Moving to HCMC - maybe!

Hi There,

Nice to hear you will move to Ho chi minh city. here is something to explore and pay attention Ho chi minh city which I compose from my foreign friends and experiences. I hope this helps:

THE MUSEUM
Ho Chi Minh museum: 01 Nguyen Tat Thanh st, ward 12, district 4, Ho chi minh city
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City_Museum)
War Remnants museum: 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Remnants_Museum)
Independence Palace (Reunification Palace): 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
(http://www.paradissa.com/vietnam/vietna … on_en.html)
South Women's Museum: 202 Vo Thi Sau street, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City
(http://baotangphunu.com/index.php?lang=english)
THE MOST FAMOUS BATTLEGROUNDS OF THE VIETNAM WAR
Cu Chi tunnel: http://mishalov.com/Vietnam_Cu-Chi.html
Tour:
http://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/sic … tourID=228http://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/sic … tourID=229
(High Recommend:
To come Cu Chi tunnel:
Going by public bus you first have to take bus 13 No at Ben Thanh station and go all the way to the end station in Cu Chi.
At the Cu Chi bus station you have to take another bus -79 No, which takes you directly to the tunnels. There are several signs along the way saying Cu Chi tunnels (in Vietnamese- Dia dao Cu Chi), so you can’t miss it.
Bus 13 to Cu Chi: 5000 Dong, journey time around 60 min
Bus 79 to the tunnels: 4000 Dong, journey time around 30 min
At the tunnels, the entrance fee is 90.000 Dong (which is NOT included in the price for the special tourist bus).
To come back Ben Thanh market:
Take bus 79 No in front of Cu Chi tunnel at main entrance (where you get oFf before) to direct Cu Chi bus station. Last, take bus No 13 to back Ben Thanh market.
THE PAGODA
Thien Hau Temple in the Cho Lon (Chinatown) district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Xa Loi Pagoda (89 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3)
Quoc Tu Pagoda (244 Ba Thang Hai Street, District 10)
Cao Dai Temple (Street 60 Number 6, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City)
Jade Emperor Pagoda (73 Mai Thị Lựu, Đa Kao, District 1)
Mariamman Hindu Temple (45 D Truong Dinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Giac Lam Pagoda (118 Lac Long Quan Street, District 5. Open 6am to noon then 2 to 8:30pm.)
THE OTHER SIGHT SEEING
Ben Thanh market: at the intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai street
(http://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction … arket.html)
(Recommend: You can visit to Ben Thanh market, try some food but shouldn’t buy souvenirs at there. At night, you can try some beer around there)
Cho Lon market (Binh Tay market) in China Town Saigon: District 5, HCMC
(http://www.indochinacharmtravel.com/des … -lon-.html)
(Recommend 1: You can take a bus No 01 from Ben Thanh bus station to Cho Lon bus station (final station), Cho Lon market is nearby Cho Lon bus station. After take around there, come back Cho Lon bus station to take back in Ben Thanh market by a bus No 01)
(Recommend 2: You can buy goods in Cho Lon market but have to take a bargain- from 20% to 30% discount)
Bach Dang riverside: opposite to Majestic Hotel is on 01 Dong Khoi st, District 01, HCMC
(Recommend: visit to here on evening)
Can Gio Beach
(http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/t … ide/15121/)
Some tour to Can Gio beach:
http://www.cangioresort.com.vn/GCMS.asp … &InfoID=95http://www.cangioresort.com.vn/GCMS.asp … &InfoID=97http://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/sic … tourID=295http://inbound.travel.com.vn/Default.as … 37ae596fe8
(Recommend: You can take 02 buses to Can Gio beach yourself:
From Ben Thanh Bus Station (in front of Ben Thanh Market), take a bus No.20 to Binh Khanh ferry (Nha Be District - 3000dong/pax). When the bus stop. You buy a ticket ferry (1000dong/pax no motor). After pass the Binh Khanh ferry, you take a bus No.90 to Can Gio Beach.
On the way to Can Gio beach, you can stop to visit Vam Sat, Mokey Insland,  ....
Ask the bus driver or bus assistant the place you want to stop. (cos there is not any fix station).
Highest Building in Ho chi minh city
(http://www.bitexco.com.vn/news/bitexco- … cial-tower)
TOURISM LOCATIONS IN NEIGHBOR CITIES
Mekong river delta
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/mek … ta/can-tho
Tour:
http://www.vietnamtravel.cc/tour/bassac … u-doc.htmlhttp://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/sic … tourID=232
Da Lat
(http://www.vietscape.com/travel/dalat/index.html)
Tour  to Da Lat
http://www.vietnamtravel.cc/tour/dalat- … -days.html
Vung Tau beach
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/aro … y/vung-tau
Tour:
Phu Quoc island
Tour:
http://www.vietnamtravel.cc/tour/phu-qu … -days.html
Mui Ne, Phan Thiet
Tour:
http://www.vietnamtravel.cc/tour/mui-ne … -days.html
Nha Trang
Tour:
http://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/des … ationID=31
Da Nang
Tour:
http://www.etravelvietnam.com/sites/des … ationID=29
FOODS AND RESTAURANTS
Bun bo Hue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%BAn_b … u%E1%BA%BF): Bun Bo Hue Dong Ba restaurant, 110A Nguyen Du st, Ben Thanh ward, District 1.
Lau ca keo (hot spot includes a special kind of fish : http://naungon.com/lau-ca-bong-keo-la-giang/): 4 Nguyen Thi Dieu st, ward 6, district 3
Pan cake (made from rice, green bean, meat, shrimp,…: http://www.gianghuongvietnam.com/vi/tho … -nang.html) 74 Suong Nguyet Anh, Ben Thanh ward, district 1 or 190 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, ward 6, district 3.
Sweet food (made from water, sticky rice, green bean, sugar, many kinds of beans,…:  http://naungon.com/huong-vi-che/) Che Ky Dong, 153/7 Ky Dong st, ward 9, district 3
Cheaper shop:
* Lunch Lady (Nguyen Thi Thanh) (foods for lunch): 23 Hoang Sa st, Da Kao ward, Dist 1
(http://gastronomyblog.com/2008/08/09/me … unch-lady/)
(http://goo.gl/maps/o9zCg)
* Sweet foods: 399/43 Nguyen Dinh Chieu st, District 3
* Beef with a kind of leaf Co Lien: 321 Vo Van Tan, Distict 3 (at the intersection of Vo Van Tan and Nguyen Thuong Hien)
* Rice 07 Shop: 07 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1 (at the intersection of Nguyen Van Trang and Le Lai)
* Cho Do Do shop: 10/14 Luong Huu Khanh, District 1, HCMC (rice with food of Center area of Vietnam)
* Sticky rice and sweet foods: 111 - 111 Bui Thi Xuan, Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1(at the intersection of Bui Thi Xuan and Cong Quynh)
* Snacks: 51/44 Cao Thang, ward 3, District 3, HCM or
                Nguyen Canh Chan st, District 1, HCMC
* Pha lau (made from cow stomach, liver and organs, coconut sauce): http://photo.yeah1.com/showthread.php?t=100019&langid=1) 51/22/21 Cao Thang st, District 3 – Ho Chi Minh city
* Banh Căn (rice powder cake is fried; shrimp, octopus, mushroom on the top) , Bánh canh (big rice noodle, soup, fish,…) 98 Le Hong Phong st, ward 4, Dist 5, HCMC
* Campuchia Market (a lots of Campuchia food and Vietnamese food) 374 Le Hong Phong st (alley), ward 1, dist 10, HCMC.
* Spring roll, ….: Nuoc mia shop (93 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Dist 1)
TAXI AND PRIVATE BUS BRANCH
1. Mai Linh taxi, bus (http://www.google.com.vn/imgres?um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&...)

2. Hoan Long taxi, bus (http://www.google.com.vn/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&...)

3. Vinasun taxi , bus (http://www.google.com.vn/imgres?um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&...)

Read it to get information (http://www.vietnamtravel.org/taxis-saig … -taken-...).
HOSTEL and HOTEL
1.    Ngoc Thao hostel: 241/4 Pham Ngu Lao st, District 1, phone: 08-38385706
2.    Ruby Hostel: 241/19A1 Pham Ngu Lao st, District 1, phone: 08-38364542
Price: 7-8 USD/person/day in big room has 4-6 beds.
3.    Kim Ngan guesthouse: 217/29 De Tham st, Pham Ngu Lao ward, Dist 1
Price: 15 USD/private room for 2 people (air conditioner, balcony, bathroom, wifi)
4.    New York Hotel at 175/14 pham ngu lao street, district 1 (Tel : (84-8) 3837.3004)
Price: about 25 USD/room with 2 beds (1 small, 1 large) , you can stay 3 person.
Or  about 20 USD/room with 1 beds for 2 person.
5.    Ngọc Han hotel: 139-141 Ho Ba Kien street, District 10. (Tel: 0862646013)
Price: 15-16 USD/day in a private room for 2 people. This hotel is new brand.
TOURISM BRANCH
http://sinhcafe.com/index.htm
Saigon tourist
Viettravel
PAY ATTENTION
Be careful with your phones, bags, wallet, purse when walking and taking a motorbike on the street
Ask price before take a motorbike to go (down to 60-80% for bargain)

Please feel free to ask me anything. If you prefer we can get together for a cup of coffee, or others.

Cheers,

Tam

Comparison is very difficult. We don't know how much is your salary, what facilities your company will provide here in HCMC. Anyway, depends on your budget you can rent a room/house/apartment with a reasonable cost. If your company offer accommodation, that will be great. Some company also provide food/food allowances. If just salary only, you should find a dwelling place and food for your living. It's not difficult to find out accommodation here. About food, you can cook/appoint a cook and eat from your home or can eat from outside which cost 7,000 VND to 25,000 VND for a breakfast, 15,000 to 40,000 for a normal meal, 15,000 to 30,000 VND for the dinner, if you want. Then laundry, 1 kg from 15,000 to 40,000 VND depends area. Groceries you can buy from Saigon Co-op mart, which has a broad chain in HCMC with a reasonable price or from some other private super markets.
Friends: You can get acquaintance with so many Vietnamese citizens who always willing to help you or expats from various nations or even fro the U.K.
I can promise that you never feel homesickness after you reach here. U.A.E life is totally different from Vietnam, I know. Here you have more freedom.

Ken Charma

Caracas, Venezuela has serious violent crimes problem and the country seemed to be fallen apart .... ditto in HCMC

Every place has its own advantages and disadvantages.  Go where you know you can function the best.  It is because only when you are at your best that you will be able to enjoy all that a place has to offer.

Is it me or Jaitch has just changed his name?

Hi would reccomend HCMC, weather is nice, beach fantastic, people also... crime let say close to 0. Caracas unbelieveble dangerous, Kampala also...

mguidi.htmir wrote:

Hi would reccomend HCMC, weather is nice, beach fantastic, people also... crime let say close to 0. Caracas unbelieveble dangerous, Kampala also...

Petty crimes are alot, sorry to say.

which crime you talking about? In caracas they crashing your car windows and cut your throat for 1usd, and this is the best he can happen, at least you will die quickly... otherwise you might be burried alive, or live your life without leg or hands because they will chopped out... in HCMC tell me which kind of crime?
classic comment of people just lived inside the same country

lostsouls wrote:

Petty crimes are alot, sorry to say.

Compared to other countries it's safe to live in Vietnam.

@mguidi.htmir

pick pocket.
On bus, On street, you may be lose your phone, bag...
Sorry! My English is not good.
I hope that you can understand what I said.
Welcome to HCM City, VietNam
I wanna make friends with you all
Contact my Skype if you need my help in HCM City: quoc.nguyen2210
Thanks

qquocc wrote:

@mguidi.htmir

pick pocket.
On bus, On street, you may be lose your phone, bag...
Sorry! My English is not good.
I hope that you can understand what I said.
Welcome to HCM City, VietNam
I wanna make friends with you all
Contact my Skype if you need my help in HCM City: quoc.nguyen2210
Thanks

Of course there! Is that too serious? Like any other country here too! Petty crimes! Big 'thieves' are inside offices. Can you stop them first?

In Vietnam, if only one of your relatives is a Police Chief, you can get away with almost anything under the sun..  Need I say more??

Thank you for your replies.
I forgot to mention that I have visited HCMC and Vietnam before.

ascruts wrote:

Thank you for your replies.
I forgot to mention that I have visited HCMC and Vietnam before.

You say you have been here before, why ask the question in first place? Looked like you have already made up your minds.

Ditto.

i love Viet Nam.

Vietnam versus Venezuela or Uganda?

I'd say definitely choose Vietnam, which has a fairly robust economy and relatively stable government as well as a low cost of living.

Domestic flights are quite low, especially on VietJet Air and you can fly to Bangkok, Singapore, Laos, Kuala Lumpur, etc. quite cheaply as well.

There are negatives similar to most any place in the world, but with a positive attitude you can have a pleasant time in VN.

FYI: It is always a good idea to check the date of the discussion!

for a Woman ...Vietnam is quiet secure and safe

ChefLee wrote:

for a Woman ...Vietnam is quiet secure and safe

As long as you're not taking a taxi alone at night.