{"id":656695,"date":"2025-01-01T21:05:43","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T02:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=656695"},"modified":"2025-01-01T21:20:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T02:20:56","slug":"vietnam-luxury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/01\/vietnam-luxury\/","title":{"rendered":"VIETNAM LUXURY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wow, staying at the <a href=\"https:\/\/all.accor.com\/hotel\/B8H0\/index.en.shtml\">MERCUR, Dalat hotel resort<\/a>, and wow ,,, it makes all of American seems so ghetto and backwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Problems in America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> so after spending some time in Saigon and Vietnam and here in Dalat\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 The economic parity purchasing power here in Vietnam as a wealthy foreigner is interesting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> First, I think the biggest problem in America is that there is a huuuuuuge shortage of labor. In terms of both skilled and unskilled labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The truth of the fact is like if you live in California Los Angeles whatever\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 All of the construction contractor work is typically done by Latino immigrant laborers from El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala etc. Yet they are almost run like cartels; you will have some sort of American guy Korean guy or Latino American guy who acts the middle man, who speaks to his only Spanish speaking labor staff to build something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vietnam there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a huge supply of labor both skilled and unskilled, mostly skilled. For example even if you go to the mall, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s almost always a lady always cleaning up the bathrooms, the floors, it is like 1 trillion times more hygienic than America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Also in terms of construction, there is so much skilled construction workers here, who are paid like 5% of the salary in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a consequence, stuff here in Vietnam just gets built like 1000 X faster and also 1000 X cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other problems in America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> I think especially nowadays that minimum wage laws, and unskilled labor is kind of insane, like $20 bucks an hour, I think this has actually made people really lazy. Also minimum wage laws, maybe I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m actually a little bit on the country here\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 But I wonder if actually, minimum wage laws actually make people more lazy? Also, a big idea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Does minimum wage minimum wage laws <em><strong>create<\/strong><\/em> inflation?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note this is from somebody who grew up in a super super poor family, single working mom working at a restaurant, tips under the table etc. typically the thought is if you do not institute minimum wage laws, then these greedy capitalists will just exploit workers. And then we are shown pictures of the past of these 9 year-old kids working in coal mines etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No \u00e2\u20ac\u0153homeless\u00e2\u20ac\u009d people in Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Another thing\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 For the most part you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really see \u00e2\u20ac\u0153homeless\u00e2\u20ac\u009d people in Vietnam. Certainly there are some people who are very very impoverished, insanely poor, but not \u00e2\u20ac\u0153homeless\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in the American Los Angeles sense, like drugged out cracked out individual solo people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">America is on the out and out?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m starting to understand a little bit more about the notion of colonialism\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 When your own home country is already tapped out, you go outward and explore for new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Certainly there are huge benefit benefits of being in America life in America etc., freedom of speech, certainly the apex freedom you could have on the planet. For us new Spartans in which we reprise our freedom above all else\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 And also the power of an American passport and citizenship, it is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Privilege is a double edged sword<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, I believe it to be manly to pay your taxes your American taxes dutifully, it is virtuous. But I think the big thing is spent some of your time living in the states, as a homebase, do your taxes, do your finances trading investing there, but also spend a large chunk of time abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The ideal ratio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Honestly speaking I almost feel like the ideal ratio is spending 80% of your time and calendar year abroad, and 20% back home. Like in a single year with 12 months, 3 months back home is fine, the other 9 months abroad seems like a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Americans or individuals abroad are happier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> If you could earn US dollars back home in America, yet live for like 5% to 10% of the cost abroad, doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that makes the most sense?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hotels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Are you an example\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Even spending $40 a night at like a basic two star or three star hotel in Saigon is almost like 20 times better than anything you will find in America. A $50 a night hotel in Saigon is probably worth like $350 a night in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> It gets better; you spend time in a luxury resort in Vietnam in Dalat, like a $300 a night resort, it is almost what you would experience at like a $10,000 a night resort in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">These things are super nice!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in America, I almost feel like 99% of the time you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just always thinking about how poor you are, or how you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have enough money, etc. This is the poor middle class and rich alike. So when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re abroad in Vietnam etc.\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 You feel so insanely baller. Your life and lifestyle is like 1 trillion times more beautiful, more aesthetically beautiful, your life is just like so elevated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">America sucks!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Once again, living in America sucks. The greatest upside of America is once again our freedom and our liberty laws which are paid with our taxes. Otherwise don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lifestyle-by-kim\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/lifestyle\/\">LIFESTYLE by KIM<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/27\/affordable-luxury\/\">Affordable Luxury<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/18\/once-youre-rich-then-you-can-start-to-live-differently\/\">Once You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Rich, Then You Can Start to Live Differently.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/09\/outrage-porn\/\">Outrage Porn<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/04\/photography-is-our-lifestyle\/\">Photography *IS* Our Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/13\/daily\/\">DAILY.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/23\/effiency\/\">EFFIENCY.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/27\/parallel-living\/\">Parallel Living<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/24\/towards-a-streamlined-lifestyle\/\">Towards a Streamlined Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/18\/life-design\/\">Life Design<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/18\/whats-the-best-life-or-mode-of-existence\/\">What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the Best Life or Mode of Existence?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/26\/more-interesting-or-less-interesting\/\">More Interesting or Less Interesting?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/26\/lifestyle-design\/\">Lifestyle Design<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/26\/craft-your-own-ideal-future\/\">CRAFT YOUR OWN IDEAL FUTURE.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/17\/all-information-is-information\/\">All Information is Information<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/02\/natural-light-and-health\/\">Natural Light and Health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/23\/minimum-viable-thriving\/\">Minimum Viable Thriving<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/21\/good-homes-over-good-cars\/\">Good Homes Over Good Cars<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/13\/sleep-is-godlike\/\">Sleep is Godlike<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/26\/dynamic-lifestyle\/\">Dynamic Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/23\/what-is-the-ideal-home\/\">What is the Ideal Home?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/29\/lifestyle\/\">Lifestyle?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/29\/eric-kim-quarantine-lifestyle\/\">ERIC KIM QUARANTINE LIFESTYLE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/21\/in-praise-of-a-choice-minimal-lifestyle\/\">In Praise of a Choice Minimal Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/21\/beta-lifestyle\/\">BETA LIFESTYLE<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/28\/in-praise-of-a-ghetto-lifestyle\/\">In Praise of a Ghetto Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/17\/park-lifestyle\/\">Park Lifestyle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wow, staying at the MERCUR, Dalat hotel resort, and wow ,,, it makes all of American seems so ghetto and backwards. Problems in America so after spending some time in Saigon and Vietnam and here in Dalat\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 The economic parity purchasing power here in Vietnam as a wealthy foreigner is interesting: First, I think the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-656695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=656695"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":656720,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656695\/revisions\/656720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=656695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=656695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=656695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}