Letters to Someone Moving to Da Nang

[Tim]

Another couple of topics for someone moving to Da Nang.

Danang International Fellowship (DIF)
There are good people of many nationalities that are part of the local expat-church.  We found that networking with these people was very satisfying, and it was neat to see this local expression of the body of Christ.  http://dananginternationalfellowship.org

Smart Phone
Bring a smart phone.  You need it for the translation and the maps, if nothing else.  As I said before, you can get talk/text and all the data you need for $7 a month.  I don't know how many times I went shopping for a specific tool and used Google Images instead of the translator tool so I could show people what it is I'm looking for.
But you can't bring a smart phone that is still locked by the US carrier or that doesn't take SIM cards. It needs to be the sort with a SIM card, and there are still phones being made that don't use SIM cards.  Make sure yours is a SIM card phone and that it is unlocked for international use.  If you're under contract, you can usually just call and get the carrier to toggle the lock for you if you tell them you're going to travel and need to put a SIM in it while you're overseas.

Dental
Coming to Vietnam with a dental problem or in need of a dental checkup is a great idea.  It sounds like I'm being sarcastic, I know, but actually you can get a full set of x-rays and a modern, thorough exam for $15.  If you've got a hole in a tooth, they'll take before and after photos and do the white resin filling for $15 each.  Very modern, very comfortable.  http://serenitydentalclinic.com

Tall Hotels and Mountains
I'm a sucker for viewpoints.  I'd like to recommend that you head up to the top of Brilliant Hotel on the river and A La Carte Hotel on the beach, sometime in your first couple of weeks here.  Pay an exorbitant $3 for coffee, and sit and enjoy luxury with a view.
Have some students or Viet friends take you up Monkey Mountain and Hai Van Pass.  Both of these have an "all the way to the top" that is worth the extra effort.  We went up Monkey Mountain many times before we continued to the top, and we're so glad we did.  When we finally went all the way up, we arranged to get to the top at sunset and watch the city lights come on below us.  Phenomenal.