showed me. She became frustrated and would repeat "man is General, man is General". I knew what she ment, she was saying I need to lead, but I don't even know what the steps are! 10 minutes later and she stopped and started laughing, declaring "you don't dance. You forget this. It's bad idea". I felt like the Victor on the Comedy Company.

Time seemed to pass quickly and before I knew it, I was trying to politely say I have to go. The state premiere V League 1 soccer game of Danang V Nah Din was on tonight at Hou Xuan Stadium. The game started at 6pm, but Grok told me if I wanted to buy tickets at the gate I needed to be there by 4.30. I had tried to buy them online, but it was hopeless.

I just needed to do one other job first. Ed had sent me a few txt about the cost of diesel, and Sam had also asked me what it was worth in Vietnam. Having spotted a servo on the way here, I left Ksenia asking if she wanted to meet again? She replied " sure, why not".

At the servo it was impossible to understand the price of fuel. The person serving had no english and I tried to use Google picture translator to translate the signs but gave up. Then people started beeping their horns at me, and one car was so loud I wanted to rip the horn out and stick it up his ass. Standing in the way of everyone, a guy came up to me and asked "Are you ok?" "I want to know the price of diesel" I said. He replied "What car you drive?" I said "no car, I just want the price". He lead me over to the person serving fuel and spoke the jibba jabba. "Diesel is 27000 dong per litre" he said. I thanked him and shook his hand. Fuck knows how I'm ever going to fill a motorbike up at a servo in this country. I guess you just pull up and point at the tank or something. English wont work, thats for sure.

My bestie Grok tells me since the Iran situation the national average price for diesel has increased 59% while Australia has been 32%. Interestingly Australia sources its oil through Singapore and is the same oil that Vietnam buy. To understand the price, a can of beer in Vietnam cost $AUD1 and a litre of diesel cost $AUD1.45 meaning beer is now cheeper than fuel in Vietnam. If you compare that to Australia, the cost of diesel is $A2.80 and a can of beer cost $AUD6. This suggests fuel in Australia is still very cheap for the average person.

I raced back to the appartment, changed, and headed to Bahn Mi 365 where I shoved a couple of Bahn Mi's into me. I didn't want to go through the drama of trying to get food at the game (like you do at the MCG) with both my language skills and me not even knowing what I'm eating.

The grab travelled way further than I expected, and I tried to absorb the areas we went through. It was a good 25 minutes. The stadium was in the middle of a paddock surrounded by vegetation you would need a machete to penetrate. The grab driver had little idea where the main gate was and just stopped on the road near the stadium. I tried to explain "main entrance" but decided it was just easier to walk there. As I walked to the entrance four officials in black uniforms with machine guns stood in the middle of the road as people walked past. Machine guns.. that's scary!

In reality the place was deserted, maybe 5000 people and I quickly found the ticket box where 4 English Manchester United supporters were trying to work out what tickets to buy. I bought my ticket and asked where I go. The lady in the ticket box was excellent and pointed over there. I walked past the English guys and said "A1 are the best seats". "A1" "Yeap, A1" "Gee, thank you" I felt like a real local and walked off. I didn't tell them I only knew that because Grok had told me.

I have only been to one other real soccer game. That was at South Melbourne before they demolished the ground to make way for the Grand Prix. I had forgotten how boring this game was. Fantastic when they try for a goal and the crowd goes nuts, but overall it's boring. The other thing I couldn't handle in this game was the softness. Just a little tap and they would fall on the ground and roll around pretending the had a broken leg. And if the ref didn't give a penality all the players would run up and be in his face protesting vigorously. Meanwhile, the so called injured player was up and running around like nothing happed. Talk about Hollywood acting. These jokers should try playing AFL! Danang lost 1-2.

Entering the ground, my ticket was scanned but after entry I had no idea where to go. I asked another guy in black uniform with a machine gun and he responded "No engly". I kept walking straight and found another guy in black uniform. I showed him my ticket and he waved towards the seats bellow. I asked "sit anywhere?" He gestured again, and so I found a seat in the middle.

As the players warmed up, drummers started banging away in the stands and I thought this is cool. I had no idea which players where Danang so I tapped into Google translator "which one is Danang" and showed the man sitting behind me. His son, the first fat chubby kid I have seen in Vietnam who wasn't the size of a pencil was sitting beside him and pointed to my left. He then said to me "would you mind if I sit next to you?" I said "of course not".

His name was Fuc which was easy to remember, but sort of embarrassing to call someone. This kid was quite knowledgeable and asked me lots of questions. Sometimes we took it in turns sharing the translator on his phone, but he could speak English quite well. He told me he studied English at school. He was a funny sort of kid. He would pause and then talk, probably thinking how to say what he wanted in English. A few times he told me "I am thinking about your answer". The biggest thing I got from him was just how proud he was of his country (and his football team). When I told him I didn't like Pho he was in shock, and he told me Vietnam has the best food and most beautiful beaches in the world. Sure it might be naive and propoganda, but at least he was proud of his country which is a shitload more than I can say about my country.

I enjoyed his company, but was weary of him and aware of the random conversations he would have with his father. He just wanted to be friendly and expand his knowledge of the world and share his love for Danang and Vietnam with me, and here I was thinking what do these people want from me? Are they trying to scam me?

This attitude of mine is becoming a problem. After the game, and back at the appartment I decided to go and get another Bahn Mi. Walking through the streets that are now full of locals who are sitting outside their houses smoking and drinking, a man yells out "Hello. what's you're name?" "Stephen" I replied, but kept walking.

On return two of them stood up and stopped me. One was called Hieu and the other Young. They just wanted to talk and kept hugging me. They both got very excited doing the skippy dance and when they told me they were 53 yo, I mistakenly said I was 53. Despite trying, it was too hard to correct myself and they both danced around like children saying "we all the same" and giving me high fives.

They were just happy people and harmless people who were loving engaging with a foreigner. As a westerner it's hard for me to accept this. I'm always on the defense. Another thing I've noticed as a western person is I'm always in a hurry. There is no hurry here. Everything is very chill. There is no need to rush, especially when it comes to food, coffee, or talking to people. They don't understand "I have to go".

As I left them both putting the table and chairs away, I passed a scooter that had someones belongings sitting on it. I thought, someone could just take all that. Then a young woman came out of a house and with a smile said "Hello" "Sing Chow" I replied. As I walked off I couldn't help but think isn't it sad the way western people have been taught to think.

19/03/2026

I love QR codes. So easy. Scan the code, agree to pay, done. And it makes me feel like a local, not a foreigner in a strange country. Sure being an Australian allows me to enjoy the benefits I have now, and maybe I am taking that for granted. Maybe I should be proud of Aussie, but I'm not. Hugh and Young thought it was wonderful I was an Australian and both jumped around being skippy the kangaroo when I told them. It's something I'm noticing. The perception (including expats), with the exception of how expensive it is, is not the reality of a country I know. These two blokes thought Australians live with kangaroos like they live with dogs. And yet the truth is more than half of Sydney and Melbourne would have never seen a kangaroo.

Fuc at the soccer asked me "why did you come to Vietnam?". The only answer I could think of was "in Australia I am a poor man, and in Vietnam I am a rich man." He looked at me and said "I understand".

In reality, I only have financial wealth because of Australia, and maybe I take that and the fact that we rank 7th on the valuable passport list for granted. This compared to Vietnam who is ranked 98. Even the Australian Socceroos rank well at 27th in the world, while Vietnam who's national sport is soccer rank 108. But a countries ranking in the world isn't a reflection of happiness.

Australia may rank high in the world rankings, but I'm not sure the people are happy. I wasn't happy. It's why I left the place. Yesterday brother Mick txt "yes price and interest keep rising. Maybe you've outsmarted us all. The world has gone mad." I'd like to think so, but truth is I'm not that smart. It just didn't and still doesn't make sense for anyone who retires to live in a country where a can of beer is twice the price of a litre of diesel.

I strongly believe between Paul Keating (globalisation, free trade and reduced local manufacturing) and John Howard (privatisation, GST, Capital Gains Tax, Negative Gearing, and workplace bargaining) the Lucky Country was fucked beyond repair. It pursued a lifestyle beyond it's means through debt, and created an illusion of wealth. In fact, it's so screwed the only way you can have wealth is to have debt. It will be interesting to watch the future of Australia from the sidelines because I think it's quickly becoming a land of poverty.

But people don't like to admit they are poor. I had this argument with a pommy expat a few days ago. He was sitting outside my favourite cafe. "I'm wealthy enough to live very well in England and I have everything that I have here" he said. "Really?" I replied. "Only poor people leave a country like UK and live overseas." His eyes grew big and he said "I'm not poor, I choose to be here. I own my own home in Northampton and have investments..." I left him thinking FFS give it up mate! You're poor. If you could afford two hookers every night in the UK, you would be doing that there and not here. You're poor!

Maybe I'm just trying to justify I'm the poor one by western standards. The way this guy was dressed and spoke, he didn't come across as having royal blood in him. I think the fact that I am having these thoughts, feels like I'm already cementing that I don't need a return ticket to Australia.

I've returned to the cafe where the Goddess was last seen, but she's nowhere to be found. I would be desperately disappointed if I don't get the chance to validate my delusion, because there is was no way I dreamed her up. This place is a co-worker place and I'm not sure what that means. There seems to be a few of these in DaNang, and young people seem to hang out at them. I'm feeling old here.

As I sit here, having my coffee, and watching two guys lay huge street pavers (which they can't lift) by hand, it occurs to me is the Vietnamese aren't lazy workers. Maybe this is why every day I go past several construction sites I'm amazed by the progress with very little machinery and a rickety old wheelbarrow.

Noticing I don't smoke, the waitress came outside and put tissues in the ashtray. Well, that's what I'm assuming. Coffee is expensive here, but the ashtray gesture is appreciated. I guess if I'm to hunt this mystery woman down, I will need to return.

Whilst the the Vietnamese people continue to grow on me and I just love how their are no rules about anything in this place, smoking has become my number one hate. It's impossible to sit outside a cafe in the lovely weather and not have someone smoke all over you. Some people will just light up a cigarette inside the cafe/restaurant and walk to the door where they throw their ash and eventually their butt.

It's just such a terrible inconsiderate habit because the air in DaNang lingers with it and after awhile you feel it in your throat. It leaves a revolting taste that makes you want to vomit. People smoke everywhere without consideration and it totally pissed me off. It's unquestionably the worst thing about Vietnam.

I was talking to Kaz and he was saying rats used to be the worst thing in DaNang. I've only seen one rat so far. He ran down the street and jumped in the pot plant. Several of the cars put wraps around them so the rats wont get in. Kaz said the rats have disappeared since they put plastic bins on the street and the rubbish isn't lying around anymore. He said each year he returns to DaNang and there is so much change.

But I guess the smoking issue is all part of the price you must pay if you don't want a country full of rules, regulations, and bureaucracy. Thus, I should suck it up and shut up because despite being a foreigner, I have no grounds for complaint. Maybe the answer for the non smoker like myself is in order not be constantly drowned in second hand cigarette smoke, I should move into the mountains.

I'm feeling like a lash out. Not sure why, but I think I'm going to spoil myself with a lobster. A new seafood place opened last week called Blue Seafood and it looks great. At the restaurant, I chose my lobster from the tank and they weighed it. I asked for one around 500kg. The one they pulled out was 501kg. "Do you want to inspect it?" he asked. "No" I replied in a shocked manner. I had no idea inspection was even a thing. "That will be $1million then." "Ok" I said.

When the lobster was cooked and covered in garlic sauce they put it on the table and as I picked up my chopsticks, a waitress appeared with a trolley. "I will peel it for you" she told me. "No need", "No I peel for you". "Ok, you peel then" I said. She prepared the Lobster and they gave me a knife and fork and gloves to wear. It was awesome, and well worth the $VND922500 ($AUD50) they charged. Lucky I'm rich man in Vietnam, because I'm definately going back. 10/10

20/03/2026

Since it stopped raining the weather has been exceptional. Mid 20s and just a nice warmth all day and night. Shorts, polo, thongs and a hat is my standard uniform, day and night.

I woke up thinking work life is no more for me. Time for a pedicure. I had all my fingers and toes done, including my manke big toe for $VND40000 ($AUD2). As I left I couldn't help but feel guilty, she deserved more. But to be fair, the Vietnamese are so polite, it's hard to give them more as they simply refuse. I also like how every time you exchange money it's done with two hands. It makes you feel like this is important and you need to give it your attention.

I needed new thongs. My favourite made in Australia ones have become too thin and it's starting to feel like I'm back at Beulah walking on Bindis. I grabbed a grab destined for Con market. I should have learnt from being dropped off literally in the middle of nowhere when I went to the football ground, to be careful with your destination placement in maps. But I wasn't, and the rider dropped me at the back of the market leaving me with no idea where I was.

The phone GPS can also be a bit off sometimes which is super annoying. Maybe it needs some type of calibration, or maybe I just need to stand more in the middle of the road. Difficult at the best of times. After walking around for a bit, I found my bearings but DaNang is a strange place. Often when I travel down a street it looks different than it did before.

Yesterday, on the way back from Goddess hunting I got lost and couldn't find the apartment. As I looked for markers, Bow the dog from the hotel ran past. Bloody hell, I am obviously so close and nothing looks familiar. It turned out I was on the hotel street, but for some reason it just looked different.

I would have liked to ask around at the market for thongs, but they know that. The first thong rack I came to wasn't letting me go. An older lady called a younger woman over who I assumed was her daughter. She had enough English to know what was being said, but she also had a ruthlessness about her too.

They didn't have my size and she ran off and quickly returned with the style that I wanted in my size and 3 different colours. "How much?" "200" she replied. I didn't argue. When I was there with Jo, I watched a guy barter with a shop over undies. He wanted $VND50000 ($AUD2.70) less. Like, that's 3 bucks mate, nothing to you, a lot to them. So after this observation I told myself no bartering.

I paid the $VND200000 ($AUD10.80) without question and kept going. She had put the shoes in a bag and when I passed other shops I would point at the bag and say "already have". About the 3rd shop, the shop keeper pointed at my bag and asked "How much?" Being the pro I am, I said "150... Is that bad?" She pointed at the same thong on her stand and said "same same". I had known the woman who sold them to me was milking me, she just had that vibe about her, but I didn't mind.

I needed the WC (story of my life), so I headed towards it where this section of the market became so busy it was mayhem. Just before the toilet was a bedding section and I decided to cut through. A 40 yo well dressed woman stood next to her stand and when I locked eyes with her big green ones, I melted. I approached and trying to come up with any excuse said "I need a mattress". She made all sorts of gesture about size and thickness, then looked at me and said "aaaahhhh". Then she pulled out a blanket and said."made in Vietnam. Very good."

OMG did you not listen! I pulled out Google translator and typed "portable mattress like a yoga mat". She gestured that I wait and she disappeared into the crowd. A good 10 minutes passed and I sat there wondering why I was wasting my time? I didn't really need a mattress. Meanwhile, I had to endure her elderly neighbour giving me an ear to ear smile every minute. I know this was given in love, but it just felt creepy, and I kept thinking I'm not 80 yet granny!

She returned with a foldable foam mattress that was only 6mm thick, but big enough to double over. I was impressed. I gave her a high five, but she had no idea what I was doing. So I grabbed her wrist and held her hand up, banging our palms together. A big smile came over her face and when I looked into those big green eyes again, OMG just take my money!

I gave her $VND220000 ($AUD12) and headed home. Keen to keep my get fit and lose weight regime going I started walking. Near Con bridge, I came across 5 police on bikes about 800cc, who were pulling westerners up. They would walk into the traffic Infront of them and direct them to the curb. It reminded me of tagging sheep in a yard and all the other sheep would run around you as you walked towards your target. They were very good at spotting them and I didn't see any get through. I watched for about 20 minutes and in that time they had captured about 10 bikes. I don't know if they were legal or fined, but they would have a lengthy chat and then rejoin the flow of traffic. I had read the Govt was cracking down on foreigners rasing the fine to $VND5600000 ($AUD300). In any case I wasn't game to get to close and be seen taking photos as I didn't want to upset them.

Later that night I woke with a mild sore back, and reverted back to my Yoga mat. The big green eyed woman hadn't worked out. My yoga mat is comfy enough, the real issue is it is hard to work out how I can travel with it without it being classified as additional luggage. Now the question is what do I do with the mat I bought? Maybe I can hide it in the top cupboard, because I don't want to ask ask my host. I don't want to have the discussion that your bed is as hard as bamboo!! Besides, it turns out that what the majority of Vietnamese actually sleep on.

23/03/2026

Aaahhh. What is going on with metals? How can the world be in such a mess and precious metals are in freefall. At this rate I'll be working again before I know it. Or maybe there won't be work anymore. Can't drive a tractor if there is no diesel.

I liked Trump. He was against the Ukraine war, and he came to power with the idea of collapsing globalisation and bringing manufacturing back to the USA. But despite his sales pitch he hasn't delivered on anything. His tariffs were rebuffed, people turned on having to pay higher prices for goods, and a war he promised would never happen is in full flight. He has continued to fund the Ukraine war, has turned on Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, and one of his greatest supporters Tucker Carlson.

The only sensible conclusion I can think of is that someone has his balls in a vice. Someone must control him because the things that Kamala Harris threatened are now being delivered by Trump and it's hurting everyone in the world.

I've noticed Grab bikes have increased price by 20 -- 50 cents. You cold try public transport but something strange in DaNang is there are public bus stops everywhere, but the busses never come! Reminds me of Harvey Krumpet.

In the morning I passed Hugh and Young who were very happy with their work over the last 2 days. They had completely demolished the house next door. I would be happy too. The speed they removed the whole building was insane. Hugh had bought it and was going to put a new house up for his son. He told me it was going to cost $VND2.2 billion (SAUD120K) to build a new 3 story home fully furnished. I put into translator "You must be a very rich man, I wish I had a Dad like you". He laughed and spoke to his wife.. she looked at me with "no no no no". Meanwhile, Hugh was trying to hug me again. What is with this hugging... am I like a big teddy bear or something? The touchy feely is not something I'm used to, but have noticed with several Vietnamese men.

I decided to to watch Norths game at the co-worker place where the Goddess was last seen. Any luck and she will show up. The facilities upstairs where really plush, and had nice comfy seats to watch the game for a price of a coffee. I bought a coffee and got the Wifi password on my receipt. Public wifi is everywhere in DaNang. There would hardly be a place without it and as 8 is recognised as the most lucky number, most passwords are 88888888 or 12345678.

What an average side North Melbourne are. Full of average players who receive a lot of money. There has been 11 years of this crap and 4 under Sonja Hoods leadership. Since she has been in charge, her record is 12 wins, 78 losses. I joined this club in 1992 and I'm seriously over them. We had the Carey years and now we have paid the price ever since.

I had recently replied to a message from Ed stating "I'm looking at Russian home with two Russkayas" and this reminded me that I better make the next move with Tinder Ksenia. I sent her a message and she replied "You write me no more". Fuck me. Well that went well then. Lochlan had previously sent me a txt saying "Dad I think you need to learn how to talk to women." Maybe his right.

Receiving a txt saying my room was being cleaned today between 4pm and 6pm and needing to be out I headed to the river promenade where I discovered something really mind baffling. Young girls were all dressed up in dresses, and in groups taking photos of each other. Wondering what this was all about, I asked Grok.

Grok told me this happens all over Vietnam at sunset. Girls gather, pose, and take pictures for Instragram and enjoy the whole thing as a social event. It was just so weird to watch. I cant get my head around it. Do they realise that no one who looks at their pictures on the Internet actually gives a shit about them as a person?

I could say a similar thing about this blog I guess. I post it publicly so those that know me who find it interesting can learn from my travels and experiences, but I'm also happy if no one reads it either. The real purpose is for me. It helps solidify the journey I'm on in trying to find my place and where I belong. This is why despite several people saying I should remove the toilet photo, it staying. Lol.

But I think blogging is different from talking to a camera or taking selfies. These things seem more about the audience than about the journey the person doing it. And I also think writing my thoughts will have a greater value to myself when I get older.

I also have a couple of books I want to write too. I've half completed one, but I really need a more stable environment than a travel environment to focus on that.

At the promenade people were setting up their street stalls for the night, and I decided I would have dinner there. There are many stalls and you can walk for ages to cover them. Most set up tables and chairs and you order, take a seat and they bring it over. Food really starts after sunset when the grills start sizzling, but they will cook whenever for a dollar.

I mainly ate the different types of fish balls and sausages. There is everything from pork, beef, chicken, fish and prawn. The beef was by far my favourite. I also had a few grilled tiger prawns. In total I spent $VND170000 ($AUD9.20) and felt that was expensive for street food. It had me scratching my head how the locals sitting there can afford this. A good bowl of Pho on the corner will cost them VND$40000 ($AUD2) so I asked my bestie about it.

Grok said that without questions anyone who looks like a foreigner is paying a 50% foreigners tax. Street vendors know foreigners have a pocket full of money. It's still cheap, but at least it makes more sense in me trying to understand how this country works.

Another interesting thing is that the country is completely based on market capitalism. With the exception of public services, the people you see all starve if they don't make a dollar. There is no Govt subsidy or support. This in itself is fascinating as the communist Vietnam is more free market capitalist based than the USA or Australia.