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gobot

phil

@gobot

ViP

American expat in Vietnam

Forum

1430 posts

Contacts

17

About me

American, Married

Lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh

Speaks American (sorry not English), learning Vietnamese slowly by osmosis which actually doesn't work.

Registration: 17 January 2014

Activity

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
brianAFSER73

traveller check by brianAFSER73

does anyone still use traveller check while overseas. do local viet bank honor them. just curious, rather than carrying cash, lest it stolen or lost.

phil

Your home page says you are American, so get a Charles Schwab bank account. You have to open an investment account too, but it can be empty. Excellent for international travel and living. Keep your money in the US. Use ATMs anywhere, even in ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Bill2014

ATM with Foreign Card by Bill2014

Which is the best bank ATM in Vietnam to use with a foreign MasterCard? In other words which bank gives the best exchange rate and the lowest fee?

phil

    @OceanBeach92107What am amazingly complete answer, OB. I don't remember seeing that info before. Good work. 👌I lucked out joining the Schwab Team before I came here.-@gobot  Maybe the 2nd smartest thing you've done, ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
IamCharlie

Marriage in Vietnam by IamCharlie

I'm planning on marrying my Vietnamese fiance soon, and I was wondering what costs I'm looking at. I know people are going to charge whatever but I don't want to be completely ripped off. So if anyone can give me an idea of what the marriage ...

phil

@OceanBeach92107 thanks so much!!!! I'll just do it while I'm over there! Any specific location you reccomend for foreigners to do? -@tracydinh1988The place in Saigon is in District 5.Search Google map: Bệnh viện ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Bill2014

ATM with Foreign Card by Bill2014

Which is the best bank ATM in Vietnam to use with a foreign MasterCard? In other words which bank gives the best exchange rate and the lowest fee?

phil

@OceanBeach92107What am amazingly complete answer, OB. I don't remember seeing that info before. Good work. 👌I lucked out joining the Schwab Team before I came here. Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
VnTeacher3

Dating in Vietnam- different types of women by VnTeacher3

I'm seeing more and more thicker/bbw type women in Vietnam these days, but few seem to be on the dating sites. I tried hitting up a clerk directly but got shot down brutally. Don't know if this is even done here. Obviously they are still ...

phil

Hey Bobby I'll offer my 2000 VND, American having lived in Vietnam 8 years and married to a Vietnamese I met here. I live in central Saigon in a poor Vietnamese-only district. I am stared at every day, and charmed by kids who run up to me to squeak ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Wxx3

Dental Crown in HCMC by Wxx3

I'm debating whether to have a crown down in HCMC or the USA. But the USA can be a PIA because I would need to return to my dentist in NYC and I'm in California. Any suggestions, comments or experiences?

phil

I don't know Nicolas, but FYI I am having a crown done now. It is a rear molar, had old filling with a cavity inside. First I went for an exam and cleaning, cost $70. They added xrays for $35, and spotted the cavity.The porcelan crown and labor is ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
lilybnt

PO Box HCM? by lilybnt

Hello I’m from Australia and will be in HCM in 2024 for Tet. I want to purchase some ao dai but the shipping fee is too high to send to Australia.Is there any way for me to open a PO Box in HCM as a foreigner to have all my ao dai sent there ...

phil

@lilybntYou can't ask the shop to just hold them for you? I assume custom made. Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
danrodri

Buying laptop in Vietnam by danrodri

Hi. Are laptops at fair price in Vietnam? Or overpriced in general? Can one get a decent selection of different laptops? Thxs for any thoughts.

phil

Yeah I wouldn't go to the D5 electronics market. It's a mess. Picture a wet market, with cables and boxes and old stuffs.In case Klmeermpt666 is still around, District 1 has a computer street for windows computers and parts, they might have used ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
SteinNebraska

Merry Christmas from the US by SteinNebraska

Jason is now three months old! https://i.imgur.com/w30TtV2.jpg

phil

American born! Congrats Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Aidan in HCMC

New Foreign English Teachers Requirements Decision 4159/QD-BGDDT by Aidan in HCMC

Aspiring English teachers to Vietnam, take note.As of Dec6th/2023, new regulations regarding foreigner's eligibility to teach English in Vietnam.Applies to native speakers (English language) with a college degree or higher, foreigners with a college ...

phil

I found this rather odd as I can’t understand many native speakers from most on the list? -@TaurusTigerThe 7 A-list countries: England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa.I agree. I can understand the ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
SimCityAT

Sending Love to Andy by SimCityAT

It has come to our attention that AndyHCMC is not well. Let's hope he is well soon

phil

Who's Andy? ok i'm going now Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
narcrepellant2525

Dentist to clean Peridontal pockets where in VN? by narcrepellant2525

I have peridontal pockets which needs to be cleaned and  drained, anybody has experience with good dentist who can do that in VN?

phil

I will personally stay away from dentists oriented towards foreigners - mostly its rip off operation with average (if you are lucky) or below average workmanship. Westcoast..is there tons of people there on daily base, locals and foreigners?  ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
trieutu

Buy basmati rice in dalat by trieutu

HelloDo you know any indian store in dalat to buy basmati rice? or any place in dalatThank you

phil

The short comings of province life - lots of delicious basmati in Saigon! Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Sunil Lau

International transfer of money by Sunil Lau

Can someone suggest which bank does international transactions. I would like to open a bank account to send a portion of my salary to my bank in South Africa. Any suggestion or comments.

phil

My friends Vietnamese wife and I went to her bank in Hanoi and deposited it and then my friend wire transferred the money for me from an account he had in the US.Ha! That is how the Vietnamese shops in California do currency transfers, family ... Read More

phil
gobot replied to a thread
last year
Noelwastaken

Help getting Epilepsy medication in Vietnam by Noelwastaken

Hey everyone.I recently moved to Vietnam to teach English and I’ve been here almost 3 months. I’ve been staying in one of the Northern provinces and now I’m living in Hanoi (just over a week).when I moved here I could only bring 3 ...

phil

OB knows his stuff!  The good news is that most drugs don't need prescriptions in Vietnam. The bad news is that some drugs are not available, in particular modern drugs. Read More