Exploring da nang by scooter: Vietnam Livestream

The speaker has been busy with clients and is now back with a video that will be uploaded soon. They are currently on a scooter ride to an "unseen part of Da Nang," a large, open, walkable park area near Marble Mountain. The speaker mentions that Vince and Kayla, who were clients, just left, and their main dilemma about not returning is their animals. The speaker advises that Timo (T I M O or T E M O) is a bank that foreigners can use to open an account, though they personally don't use it, preferring Tra Tok. They also mention that their usual Tra Tok shop didn't have Tra Tok today, forcing them to get a lemon tea instead. During the scooter ride, the speaker discusses the shakiness of their current phone mount, hoping a new one arriving tomorrow will fix the issue. They wear a mask for incognito purposes and protection from dust and road debris. They plan to share a story about being "scammed" at a gas station once they reach the park. Navigating the Vietnamese traffic, the speaker notes the importance of adjusting mirrors and expresses frustration with other drivers' aggressive behavior. They briefly touch on Easter celebrations in Vietnam, noting that while some Catholics and Christians likely celebrate, it's not widely observed, unlike Christmas, which saw a significant increase in decorations and festivities last year. The speaker plans a trip to Hue on Monday and invites anyone to join, joking about space on the scooter and in the storage. They highlight the low cost of gas in Vietnam, estimating about $5-$6 to fill their 1.6-gallon tank, which provides 120-130 miles. They also mention a recent scooter wash cost them only 30,000 VND, or about $1.30-$1.50, for a full wash and dry. Upon reaching the park area, the speaker notes its secluded nature and the lack of people, despite its beauty and views of Marble Mountain. They observe significant construction in the area and express concern about potential overbuilding in Da Nang, particularly in areas away from the beach. They believe developers are building too much, expecting to charge similar prices to beachfront properties, which they think will lead to properties sitting empty or requiring price reductions, as these areas lack the draw of the beach and are less convenient for tourists. The speaker recounts their gas station "scam" experience: they went to fill up their scooter, which was a little over half full. The attendant quickly put the pump in, and the meter immediately showed 90,000 VND. The speaker found this suspicious as they had only driven about 50 km since their last fill-up, which would not warrant such a high cost. When they questioned the attendant, he insisted it was full. After starting the scooter, the gas gauge hadn't moved. Returning to the station, they spoke to the owner, who suggested their gas gauge was faulty. When the speaker insisted on more gas, another 49,000 VND worth was added, making the total far too high for a partial fill-up. The speaker believes they were scammed, possibly because they were identified as a foreigner, and plans to avoid that gas station in the future. They note that in Vietnam, attendants pump the gas, unlike in many parts of the USA. Continuing their ride, the speaker spots cows grazing in an open field, including calves, and expresses surprise at seeing them in this developed area. They reiterate their concern about overbuilding, stating that while the beach area is popular, developers are building far from it, expecting tourists to come, which they believe is a miscalculation. The speaker observes the chaotic driving habits of Vietnamese scooter riders, noting their tendency to rush and cut people off, despite appearing relaxed and unhurried in other aspects of their lives, such as at work or coffee shops. They find this contrast puzzling. They also mention their new headphones, which are a wrap-around, bone-density style, purchased for a very low price. They share the current temperature, which feels like 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and discuss travel plans to Hue by train. They prefer trains over buses in Vietnam due to safety concerns about bus drivers. The speaker contrasts the train options for Hue, explaining that while a "Heritage train" offers scenic views and amenities, it's double the price and takes an hour longer than the regular train, which gets them there in just over 3 hours. They also briefly compare Vietnam's infrastructure to the Philippines, finding Vietnam's internet, electricity, and cost of living significantly better. Finally, the speaker touches on future visa runs, potentially to Cambodia or Malaysia, depending on the global situation. They reiterate their belief that Da Nang is overbuilding, driven by a "boom" mentality in Asia where growth is assumed to be endless. They argue that Da Nang is playing catch-up, building for a past boom rather than anticipating future trends, which could lead to an oversupply of properties that are too expensive for locals and too far for tourists. They plan to edit and release a video of their recent visa run soon and might do a dinner live stream tonight.