Language Barriers Make Getting Around HCM Difficult: Please Advice

Go to Phatty's Bar 46-48 Ton That Thiep Street, Ho Chi Minh City, plenty of expats there!

Have a few large ones and then you will be able to communicate with the locals....

Thanks for advising. But what "large ones" do I need to have at that place?

Libhero wrote:

Thanks for advising. But what "large ones" do I need to have at that place?

Large ones = any kind of alcohol.... 

A few other tips - use Uber to get around because you'll be able to enter pick-up and destination locations without having to speak much to the drivers.  Go to the "backpacker's area" to meet visitors, expats, and locals who speak English.  If you want to meet expats only, then hang out in district 2, Thao Dien area... a popular expat pub there is Saigon Outcast (Google it).

Libhero - One of the successful techniques is to use your mobile phone (ideally an iPhone) to show the drivers an address in Vietnamese language (from TripAdvisor or from some other site), or even a location on Maps. I also use Translate at shops or grocery stores if I am looking for a particular food product.

Learn basic phrases ("May I have a 6-pack of Bia Saigon, please ?!) and your local landmark to make your way home ("New World Saigon Hotel, please), and of course, finally, say "Cam On" as often as possible. After you successfully exit Phatty's, make your way to Pasteur Street and have a beer at each of the pub outlets there. Lots of expats and local hostesses there to help you gain tips on the city and life in general ...

All the Best!

Buy a map of the city...point out your desired location to the taxi driver.Don,t forget to point to the meter in the taxi as this should indicate it is to be running while you are in the taxi...heard some stories of non metered fares and the driver trying to rip off the passenger...taxi Vinasun are supposed to be reputable...my Vietnamese wife uses them
To buy a map go to Fahasa bookshop,there are a number of locations in the city but if you are in the city center there is a Fahasa on Nguyen Hue,it's about a third of the way up the street on the right hand side walking away from the river.Nguyen Hue is the street behind the bitexaco tower if you are approaching from the central market.It has a very wide walkway for the full length of the street with a statue of Ho Chi Minh at the far end away from the river
Bought a map myself,think it cost 40000 dong,it's not perfect,but it will get you to most places,use it to get around on my hire bike
Also in regards to an earlier post Phattys bar is in a side street just off Nguyen Hue about half way up but off to the left hand side....also same area...Game On Bar with plenty of expats to speak to
Gareth

Libhero wrote:

Thanks for advising. But what "large ones" do I need to have at that place?

can see you have language barrier with English too!!!!!!! large 1 is a stein/ pint of beer, hehehehe

If you happen to hire a driver who does not understand English (most do not) and you happen to know which way to turn, it couldn't hurt to know these terms:
quẹo trái   turn left
quẹo phải  turn right
stop works in either language
cam ơn ( ̣em or anh)  thank you
If you do not know what the tonal markings signify, practice with a local  until you are saying the same thing they would say. Listen for the rising and falling tones.

A little effort goes a long way.

Strongly recommend UBER.  Uber is great -- you pick the destination before they pick you up.  Plus, I have found it to be 20-30% cheaper than vinasun or mailinh.  even cheaper if you want to take a motorbike taxi

in terms of beating the language barrier for uber (b/c many drivers are not the best with english) -- i recommend picking a big obvious landmark where you want picked up.  When they call you (as is standard procedure), just say the name of the store or restaurant slow and clear.  "I am standing at KFC!"

This has reduced my wife's stress with getting around, reduced our expenses for taxi, and we don't have to fuss with cash or funny business with tax drivers running up the meter.

geoff3456 wrote:

If you happen to hire a driver who does not understand English (most do not) and you happen to know which way to turn, it couldn't hurt to know these terms:
quẹo trái   turn left
quẹo phải  turn right
stop works in either language
cam ơn ( ̣em or anh)  thank you
If you do not know what the tonal markings signify, practice with a local  until you are saying the same thing they would say. Listen for the rising and falling tones.

A little effort goes a long way.

All I need to say is "Di bia om!" then everything goes smoothly ;-)

Google has a voice app, You speak English into app, it translate to perfect Vietnamese. Google Translate.

After work perhaps.

You can try Grab Taxi - its like Uber but for motorbikes.  Haven't tried it myself but friends have told me its pretty good.

Assuming you are not ubering:
Google map on  your smart phone.
Or write down the address on a piece of paper.
Or ask your hotel to write down the address on a piece of  paper.
Make sure you carry a business card from your hotel so you can get back later.

Same methods you would use for any foreign country.

@Markin Nam, you assume that everyone here do the same habits of life you do. Therefore, you expect them to understand your jargon or coded language---"large ones".  You truly proved that you are a native English speaker as you assumed that jargons and coded language like "large ones" can mean only one thing to you and to everyone else. In this case, you have demonstrated your high English proficiency. Congratulations!😀

Edit:  "Great Britain and American are two nations divided by a common language"-George Bernard Shaw (probably apocryphal)

Libhero wrote:

In this case, you have demonstrated your high English proficiency. Congratulations!😀

This is an English language forum by definition.  Of course persons whose native language is other than English are more than welcome.  There are also the distinctions between British English as well as the language as spoken in AU and NZ, and American English.  As your fellow American myself, I would probably say a "tall one" rather than a "large one" but the difference is rather slight.  No need to get hostile if others use idioms you do not know.  Just ask nicely and accept their reply.

It seems the language barrier is an issue, even amongst native English speakers (Suggesting Shaw had a point).
To the topic in question, a translator app is always a good move, as is a navigation app, these two looking after much of the OP's problem.
If the issue expands to shopping, simply google a picture of the item you wish to buy and simply show the person the screen.

THIGV wrote:

Edit:  "Great Britain and American are two nations divided by a common language"-George Bernard Shaw (probably apocryphal)

Libhero wrote:

In this case, you have demonstrated your high English proficiency. Congratulations!😀

*snip* As your fellow American myself, I would probably say a "tall one"; rather than a "large one" *snip*

I used to say "a cold one", but that stopped after living in Deutschland for 5 years... 😉

A little bit off topic but "cold ones""tall ones""large ones"etc. also apply to potential Vietnamese girl friends. They also can help to show you around!

Libhero wrote:

@Markin Nam, you assume that everyone here do the same habits of life you do. Therefore, you expect them to understand your jargon or coded language---"large ones".  You truly proved that you are a native English speaker as you assumed that jargons and coded language like "large ones" can mean only one thing to you and to everyone else. In this case, you have demonstrated your high English proficiency. Congratulations!😀

what on earth ru talking about. agro

Deepsix6 wrote:

Go to Phatty's Bar 46-48 Ton That Thiep Street, Ho Chi Minh City, plenty of expats there!

Have a few large ones and then you will be able to communicate with the locals....

@ libero,,, make sure of who you throwing ur agro at please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "agro" agression,,,https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=agro

Write down the address of your destination, and show it to the driver.  Make sure that you write the the district and the area in the district too - they are both very important for the driver to know, especially if he gets lost or has to ask for directions (won't happen if he has GPS or decent phone though).  Also, buy a map and learn the major roads, so that you can tell the driver which road/street you want him to take (helps to avoid being overcharged).  Lastly, look for big buildings, tourist sites, markets, or other landmarks that are near your destination.  If it all goes off, tell the driver to take you to the landmark and then you can get another driver to your destination or walk there.

Although the OP asked this question 1 and 1/2 years ago, I, as a new(ish) expat of less than a year thank everyone for keeping this topic alive.
Valuable, pertinent info for any newly arrived expat, or adventurous tourist who isn't afraid to beat their own path.
I have adopted many of the techniques suggested here, including getting a "tall one", "large one" and/or "cold one" to show me around! However, since settling into a monogamous relationship with my GF, that's just one more avenue of pleasure which has been cut off LOL! 
But new to me was the (now ridiculously obvious) suggestion to "...google a picture of the item you wish to buy and simply show the person the screen."  Tried it a couple of weeks back when I first read the suggestion. I needed a plunger to unclog a sink! Try putting "plunger" into google translate and watch the mystified looks emerge

Thanks, Fred! Worked a peach! (No idiom, that. It was half a peach which clogged the bleeding sink!)

Best,
Aidan