Calling fellow Singaporeans

Excellent. Thanks for the recommendation.  Time to eat popiah liao... Haha.

Hi are there any singapore family with children in HCMC?

Why do u ask shoelim?

i am thinking of moving my family to hcmc, so i can get them to share their experience with me

From down under yah... Goodday mate!! My wife is 5 months pregnant now so I can't really share much at this point in time...

do you know anyone there who has their family recently moved to hcmc?

I don't have a family here but generally it's not a good place for kids for the following reasons;

1. Quality of education here is low even for private schools
2. Not a safe place for children. Traffic is really bad, many   
   errant and unqualified riders on the road
3. Typical vietnamese is not civic minded. No real values passed
   on to kids so children here are also bad mannered.

Thanks. I am thinking of enrolling them to international schools.
After living in NZ for many years, you will find western values are not any good either.
I want my kids to experience or see hardship so they can appreciate the good lives they have.
My main concern is language. Is it tough to get around in daily routine if one does not speak any vietnamese?
How much is the comfortable monthly living expenses in HCMC?
Accommodation
Foods
Transport
Leisure

Appreciate if any of you could share your experience.

Regards

Hi Shoelim,

HCM is a far cry from NZ. Ppl there are civic minded. In HCM the concept of queing is non-existance. Both kids & adults are very rude they will push & shove their way in a crowd. Littering is also a major problem. Hard to find clean streets here unless u travel around up-market areas. Ppl here are shy to kiss in public but not shy to pee in public. Snatch theft is also quite prevailent here mostly targeting females.

Language is a major setback. Hard to get around anywhere if u can't speak vietnamese. Taxis are plentiful but rarely can you find a cab driver that understands and speaks english. Most cabbies are rip-offs, their meters are rigged. Only two reputable operators here, VinaSun & Mai Linh. But beware there are even look-a-like taxis here.

Driving/Riding is a challenge as traffic rules & road courtesy is also virtually non-existance. Many road rougues here so even if u are a safe driver/rider expect the unexpected.

Unless you are in the tourist district, most shop owners don't speak english. Even in their "chinatown" (District) you can hardly hear people speaking mandarin or cantonese.

Accomodation prices can vary quite drastically if you are a foreigner. Most foreigners like to live in District 7, Phu My Hung area or District 2 (An Phu area) but these places are highly over priced. A 2 Bed-room 600sq feet apartment will probably cost around USD1200/mth. I live in a 3-bedroom 1200sq feet full service condo outside of the two "foreigner areas" only cost me USD500/mth. Bottomline try to find an agent that won't rip you off.

Lots of good food here but getting there is a problem if you don't know the street name. Pronuoncing the streets names are a challenge in itself because their vowels are not the same as english language. Most vietnamese got no sense of imagination. If you can't pronounce right they don't even bother to try to guess what you are trying to say.

Not to say that there are no merits here. It's a good country to make money especially for 1st world citizens who can bring their expertise here. Lots of grey areas in govt policy & coruption which is also an opportunity.

HCM is a good experience for adults but I would not recommend kids to stay here long term

Hi Hsing,

Where you are in Dist 7. I'm also in Dist 7

hsing wrote:

Hi, Cruiserseth,

Cheers! I can understand.Just wanna know u guys.
In fact, every foreigner here leaves his/ her hometown.

Do u live close to Dis 7?

greetings

dent wrote:

Hi Hsing,

Where you are in Dist 7. I'm also in Dist 7

hsing wrote:

Hi, Cruiserseth,

Cheers! I can understand.Just wanna know u guys.
In fact, every foreigner here leaves his/ her hometown.

Do u live close to Dis 7?

greetings

I live in District 7 too

Hue1964 wrote:

Hi Shoelim,

HCM is a far cry from NZ. Ppl there are civic minded. In HCM the concept of queing is non-existance. Both kids & adults are very rude they will push & shove their way in a crowd. Littering is also a major problem. Hard to find clean streets here unless u travel around up-market areas. Ppl here are shy to kiss in public but not shy to pee in public. Snatch theft is also quite prevailent here mostly targeting females.

Language is a major setback. Hard to get around anywhere if u can't speak vietnamese. Taxis are plentiful but rarely can you find a cab driver that understands and speaks english. Most cabbies are rip-offs, their meters are rigged. Only two reputable operators here, VinaSun & Mai Linh. But beware there are even look-a-like taxis here.

Driving/Riding is a challenge as traffic rules & road courtesy is also virtually non-existance. Many road rougues here so even if u are a safe driver/rider expect the unexpected.

Unless you are in the tourist district, most shop owners don't speak english. Even in their "chinatown" (District) you can hardly hear people speaking mandarin or cantonese.

Accomodation prices can vary quite drastically if you are a foreigner. Most foreigners like to live in District 7, Phu My Hung area or District 2 (An Phu area) but these places are highly over priced. A 2 Bed-room 600sq feet apartment will probably cost around USD1200/mth. I live in a 3-bedroom 1200sq feet full service condo outside of the two "foreigner areas" only cost me USD500/mth. Bottomline try to find an agent that won't rip you off.

Lots of good food here but getting there is a problem if you don't know the street name. Pronuoncing the streets names are a challenge in itself because their vowels are not the same as english language. Most vietnamese got no sense of imagination. If you can't pronounce right they don't even bother to try to guess what you are trying to say.

Not to say that there are no merits here. It's a good country to make money especially for 1st world citizens who can bring their expertise here. Lots of grey areas in govt policy & coruption which is also an opportunity.

HCM is a good experience for adults but I would not recommend kids to stay here long term

Relax la, bro. There's always something to learn everyday in Vietnam.

I personally feel that HCMC is not that bad a place to live and work. Of course amenities wise, here is a far cry from SG or NZ but the pace of life and cost of living is definitely not as hectic and expensive as SG. I have slogged like hell when I was in SG.  Hardly do I get to go back on time.  But here, the work pace is more relaxed and I can knock off on the dot for some personal time.  Branded goods aside, daily groceries here are at least 15 to 20% cheaper than SG.

As for studies, I am not too sure so shall not comment on it.

Just for 2 cents worth.

Actually, so far, the best Singapore Hainanese chicken rice Com Ga Hai Nam Kieu Singapore, which is at 373 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10.  They also sells not too bad Hokkien Noodles.  The owner used to work in Singapore many years back.  Price very reasonable.  Lunch time, super crowded. 

Good luck.

Yvonne

Thanks for the recommendation Yvonne.  Just a heads-up, we will be having a get-together in mid-Oct. Keep yourself free yah...

dopey wrote:

Actually, so far, the best Singapore Hainanese chicken rice Com Ga Hai Nam Kieu Singapore, which is at 373 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10.  They also sells not too bad Hokkien Noodles.  The owner used to work in Singapore many years back.  Price very reasonable.  Lunch time, super crowded. 

Good luck.

Yvonne

Thanks, I'll go look for this place at Nguyen Tri Phuong to sample Singapore's national dish.
In the meantime, I'm off to Nam Kee at Upper Thomson, my fav chicken rice in Singapore. Cheers!

We are in October and I am planning for the proposed gathering.  I have 2 dates in mind, both being Sundays and they are 16th Oct and 23rd Oct.

So kindly let me know which of the above 2 dates you will be available and the gathering will be held on the date when we have the best turnout.

Thanks and do reply soon so I can make arrangements.

Cheers,
Gilbert

Cruiserseth wrote:

We are in October and I am planning for the proposed gathering.  I have 2 dates in mind, both being Sundays and they are 16th Oct and 23rd Oct.

So kindly let me know which of the above 2 dates you will be available and the gathering will be held on the date when we have the best turnout.

Thanks and do reply soon so I can make arrangements.

Cheers,
Gilbert

I vote for the 23rd of Oct

23 is fine for me as well since so far most are in favour of that date...

Looks like 23rd Oct is the preferred choice... Any other fellow Singaporeans in this group joining us? 4 have confirmed their attendance but a number closer to 10 will make this gathering a greater success...

Keep the positive responses coming in...

Depends on location for me

Will likely be in District 1... Do come

ok, count me in too

Great!! We have 6 now.  Keep the positive response coming in guys...

Hi guys, I just have confirmation for 2 of my Singaporean friends for this gathering.  So we have 8 confirmed attendees now as per below:

1. Gilbert Cruiserseth)
2. Owen (owenkhoo) - pls PM me your mobile number
3. Ken (kenmura) - pls PM me your mobile number
4. Andrew (andrewong2024) - pls PM me your mobile number
5. Hue (Hue1964)
6. Yong (ykk) - pls PM me your mobile number
7. Gilbert's friend 1
8. Gilbert's friend 2

Those who have yet to respond are as below:

1. Kok Leong (rambo 4)
2. (esoong4822)
3. Alvin (akxiuna)
4. (dopey)

So can the above 4 kindly confirm on your attendance soon.  Really hope we can make it a 100% attendance for our 1st gathering.

I will update all by the end of this week regarding the proposed venue, time and activities for that day.

Yes on lor. 2 of us/Singaporean!

Great esoong4822, you and your partner will make up the 9th and 10th for this gathering. Btw what is your name? And can you also PM me your mobile number so I can contact you nearer to 23rd Oct?  Thanks

LATEST UPDATE

List of confirmed attendees:

1. Gilbert Cruiserseth)
2. Owen (owenkhoo) - pls PM me your mobile number
3. Ken (kenmura) - pls PM me your mobile number
4. Andrew (andrewong2024) - pls PM me your mobile number
5. Hue (Hue1964)
6. Yong (ykk) - pls PM me your mobile number
7. Gilbert's friend 1
8. Gilbert's friend 2
9. (esoong8422) - pls PM me your mobile number
10. esoong8422's friend

Those who have yet to respond are as below:

1. Kok Leong (rambo 4)
2. Alvin (akxiuna)
3. (dopey)

So can the above 3 kindly confirm on your attendance soon.  Really hope we can make it a 100% attendance for our 1st gathering.

I will update all by the end of this week regarding the proposed venue, time and activities for that day.

We've other prior commitments.  Therefore, wont be joining.  Have fun guys.

Its a pity dopey... Hope you can join us for the next one... I am thinking of organising a gathering every month... Good news?? Hehe

LATEST UPDATE

Attending:

1. Gilbert Cruiserseth)
2. Owen (owenkhoo) - pls PM me your mobile number
3. Ken (kenmura) - pls PM me your mobile number
4. Andrew (andrewong2024)
5. Hue (Hue1964)
6. Yong (ykk) - pls PM me your mobile number
7. Gilbert's friend 1
8. Gilbert's friend 2
9. (esoong8422) - pls PM me your mobile number
10. esoong8422's friend

Not Attending:

1. dopey

Yet to respond:

1. Kok Leong (rambo 4)
2. Alvin (akxiuna)

So can the above 2 kindly confirm on your attendance soon. 

I will update all by the end of this week regarding the proposed venue, time and activities for that day.

Singapore Business Group in HCMC has monthly events.  You can join them and get involve in their activities.

Dopey, how do we join this group?

Have a look at their website.  Details are all inside. 

I am not their member but my better half is.  But frankly, we seldom join their activities... lol

sbghcm.org

I have seen their website and their activities, but those activities are so business-oriented. Don't we already have enough of such activities from our daily jobs? LOL

Ours is more of a recreational group and we get together for catching up and for leisure... I believe most of us here rather go for a casual sunday buffet than a formal business luncheon right?  ^_^

Can the below members kindly PM me your mobile numbers ASAP:

1. Owen (owenkhoo)
2. Ken (kenmura)
3. (esoong8422)

Thanks.

andrewong2024 wrote:

Cruiserseth wrote:

My name is Gilbert Goh.  And I really miss hokkien mee and Poh pia... Anyone knows where got sell in VN?

Can try Sedona Town Club at Saigon Centre for Hokkien Mee... Not sure abt Popiah...

theres 1 shop sell white singapore hokkien mee, its a food court in CITI PLAZA 230 nguyen trai q1. also got mee goreng and all singapore food. bbq sting ray and crabs too. cheaper than LION CITY.

if any bro knows where sell singapore food pls share here. i finding more stores selling singapore food.

cheers

Cruiserseth wrote:

Will likely be in District 1... Do come

23RD i cant do it. will be in spore. very sorry miss the chance of meeting you guys.

rambo4 wrote:

Cruiserseth wrote:

Will likely be in District 1... Do come

23RD i cant do it. will be in spore. very sorry miss the chance of meeting you guys.

Its ok Kok Leong. We will probably do this once a month so you can join us the next month... Have a great trip back home... ^_^

LATEST UPDATE

Attending:

1. Gilbert Cruiserseth)
2. Owen (owenkhoo) - pls PM me your mobile number
3. Ken (kenmura) - pls PM me your mobile number
4. Andrew (andrewong2024)
5. Hue (Hue1964)
6. Yong (ykk)
7. Gilbert's friend 1
8. Gilbert's friend 2
9. (esoong8422) - pls PM me your mobile number
10. esoong8422's friend

Not Attending:

1. (dopey)
2. Kok Leong (rambo 4)

Yet to respond:

1. Alvin (akxiuna)

So can Alvin (akxiuna) kindly confirm on your attendance soon.

Proposed programme:

12.00pm - Dim sum lunch at New World Hotel (180,000VND++) or at buffet at Renaissance Riverside Hotel (USD16++)
2.00pm - Coffee at New World/Renaissance Riverside Hotel Lobby Lounge or at Gloria Jeans , Dong Khoi
4.00pm - Bowling at Parkson, District 1
6.00pm - Dinner at Rex Hotel, Rooftop Garden (awesome view and great live band)

The above itinerary is just a proposal so feel free to suggest other activities as I have only been in Vietnam for 8 months and its been mostly work.  So I may not know some of the really interesting places which some of you who have been here longer might know. 

Please input whatever suggestions you have to make this gathering a really GREAT one!!  Thanks guys...