Stylostar
Australian expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
48
Contacts
1
About me
Australian
Lives in Ho Chi Minh City
Registration: 06 December 2012
Good shop to buy laptop by iMap
Hello, Can anyone recommend a good laptop shop in ho chi minh that has good track record of selling authentic brand new items? Items for sale should have genuine Windows 10 installed or at least sells them too. I'm looking to buy a brand new ...
I have a friend (true, with no financial advantage to me), who is senior at the Thien Hoa electronics store. Their laptop range isn't great, nor high end models (not like Phong Vu), but she will ensure it is genuine and may be able to get other ... Read More
Vietnamese learning English by Stylostar
A VN friend is looking for a [i]good[/i] English school. She is well-paid and professional, and doesn't want to be bothered with a dodgy school with inexperienced teachers. She is around 5 on a [i]real[/i] IELTS test now, with writing worse ...
Khanh She wants to further English for the opportunities to study and work OS. She is a successful professional and wants to move on. Plus she likes to do something well if she is doing it at all. She speaks better than reads, because she has done ... Read More
Vietnamese learning English
A VN friend is looking for a good English school. She is well-paid and professional, and doesn't want to be bothered with a dodgy school with inexperienced teachers. She is around 5 on a real IELTS test now, with writing worse than ... Read More
Need Urgent Guidance Information on Vietnam Criminal Record by janin
Hi Friends If One has stayed for more than 6 months in Vietnam he has to get Vietnam Criminal Record from HCMC Deparemtent of Justice in HCMC. Is it true. And, if yes, what is the address. Someone said it is on Pasteur Street. One of my ...
Hi I got one last year for my time up to then in VN and it did take a stamped letter from the ward police. The usual fee to facilitate it via my landlord - that is when a good VN landlord is like gold as he would do that stuff. Then a visit to ... Read More
Record stores by Natalie0204
Hi guys, I have been in HCMC for quiet a while now and, as much as I love it here, I'm starting to miss being able to go out a buy music and enjoy gigs. I realise that there are a lot of club nights and acoustic nights however what I really ...
I know what records are and am sympathetic to your implication ... I am old enough to remember vinyl, in fact kept most of it and added to in the pre-back in fashion years ( I did sell some high value stuff which I regret now...another story). It ... Read More
Record stores by Natalie0204
Hi guys, I have been in HCMC for quiet a while now and, as much as I love it here, I'm starting to miss being able to go out a buy music and enjoy gigs. I realise that there are a lot of club nights and acoustic nights however what I really ...
You should still be able to find racks of pirated CDs in the Pham Ngu Lao area. Be warned - the quality is very poor and even playing once is too much for some. Like for DVDs, there may be better quality CDs available in boxes from China (most ... Read More
WARNING- Be careful with your mobile phone by tintinmiami2013
To all expats and friends living in VN. This is the 2nd time I've heard from a friend in the last month that their mobile phone was STOLEN while walking with it in HCMC. I just want to let you guys know that you need to be extremely vigilant when ...
It's a timely warning because petty theft is rife. No denying it. Friends and colleagues are always saying 'be careful, be careful'. And I say it back to them... But some implication above that it is aimed at foreigners is wrong eg Tran Hung Dao. ... Read More
Anyone fancy a drink/meeting up? by AlexSarah
Hey, Actually going crazy staying inside and my PC has just crashed and lost loads of uni work so I need to escape. Anyone fancy going for a drink/food/explore round the city? I'm currently bike-less but I get taxi/bring my helmet if you wanna ...
Just for a friendly chat and maybe a Vietnamese lesson, Mark? Read More
Why does Budweiser taste so terrible in Vietnam....? by johnnywastaken
Dang....!! .... had a few tonight and even though they were ice cold.... reminded me of Ole Milwaukee...or even worse...Pabst Blue Ribbon....there must be Clydesdale's turning in their graves somewhere in Kentucky....
Heineken is McBeer. It's become universal and OK, but bland. Probably a foreign thing in the imported beer, because VN things are not prestigious to the VNese (generalisation). But Heine is not that prestigious now - it is Sapporo, especially in ... Read More
my teacher is american by lylyly
hello everybody, my teacher is american, he is teaching is duong minh school, and he teach so much, if anyone want to learn with him , 750000/1,5 hours, connect my skype: lan.lysong
He better be good, because that isn't a cheap rate. Read More
good dentist??? by swendig
Anyone have a good experience with a dentist in HCMC?? I have a cavity, but I'm scared to let someone touch it unless I have a recommendation... Thanks!! Casey
whatclinic.com or the like can get you started on a list of some posh Western-focused ones. Of course, this isn't even all the fancy dentists available and some may be more expensive by virtue of being online and prominent. A cavity shouldn't be ... Read More
The Marriage Party by ancientpathos
In vietnamese culture, can someone explain to me the marriage party. Why is the cost of the party the expense of the groom? Why is there an agreed to sum of money paid to the parents? Why does it seem that every relative has a sick buffalo and ...
Actually it can be up to 3 wedding parties if applicable - one in HCMC, and one each in the bride and groom's home town! But to generalise, the usual VN style is if you have it, flaunt it, including an expensive wedding. I work near a limo place ... Read More
Does anybody know a reliable/affordable xe om driver? by AlexSarah
Hey guys, I'm currently staying in D2 (massive thanks to this forum, I have a home again!) but I need to travel to D3 and back twice/three times a week.. I'm not really confident enough on my bike yet to drive in the dark and taxi's are too ...
A rule of thumb is 10 000 per k for xe om. It isn't true that foreigners necessarily pay more, only those who go along with it. D1 (and D2?) etc might be more expensive or at least the riders will ask more. Remember there is one on the next corner, ... Read More
Is there a love between a foreign older man and a vietnamese girl by wind1989
I am 25 years old and I graduated and I had a job in there. I met an older man 55 years old in UK in the foreign forum. When I meet him in the first time,he is very kind with me because he help me improve the English skill and I do not pay anything ...
Please be careful. Really, you should listen to your fears and concerns because they are real ones. An older man being kind isn't enough for you to feel you owe him anything so big. You might not be used to a man who is 30 years older than you ... Read More
Environmental Organizations? by Jayhawk
Hello, I am interested in finding some kind of environmental organizations, clubs or groups in Ho Chi Minh City that I could volunteer at 1 or 2 times a month. If anyone knows of any please let me know as I am very interested in this subject and ...
Education for Nature Vietnam: envietnam.org There is Green Drinks where you might get some contacts: held a bit irregularly, I think: facebook.com/greendrinks I have heard about a Song Xanh cafe near Ben Thanh but not been (Song Xanh = Live ... Read More
Is Con Dao Island, the best Vietnamese Island ? by AlexFromHN
Dear all, What do you think about Con Dao Island ? Have you ever been there, I found those information on the web: lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/aro 聟 ao-islands en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Con_Dao condaopark.com.vn/?vnTRUST=mod:gallery Who is interested to ...
I like the Con Dao Islands. I have gone there for work with the National Park, so have more access than most, including to some stunning places on small islands, but it is still beautiful for anyone. It is mostly national park, with some good ... Read More
Australia or New Zealand? Which one would be better? by AnnieDuong
So, I have just moved to HCMC for 1 month. Not very sure if I like it here. I'm thinking of moving to either Australia or New Zealand to do further education. Got accepted to 2 unis in NZ and one in Australia for PhD. Have you been to these two ...
$9k v.s $35k?? How can the NZ uni do it so cheap if this is full fee paying? Is there a warning there? Or is there a deal? UNSW is a top ranked university. I went there for my undergrad degree. My doctorate is from a small Australian uni because ... Read More
raw cashew & desiccated coconuts - where can i buy it?
I buy raw cashews at a little shop just up Ham Nghi towards Ben Thanh from Phuong Ha. Has a big table of nuts etc out the front and big jars of coffee, tea, nuts etc just inside. Pretty fresh unlike some and in bulk, so not as expensive as the ... Read More
Helmets for european heads
Do you mean the Protec shop on Phan Dinh Phung in Phu Nhuan? They have bigger sizes and certainly can fit many European heads like mine. If Protec etc do not have one big enough, you might be in trouble elsewhere too. Other brands are worn my ... Read More
Citibank charges by visothsumtw
I am thinking about how to transfer money from my home country to HCMC with the lowest charges when I came across the Citibank website & their global banking. So I thought maybe I can simply start a Citibank account in my home country & withdraw ...
"...yes it looks like all the ATM's are now down to 2mil a pop." Including the big foreign banks in HCMC? ANZ used to be 20 000 000 VND. One local ATM in Phu Nhuan that used to do 3 000 000 seems to now be down to 2 000 000, though. Read More
Citibank charges by visothsumtw
I am thinking about how to transfer money from my home country to HCMC with the lowest charges when I came across the Citibank website & their global banking. So I thought maybe I can simply start a Citibank account in my home country & withdraw ...
The best place to look is in the fine print on the Citibank website or ring them. You probably know that many banks charge a fee for foreign ATM access and a currency conversion fee as well. Sometimes deals on traveller's cards look OK, but the ... Read More
New to Ho Chi Minh by MisaSmith
Hi guys, My husband and I just moved in to Saigon. I got transferred with my job and work in the hospitality industry. I am from Slovakia, my husband is English and we have just moved in to Saigon after 3 years in Dubai where I was transferred ...
A survey of VN organisations found that one of the things many liked about working with Westerners is that Westerners are focused on results and getting things done. One of the things many didn't like about working with Westerners is that ... Read More
minimum wage by Guestposter822
from what I can gather it is a level which imo is below the poverty line and exploited by businesses here. 8 hour days, 1 day off every 2 weeks for about $100 a month. That is about $3.30 a day. Can a Vietnamese person live off that type of money, ...
Actually, there are professionals in government employ who earn about $100 pm OFFICIALLY. I know from my work in an Institute here. They can't really live on this, especially if there are family obligations like supporting a younger sibling who is ... Read More
Feasible distance to work by Eluelf
Hello, I'm going to work in HCMC soon. My office is located in Distict 10. My partner is coming with me and is also looking for a job in HCMC. She wants to apply for a job in Distict 5. Is this possible for both. What would be a good place for an ...
Buses are what they are. Convenient sometimes and cheap (buy books of tickets from a bus station for even cheaper fares). Travel across town if you want or 500 m up the street. Often crowded, sometimes relaxing and cool with the air con. Threat to ... Read More
English Learning Online Resources - Updated 2013FEB01 by Jaitch
Even though the majority of Vietnamese subscribe to metered InterNet, there are resources which can be used to improve your teaching techniques which do not use too much 'airtime'. The advantage, for students, is that they get to listen to a ...
Australia Network has both broadcast and on-line teaching resources. Unfortunately, there are no TV channels currently available in VietNam at this time, to my knowledge." Yes, the Australia Network is broadcasting its general TV channel, but with ... Read More
Safe Deposit Boxes by Doublecure
Hello all. I recently asked a question about getting a resident card since I have a small son living in Saigon. The advice was excellent and very appreciated. I want to know if anyone has information about storing valuables in a safe place? I ...
Or to state the obvious, lock up. One would practically need to be a monkey to climb up past barriers etc at my place to a door of a small balcony. But someone did and got in and stole from the previous tenant who thoughtfully warned me because it ... Read More
Pure cacao wanted!!! by masashi
Dear all, For making a X'mas cake, I am looking for pure cacao powder, but I can't so far find good one. I bought some cacao in the Ben Thinh market, but it is awful....... Does anyone know where we can buy good cacao powder like VAN ...
Well, the cacao I buy at the supermarket (big ones, like Coop Mart or Big C) *seems* pure. Fine powder and bitterish taste. It isn't cheap (70-something-1000 for about 150 g). It is what some VN friends buy as pure cacao. Be aware that drinking ... Read More
hospital in HCMC by AndrewDao
hello lovers, Anyone can recommend a good hospital in HCMC? Cheers, Andrew
Thank you for the prompt corrections... I admit the 'prepared to work with' phrase was ambiguous. Of course, choose a doctor as is normal with insurance, but at the risk of the company questioning the care received if you make a bad choice. They ... Read More
Men Haircut by Sploke77
Hi any suggestions for a reasonable BARBER (NOT hair stylist) around town - dist 1 or nearby? Must be affordable, say less than 45K. Thanks
I pay 30 000 for a cut in an air con place in Tan Binh, but people tell me I pay too much! It is cool and the bloke does an OK job. I just ignore the young women in tight, tight gear that work there shampooing etc as irrelevant. Most at my work pay ... Read More
hospital in HCMC by AndrewDao
hello lovers, Anyone can recommend a good hospital in HCMC? Cheers, Andrew
Who does your insurance company recommend or at least be prepared to work with? Mine has a stated preference for Family Medical Centre for whatever reason. I have found the very ritzy FMC to be OK in getting a couple of good Doctors and one ... Read More
You've got... NO mail by Travel12
I've been waiting on a Christmas card from my family in the states since early December. Should I just consider it lost forever or does a regular card envelope take several months to arrive? Also waiting on a package sent by USPS the tracking # has ...
For interest, can you tell us the itemised duty costs? What was so expensive? Or was it a mistake? Read More
monthly cost of living for two by eleuteria
Hi everyone, I have the possibility of moving to HCMC in the near future. I am wondering how much would it cost, on average, for a family of two middleaged people. House and car would be provided by the company. Thanks in advance
Well, my last electricity bill was 242 000. I don't use the air con much, preferring the local way of fans and open windows at night (v. few mosquitoes). The one in the living area does get used on a flash mode sometimes, but the usage is ... Read More
Vietnamese tutor needed by Rima21
Hi we moved from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne. We want to learn Vietnamese and I wonder does anyone know an English or Russian speaking person who could teach Vietnamese? Thank you :)
Are you willing to pay or just have an exchange? I have a friend who is a qualified, native tieng Viet teacher just moved to Mui Ne. I can ask if she is looking to give private lessons (not her main gig at the moment). Read More
You've got... NO mail by Travel12
I've been waiting on a Christmas card from my family in the states since early December. Should I just consider it lost forever or does a regular card envelope take several months to arrive? Also waiting on a package sent by USPS the tracking # has ...
One fortunate thing for me - my landlord lives in the same place. Bills and mail magically appear as available and things get fixed. Worth the slight sneaking aroundedness that happens on occasion to avoid censure on some private matter... Read More
You've got... NO mail by Travel12
I've been waiting on a Christmas card from my family in the states since early December. Should I just consider it lost forever or does a regular card envelope take several months to arrive? Also waiting on a package sent by USPS the tracking # has ...
The card shouldn't be too bad, at least on my experience from Australia eg 2 weeks or less. It must be reasonably quick once in VN. Letters might not be opened, but expect every parcel to be individually inspected. It should get through if it ... Read More
Getting around by myself by zztonedefzz
Hey everyone, I've been in HCMC for a week now and I have had to rely on my fiancee's brother in order for me to go anywhere in the city. I would like to be able to go out on a whim to meet other travelers or just explore the city. My fiancee ...
If your fiancee's brother has a regular rider, then he is probably alright. Unlikely to jeopardise a good gig. I haven't had any real problems with xe om. Sometimes they try the higher price or no change trick, but only rarely. Helps to have the ... Read More
Tahini, Braggs Products by Guapolinda
Does anybody know where you can buy Tahini and Braggs products (Liquid Aminos, Vinegar) here in HCMC? I tried Annam Gourmet Grocery store, but they didn't have either of these. Have also looked at Citi Plaza, Big C, and Metro but with no ...
You can buy tahini at the pair of Western/Indian groceries on Ham Nghi. One is Thai Hoa at 60 Ham Nghi, the other is right next door. Worth comparing both I find. A few days ago they didn't have the nice tahini I liked (actually made in Vietnam), ... Read More
Moving to HCMC in February! by TheRedDeluge
Hi Everyone, I am new to expat forums and will be new to Vietnam. I am moving to HCMC in February, so I am preparing to come. I am moving from Maryland, USA, but I am from California originally. I hope to make some friends and get to know the city. ...
Interesting for you, Anna, given your racial background. Hope the genes work in helping with the language! Good luck, nzgirl, in knowing all the ropes of Saigon in 2 months - outside the foreigner bubbles, I mean. Read More
Cost of Living; Australian Wages Vs Vietnam Wage (Advertising) by tazziejosh
Guys, I'm looking at moving to HCMC to work in the Vietnam office of the advertising company that I'm currently working in here in Melbourne and would like to find out what kind of wage would be comparable to what I am receiving here when cost of ...
Short answer: it depends on you, but $40 000 is more than enough to live on. Such a figure would be inconceivable to most Vietnamese, even professionals. I don't think money is the object - the bigger issue is whether you want to live immersed in ... Read More