New to Saigon!

Hello John and welcome to Expat.com!

Do not hesitate to take a look at the different threads of the forum.

You may also browse the articles in our participative guide.
Here is the link > https://www.expat.com/en/guide/asia/vietnam/.

Harmonie.

Hey John,

Welcome to the blog.  Medical School, huh?  Congrat, guy.  My younger sister graduated from Boston U. pharmarcy school.  You are going to be a long way from home.

Anyhow, you will be coming to Vietnam right around that Lunar New Year.  It will be the most fun time to be here.  But, it will not be the best time to get anything started, especially in Saigon.  That is the time the majority of its residents go to their hometowns to celebrate; for a good week or so, the entire city is nearly deserted. 

Expats in Saigon tend to gather around district 1 and 3, for western foods and night life.  The rental rate there varies, depending on what you want, in term of comfort and convenient.  Your budget is the key.

If I were looking for a place to live in Saigon.  I would go to one of the mini hotels in district 10, along that Su Van Hanh Street.  I still do everytime I had to stay overnight.  A single room there costs about $15 USDs a day.  But, if you stay on the long term basis, they charge you at least 10% less.  That area is slightly off the beaten track; but it is the heart of the city.  Getting around is much easier.

I hope I could help you more.  But, that is all I know about Saigon.  I don't spend much time there.   

Regards,
Howie

Hi John,
So many good language schools to learn Vietnamese in Saigon. You can check out some places below:
HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities
http://www.ngoaingu-duhoc.com.vn
Saigon Language School:
http://www.saigonlanguage.com/default.a … 302&id=125
HCMC University of Foreign Language & Information Technology
http://www.huflit.edu.vn/home/index.php
And I think all your VN friends in the future will help you out everyday as well
Regards,
Loan