Fernando
@Japantovietnam
American expat in Spain
Forum posts
53
About me
American
Lives in Saigon
Speaks English, Spanish, Japanese, some Vietnamese
Registration: 30 November 2012
Validity of Residence Permit after Finishing Work Contract
Cool! Very good news indeed! Glad that I will be going to back to VN to process my documents then in December! Read More
Validity of Residence Permit after Finishing Work Contract
Hi everyone long time no post. I finished my contract with a school in Vietnam but I still have my residence permit valid until November 2015. I am doing a Masters degree program in Spain but unfortunately could not get my student visa processed in ... Read More
Used computer/audio stuff in HCMC by Japantovietnam
Hi everyone, So I just signed the lease on a new apartment yesterday and can finally start re-building my media stronghold. However, in my time in Japan, I got used to being to find cheap used quality electronics. I realize that this is may be a ...
Huynh Thuc Khang street has a place that sells some racks and in D10 there is a road called Nguyen Kim I think that has loads of stuff. It's all off-brand but I bought a couple of Microlab speakers/subwoofer for like 500,000 and they sound great! Read More
Any anime fans? by NinaVamp
I'm a fan of anime, manga, video games, Japanese stuff in general and am looking for expats with similar interests. I know it is big here in Vietnam but sadly I do not speak Vietnamese yet to converse with locals. :( I'm pretty much a fan of nerdy ...
I'm in Ho Chi Minh City and, yeah, I'm at least cordially acquainted with some of the anime fandom here. Actually, it's pretty amazing how so many of these young people are near-fluent in English. I would be open to meeting up. Read More
Gotta love crooked airport customs ppl lol by mikeymyke
Came into Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon for my upcoming wedding and before I came, I searched the net, as well as the Canada and USA official govt websites, and all indicate u can bring $7000 max without declare. so i decide bring $7000 even. Now ...
Feeling lucky. I brought a crapton of electronics/camera gear and had well above the limit of VND in my pockets at the time. The official asked no questions and let me on my way. Guess it helped that I arrived well past midnight. Read More
Advice on raising parrots/parakeets in Vietnam by Japantovietnam
So I found these guys in a shop on my street. [img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1525228_10151863633151094_1118399278_n.jpg[/img] I want to buy them come payday and give them a proper home in my new apartment. My question ...
Oh god. That happening to such a beautiful bird like a macaw would traumatize me. To be honest, I'm wanting to get those birds partially just to help me cope with some stress of daily living so yes, I don't want to have these birdies just belly-up ... Read More
Advice on raising parrots/parakeets in Vietnam
So I found these guys in a shop on my street. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1525228_10151863633151094_1118399278_n.jpg I want to buy them come payday and give them a proper home in my new apartment. My question is what ... Read More
Lost motobike key. What can I do? by Japantovietnam
Does what it says on the box. I know, I was stupid, but if anyone can give me some advice on what to do, that'd be great.
Yeah I wound up having the lock changed for 450,000. Got this funky screwdriver key now, haha! Read More
Lost motobike key. What can I do?
Does what it says on the box. I know, I was stupid, but if anyone can give me some advice on what to do, that'd be great. Read More
Local market for toys by janin
Hi friends Where is the market where locals (may be a wholesale market) shop for buying toys and normal sports goods like badminton rackets. Some toys are very expensive in supermarkets and I guess their price would be lil less in a local market. ...
Lots of toy shops scattered around. Nguyen Van Cu has a pretty sizable shop off of Tran Hung Dao just before the bridge. Read More
Hey there! (Not a thread to find a foreigner to learn English ) by missmae
Its time to introduce myself (have been posting quite a lot w/o introduction sorry). So yeah my name is Mai, I graduated in Tourism Management last month and now live in Saigon to do an internship :) I don't know many people besides relatives and ...
Hi. Just sent a PM your way and I'd be free today or anytime this week really. Read More
Study Japanese? by darago01
Hello all, I met someone recently who would like to study Japanese. Does anyone know of someone who could give private lessons? I browsed real quick in the classified section, but it's mainly for learning English :/ Any suggestions would be ...
This isn't a very good forum to get in touch with the Japanese expat scene, given that few venture into the Anglo-net-o-phere. If you want to talk online, best to google in Japanese (I haven't yet bothered to look for blogs of Japanese in VN). It's ... Read More
New business idea by ancientpathos
RENT AN EXPAT, yes it is that simple. No more posting needs friends to hang out with. Want to practice English, rent an expat. Need to dress up your social events? We have the answer, Rent an expat. Yes we will be having 2 for Tuesdays....lol
To be fair, I've been in this country for nearly five months and still haven't made that many connections. Compare to the other island nation in my name where it seemed the every other day I was meeting new people. Granted, I've become far more ... Read More
3G / Internet by sfchai
I will travel to HCMC for 2 weeks on next months. I would like to know, is there any package suitable for me to use in short term? Last trip to HCMC, I bought mobifone with 3G, but the quote to online limited, finish quote very fast.
There is a 3g code you can use that gives you unlimited 3g for about 50k vnd a month.This guys. This. This is what I use on my phone with an unregistered SIM card and I download several hundred MBs of podcasts, youtube, app downloads, facebook etc, ... Read More
Business visa without Degree for Teachers?
The 3-month visa IS the business visa, as far as I know. That's the one that was given to me when I applied for my visa, I think because the 3-month tourist one has been discontinued. The Cambodia run is also becoming a thing of the past I hear ... Read More
Vietnamese narrow-mindedness about food by ChrisFox
Not stereotyping here, I have some friends, including a few on here, who love to try new things and appreciate even wholly western cuisine. But I've known a lot of Vietnamese who won't even try Chinese food that isn't already part of Vietnamese ...
I can't speak about the pool of people you hang with, but mine are all for anything foreign, including Japanese and Korean food. It's all anecdotal here anyways and I'm a pretty fussy eater so I can't say I don't sympathize a bit. Read More
Used computer/audio stuff in HCMC by Japantovietnam
Hi everyone, So I just signed the lease on a new apartment yesterday and can finally start re-building my media stronghold. However, in my time in Japan, I got used to being to find cheap used quality electronics. I realize that this is may be a ...
I think you missed... *puts on sunglasses* The point. YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH Read More
In a relationship with different languages by aibiet150204
Hi all, Yah! I am really interested in "diversity". So here is the story and the questions that I would like to hear from you all, especially someone who is being together with a spouse or in a relationship with foreigner who speak different ...
A bit busy so haven't quite read the (excellent and really interesting) thread in its entirety, but I want to weight my thoughts on this and the OP. In Japan, I found that many of the foreigners I met were actually quite enamored of the culture and ... Read More
Used computer/audio stuff in HCMC by Japantovietnam
Hi everyone, So I just signed the lease on a new apartment yesterday and can finally start re-building my media stronghold. However, in my time in Japan, I got used to being to find cheap used quality electronics. I realize that this is may be a ...
When you say gomi do you mean ジャンク (Junk for our katakana-challenged readers)? Read More
Used computer/audio stuff in HCMC
Hi everyone, So I just signed the lease on a new apartment yesterday and can finally start re-building my media stronghold. However, in my time in Japan, I got used to being to find cheap used quality electronics. I realize that this is may be a ... Read More
Where to buy sushi meat?
I was told that there is a Japanese market somewhere here. I want to say try the edge of Le Thanh Ton since they have lots of Japanese-oriented places there. Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information. by Japantovietnam
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ...
Fortunately, I have found two decent jobs and one has even offered an honest-to-god full-time salary!! Read More
Hi! New member living in HCMC for 3 years by vanessacorey
Hi! I am a new on this site, but I have lived in HCMC for 3 years. I filled out a profile here, so check it out if you like. Happy trails! Vanessa
I gotta say that being able to ESCAPE cold weather was one of my motivators for moving to Saigon from Japan and find the talk about feeling homesick for it mystifying. Heck, even the summer here I have found much more bearable than Japan's thanks to ... Read More
Movie "The World's End" in Saigon?
Yep. Just as expected, Bobby Brewer's is screening The World's End this week! Definitely gonna go check it out. Read More
Money withdrawal in Cambodia
Hey, I'm thinking of going to visit Cambodia next week. Would I have to withdraw all the money for that trip before leaving or could I use my Vietcombank card at select ATMs in the kingdom? Read More
New in HCMC by Annemarie_me
Hello! I will relocate in HCMC starting with this month. I would like to know what things can I expect there, both positive and negative which may I omitted to find them in my research on the internet about Saigon. More briefly, advises, tips and ...
Sure I'll join the dog pile. Would love to meet new people now that my payday is finally coming up. Feel free to PM on this website and I'll reply with my phone number for a coffee or what have you. Read More
Movie "The World's End" in Saigon?
My guess would be that Bobby Brewers' might screen it. Who knows though? Read More
Any film maker in HCMC?
Another sometime, failed(?) filmmaker here. From your name you seem Asian so yeah Kyle would also be happy to hang with you probably (he says numerous times he doesn't like hanging out with Caucasian people in Vietnam due to issues he has with how ... Read More
What is the deal with those noisy strobe light cafes?!
My question is pretty much what I have written up there. It seems like even in my relatively remote corner of D8, there are these cafes that are dimly lit and are playing thumping club/house music all freakin' night. Like I could get even a modest ... Read More
Any photographers out there?
Hi. I do A LOT of photography and am trying to get back into it after I settle in. Let's keep in touch. Read More
Departing for Vietnam tomorrow on a B3 visa.
Update: I am now in a hostel in Saigon. Border official asked me no questions and hell even customs let me through without but the most cursory scanning. Read More
Departing for Vietnam tomorrow on a B3 visa.
Who knows, but thanks for replying. Gives me more peace of mind than you can imagine. Read More
Departing for Vietnam tomorrow on a B3 visa.
Sooo I picked up a multiple re-entry 3 month visa, but I checked online and it says that it requires a sponsor's letter. I don't have a sponsor nor did the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo ask me anything about it. That all said: A) Can anyone sponsor ... Read More
Job market for journalists? by Pan_
I'm currently contemplating moving to HCMC before the beginning of 2014. I'm a (caucasian, if that matters) male below the age of 25, with a degree in journalism since last year. I was thinking of first getting the CELTA while in Vietnam and try ...
There is one popular Vietnam blog written by an English teacher cum Journalist. Google "Along the Mekong Vietnam" or something and you could contact him for tips I suppose. He seems pretty open to talking about things and is very sympathetic to the ... Read More
English girl in Saigon by AlexSarah
Hey, I'm Alex, 20years old and female (gonna be 21 whilst in Vietnam though!). Love music, animals, sunshine and exploring. I arrive in Vietnam in about 3 weeks, staying in D4. Spent a few weeks out there last year and now I'm back again! Anyone ...
Hi there. I'll be jumping near the end of July not too long after you. Wouldn't mind expanding a circle of fellow expats if you're not. Cheers! Read More
My plane arrives at 0055 - anything to do/be aware of at the airport? by Japantovietnam
I just got an email from my booking agency that my flight has been rescheduled to land in Saigon at 12:55am instead of 10pm as scheduled. As the forum topic reads: would I still be able to find a hotel to stay at overnight or at least find a bar ...
Thanks for the input everyone. My hostel is booked for the next day in Pham Ngu Lao so figured to just wait til then. I figured as such about the taxis but just needed some additional peace of mind! Read More
Looking for good Vietnamese Tutor by dougiewayne59
Im an expat living in HCM, hoping to find good Vietnamese Tutor that is looking for long term work as Tutor and not only a quick few Dong. Any one interested or ideas where to find. Doug
I take online courses with a nice gentleman based in Cu Chi. He teaches via Skype but is very good about keeping his hours (and accepting cancellations) at $50/five lessons. Just google something like "Online Vietnamese Skype" and you'll find his ... Read More
Relationships by ancientpathos
I am a 53 years old divorced Caucasian male from the USA. I really enjoy my life here in Vietnam. Been traveling a lot and it seems that a recurring theme has developed whenever I meet someone I am interested in. Please bear in mind that I do not ...
Run. Just. Run. If you must, give her a firm No with an apology, but make that the last you deal with that gal. Been reading too many horror stories for prolonged contact to even remotely sound like a good idea. Read More
My plane arrives at 0055 - anything to do/be aware of at the airport?
I just got an email from my booking agency that my flight has been rescheduled to land in Saigon at 12:55am instead of 10pm as scheduled. As the forum topic reads: would I still be able to find a hotel to stay at overnight or at least find a bar ... Read More
Teaching English via Skype, does it attract u? by nhung.scorpio90
It works well in my hometown, I can find students quite easily, but now, what I need to figure out is that: Are there a lot of expats willing to get 10$/hour for teaching English online (the price will increase if we get more students)? I know it's ...
Is $10/hr too much? That's how much I pay for my Vietnamese lessons and I find other online language lessons to be at roughly the same rate depending on language (Japanese, for instance, is a bit higher). Read More
Visa situation after Jan. 1, 2013 by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, A friend of mine is thinking of relocating to Vietnam so I want to get some up-to-date information. Since Jan. 1, 2013 the visa policy changed so that visitors coming on a pre-approved visa would only get a C1 tourist visa that is ...
I'm gonna stick my neck out and potentially look the fool. Alright, so from all I've been reading about this visa stuff and I'm a dummy who needs to broken down into bullet points. * I can no longer change from a tourist visa to a working one in ... Read More
Living in North Korea by expat.com
You are living in North Korea, or you used to live in North Korea. [b]Share your experience![/b] How would you describe life in North Korea? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find an accommodation and a job? Is it complicated to make ...
Just how did you wind up with a gig there? Any stories that you can share or are you saving it all for a book? I don't know if you have but there's the "Inspector O" series of books about a cop in North Korea and it often alludes to foreigners ... Read More
Tablet technical service by mguidi.htmir
I have a couple of tablet, one of this is an entry chinese tablet called Teclast A11, from a couple of day is giving me headache. Does anyone know where i can found technical service in Ho Chi Minh? Regards Marco
I'd start by looking around Huynh Thuc Khang. They had a lot of little electronics shops that do some great repair work in my experience. Not sure how you'll do with a tablet that isn't by one of the big companies though. Read More
HELP ME, PLEASE!!!!! by marina308
Hi, I have a friend, he is a American, he used to live in VN about a year, before that he lived in Korea for 4 years. Last year he came back to America. He transited in Korean and he got caught right on the airport because he brought some marijuana ...
I'm personally indifferent to marijuana as I don't think it's any worse than alcohol. While I'm sure he is a nice guy, unfortunately and frankly speaking, your friend was an idiot for trying to take marijuana outside of Vietnam, let alone through ... Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information. by Japantovietnam
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ...
Yeah I hold a BA, as is required by the JET Program/Japanese visa regulations. I also have five years experience working with Junior High and Elementary school students along with a handful of adult learners. Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information. by Japantovietnam
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ...
Weird. Lots of information on that school but the link isn't working yet their Japanese website at sakurasgn.com is fine. Either way, I doubt that they would hire me since I don't have Japanese teaching qualifications and most schools of that sort ... Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information. by Japantovietnam
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ...
I am American unfortunately. However, if you are looking for a Japanese speaker I hold a JLPT N2 and have done some translation work for various people and organizations. Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information. by Japantovietnam
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ...
Yeah that last part is what gets to me. However, what strikes me is that when I google stuff like "List of schools in Ho Chi Minh City." I don't get really much outside of the big language centers. Is there some secret keyword string I'm just not ... Read More
cheap hostel in HCMC by aga88
Hey guys!! I am comming to HCMC on tuesday!! Does anyone know any cheap youth hostel with wi-fi in distric 2? Its important for the that the place will be cheap as i dont have job in HCMC yet and dont know how long time it will take me. Please ...
When I went last, I stayed at PP Backpackers in Pham Ngu Lao. It's not D2 but at $6/night with a friendly and trustworthy staff it's hard to go wrong. Read More
Moving to Saigon in July, looking for some information.
Hi all, Chao cac ban, konnichiwa minnasan, etc. etc. After five years living in Japan on the JET Program near Tokyo, I have made the decision to move to Vietnam. My ticket is already due for my arrival on the 25th and I'm psyched yet a little ... Read More
Thinking about moving to HCMC by alluc
Hey, I had a fantastic 3 month holiday around Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Now I'm seriously considering moving to HCMC by the end of the year. I work in New Zealand as a personal trainer, gym instructor and rugby coach, started way back in 2004. In ...
Hi. Long time lurker, first time writer. I've been getting a lot of good information so thank you all thus far. Alluc, I too am moving to HCMC in Summer (end of July) and I have been studying the Vietnamese language. I've been taking an online ... Read More