Been asked to relocate to Ho Chi Minh

Far better to describe what YOU are seeking, then we can more easily answer your questions. It also helps to know what cultural environment you prefer.

If you want Chinese, then ChoLon is the place for you; if you want a gated community (many are filled with VNese now! [Good]) you can hang out in Quans 1, 2 and 7; etc.

Many Singaporeans I am acquainted with express the opinion that VN is far more free than Singapore - none of LEE Kuan-Yew's goons hanging around spying on people to keep Lee's families employed. Our telecommunications are far less spied on by the government than in SP; the police stay where they belong - in the police stations; and the politicians stay in Ha Noi.

VNese are more liberal than SPers, now even gays/lesbians are allowed to marry people of the same sex. Every five years even the Prime Minster and President come up for re-election. Foreigner bars can stay open until 02.00H; alcohol is sold in supermarkets and small stores. Religion is controlled - Foreigners can't do their thing with locals. Churches require permits to operate. Cable TV has a few Foreign channels on them - total count of channels around 100 depending on operator (no Johor Bahru type channels here!).

We have parks, swimming pools, and far, far fewer highrises than SP.

The downsides are: Traffic, need for personal transportation (motorcycle), lousy public transit, chaotic sidewalks and road conditions, pollution (especially downtown).Foreign foodstuffs are high priced - VN foodstuffs are economical. Basically think of VN as SP was about 20 years ago. We have User Pay medical and User Pay education (Foreigners can't attend VN state schools)

Classes of societies (VNese, Foreigners) have people who want children to learn music. We even have a School of Music. Many of the 'Foreigner' schools have/need music teachers.

Around 100,000 Foreigners call Metro HCM home - so it can't be all that bad.

Most rental housing comes with at least basic furnishing. Styles come from basic to 'Orchard-SP' style.

Personally as a Singaporean, I miss home - Singapore.

Not sure if there is a Singapore community in HCMC though, I was there for a year but hardly met any Singaporean. partly because I was there for business and mingle mostly with the locals.

Some things are better to mention offline. PM me if you require serious info.

Good luck and enjoy your stay in Vietnam!

Mthks for the replies.

Truly appreciate.

Any other feedback from the rest ?

Kind personal regards

You can also get a lot of information from the BLOGS. There  many blogs about Vietnam living, food, and adventure. Take a look at it as I have one too,

https://www.expat.com/en/directory/asia/vietnam/

sensesofvietnam wrote:

I have one too, https://www.expat.com/en/directory/asia/vietnam/

Too many pictures and not enough meat (Info-text).

Popular web sites get that way because of content, not because of self-promotion.

Hi Francis,

Most Singaporeans that I know either live in D7 (PMH area) or Binh Thanh area. Skygarden in D7 seems popular while the Manor or Saigon Pearl are quite ok too. The high end condos you can expect to pay USD1000 or so for a two bedroom. High end condos in Saigon are comparable to a nice condo in Singapore - swimming pools, etc. Older condos you could get a two bedder for about 650 to 550.

Music Teachers - I really have no idea. I'm assuming your wife would be the teacher. I wouldn't expect to earn more than USD10 to 20 per hour teaching - unless she has some special qualifications. Among my VN friends - I don't see them sending many of their kids for music classes even though they could afford it. I don't think music education is a big thing in VN like in Singapore - but I could be wrong.

If there is some Singaporean group that "hangs out" I don't know of one. But if you are in Vietnam - maybe you can make some Vietnamese friends.. =P

In my opinion - Saigon is not the best place for a holiday, unless you can speak vietnamese, you are kind of stuck in D1, D3, D2, D7, where expats/chinese speakers are. But its a great jumping off point to explore the other parts of Vietnam, Can Tho, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang etc.. which are are fun to visit.

Good luck

hi,
You may be interesting in apartment Hoàng Kim Thế Gia, address: 31 Trương Phước Phan, Bình Trị Đông, Bình Tân. There are a lot of  foreigners living here, including Malaysian,Singaporean, American... If you speak Chinese, you'll feel very comfortable as 50% of  the resident know Chinese.
I'm living here, message me if you need further help.
regards