great response. I have heard that other parts of Vietnam are exactly like what you are describing. I specifically chose Da Nang because the people I know here with boots on the ground say that it is different than other places.
I felt the same as you do when i was in Hanoi, I have never been to a city that chaotic with the traffic, plus there was very little in the way of foot-paths anywhere. It was not my favorite place.
Good thing the hand isn't broken and yes, Thailand's medical care is really good. Of the places I have lived / visited it is the best in the world from a price / quality standpoint.
Thanks pal, the move has me nervous that's for sure. I've become so accustomed to TH that I don't know if I have it in me to fully integrate into another South East Asian society. I'll likely take the lazy route and mostly only hang out with other expats. I already learned one, one-country language and other than the country that is currently forcing me out, I have no use for it.
Plus Vietnamese sounds as though it is even harder than Thai.
I'll take it all in stride. I'm sure I'll miss a lot of things about LOS.
oh, by the way I have not been to HCMC but after just a short while in Hanoi I knew i didn't want to live there.