Buzzer, Irish expat in Vietnam

Buzzer replied to a thread

12 years ago

Any CELTA Certified Teachers Here? by kjwyatt

Hi, all! I'm enrolled in the CELTA course at ILA starting October 14th. Are there any CELTA certified teachers on this site who can give me some advice or share their experience? Also, where in Saigon can I buy (or download) the recommended grammar ...

Is it a 9-5 course for a whole month? If so, it's a lot of work, but not difficult. It's just....a lot. But it's a great experience too. No experience with ILA in particular ( did my CELTA with International House) but it's totally worth it. ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

12 years ago

Very new kitten, needs care

Took him to Dr. Nghia ( saigonpet.com ) after some research online. Turns out he's gonna stay with me after all. Could not recommend Dr. Nghia any more highly either. :) Read More

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12 years ago

Very new kitten, needs care

found an abandoned very new born kitten tonight. Looking for a genuine good shelter/vet to give him to if possible? Don't have the time/space etc to keep him. Any advice? Cheers guys! Read More

Buzzer created a thread

12 years ago

Quick bike question

Went for a trip home there for two weeks and now I'm back. Thing is, my bike has been in my buildings garage for those two weeks and now won't turn over. Just wondering if anyone had any advice for getting a bike going after it's been sitting ... Read More

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13 years ago

Motorbike repair cost advice by Buzzer

Hey guys, Sorry if this has been posted before but I had a few questions with regards to repair costs for my bike. I just wanted to get a ball park of what I should be paying. I want to replace a mirror that broke (just the glass broke out but the ...

Cheers man. Yeah I was guessing about 1-200 for the mirror but thought I would check here first. And the tube price seems bout right from what I paid the other day. Thanks very much! Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Motorbike repair cost advice

Hey guys, Sorry if this has been posted before but I had a few questions with regards to repair costs for my bike. I just wanted to get a ball park of what I should be paying. I want to replace a mirror that broke (just the glass broke out but the ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

How to date a foreigner and NOT get your heart broken? by UKGuyInSaigon

Does anyone have any advice to offer to both foreign men and Vietnamese women about how to achieve long lasting success in a relationship?

I have friends get into relationships with Vietnamese women and while it's not true for all, a lot of them were very much along the lines of, Week 1: Meet the parents. Week 2: Start discussing marriage and children. Week 3: Guy runs for the ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Unusual attractions in HCMc by Buzzer

So I'm looking for some interesting ideas of places to visit in or near HCMC besides the usual (Cu Chi, War Museum etc). Found some stuff I'd never heard of like the FITO museum but was wondering if anyone could suggest anything else? It doesn't ...

Yeah that one is one the list for sure. Thanks! Any others? Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

TESOL by yttocs

I'm coming to VN next year and I've just signed up for a TESOL program at a university here in the US. The program consists of six courses that are six weeks each. In addition, there are extra courses available to add on to the certificate. I'm ...

If you have the option of doing the CELTA do it. I found it fantastic (did it in Dublin, not Nam) but it is a great foundation. I know a good few who have done TESOL and TEFL etc and it seems to be quite lacking, but that's just personal opinion ... Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Unusual attractions in HCMc

So I'm looking for some interesting ideas of places to visit in or near HCMC besides the usual (Cu Chi, War Museum etc). Found some stuff I'd never heard of like the FITO museum but was wondering if anyone could suggest anything else? It doesn't ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Any places good for sports gear?

Looking to get a good pair of running shoes (Asics if possible) and a good quality jump rope. Anyone know of anywhere?? Cheers!! Read More

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13 years ago

Residence book

Hey guys, So I need a residence book for where I'm living right now for my residence card and such. The landlord is doing it tomorrow, just wondering is it a same day process? Just I need it ASAP and would put my mind at ease knowing if it is, one ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Advice for first time bike rental

So my housemate and I are looking to finally rent a pair of bikes here in HCMC and just wondering if anyone has any advice, rental places they would recommend etc? Also, what's a good price to be paying and at what price do you start getting ripped ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Policing in HCM City by Sploke77

I recently did an illegal U turn in District 1 and was introduced to the 'shady' side of policing in this beautiful city. The way that I looked at it was well, he may have 4 children to take care of and his pay sure has to be. Supplemented! Just ...

Was about to post something about this. Looking to start driving here next month, also looking to get a VN license (for health insurance reasons). In terms of traffic police here how does it work? Are they more or less likely to stop foreigners? ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Daily contact lenses in HCMC by Buzzer

Quick question. Isn't there a street here full of opticians and the like??? I know I saw the name on here before but can't seem to find it again. Also has anyone here any experience of buying daily disposable contacts in HCMC? Any ideas on ...

Sorry I should mention I was going in for contacts, not glasses. But yeah, great service. Highly recommend. Out of curiosity, what's your issue with grinding plastic lenses?? Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Daily contact lenses in HCMC by Buzzer

Quick question. Isn't there a street here full of opticians and the like??? I know I saw the name on here before but can't seem to find it again. Also has anyone here any experience of buying daily disposable contacts in HCMC? Any ideas on ...

Hey so, went to that place on Nguyen Du/Hai Ba Trung and was very good. Called Eyewear Plaza, nice big place too, huge selection, great English speakers too which is always good when dealing with things like eyes/medical anything. Good thorough ... Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Daily contact lenses in HCMC

Quick question. Isn't there a street here full of opticians and the like??? I know I saw the name on here before but can't seem to find it again. Also has anyone here any experience of buying daily disposable contacts in HCMC? Any ideas on ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Internet issues by Buzzer

So power went out today and when it came back, can't connect to our network. Can see everyone else (neighbors) but not our one?? Router and such is fine looking, happy as usual but for some reason the network just can't be found by anyones laptops. ...

Got it sorted, guess the router had restored to default settings, annoying. Cheers guys Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Internet issues by Buzzer

So power went out today and when it came back, can't connect to our network. Can see everyone else (neighbors) but not our one?? Router and such is fine looking, happy as usual but for some reason the network just can't be found by anyones laptops. ...

Ok so here's the scoop so far. Power outage today after the fusebox caught fire. When we got the power back, network was missing but a 'new,' unsecured network called 'Tenda,' had appeared. We're with SCTV, but I can't see the word Tenda on the ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Internet issues by Buzzer

So power went out today and when it came back, can't connect to our network. Can see everyone else (neighbors) but not our one?? Router and such is fine looking, happy as usual but for some reason the network just can't be found by anyones laptops. ...

Yeah tried that, no such luck. And it's stuck to the wall so I can't actually get a good look at it to check the make and model etc to see if I can find any more info. Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Internet issues

So power went out today and when it came back, can't connect to our network. Can see everyone else (neighbors) but not our one?? Router and such is fine looking, happy as usual but for some reason the network just can't be found by anyones laptops. ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Road Rules: Believe it or not, there are some rules in VietNam by Jaitch

A couple of weeks ago I was pulled over by the CGST in the early hours for having lights that were too bright. I have two 60-LED high-intensity illuminators I use when driving in the countryside. They offered me the choice of attending a driver ...

Any word on the web version for us folks with crap phones? Or is that included in the 6 month wait? Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Halloween costumes

So my favourite holiday of the year is coming up soon and I was wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere to buy a good costume? I've been told Halloween is getting quite popular here in VN, so anywhere in HCMC that sells costumes??? Cheers!! Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

All Ireland final

Spotted Cow I assume will show it, seen some GAA in there from time to time and they defo show Setanta. Boston Bar, if they don't have it on TV can usually hook a laptop up to the TV's and stream games for people, though it's gonna clash with some ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

ATM's by Guestposter822

hi, just wondering if anyone knows the general withdrawal limit for ATM's in ho chi minh ? my bank slogs me a lot so I want to find the best. Thanks

If you're withdrawing from a foreign account... The best I've found is TechComBank. I'm withdrawing using Visa and they don't charge me a withdrawl fee. Not sure the max per transaction but I got 5million out the other day in one transaction no ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

moving to vietnam by Davidski

hi there! i am moving to vietnam to teach english.....i am wondering from those with experience whether it is better to find an apartment or to get a job first......what area do you find the best area to live in hanoi?

Been teaching here for a month now (but in HCMC not Ha Noi) and I'd say search around on tripadvisor, and I'm sure some people here could recommend a good guesthouse where you could stay for the first month or so while you look for a job and ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Photography classes/photoshop lessons by Buzzer

Every day as I walk around HCMC I see people, Vietnamese and tourists of course, taking tons of pictures. Vietnamese girls pose with their friends for picture after picture and I've seen plenty of aspiring models walking the streets with their pals ...

Cheers Jaitch. Any idea where? Can't seem to find anything bout classes in D7 through google? Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Photography classes/photoshop lessons by Buzzer

Every day as I walk around HCMC I see people, Vietnamese and tourists of course, taking tons of pictures. Vietnamese girls pose with their friends for picture after picture and I've seen plenty of aspiring models walking the streets with their pals ...

Will do, but the point of this post was to get an idea of what it was people might be interested in, if at all. Then I'll know what to post in an ad. Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Photography classes/photoshop lessons

Every day as I walk around HCMC I see people, Vietnamese and tourists of course, taking tons of pictures. Vietnamese girls pose with their friends for picture after picture and I've seen plenty of aspiring models walking the streets with their pals ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Problem with ATM/Visa card not working on and off

I'm with Bank of Ireland, using a VISa debit, only getting sorted with a local bank account this week coming. It happened last sunday but I didn't lose any money, it just wouldn't give me any. Not much I can do right now so going to wait til ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Problem with ATM/Visa card not working on and off

So I went to the ATM today and tried to take money out. I checked my account before I went so I know I have cash, but it wouldn't pay me out a single lonely dong. No ATM here will all of a sudden. The thing is, this happened last week as well, last ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Can't call out of VN? Need help quick by Buzzer

Hey guys. The only roaming network I get here is Viettel, and I can txt home no problem. But I can't call any numbers, not even viet numbers or the Viettel helpline from my Irish phone. Need to call my bank back home asap but it keeps saying ...

Ah ok, I wasn't sure if it was a problem with them or with Viettel. Cheers! Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Can't call out of VN? Need help quick

Hey guys. The only roaming network I get here is Viettel, and I can txt home no problem. But I can't call any numbers, not even viet numbers or the Viettel helpline from my Irish phone. Need to call my bank back home asap but it keeps saying ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Having packages sent to VN. by Buzzer

I ordered a sensor cleaning kit for my camera (bout $100 worth of a good kit) and naturally, it arrived about two hours after my plane set off for HCMC. I'd be getting it sent from Ireland, just wondering what it's like getting packages sent to ...

Thanks guys. All I need is my sensor cleaning kit which is new and unopened, and my flash which I forgot to pack. (I knew I'd forget something, but ugh that was hard to swallow when it came to mind just as I was landing here. So stupid). Having ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Is it time for Vietnam to legalize prostitution? by amberlulu

A friend of mine suggested that I start a new topic. So here it goes: Is it time for Vietnam to legalize prostitution? Well, according to VietNamNet Bridge 聳 Colonel Ho Sy Tien, acting head of the Investigative Police Agency on Social Order, ...

Always a tough one. Personally the idea of paying for sex turns me right off, I just couldn't do it. But I know people who have. In terms of regulation and hopefully increasing safety for the women I think it's a good idea but really, it's a ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Having packages sent to VN. by Buzzer

I ordered a sensor cleaning kit for my camera (bout $100 worth of a good kit) and naturally, it arrived about two hours after my plane set off for HCMC. I'd be getting it sent from Ireland, just wondering what it's like getting packages sent to ...

Cool, cheers man. Yeah it wouldn't be big at all. Great stuff. Thanks! It's just that it's a great kit and not the kinda thing you can really buy in any old camera shop. So I defo don't want to just leave it at home. Thanks. Read More

Buzzer created a thread

13 years ago

Having packages sent to VN.

I ordered a sensor cleaning kit for my camera (bout $100 worth of a good kit) and naturally, it arrived about two hours after my plane set off for HCMC. I'd be getting it sent from Ireland, just wondering what it's like getting packages sent to ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

moving to saigon from australia by andy111

hi be in saigon in late augest for at least a year and keen to make friends.havent got accomadation as yet but looking to share,love anyone to contact me :)

Yeah rent a room in a guesthouse for like a month when you get here, they'll cut you a special rate usually for a long stay like that, then go house hunting once you get here and whatnot. Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Where to buy second hand apple products iphone,ipod or ipad in ho chi by dragonslayer

Hi i am looking for any second hand iphone , ipod or ipad in ho chi minh. Do you know a place where i can buy one. Thanks.

I know you said used but I went to the Futureworld place on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St today to get a new charger for my laptop (the old one was good enough to bang and go on fire the other day as I was sitting on my bed sending an email. Good work ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Are there ways of protecting my account when drawing from public ATMs? by Jaromir

Hi all, ... because I麓m concerned that using a bank card to draw money is risky. My friends are getting suspicious dates of drawing money that do not correspond to reality. Is this a big problem in this country?

Yeah it took me a few minutes to realise the time difference was probably making my bank account look a little weird. The amount spent so far seemed right to me, just the dates were all screwy. Slightly annoying, but just try to keep a mental note ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

Anyone up for getting together and watching UFC this sunday?

So I just arrived in Vietnam (currently in Saigon) and was wondering if there's any UFC fans on here? UFC 149 is on sunday morning (it's 10pm eastern time US on sat evening, so 10am here right?) Was thinking of going to that bar Phatty's since ... Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

13 years ago

A good place to live in Saigon? by Wild_1

Hi gang, There is a good chance that I might have to move to Saigon because of work. I wonder, where is a good place to live there? I am a single Vietnamese-American guy, with simple tastes and an easy going personality. I won't have much ...

Isn't the K1 Factory in D2 now? Been interested in checking it out when I get over, seems like a good place. But then it's more to do with MMA, BJJ etc rather then a straight up gym. Read More

Buzzer replied to a thread

14 years ago

Stupid question about visas by Buzzer