ssuprnova
Vatican expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
124
About me
Vatican
Registration: 08 May 2013
Are native English teachers better than Vietnamese English teachers? by I do believe
This is the subject of debate in every ESL teacher forum I have ever visited. Logic would state that, yes, when it comes to teaching something, those who are experts are better qualified, and who could be better qualified to teach English than those ...
Not sure if that's a serious question... The vast majority of local public school English teachers is not able to obtain an FCE, and the Ministry's 2020 deadline for all Vietnamese teachers to exhibit that level of English proficiency is ... Read More
Why do some motor drivers don't look, before they go forward, Ahead? by spajcte
So today while i was driving, someone pulled right in front of me, so me trying to avoid to hit the person on the side, i slammed my brakes and skidded on the road, Hurting my Knee my elbow and braking my left side mirror. All i could see was his ...
I have trouble imagining what that bumper looks like... could you post a pic? Sounds like a brilliant idea to be honest. Read More
AO Show tickets
Hey guys, I remember someone posting that there's a way to get promotional pricing on tickets for the AO Show. Does anyone have current info about that? Thanks Read More
My vietnamese GF is pregnant - how much it costs for pregnancy in HCMC by MarcusKS
Hi , I,m from Malaysia and my Vietnamese GF called me this morning that she is pregnant ! After she has a pregnancy test and yes she is ... I was so happy because we will have a baby soon . But i need some advise from expats . How much does it cost ...
I wouldn't accuse rubytran7691 of being an FV troll - they'd never pay someone whose astroturfing is clearly a product of Google Translate. Although who knows, maybe they're trying to cut corners by hiring non-native speakers for that ... Read More
My vietnamese GF is pregnant - how much it costs for pregnancy in HCMC by MarcusKS
Hi , I,m from Malaysia and my Vietnamese GF called me this morning that she is pregnant ! After she has a pregnancy test and yes she is ... I was so happy because we will have a baby soon . But i need some advise from expats . How much does it cost ...
Just passing the word along: avoid FV hospital, some expats on another page have had issues with them in the past few months. Read More
Get Fit Gym - HCMC D4 by guest 87
Hey guys, Is anyone a member of 'Get Fit' gym - or has any information they can share regarding prices? I need to start doing regular exercise and a gym is the best option really! I live in D1, Tran Dinh Xu. I think this is the closest gym ...
It's expensive and not very good... way too little space for the number of benches and machines. Also gets crowded even during the day; a-holes using benches and machines as designated selfie/texting stations - typical situation in all expensive ... Read More
American Family of 5, possible move by Butterfly79
Hi all, Glad i found this forum. We have an offer to move through hubby's current employer. At first, they said they were going to move us to Bangkok, i did my research and found the perfect school, neighborhood....etc. We get a call yesterday, ...
Bangkok hands down. It's got at least 10 years on HCMC in terms of development and infrastructure. Don't get me wrong, Saigon is a great place to be young and single (or at least the latter), but those with a family will definitely find it ... Read More
How much to start in Ho Chi Minh by GuestPoster13
Hello, my partner and I are planning to move to Ho Chi Minh from the U.S in September. I have a bachelors and Celta certificate. He is an experienced highschool teacher with an online tesol certificate looking to teach ESL. How much money should we ...
Once upon a time I've read in regards to traveling: bring double the money and half the stuff you think you'll need. Very true for relocating as well. That being said, 5000 should be all right, but I'd recommend having a bit more for ... Read More
Walkside Foodcart business in HCMC by My-tranle
HI Everyone, My friend who is living in the US does not believe me when I told him that walkside foodcart business ( hawker ) is not legal in HCMC and also in VN. He told me that he saw thousand of people is doing this business in the street and he ...
I agreed with you with everything up until this point. Was it really necessary to do the whole tired "love it or leave it" bit? Really took away from the excellent points made in the rest of the post. Read More
Walkside Foodcart business in HCMC by My-tranle
HI Everyone, My friend who is living in the US does not believe me when I told him that walkside foodcart business ( hawker ) is not legal in HCMC and also in VN. He told me that he saw thousand of people is doing this business in the street and he ...
The problem is that you two are talking about different things: you're talking about the gov't laws, while your friend is talking about how things happen in real life. The former have very little effect on the latter here in Vietnam. Read More
Regular mail in Vietnam by lostvietdreamer
Hello Does anyone know about the regular mail service in Vietnam? Is it safe to mail a letter here? I was sent a couple of letters 2 months ago but did not receive them. Additionally, the US Consulate sent me a letter via a carrier who called me ...
There are postcodes, don't spread misinformation. You can find a list on the Vietnam Post website. While they are not required when sending anything to Vietnam, they are useful to write down on the letter/package so that you know which post ... Read More
Buying motor bike by ancientpathos
Just curious about checking paperwork on motor bikes. Typical in the usa, there is an identity number on frame and motor. Those numbers need to match title. In vietnam, nobody ever updates the registration paperwork when a bike is sold. Sometimes ...
what could you do with 2$and 200 000d?$2 bills are considered lucky... VND 200'000 is the standard amount of tea money foreigners pay to traffic police (double the locals' rate, as is tradition) Read More
What is the procedure to bringing a company to vietnam by Aus/leb
Helllo guys, I own a company in lebanon can i do business in vietnam using my company name ? How do i deal with this ?
Pony up for a consultation at a law firm. Local laws related to business change on a weekly basis (not exaggerating at all), so any advice you get here should be taken with a bucket of salt. Read More
where to rent a car in Ho chi Minh? by Antonysg
hi there, i will arrive Ho chi Minh this month and stay there some weeks. i heard many stories about Vietnamese taxi drivers, and i decide to rent a car to pick me up and book a car for some days! Any one know where the good service is and the ...
This attitude is exactly why this country is slow to develop... Laugh at the victim of a crime, implying that they're stupid for trusting a fellow human being. Oh, well, at least you didn't compliment the driver for being so clever as to go ... Read More
Top 10 things you care when go to Viet Nam by Kieutau
Hi all, I'm Kieu. Can you tell me top 10 things you care when go to Viet Nam (like or dislike). Example: culture, traffic, landscape, work permit, marriage... I want to know this so that I can help the foreigners solving their problem and I can ...
So that when you go shopping, should go with a friend is local person.Whoooosh Read More
5 months of overstay - 2 passports - SO MANY QUESTIONS!! ^_^ by -jag-
Hello. I am in quite a sticky situation and was wondering if anyone here could answer my questions... My tourist visa expired about 5 months ago. At that time, I was supposed to exit and re-enter the country when renewing it, but I didn't have any ...
Can't offer any advice, but I do know they type the serial number of the visa into the system when you leave, so it's pretty obvious that they have a centralized database of visas tied to the passport number (and possibly names). Does anyone have ... Read More
What am I really looking at for monthly expenses? by Xavier Patrick
Though many of my questions seem to have a consensus answer (ie, best to find teaching work there rather than in advance) one that seems to have wildly conflicting answers is how much one might need to spend in a month in HCMC. Some sources say I ...
Oh, wow, some real estate agents need to get a grip. $2000 for an apartment in HCMC? You could easily rent a swanky pad in a world-class city for that amount of cash. Read More
It's frustrating applying for a teaching job if you're Asian looking by Just A Guy
So I got the call after applying for the job online via a reputable career website. I talked to them and they asked me to come for an interview. I told them that I'm Asian looking; and after much hesitation they then told me that they're very sorry ...
Try VUS, they seem to discriminate much less. Read More
Does anyone complain about the life in Vietnam????? by rickyrealtor
Hi, my name is Ricky, my work is helping people to look for aparment as they want. So many foreigners have come to Vietnam for a long time or just arrived. Do you have any problems in Vietnam? we could share to make it right.
No, no one ever complains. Read More
Why do some motor drivers don't look, before they go forward, Ahead? by spajcte
So today while i was driving, someone pulled right in front of me, so me trying to avoid to hit the person on the side, i slammed my brakes and skidded on the road, Hurting my Knee my elbow and braking my left side mirror. All i could see was his ...
Ideas? I'll break this down for you real quick: -Traffic rules are created to increase road safety. Not an idea. A fact. -Virtually nobody in Vietnam follows traffic rules. Again, not an idea, simply stating what the status quo is. -The number of ... Read More
Why do some motor drivers don't look, before they go forward, Ahead? by spajcte
So today while i was driving, someone pulled right in front of me, so me trying to avoid to hit the person on the side, i slammed my brakes and skidded on the road, Hurting my Knee my elbow and braking my left side mirror. All i could see was his ...
Can you hear yourself talking? I'm starting to wonder if this is all a ploy of a master internet troll. The way people drive here is simply indefensible. Sure, there are rules, but nobody bothers to follow them. But do you realize that road rules ... Read More
Scrabble and board games Geisha restaurant
Hey, they have a weekly board games night at Geisha. It's on every Wednesday starting at 7pm. See you there! Read More
Teaching at COFER, looking for English Centre teaching work
VUS is always hiring, and they're one of the few schools that won't discriminate because you're Asian-looking. Read More
NeoMask?
There's a reason they're cheap here... it's not the real deal. A friend gave me one of those "Neomasks" and it doesn't have the carbon filter elements (read: it's useless for blocking pollution). One of my biggest regrets is not buying an N95 ... Read More
Crossfit
Not a thing here at all, except a handful of people in the expat community. The only place I know that offers a crossfit gym is Saigon Sports Center in D7, but I don't think they're accredited: facebook.com/saigonsportsclub As a side note, there ... Read More
dispose of old computer by StevenG
What is the best way to dispose of an old unusable laptop computer, recycle it, and make sure the info is removed from my hard drive, in HCMC?
Stop! Hammer time! Seriously, though: http://www.wikihow.com/Destroy-a-Hard-Drive Read More
Why do some motor drivers don't look, before they go forward, Ahead? by spajcte
So today while i was driving, someone pulled right in front of me, so me trying to avoid to hit the person on the side, i slammed my brakes and skidded on the road, Hurting my Knee my elbow and braking my left side mirror. All i could see was his ...
What a load of crockshit. Look up the official accident statistics, multiply that by two (to get a more realistic number) and tell me with a straight face that Vietnamese drivers are among the best in the world; I'll put you on the short list for ... Read More
What are the best routes for jogging?? by Jonas_C
Hi Guys, I will be visiting HCM from 18th March till 29th March. and during this period I cannot quit my jogging habit :) Do you have suggestions about where to jog? Also if anyone intersted for joining me will be great. P.S: Just do not expect ...
... Read More
What to Rent? by D.Cai
Alright I've been looking at multiple places, D2, D7, Binh Chanh, and I like them all because they're not quite as loud and as hectic as the more central districts, however for work it would make more sense to be central, so I've started looking in ...
I don't mean to be rude, but why would you let a group of perfect strangers decide where you're going to live? I mean, we're all here for advice but this is a bit ridiculous. Read More
Why do some motor drivers don't look, before they go forward, Ahead? by spajcte
So today while i was driving, someone pulled right in front of me, so me trying to avoid to hit the person on the side, i slammed my brakes and skidded on the road, Hurting my Knee my elbow and braking my left side mirror. All i could see was his ...
Why is water wet? We're talking about a country where people haven't quite figured out how swim lanes work at the pool, never mind the arcane art of yielding to oncoming traffic or making a shoulder check before passing. I've been driving here for ... Read More
How much should I pay? by D.Cai
Alright so I have decided to get a maid to clean my place once a week, sweeping, moping, etc nothing major, but I was wondering how much I should pay? Should I pay hourly or by the week? Hourly I'm worried it'll be dragged out, weekly it would be a ...
Had a few maids at a few different houses since moving here and in the end gave up on it altogether. Unless you're there and watch them, they'll do a half-assed job no matter how much you pay. And if you have to put in the time anyway, why not do it ... Read More
Why do foreigners avoid eye contact with other foreigners? by I do believe
I often sit in a cafe on De Tham street and see foreigners/tourists walking up and down the street all studiously avoiding eye contact with other foreigners. We all want our own space and I don't really care if somebody looks at me or not but it ...
Wow, the fellow-expat bashing train is taking off in earnest, I see. I'll poke the beehive. Here's a point to think about: if most of the expats you meet don't want anything to do with you, does the problem lie with them or with you? Similarly, ... Read More
Why do foreigners avoid eye contact with other foreigners? by I do believe
I often sit in a cafe on De Tham street and see foreigners/tourists walking up and down the street all studiously avoiding eye contact with other foreigners. We all want our own space and I don't really care if somebody looks at me or not but it ...
Why would they? There are so many foreigners in District 1. Read More
How many expats have had to pay bribes to police? by I do believe
I have been stopped by the police maybe 10 times over the last few years for driving in the wrong lane, driving the wrong way on a one way street and speeding. Most of the time I get stopped for not being in that narrow right hand lane for ...
Have you alerted the media!? Seems like nobody else in this country has been made aware of this. Delusions aside, I usually pay VND 200,000. I do know that the Vietnamese pay half of that, but there's no point in getting upset over the foreigner ... Read More
Moving to Vietnam as an expat? by thepulser89
Hi everyone I have dilemma that I might need your advice. Let start with some information about myself. I am 25, Sydney banker, moved to Australia from Vietnam when I was young and have spent most of my life here. I love traveling and when I was ...
If you speak Vietnamese, why not play the long game? Gain as much experience as possible and get a position at an Australian company that is either already present in Vietnam or in the process of establishing itself here. I've met people who came to ... Read More
Why are the speed limits so low in Vietnam? by I do believe
I already know some answers to my question but would be interested to hear others' views and experiences with the rules here and police. When I first came to Vietnam I was amused that the biggest bikes commonly available were 125 or 135; nowadays ...
Nut jobs are everywhere!And i saw that happens in Greece, also :).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy_of_relative_privation Read More
help....
Even if you get it without a script, do yourself a favor and visit a doctor. That drug can cause serious complications and should only be taken under supervision. If you find the local hospital staff judgmental then try a foreign hospital, their ... Read More
Why are the speed limits so low in Vietnam? by I do believe
I already know some answers to my question but would be interested to hear others' views and experiences with the rules here and police. When I first came to Vietnam I was amused that the biggest bikes commonly available were 125 or 135; nowadays ...
Agreed. Bad roads and even worse drivers. Even with the low speed limits they manage to kill themselves (and others), I can't imagine the carnage that would ensue if the limits were raised by, say, 20km/h. Read More
Why are so many expats hostile on some of these threads? by I do believe
On the thread regarding harm caused by fast food outlets and Vietnamese non-comprehension of Vietnamese there appears to be some pretty negatively aggressive conversation. More than once I have used the negativity of the word "ad hominem" wherein ...
Speaking of which, I've heard that Harley Davidson is planning to open a dealership here :unsure Read More
Domestic drinking water? How safe? by Dannytan
Hi All, I was told that the water supplied at my house is domestic drinking water, what is it? I presume that it is from the tap. If so how safe is it to drink. ciao' danny
Fair enough, but Lavie/Aquafine/Vinh Hao are still your best bet. Because the Vietnamese like to sensationalize the news (let's face it, though, that's a human trait), I don't think the Western companies could get away with selling sub-par water: ... Read More
English 2014 by I do believe
In Vietnam approximately 90% of Vietnamese English teachers failed a government competency test. I have met about 50 Vietnamese English teachers and not one could speak English fluently or correctly but all of the Vietnamese teachers had superior ...
The point was that cockney has as much to do with proper British English as the southern drawl does with American English. Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
Well apparently you do, since you've started a topic about it? The short answer is: because they can. Nobody is forcing people inside Starbucks, yet their locations look full on the weekends and most weeknights (notice the "look" - I've never been, ... Read More
Domestic drinking water? How safe? by Dannytan
Hi All, I was told that the water supplied at my house is domestic drinking water, what is it? I presume that it is from the tap. If so how safe is it to drink. ciao' danny
You might want to start insisting on a reputable brand (La Vie, Aquafina, Vinh Hao): http://vietnamnews.vn/society/250497/six-bottled-water-companies-suspended.html http://www.irinnews.org/report/83965/vietnam-even-bottled-water-unsafe Also, some ... Read More
Foreign restaurants, chains, franchises- Are they ruining HCMC? by jonnybgood
There seems to be a new Starbucks, Burger King, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Bean, now McDonalds and numerous other (mainly american) franchises opening up every five minutes in HCMC. The pearl of the far east is starting to look like every other fucking ...
I'm not. "Hysteria - an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc." Announcing the imminent "destruction" of Vietnamese culture because a burger joint opened up qualifies as "irrational" ... Read More
Foreign restaurants, chains, franchises- Are they ruining HCMC? by jonnybgood
There seems to be a new Starbucks, Burger King, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Bean, now McDonalds and numerous other (mainly american) franchises opening up every five minutes in HCMC. The pearl of the far east is starting to look like every other fucking ...
The amount of hysteria in this thread is mind-boggling. Those painting an apocalyptic vision of Saigon in the future should get on a plane to Bangkok and see that foreign chains did not, in fact, destroy the local culture. In fact, seeing a curry ... Read More
Latest experiences/feedbacks on TESOL Institutes by janin
Hi Again the TESOL institutes topic has been discussed many times But it would be great if friends could share their experiences on getting TESOL (not CELTA) certs in HCMC. My research shows TEFL International, Compass are considered ok. But ...
Pony up for a CELTA or just get a sub-$50 online "certification", no middle ground really. Good schools will look for the former, and offer appropriately higher wages. Bad schools will barely glance at the latter, if they even bother asking. Read More
Best place to buy macbook pro?? by Broomptish
Hey folks so looking for a reliable seller of macbook pros, Ive seen one shop on nguyen thi minh khai in d1 but thats about it. Its a small shop and im just worried about handing over so much cash to a small business having had a few dodgy ...
Thailand. Apple products are cheaper there and you can get a tax refund when you leave the country (7% IIRC). On a big ticket item such as a MBP, the refund should pay for your flight ticket to Bangkok. Upsides: getting a Mac from a real Apple ... Read More
Foreign restaurants, chains, franchises- Are they ruining HCMC? by jonnybgood
There seems to be a new Starbucks, Burger King, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Bean, now McDonalds and numerous other (mainly american) franchises opening up every five minutes in HCMC. The pearl of the far east is starting to look like every other fucking ...
Oh, it's terrible! Air conditioners are getting people sick all the time, people's eyesight is deteriorating due to excessive computer usage at work, sidewalk coffee vendors are forced out of business by coffee shops that dare serve real coffee, ... Read More
Why don't Vietnamese understand Vietnamese spoken by a foreigner? by I do believe
Having lived in Vietnam for 6 years and studied Vietnamese at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities it never ceases to amaze me that if I speak and pronounce a Vietnamese phrase perfectly to most Vietnamese, they don't understand me. ...
That's the experience that I was trying to communicate in one of my earlier posts as well. Unless there is some sort of connection (family, friends, acquaintances), most people won't bother trying to understand you. Unless they're trying to get ... Read More
Vegetarian protein? by Pan_
How easy is it to find vegetarian food in Saigon? I realize it's no India, but since it has a Buddhist history, I'm hoping it's not impossible. One reason I'm asking is because I like to work out and hence need to watch my protein intake. Here in ...
As already mentioned, there are plenty of quan chay restaurants serving vegetarian meals. If you're a strict vegetarian, you'll have to loosen your moral standards: fish sauce, fermented shrimp paste, and other animal-derived ingredients are an ... Read More
Is teaching English a good job for expats in Saigon? by mikeymyke
I was wondering how viable a job teaching English is for someone who doesn't know much Vietnamese, was born in Canada, and is married to a Vietnamese woman? Does it pay well and have enough hours working? Also are there a lot of opportunites? ...
This will sound mean, but refer to the quote above for a primer on why non-native speakers tend to be paid less. Read More
Why don't Vietnamese understand Vietnamese spoken by a foreigner? by I do believe
Having lived in Vietnam for 6 years and studied Vietnamese at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities it never ceases to amaze me that if I speak and pronounce a Vietnamese phrase perfectly to most Vietnamese, they don't understand me. ...
That's just an admission of mental laziness. After all, there are hundreds of millions non-native English speakers in the world, and I'd wager that most of them succeed in getting their point across when talking to a native speaker. I'm genuinely ... Read More
Is teaching English a good job for expats in Saigon? by mikeymyke
I was wondering how viable a job teaching English is for someone who doesn't know much Vietnamese, was born in Canada, and is married to a Vietnamese woman? Does it pay well and have enough hours working? Also are there a lot of opportunites? ...
This is a product of the local TEFL market, which skews heavily towards hiring as many white foreigners as possible at the lowest wage they'll take. You can't honestly offer $15 an hour, often with classes that are as short as 35 minutes each, and ... Read More
English 2014 by I do believe
In Vietnam approximately 90% of Vietnamese English teachers failed a government competency test. I have met about 50 Vietnamese English teachers and not one could speak English fluently or correctly but all of the Vietnamese teachers had superior ...
Oh, wow, and here I was thinking that it's only the French who were delusional about their language's status in the world, but the Brits have rushed in to prove me wrong. Like it or not, American English is the most widely-accepted form at the ... Read More
Sushis tonight? by Cinqsens
Hi there, I know a place where we can eat sushi "all you can eat" for VND 199,000. Anyone would be interested to join tonight?
Edit: Never mind, just figured out it's on Wednesdays and Sundays. Read More
Foreign restaurants, chains, franchises- Are they ruining HCMC? by jonnybgood
There seems to be a new Starbucks, Burger King, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Bean, now McDonalds and numerous other (mainly american) franchises opening up every five minutes in HCMC. The pearl of the far east is starting to look like every other fucking ...
The growing presence of international chains is a sign of modernization and increasing purchasing power of the local market. It is, in the long run, a good thing for the country. I loathe the expats who bemoan any changes to their "beloved, quaint ... Read More
Is teaching English a good job for expats in Saigon? by mikeymyke
I was wondering how viable a job teaching English is for someone who doesn't know much Vietnamese, was born in Canada, and is married to a Vietnamese woman? Does it pay well and have enough hours working? Also are there a lot of opportunites? ...
TEFL is a dead-end industry. It's fine for a year or two, but after that it's time to branch out into something serious. I've seen way too many people who got sucked into the easy job/expat lifestyle only to wake up years later, earning the exact ... Read More
First dates by Jquinoq
What are some impressive resturant to take a first date in HCM? Any other advice for first dates? :P
It is a cultural difference. I personally know some people who have moved to Canada and work pretty shoddy jobs, yet send money back to the family in Vietnam every month to their parents and extended family (i.e., not wife and children). Read More
Domestic drinking water? How safe? by Dannytan
Hi All, I was told that the water supplied at my house is domestic drinking water, what is it? I presume that it is from the tap. If so how safe is it to drink. ciao' danny
Home filters are not a solution, unfortunately, as the tap water is contaminated with both organic (e-coli) and inorganic (ammonia, arsenic, heavy metals) pathogens. Unless you get a reverse-osmosis system and keep it in top shape, your only option ... Read More
Domestic drinking water? How safe? by Dannytan
Hi All, I was told that the water supplied at my house is domestic drinking water, what is it? I presume that it is from the tap. If so how safe is it to drink. ciao' danny
The short answer is no, except if your house has a reverse osmosis filter installed (unlikely). Read More
The Great Christmas Buffet Thread
Thanks for the heads up on Ramana, guys. Seemed a bit too cheap to be any good. As for a home-made meal, the whole point is to not cook... just gorge and leave :) Last year we did the whole Christmas thing at my place and it ended up being fairly ... Read More
The Great Christmas Buffet Thread
Hey everyone, it's that time of the year again! Presents, carols, and, of course, overeating :) What is your favorite Christmas buffet in Saigon? I just saw an ad for Ramana hotel (around 600k/person), wondering if it's worth trying. Any other ... Read More
Single->Multiple entry visa change possible?
Hi there, does anyone know whether it's possible to change a single entry B3 visa to multiple entry? I've been waiting forever for my work permit to get processed, but even if that comes through by the end of the month, I don't think I can get my ... Read More
Visa extension experience in HCMC by danwalker014
i just had my 3 month visa extended. I traveled from Buon ma thuot and visited a number of places for the service. I used Cong Ty golden time travel 230 De Tham st. I drop my PP off at 9 am on 22-11 and was given a receipt that indicated pickup on ...
As my VNese coworker said when we were talking about the police office on BV: "Oh, that? That's only for decoration." :lol: Read More
new Iphone 5s or 5c by ksvane
anyone knows anyone who can supply the new iphones? heard that they have hit the market here already. by market, obviously, its the black market. /Svane
Apple store US: 16Gb Unlocked is 650$ (~13.7M VND) not including any sales taxes. Same thing at FPT shop (fptshop.com.vn/dien-thoai/apple-m) is 17.6M VND. Given that you're paying 10% VAT the real cost is ~15.9M VND. So effectively you're ... 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.
That is Vinaphone, ( Vietel same prices ). Try Vietnamobile, 125,000 gets you 3 GB's 200,000 gets you 5Gb's Has anyone tried them yet?, they have a coverage map on the net. I'm still trying to find a sim card.My post was ... Read More
Business visa without Degree for Teachers?
There is a tourist visa (class C) that is valid for three months but in practice they issue a business one instead (B3 to be precise). No requirements to be fulfilled, you get the same one whether you hold a PhD or barely finished grammar school. ... 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.
Also, Vietnam will no be getting LTE (aka 4G) until 2015 at the earliest, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications (read http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/241730/officials-on-different-wavelength-over-4g-frequency.html) Moot point ... 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
Hello,my name is Stuart, and I live in HCMC by bissettstuart
Hello, my name is Stuart, I live in HCMC, I am from Vancouver Canada, anyone out there also from Vancouver? would like to talk. Also I am looking for a job also, so if you know of any give me a call.Hahah
Don't know where to get Clamato, but the best Bloody Mary I've had in Saigon so far was at Barcode. Actually, it was more like a Caesar albeit without the salt/pepper on the rim. Give it a go. Read More
Coconuts and coconut oil by Claire_
Hi, just wondering if there is anywhere that sells good, pure coconut oil, if not, mature brown coconuts I can make oil form? Many thanks.
Vietnam has yet to catch up on recent dietary findings, but coconut oil (and the derivative pure MCT) is an increasingly popular substitute for cooking oil in North America and there is a substantial amount of research to prove its advantages over ... Read More
Why Would You Want Western Culture in Vietnam? by ancientpathos
Another tread gave me this idea. Just curious about why people come to Vietnam if you want to change the culture, customs, and traditions here. I am here wanting to learn and enjoy the culture, customs and traditions here. But I read about so many ...
HOW!? Teach me this arcane art, since finding matching dumbbells at my gym is like going on a treasure hunt. Read More
Hmm...what do you miss? by tintinmiami2013
Expats, What do you miss from your respective countries beside your love ones? Do share. Tin Tin
Yah, that's when you physically manhandle his motorbike out of the way so you can get out. I get annoyed by the lack of foresight and consideration that other people have towards each other as well.This was the thing that struck me the most. The ... Read More
Hmm...what do you miss? by tintinmiami2013
Expats, What do you miss from your respective countries beside your love ones? Do share. Tin Tin
Nature and a clean environment: being able to walk outside without a face mask and drink tap water without wondering whether I'll come down with some exotic disease. Also, everyday politeness and manners, things being done the proper way, and ... Read More
Commuting by bicycle
Hello :) Does anyone here commute by bicycle? I'm thinking of getting one for short trips around the neighborhood at first but eventually switching to the pedal-powered alternative. Any tips or advice for a beginner cyclist in HCMC? Thanks! Read More
Vietnamese pronunciation training?
Hey everyone, I am looking for a good Vietnamese pronunciation tutor. I'm taking a class at the university, but still struggling to make myself understood outside of class, so I'd like to sort it out before I develop the wrong pronunciation habits, ... Read More
Drinking water in Saigon? by gr4578
Hello all, I was wondering how the drinking water was considered in Saigon. I'm getting the general vibe that it's not so great. Is it a risk to order drinks with ice? Let me know your overall consensus. Thanks! Grace
Is that also the case with La Vie branded water? Read More
Problem at the laundry by Tof76
Hello everyone. I had a problem with the laundry I was used to go. I brought my trousers and shirt at the same laundry since two months: Giặt hấp cao cấp Lê Thanh, 310, Võ Văn Tần - Q.3. Last week they said they lost ...
You're lucky they've even admitted to it. Most places would have given you the "waving hand" treatment. Read More
Road trips out of Saigon by ssuprnova
Hey everyone, do you know of any viable weekend road trip destinations close to HCMC? Say, 4-5 hours one way maximum? Where can you go by motorbike that's off the beaten path? I'm thinking anything from beaches, mountains, and forests to temples ...
Thanks for all the info, especially to Jan and THD. I'm going on a little foray to Can Gio tomorrow. Does anyone have the scoop on driving there and what to do? Seems like a polarizing place, since quite a few people have told me to skip the monkey ... Read More
Road trips out of Saigon by ssuprnova
Hey everyone, do you know of any viable weekend road trip destinations close to HCMC? Say, 4-5 hours one way maximum? Where can you go by motorbike that's off the beaten path? I'm thinking anything from beaches, mountains, and forests to temples ...
Yeah, Dalat is a bit too far. I am looking at overnight trips as well, though. As to the bike being slower than buses... it depends. Came back from Mui Ne in 4 hours door to door, including a 30 minute rest break to chill in a hammock. But then ... Read More
Road trips out of Saigon by ssuprnova
Hey everyone, do you know of any viable weekend road trip destinations close to HCMC? Say, 4-5 hours one way maximum? Where can you go by motorbike that's off the beaten path? I'm thinking anything from beaches, mountains, and forests to temples ...
Fair enough, but I still feel that there are some places that are worth seeing where there are few organized tours. Plenty of places not worth seeing where tour groups bring you, as well. THD thanks for the recos, I definitely like the ... Read More
Road trips out of Saigon by ssuprnova
Hey everyone, do you know of any viable weekend road trip destinations close to HCMC? Say, 4-5 hours one way maximum? Where can you go by motorbike that's off the beaten path? I'm thinking anything from beaches, mountains, and forests to temples ...
Yeah I've just come back from Mui Ne. I might head to Vung Tau the coming weekend, so I'll definitely inbox you about that, colinoscapee. Now the thing is that the official tourism info is notoriously unreliable. Take Ba Dai beach, for example: ... Read More
Road trips out of Saigon
Hey everyone, do you know of any viable weekend road trip destinations close to HCMC? Say, 4-5 hours one way maximum? Where can you go by motorbike that's off the beaten path? I'm thinking anything from beaches, mountains, and forests to temples ... Read More
Anyone in Mui Ne this weekend? by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, I'm going to Mui Ne this weekend. I'll be there from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. As far as I understand all entertainment venues will be shut down, so does anyone want to meet for some coffee or a drink? Inbox me :)
General Giap's funeral. Art. 8 of decree No. 62/2001/ND-CP. All live music events, DJs, and other entertainment programs (including cinemas and sports broadcasts, I think) have to be cancelled from Friday 6pm to Sunday 6pm. A bunch of events got ... Read More
Anyone in Mui Ne this weekend?
Hi everyone, I'm going to Mui Ne this weekend. I'll be there from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. As far as I understand all entertainment venues will be shut down, so does anyone want to meet for some coffee or a drink? Inbox me :) Read More
Motorbike tune up for secondhand bike by Claire_
I just bought a Yamaha Nouvo, second hand from a vietnamise man. Looks like a well looked after bike. Though it has a few minor issues and needs an all round checkup. I live in District 3, can anyone please recommend a good garage (where they speak ...
The big Yamaha center on 38 Truong Quoc Dung (x Nguyen Van Troi) has an English-speaking mechanic. Don't know why you'd think the Nouvo is underpowered. I've got an MK3 and have no issues with top speed... goes up to a hundred and feels like it ... Read More
Attention - Expats!!! by charmavietnam
Dear members! I would like to bring your urgent attention to the below matter. I already posted about this issue in many threads. All of us know the 23/9 park in Q.1 is very famous and now notorious for illegal activities such as robbery and ...
Yup, can confirm that the park is sketchy. The whole PNL/Bui Vien area is best avoided in general, a cesspool of prostitution and petty crime. One time we were in the park in the evening and passed a Western couple making out, kept walking and ... Read More
Is dangerous ! by Ng0720
I was in D2 today,and I saw a thief wanted to steal a white female's bag,so I went and tell this woman to be careful,and the thief send a "greeting"to me...that is fun....
I know some Vietnamese who always have huge french wrenches in their bikes "for repairs" :lol: Read More
Paleo Diet
Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone is on a paleo diet here in Saigon? I've done intermittent very low carb laced with carb loads before, but I'd like some advice about how to go full paleo in HCMC. Thanks in advance. Read More
3G internet speeds. by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, I have a question about the speed of 3G wireless data service in HCMC. What is the best provider in terms of reliability and speed *within* Saigon (D1 and D3)? Currently, I'm with Mobifone on their MIU package (50K a month, throttled ...
^^ Very good advice if you're tired of your smartphone and want to donate it to the Bag-snatchers and Pickpocket Association of HCMC. Read More
3G internet speeds. by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, I have a question about the speed of 3G wireless data service in HCMC. What is the best provider in terms of reliability and speed *within* Saigon (D1 and D3)? Currently, I'm with Mobifone on their MIU package (50K a month, throttled ...
Anecdotal info from sample size of one, but the 3G on my phone is a lot faster after switching to the M70 plan. I can even stream video without too much stuttering now. Trouble is, at this rate I'll go through 1GB in two weeks :lol: Read More
Open a personal bank account - Comparison of banks offers by TuanSgn
Hello all, I am looking to open a personal bank account, which can be managed easily by internet or phone and that provides me a debit card. There are other people in this case so I want to make a post that can be updated with your experience. You ...
Does HSBC allow you to access your VN account from abroad? Say, if I had a USD account here, could I go back home and withdraw cash there without getting hit with a million fees? Read More
3G internet speeds. by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, I have a question about the speed of 3G wireless data service in HCMC. What is the best provider in terms of reliability and speed *within* Saigon (D1 and D3)? Currently, I'm with Mobifone on their MIU package (50K a month, throttled ...
As I said before, fair enough: we're paying next to nothing for 3G here, and frankly the fact that it works more often than it doesn't is pretty impressive. Subscribed to Mobifone's M70 package just now, will be back with feedback later on. If not, ... Read More
3G internet speeds. by ssuprnova
Hi everyone, I have a question about the speed of 3G wireless data service in HCMC. What is the best provider in terms of reliability and speed *within* Saigon (D1 and D3)? Currently, I'm with Mobifone on their MIU package (50K a month, throttled ...
Chinhngo: thanks for your input. Saigonmonkey: yup, same here, I top up when they have a promotion. Spotty coverage is par for the course - I'm actually surprised that 3G even works given how little it costs here. Still, wouldn't mind paying a ... Read More
3G internet speeds.
Hi everyone, I have a question about the speed of 3G wireless data service in HCMC. What is the best provider in terms of reliability and speed *within* Saigon (D1 and D3)? Currently, I'm with Mobifone on their MIU package (50K a month, throttled ... Read More
Coop Affinity Cards?
Hi Loan, Thanks for the reply, this is exactly the info I was looking for. Read More
Coop Affinity Cards?
Hi there, I've seen some board members mention Coop and Lotte affinity cards. Could someone briefly outline what kinds of rewards they offer? I've been to the Coop website but can't really find any information (and Google Translate is not helping ... Read More