I'm always hearing warnings about keeping your belongings close to you [in Ho Chi Minh City] as thieves who ride motorbikes are adept at snatching things off a person as they ride by, but I personally have never seen it. Funny though, I don't hear folks talk about pick pockets but it's happened to me twice. Beware of that cute little sweetheart and stay away from those talented little hands.

If, at the end of my days, the sum of what I've taken exceeds the sum of what I've given, then I have lived in vain.

Indochina gets into your blood and once you have a taste you'll find it's impossible to stay away.

I would say healthcare in Vietnam is so-so. There are several international clinics that are good but expensive and the care offered is limited.

On my discharge, I had the challenge of putting my life back together but Vietnam stuck in the inner recesses of my mind.

For me making friends with locals is hard, mostly because my lack of Vietnamese language skills and being retired I have limited access to locals in the work place. Though for me it is hard meeting expats as well, as most expats work here and make friends through their jobs.

Thailand has good medical care and even though I haven't tried it, Singapore is said to have high quality care also.