Tutenkamen
American expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
81
Contacts
3
About me
American
Lives in Ho Chi Minh City
Speaks Spanish / English
Registration: 17 May 2014
My vietnamese GF is pregnant - how much it costs for pregnancy in HCMC by MarcusKS
Hi , I,m from Malaysia and my Vietnamese GF called me this morning that she is pregnant ! After she has a pregnancy test and yes she is ... I was so happy because we will have a baby soon . But i need some advise from expats . How much does it cost ...
Yes, do not get married because somebody tells to get married, no matter if its your girlfriend, her parents, your friends, etc. Getting married is a big decision and is basically a contract / legal document. If you later chose to get a divorce, you ... Read More
My vietnamese GF is pregnant - how much it costs for pregnancy in HCMC by MarcusKS
Hi , I,m from Malaysia and my Vietnamese GF called me this morning that she is pregnant ! After she has a pregnancy test and yes she is ... I was so happy because we will have a baby soon . But i need some advise from expats . How much does it cost ...
Girlfriend? Perhaps think about getting married. Hope you are both in a position to be responsible parents. Read More
Organic food/vegatables by Anatta
Dear all Reading about different dirty tricks (injecting dangerous chemicals mostly) the food producers/growers use to make (rotten) food look beautiful/taste good really scares the sh.. out of me, not to talk about the 'fake' food (egg, dried ...
Yes you are absolutely correct about irradiating the food. When I lived in America I was a big fan of almond milk so I could use it to help boost my magnesium levels. Americans are highly deficient in this mineral and it is very important. Later I ... Read More
Organic food/vegatables by Anatta
Dear all Reading about different dirty tricks (injecting dangerous chemicals mostly) the food producers/growers use to make (rotten) food look beautiful/taste good really scares the sh.. out of me, not to talk about the 'fake' food (egg, dried ...
http://globalresearchreport.com/2014/06/28/video-west-coast-covered-in-massive-311-radiation/ If anybody is interested in the radiation dispersion coming from Japan's nuclear reactors because of the March 2011 earthquake/tsunami, click on the ... Read More
Interesting (and amazing) dances from Central Asia / Asia
Korean composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQ6eHeBrhM Read More
Interesting (and amazing) dances from Central Asia / Asia
Turkmenistan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4XkdOt7Dg Kazakhstan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSggDgy6fTg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjhsPFsDhLw Uyghur Region http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM2w6MzMsac Read More
Good sports massage place? by sdt2000
Does anyone know a good massage place for shoulders and back in D3 or D1? Or even better if they offer to come your home. I don't need a wellness/relaxing massage but it should be a sports (preferably trigger point) massage. Thanks!
I live in Binh Tan. 300, 000 for one hour. I usually do 75 minutes because I want the massage to be complete. Read More
Good sports massage place? by sdt2000
Does anyone know a good massage place for shoulders and back in D3 or D1? Or even better if they offer to come your home. I don't need a wellness/relaxing massage but it should be a sports (preferably trigger point) massage. Thanks!
I'm a licensed massage therapist Texas. I am trained in acupressure, deep tissue and trigger point. I still do massaging each week Read More
Interesting (and amazing) dances from Central Asia / Asia
Tahiti Dancers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjVfMoi-DY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np8-7MLt5Ro Read More
Interesting (and amazing) dances from Central Asia / Asia
Thousand Hand Bodhisattva https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUl0JRoQeG4 Read More
Interesting (and amazing) dances from Central Asia / Asia
I hope there will always be places like this in the World where cultures are able to keep their traditional customs of music, dance traditions form being overrun by the 'modern' world. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh5qhFqJfGU Read More
American Family of 5, possible move by Butterfly79
Hi all, Glad i found this forum. We have an offer to move through hubby's current employer. At first, they said they were going to move us to Bangkok, i did my research and found the perfect school, neighborhood....etc. We get a call yesterday, ...
oops...you have a family of 5; not 5 children Read More
American Family of 5, possible move by Butterfly79
Hi all, Glad i found this forum. We have an offer to move through hubby's current employer. At first, they said they were going to move us to Bangkok, i did my research and found the perfect school, neighborhood....etc. We get a call yesterday, ...
@butterfly Yes, I would agree with your husband's company that there is more business-growth opportunity in Viet Nam. There is a lot of potential here since 'development' is fairly new here. It is attracting businesses from all over the ... Read More
American Family of 5, possible move by Butterfly79
Hi all, Glad i found this forum. We have an offer to move through hubby's current employer. At first, they said they were going to move us to Bangkok, i did my research and found the perfect school, neighborhood....etc. We get a call yesterday, ...
Butterfly79, in your posting you mentioned that you received a call from the company your husbands works for, and they said that it would be better for the company (and maybe you) is the company moved to Viet Nam instead. Did the company give a ... Read More
Over 7000 views by bluenz
Over 7000 views in less than a month, obviously not many people were offended by the Joke thread????
Thank You Mr.Woodward. I refer to it as 'trespassing'; knowing where I end..and where another self begins. Excellent point also about leaving your 'laws' in your own country of origin. Read More
Any experiences with the RMIT in Ho-Chi-Minh city? by DieTania
Hello everyone! I'm starting to study Design in Vietnam in October at the RMIT if everything works out. Is there anyone who studies there and maybe also Design and can give me some advices and tell me stuff about the life there and also in ...
Well, congrats! I went to the website of RMIT and looked it over. I am happy for you. You sound excited and I hope everything works positive for you. Talking about and explaining HCM can be difficult. For me, its one of those places you actually ... Read More
How much to start in Ho Chi Minh by GuestPoster13
Hello, my partner and I are planning to move to Ho Chi Minh from the U.S in September. I have a bachelors and Celta certificate. He is an experienced highschool teacher with an online tesol certificate looking to teach ESL. How much money should we ...
Yes, good advice from those that posted above. It should not take you long to find a job. Most schools ( all I know of anyway ) pay once a month and the pay is distributed on the 5th. The heart of the city (District 1) will be the most expensive ... Read More
Racism by Julien
Do you feel racism in your country? Is it complicated to integrate yoursleft with local people or are you used to it? I really like London because the city is a lot of people from everywhere, and everybody seems to be integrated. I don't feel ...
Science has classified the human species into 3 main categories of race; Mongoloids, Negroids, Caucazoids. All others are ethnicities. This is based on genetic research. Mexicans, Italians, jews, Japanese, Polyneisians, Russians...etc, are not ... Read More
Any experiences with the RMIT in Ho-Chi-Minh city? by DieTania
Hello everyone! I'm starting to study Design in Vietnam in October at the RMIT if everything works out. Is there anyone who studies there and maybe also Design and can give me some advices and tell me stuff about the life there and also in ...
I don't know what 'design' is. I was thinking either interior design or a fashion designer. My ex girlfriend is Indonesian (Sumatra). She is very good at interior design and had a very good eye for details; very good in Math, geometry, ... Read More
Gym Price by tintinmiami2013
All, How much is your gym membership in HCMC? I understand that it varies from District to District in HCMC but I just want to get an idea. Thanks. Tin Tin
Yes I was surprised too when I was looking around at some of the gyms in and around District 1. More expensive here for the better gyms. I'd say google it, write the names and the prices (address of course) and take the info with you. Like ... Read More
Gym Price by tintinmiami2013
All, How much is your gym membership in HCMC? I understand that it varies from District to District in HCMC but I just want to get an idea. Thanks. Tin Tin
in Dallas, Texas I paid $42 a month. It was open 24 hours a day / every day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Everyone is charged the same price, If any business in the US tried to charge foreigners a different price, the ... Read More
Any experiences with the RMIT in Ho-Chi-Minh city? by DieTania
Hello everyone! I'm starting to study Design in Vietnam in October at the RMIT if everything works out. Is there anyone who studies there and maybe also Design and can give me some advices and tell me stuff about the life there and also in ...
Hi. Are you going to be studying interior design or clothing design? Read More
Trust with Landlord by ancientpathos
Monday I returned to my rental house after being gone for 2 days. One of my doors to the living room/garage was open, my bedroom door open and a laptop and cash taken from a locked desk. None of the landlord property taken. There are 2 flatscreen ...
Good luck ap. That really sucks. I agree with others when they said to not trust anybody too much and to get the heck outta there. Some of these maids come from an agencies and who knows exactly the kind of networking they have goin' on. ... Read More
looking for an accommodation in Haiphong - PG or sharing basis. by surjeettgls
Hi ! I am planning to relocated in Haiphong... i am looking for a budget accommodation like, PG, apartment on sharing basis, or service apartment.
Yes, definitely try to bring as many spices as you can with you when you come to VN. I like many foods from around the World and I love to cook them too. I brought many spices with me when I moved to VN and they all made it through customs. When I ... Read More
Anybody feeling blu down same me now? by rubytran7691
Im feeling so blu down, dont know what can i do to leave it. and feel sad so much
Ruby, please know about "depression" and spend time to research it; what it is ,what causes it, and what you can do and choices that you can make. To give you an example. I have low sugar in my body. Some people have too much sugar in ... Read More
Anybody feeling blu down same me now? by rubytran7691
Im feeling so blu down, dont know what can i do to leave it. and feel sad so much
A Life is full of up times and down times. A week is full of up times and down times. Even a day has ups and downs in it. Do not compare you and your Life to others and their lives. We all can look around and think the lives of others are more ... Read More
Marriage Visa by jumpmaster173
I recently got married in March. I now I have a 5 year marriage visa. It is my understanding that for the next 5 years I have to leave the country every 90 days and come back in country to stay current with this visa. That is crazy!! I would think, ...
One can get a residence card if one marries a Vietnamese. I do know this. We did it. Bottom line though..Viet Nam is a place where the skids can be greased. In other words; money talks. Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
Coffee also cause an acidic environment. Coffee also ages you. That is why I live by Immunity - immunity - immunity, and providing the body with what it needs in order to do it's job...and keeping out as many / as much toxins as possible so ... Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
Yes, and I agree with all that you just said. My sister is a nurse back in the States and she's hook. line, and sinker into the entire American Medical Approach and along with this I hear from her of such and such being genetic. Genetic is an ... Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
I should add ( to clarify for you ) that the Eastern approach to health & well being for the long haul. Western pharmaceutical / prescription drugs focus of "quick fix" and as a result, disrupt other physiologies of the human body. In ... Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/11/29/4000-years-healing-goes-scientific.html Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
I posted about 'tumeric' because cancers was mentioned in the earlier posts. There are many many sources on the internet and in reference books in libraries that explain the benefits of turmeric; not just the single video I offered. Jamu is ... Read More
fruits for health by adriano lim
Dear All , I came to a new discovery that Sour Sop kills cancer cells ( google ) and I would like to share this wonderful piece of information to all seeing my own grandmother suffering in pain some years ago ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNLt1fZR1BI Read More
Organize an Expat blog meet-up! by Julien
Hi all, Should you want to organize a gathering with the other members, in your town, we would be pleased to help :). It is indeed a great way to meet new people, isn't it? If you would like to plan a get-together, do not hesitate to ...
My wife and I are going to go to the Sheraton. If nobody shows up, that's ok. We been wanting to go there for a few weeks now and Sunday is Father's Day. Read More
Open a personal bank account - Comparison of banks offers by TuanSgn
Hello all, I am looking to open a personal bank account, which can be managed easily by internet or phone and that provides me a debit card. There are other people in this case so I want to make a post that can be updated with your experience. You ...
Yes that is correct. As of the beginning of the year, it was determined by VN banks that the US government was too intrusive into people's personal business so, VN banks closed the door on them. VN banks accounts are structured a little ... Read More
Organize an Expat blog meet-up! by Julien
Hi all, Should you want to organize a gathering with the other members, in your town, we would be pleased to help :). It is indeed a great way to meet new people, isn't it? If you would like to plan a get-together, do not hesitate to ...
Sheraton in D1 is having a special day this coming Sunday. $30 a plate. Great food; combination of Arabic (Lebanese to be exact) and Asian. Lamb, chicken kebabs, badhinjan mutabbal, muhalbiya, and so many desserts. Asian style seafoods too Read More
Spirit Possession Rituals in Vietnam by MIA2013
Okay, I am curious and would like to know if anyone knows anything about spirit possession rituals in Vietnam? Has anyone ever witnessed or participated in one? My extended family in Vietnam participates in them every time a family member passes. ...
Thank you happy for correcting me. Yes there are many people that believe the 'virgin birth' ( the one known as John the Baptist was also similar ) may have been an artificially induced process. This is along the lines that believe ancient ... Read More
Spirit Possession Rituals in Vietnam by MIA2013
Okay, I am curious and would like to know if anyone knows anything about spirit possession rituals in Vietnam? Has anyone ever witnessed or participated in one? My extended family in Vietnam participates in them every time a family member passes. ...
Religions...sticks turning into snakes, a man being swallowed by a fish, Cain killing Abel and then being banished by "God" and then marrying a women in Ur. Huh? If there was only this Adam, Eve, and now Cain....who the he** did Cain find ... Read More
Marriage Visa by jumpmaster173
I recently got married in March. I now I have a 5 year marriage visa. It is my understanding that for the next 5 years I have to leave the country every 90 days and come back in country to stay current with this visa. That is crazy!! I would think, ...
Since you are married, maybe look into a Residence Card. Read More
why is it difficult for foriegner to assimilate into VN culture by MarkinNam
It is becoming more and more apparent that when people move from thier home country, they just want to change the locals to be just like what they left behind (for what reason?) are we all so self absorbed that we can't enjoy the break ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dBZDSSky0 Read More
why is it difficult for foriegner to assimilate into VN culture by MarkinNam
It is becoming more and more apparent that when people move from thier home country, they just want to change the locals to be just like what they left behind (for what reason?) are we all so self absorbed that we can't enjoy the break ...
If Witty is referring to me; I never did say I did not like Viet Nam. What I DID say was that there definite health issues here that really do need to be addressed, and along with this, a few of these matters are in fact effecting people around this ... Read More
why is it difficult for foriegner to assimilate into VN culture by MarkinNam
It is becoming more and more apparent that when people move from thier home country, they just want to change the locals to be just like what they left behind (for what reason?) are we all so self absorbed that we can't enjoy the break ...
I went to a search engine and typed "Agenda 21 and Viet Nam". It brought up some information from the Global Network of National Councils for Sustainable Developments and Similar Bodies. I agree though, that old habits of polluting the ... Read More
why is it difficult for foriegner to assimilate into VN culture by MarkinNam
It is becoming more and more apparent that when people move from thier home country, they just want to change the locals to be just like what they left behind (for what reason?) are we all so self absorbed that we can't enjoy the break ...
Things will probably slowly change in Viet Nam. The World Bank has been pumping millions and millions of dollars into Viet Nam as it is listed as another "developing country". But as the big name corporations come into Asia, a few Asian ... Read More
Why do foreigners avoid eye contact with other foreigners? by I do believe
I often sit in a cafe on De Tham street and see foreigners/tourists walking up and down the street all studiously avoiding eye contact with other foreigners. We all want our own space and I don't really care if somebody looks at me or not but it ...
Yes. Generally speaking, people of the country are less up-tight, more casual and easy going. That goes for all over the World generally. In New York city people are hustling and bustling with their busy lives. Same for Tokyo, Beijing, Mexico City, ... Read More
Why do foreigners avoid eye contact with other foreigners? by I do believe
I often sit in a cafe on De Tham street and see foreigners/tourists walking up and down the street all studiously avoiding eye contact with other foreigners. We all want our own space and I don't really care if somebody looks at me or not but it ...
To Contributor. I have notice many many Western products in Viet Nam, or copycats of Western products & images. Wonder why that is. Also, the World Bank has been putting millions upon millions of dollars into developing Viet Nam. This has been ... Read More
Thyroid medication in Vietnam by DiggerJones
Hi guys, I'm moving to Vietnam in a matter of weeks. My boss out there says I can get my medication out there (Levothyroxine and Lansoprazole) but I'm wondering if anyone knows if this medication is over the counter or prescription? Also does ...
Don't forget to take iodine. It is an essential element and is extremely important for the thyroid. Research it. Read More
Why do foreigners avoid eye contact with other foreigners? by I do believe
I often sit in a cafe on De Tham street and see foreigners/tourists walking up and down the street all studiously avoiding eye contact with other foreigners. We all want our own space and I don't really care if somebody looks at me or not but it ...
Maybe the foreigner simply does not want to talk (or have the time to talk). If they are walking past the caf茅 you are at, perhaps it is at a very busy section of the city street. I speak English and Spanish, and very little Vietnamese and ... Read More
Organic food/vegatables by Anatta
Dear all Reading about different dirty tricks (injecting dangerous chemicals mostly) the food producers/growers use to make (rotten) food look beautiful/taste good really scares the sh.. out of me, not to talk about the 'fake' food (egg, dried ...
Yes sodium & sugars are extremely high in American processed foods. Aluminum cans don't help either. Today's average salt in America no longer has iodine and iodine is an essential mineral the human body needs. The average sugar is ... Read More
Organic food/vegatables by Anatta
Dear all Reading about different dirty tricks (injecting dangerous chemicals mostly) the food producers/growers use to make (rotten) food look beautiful/taste good really scares the sh.. out of me, not to talk about the 'fake' food (egg, dried ...
Hello Anatta. I find getting safe food here in VN a REAL concern. The very core of each and every day of my mind/body/spirit is to try to ensure optimal health and this of course consists of nutrition, exercise, and keeping stresses at a maximum ... Read More
Setting up joint venture company. by Keliam
Hi I'm looking to set up an import/export business in Ho Chi Minh. The information I have received to now tells me I need to have a nominee ( usually some kind of law firm?) that acts as your joint venture partner with 100% control but they then ...
If I am understanding this correctly, I believe the 'nominee' is the means by which you can conduct business without having to be licensed. Read More
Looking for a gym that has weights in HCMC near d1
Hello. They are out there; gyms that have free weights. There are many high-end gyms and there are also lesser gyms that are not air conditioned and so on. Of course the expensive gyms will offer more of a selection on the equipment to choose from. ... Read More
It's frustrating applying for a teaching job if you're Asian looking by Just A Guy
So I got the call after applying for the job online via a reputable career website. I talked to them and they asked me to come for an interview. I told them that I'm Asian looking; and after much hesitation they then told me that they're very sorry ...
Hello. Since living in the US and researching so much and do many issues of both it's history and present, the US is over rated both by Americans and foreigners that are fed information by the media and other sources. So much if the ... Read More
It's frustrating applying for a teaching job if you're Asian looking by Just A Guy
So I got the call after applying for the job online via a reputable career website. I talked to them and they asked me to come for an interview. I told them that I'm Asian looking; and after much hesitation they then told me that they're very sorry ...
Well, I must admit that this belief that only non Asian Americans, or non Asian Brits. or non Asian Aussies are best at teaching English is just plain ignorance. If it's not ignorance, then it's racial prejudices. Also, I have never seen a ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
My version? I have not even said anything yet about a "version" of history. It's a matter of U.S Code that the UNITED STATES of AMERICA is a Corporation. UNITED STATES CODE TITLE 28 3002 (15) (A) (B) (C) Each "CITIZEN" of the UNITED STATES of ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
I am responding to a statement made form one that responded about Israel. Patience and you will see what I am getting at. First, I am laying a foundation. Too many American simply talk and talk and talk and do not involve themselves in truthful ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
You probably are now aware of the fact that before Egypt was called 'Egypt', it's name was Kemet. The builders of Kemet were a part of the 9 societies living along the Nile River from the mouth of the Nile al the way to it's headwaters reaching into ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
Hello. Is that a question or a statement? Read More
It's frustrating applying for a teaching job if you're Asian looking by Just A Guy
So I got the call after applying for the job online via a reputable career website. I talked to them and they asked me to come for an interview. I told them that I'm Asian looking; and after much hesitation they then told me that they're very sorry ...
Maybe try some of the schools outside of the main cities. My fianc茅s father and mother live in Cu Chi, Viet Nam and have been wanting me to teach up there. It's about an hour drive on motorbike. I passed but the school did just a hire a Korean ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
Also, Starbucks and other places may be franchises. They will use formulas to determine the prices of their products depending on several factors. Most people hear "Starbucks" and they go 'ahhhhhhhhh'. So much is just in their name that people think ... Read More
Why do Western fast food places and others charge such high prices? by I do believe
Many (Hospitals, Western hotels, Western fast food places, Starbucks all rape the pocketbooks of Westerners. Perhaps OK for the tourists but irritating for those of us who live here. Many (most?) of the cafe's in District one are on the gravy train ...
One part to consider also is the cost of importing into Viet Nam. Not saying that is why but, it could effect the prices of many 'Western' products. But on the other hand, whether a business charges very high prices and another outside of District 1 ... Read More