Just accepted an offer for work in HCMC

Hi All,
Just accepted an offer for work in HCMC yesterday and will be moving in the next few weeks to HCMC. Will be regionally responsible so a lot of travels.

Hello AlexWKBA. Welcome to the expat.com Vietnam forum. Congratulations on your new position and on your upcoming move.

I have been to Vietnam before but never lived there though I have lived in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Any advice to share? Looking at getting a serviced apartment (at least for the beginning - suggestions)?
Cheers
Alex - @AlexWKBA

Tell us a little more about the sort of accommodations you'd be interested in.

Are you looking to live in an expat enclave, or among the local VN people?

What price range would you be willing to entertain?

What is your expected length of stay? I ask because of potential lease requirements.

Hi All,
Just accepted an offer for work in HCMC yesterday and will be moving in the next few weeks to HCMC. Will be regionally responsible so a lot of travels.

I have been to Vietnam before but never lived there though I have lived in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Any advice to share? Looking at getting a serviced apartment (at least for the beginning - suggestions)?

Cheers
Alex - @AlexWKBA

Hi Alex! Welcome to the Vietnam Forum.

Serviced apartment sounds good. Just don't attempt to book anything long-term in advance.

We repeatedly advise people to book at least 3 days in advance at an affordable hotel or motel through one of the major booking apps (Agoda, BookingDOTcom, Trip Advisor, HotelsDOTcom, etc) and then personally view available listings before committing any money.

I didn't mention Airbnb because they are essentially banned now from being used to rent anything in that category.

Hopefully your employer offers employee assistance with relocation and even better if you've negotiated a good package with extra benefits that include a housing allowance.

Maybe though, ask yourself a few key questions about your lifestyle before you lock yourself into a certain type of lodging:

Do you think you'll be cooking for yourself much or will you be eating out and hanging food delivered?

I ask because it's possible you don't really need a kitchen. So you might not need a true standard apartment.

Especially since you will be traveling a lot, a nice, full-service hotel could possibly fit your needs and maybe save you money.

Good quality hotels and hotel/apartments in Vietnam are usually quite willing to store luggage while frequent guests travel around the region.

You get the advantage of "checking out" when you hit the road and checking back in when you return, having your items in storage returned to you in your new room.

It's a bit of an old school approach and may not fit your needs. Just thought I'd toss the idea out there if you'll be on the road more often than you'll be in town.

Good luck and let us know about any other specific questions.

Cheers!

O.B.

Hi,

THanks all...

Some more details...

I was offered the job and accpted it and am awaiting the contract (no issues) for a global corporation. We dont have business in Asia so my job is to develop business and set up legal entities and then potential manufacturing sites.

I dont have housing allowance (I do but baked into my salary package). Am looking at Sherwood residences for the first month while getting to know the city and then decide more long term in terms of serviced apartments or condo or staying in hotel while in Vietnam and just store luggage in hotel when travelling for a week or so to other locations in ASEAN.

I am coming by myself (no wife, gf or kids).

Prefer for the start to stay in district 1 for convenience and then we'll see....

Cheers

Hi Alex

Sherwood are good. Your key decision is whether to go for the expat enclave - Thao Dien or to opt for the local expeiencen of Q1, Q3 or areas like Pham Vhiet Chan (Binh Thanh).

Q1 is perpetual traffic.

Thao Dien Floods.

PVC is my suggestion for serviced apartments in an authentic setting, close to both Q1 and Thao Dien.

Good Luck

cheers!

If you are going to be working with manufacturing you may want to consider old district 2.  I liked the area around Thao Dien when we lived there just to give me a cultrure break with a lot of Western restaurants.  With most manufacturing being in Binh Duong , D1 will just add another 20 or so minutes to your commute.  That said, you still have the issue with another section of manufacturing in Long An which is the opposite direction.  There's no real way around it.  PM me if you have any questions about manufacturing.  That's what I did when I lived there for three years but I'm back in the states now.  I was setting up manufacturers but ours was to ship to the US.  I have a lot of manufacturing contacts there.  Bear in mind a lot of them don't have many English speaking staff.