That is about $1.58, the denominations that I've handled so fat: 500,000 ($21.42) 200,000 ($8.57) 100,000 ($4.28) and down to the 1000 note ($0.04) Pretty sure they don't use coin at all. That's a wad of bills to carry around. The upside is things are pretty cheap depending on where you buy them, a bottle of water 5000 at a momNpop store ( 21 cents) 2 to 3 times that at a "convenience" store. The area I'm in now only has those, no larger markets

Now for the reason, you haven't heard from me in over a week.  The Saturday started out pretty normal, I got out and about just about 10am, I didn't have much of an appetite, but a western breakfast sounded good. Best I could find was an omelet, ordered that and an iced black coffee. Coffee was great, omelet so-so, got about halfway through it when the random bits of eggshell got to be too much. I needed a 3 plug to a 2 plug adaptor for my rapidly depleting laptop (the first hotel had one, 2nd did not) I had been checking with the local convenience stores for one, no luck. Someone suggested O Top Mall on the other side of the southernmost bridge.

The foregoing was written 12 hours ago, as I was writing, a wave of exhaustion came over me, I put down the laptop and slept 12 hours.

So I made the decision to walk to the OTop mall, turns out the southernmost bridge is a good mile and a half away and was about a half mile long. It was about 85 and muggy, I was already tired, and the mall didn't have what I needed! Every 7-11 in Thailand carries them! No 7-11's or any western franchises have been seen yet (did see a KFC delivery scooter).
Finally got back to the hotel, took a rest then headed for the bar I like for a few beers and maybe something to eat (still didn't have an appetite), I hadn't been there more than 30 minutes when I noticed I was getting chills, it was at least 80 out, and it was getting worse as the minutes went by, time to head to the hotel and some serious rest. Within a half hour of arriving at the hotel, it was apparent to me the chills weren't from exhaustion, I had a fever, a serious one. My body was at war with some unknown (to me) pathogen, it was a full-blown battle that I knew could end in defeat, mine. I knew I could intervene but that would defeat my body's purpose and probably lead to prolonging the cause, and I knew that too high a fever for too long can be life-threatening. I didn't have a thermometer (do now) so I took the chance and let my body do it thing.
The high fever broke in 4 to 5 hours, slept the rest of the night with what I knew was a higher than normal temperature, drinking water whenever I'd wake up. That continued till Monday, About noon on Monday I gathered up what little strength I had and ventured out for more water and to try and eat. The best I managed on eating was a few bites of noodle and veggies and the broth from a chicken noodle Pho soup. Ventured out again on Tuesday (am slowly getting stronger) found a thermometer, the adaptor I needed, and a bank branch to get some cash, ATM's withdrawal limit is 2,000,000 dong ($58). After that 2 hour outing (still no appetite) it was more water and back to the room and bed. That brings us to now, Wednesday morning, feeling closer to normal, gaining strength, a temperature close to normal.
Friday morning I check out and head to my new hotel 25 or so miles South, much quieter area. I'll keep you posted, album link
.https://photos.app.goo.gl/EMQAHeCorAqAgica7

Some observations:
There are street dogs, but way less than in Thailand. The only cat I've seen so far was dead alongside the road, hit by a vehicle.
I haven't seen any police, except for a caravan of Black Vehicles lead and trailed by police cars with sirens going and military types directing traffic to stop for the obviously VIP caravan. There are police boxes at the traffic circles, but I've never seen a cop in one.  I haven't seen a stop sign or a traffic signal, intersections are scary, but they seem to manage to miss each other.
So far I've seen scooters carrying all sorts of things, I saw a scooter go by with another scooter strapped to the back, a guy with a boxed dishwasher on the back, guys riding with long ladders, etc. I'll try to get some pictures.
Took a walk to the other side of the river on Sunday morning, not sure of the miles, but overdid it, calf muscles on Monday morning were so sore I could barely walk, stayed close to the hotel. Still sore today, but better.

Traffic circle

Took a walk this morning after breakfast ($4.29 with $1 tip) to look at my next hotel, the $20 a night one. About a 30-minute walk North of where I am, there was even more construction near there, and the hotel didn't look any nicer than the one I'm at ($8 a night).  So after I got back to my hotel I did some more searching and found one that looked good for $8.50 a night, booked 7 nights. and canceled the other one.
It's early I know, but I'm having mixed feelings about Vietnam. I love the area, the beach is close, the food is good (and cheap) the Vietnamese beer is good (and Cheap) But the people (except those your doing business with) seem to be just tolerating you. A smile and nod in their direction gets you a blank stare, or sometimes a glare. Totally unlike the warmth you feel from the Thai locals. Like I said it's early, and it could just be the area. There are lots of construction workers,  incredibly hard work at low pay that probably see me as an entitled tourist who could care less about them.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the weather, the low cost of living, and of course the beach!
Planning on being in DaNang for two weeks then moving South to Hoi An, have heard it's much quieter down there :) I'll keep ya up to date!

My second day in DaNang, Vietnam. The first day was mostly sleeping off my jet lag, So far I'm happy with my choice of DaNang for the first stop. Five-minute walk to the beach, inexpensive food, and beer. For example today my breakfast (about noon) was a bacon and egg baguette with a beer, and tip $3.43.  A six-pack of beer, soap, and water at Circle K $6.05. Then dinner (fried rice noodle with chicken and vegetables, and 2 beers, and tip $4.29, Then 2 beers at a bar with a cool ambiance, with tip $3.65.
So today including my room was $25.42. If I repeated that every day I'd be looking at spending $763,00 a month.
Did a little walking around today, building going on everywhere, lots of Chinese tourists, some European, met a couple of Aussie retired coppers (policemen), and am just getting my footing here. It's a bit jumbled as far as what's where, and I think the area is growing in tourist popularity, probably much like Thailand was 15-20 years ago.

Still extremely tired from the trip, but I should be 100% in a day or two.
Going to have to figure out how to do a mass email to link everyone to this blog. Wish me luck!
Now for more sleep, luckily the bed is comfy, and the A/C works great.