MatthiasB
Australian expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
62
Contacts
1
About me
Australian
Lives in Ho Chi Minh City
Registration: 16 August 2012
Why do so many Vietnamese treat me like a 12 year old? by I do believe
Why do Vietnamese treat foreigners as if they are children?
Same all over the world. Behave like a child, treated like a child. Taking your colleagues' behaviour as indicative of an entire nation of people sounds to me like something a 12-year-old would do. Read More
Staring by Jquinoq
:mad: why do vnese stare so much? I walk in D1 and it seems so many eyes are in me, I notice people just watch me walk by and follow with their head turning, so now I've started to yell " amigo" which is Spanish for friend, every time I see someone ...
It's perfectly normal, you'll get used to it. Vietnamese are much less reserved in public. You may be told by complete strangers that you are fat or have bad skin. This is not rude, simply factual. As an aside, I found something similar, but in ... Read More
Why don't Vietnamese understand Vietnamese spoken by a foreigner? by I do believe
Having lived in Vietnam for 6 years and studied Vietnamese at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities it never ceases to amaze me that if I speak and pronounce a Vietnamese phrase perfectly to most Vietnamese, they don't understand me. ...
It's not just the northern/southern/central sounds, nor the accents. It's the cadence of the language. Without a natural flow (as emmy.vn points out, the gaps), it's difficult for native speakers to properly identify the sound clusters that ... Read More
Oil used to fry food by JesD
Hi all, I finally made it to Saigon and am so excited to start my adventure! However, I have been cursed with having a pretty BAD peanut allergy that always seems to hold me back. I wanted to know if peanut oil is commonly used to fry foods like ...
You'd be surprised how many dishes contain peanuts as a garnish, or textural ingredient. Peanut is "膼岷璾 ph峄檔g" in Vietnamese, pronounced approximately "dow fom", both syllables in a low flat tone, but ask a Vietnamese to teach you ... Read More
Gym near the zoo? by Xaviar84
Hi, I moved to District 1 on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street about 3 weeks ago and I am desperately looking for a local gym. I don't have a motorbike as yet so I am hoping to find somewhere locally I can walk to... I saw a gym on Nguyen Thi Minh Thai ...
It's named Yết Ki锚u, after the swimming pool next to it, which in turn is named after an ancient Vietnamese general, who was famed for his incredible swimming ability. My wife and I went there for about nine months, a couple of times a week, ... Read More
Xmas by mikieunguyen
Everything seems boring right now! Anyone wants to hang out on Xmas day? Let me know by commenting on the box below! Btw, the more, the merrier!(;
The Christmas decorations in Saigon are far "better"* than anything Sydney has to offer. *Disclaimer: "Better" according to my wife, who has a sufficiently tacky approach to Christmas, that she puts up fairy lights and plays Christmas music. She ... Read More
I Found A Language School! So time to repay your kindness.... by JohnNeilDanielson
vlstudies.com/vn/news--events/news/teachers-day-wishing/485/1for everyone's help with my learning Vietnamese quest. I've made a decision, and decided to go with the VLS. Then I noticed a promotion on their website about Teachers Day..... It seems ...
You missed something: The Uni: no spam VLS: Constant SPAM - on here, to my inbox, you name it, they do it. I will NEVER do business with a company that engages in VLS's kind of reprehensible marketing tactics. EDIT: I would also like to point out ... Read More
I want to learn Vietnamese! by Anthony W.
Hey guys, I just moved to Saigon last month. And I think I should start learning Vietnamese. So can anybody suggest a good school? Thanks.
Love your English grammar, Mr Keigh. From Australia? Really? How about from SPAMania? Really, guys, you'll do better promoting your "school" by getting good teachers. Word of mouth travels well, and I haven't heard a single good report. Read More
I want to learn Vietnamese! by Anthony W.
Hey guys, I just moved to Saigon last month. And I think I should start learning Vietnamese. So can anybody suggest a good school? Thanks.
Where do you get 24 alphabets from? Where would you even get a single alphabet with 24 letters from? There's only one alphabet, with 29 letters, and 5 tonal marks. Back to school for you! Read More
British Person Looking to Learn Vietnamese by JohnNeilDanielson
Hello Expats, I'm new in Ho Chi Minh (1 week and counting), and am looking to learn some Vietnamese to help me settle in the country, and generally help me get on. I wonder if the group would be able to suggest any language schools? Or maybe any ...
I third the university of social sciences. I've been studying there since March, and it's been invaluable. Having said that, keep in mind that Vietnamese is incredibly difficult for English speakers to learn; do not take it on lightly, work hard on ... Read More
Long way to be global city? by Sploke77
It will be a long way before this city reaches global standards. My latest example is S follows : Even a so-called 5 star hotel like the Pullman does not believe in having sufficient car parks. As the citizens get more affluent, cars will increase. ...
Saigon will become a global city when they ban cars completely. Read More
I found the best value imported Aussie Beef steak restaurant in HCMC by DirtyPierre
Best Value Aussie Beefsteak in HCMC. Served on a sizzling hotplate 100g imported tender Beefsteak from Australia with fried onions only 140,000 dong. Comes with complimentary hot baguette and simple salad. Extra side orders of meatball 8,000 dong, ...
I don't know where it comes from, but the best steak I've had is at Ti Ti in Binh Thanh. Cooked 谩 point, tender and juicy. Very popular, you may have to queue for a couple of minutes. Ti Ti Restaurant - http://4sq.com/hoKQIV 119 (@ Vũ Huy ... Read More
Where can I buy compulsory third-party motorbike insurance? by MatthiasB
Hi Folks, I've searched the forums extensively, and found no specific answers, except "any petrol station". I've looked, and not found it at my local petrol stations. I'm fully legit, aside from the insurance. What (in Vietnamese) do I ask for ...
Only 15 minutes after posting, I finally saw a mechanic down the road that sells it. Thanks for the replies, though, could certainly have helped. Read More
Where can I buy compulsory third-party motorbike insurance?
Hi Folks, I've searched the forums extensively, and found no specific answers, except "any petrol station". I've looked, and not found it at my local petrol stations. I'm fully legit, aside from the insurance. What (in Vietnamese) do I ask for ... Read More
to install Windows on Macbook by dongdong
Hi I wanna install Windows on my macbook, do you know where to go? Of course without buying Windows CD.
Precisely. I'm an expert in solving software solutions, and in many cases people are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. I use both systems, for different reasons. If we know the reason, there may be an easier answer. Personally, I use ... Read More
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 ...
If you ask, your teacher or course administrator will probably be able to arrange a copy at a very reasonable price. Read More
English speaking trusted VETS by Gazelle01
bit worried about my pooch anyone recommend any good vets???
Our only experience was a great one - Dr Nghia at Saigon Pets in Thao Dien, Q2. Not only does he speak great English (and Chinese, and French), but his degree is from Bristol university, so his training and experience is with companion animals, not ... Read More
ATMs in HCMC. Any where I can get more than 2M dong? by Nam_
My stupid bank (Wells Fargo) charges like $5 intl ATM fee I think (at least they did in Mexico, I used the ATM here one time and don't see the charge yet). I used an ATM for the first time the other day and all it would let me draw was 2 million ...
Completely OT, but I pay in cash directly to EVNHCMC on Thi S谩ch, and it takes no more than 5 minutes. Of course, you have to go to the counter, where you present your bill, then they issue you a ticket, which you take to another counter... but ... Read More
ATMs in HCMC. Any where I can get more than 2M dong? by Nam_
My stupid bank (Wells Fargo) charges like $5 intl ATM fee I think (at least they did in Mexico, I used the ATM here one time and don't see the charge yet). I used an ATM for the first time the other day and all it would let me draw was 2 million ...
Most banks seem to charge a 4% fee on in-branch withdrawals, on top of any charges your own bank might levy. This generally makes it way too expensive. And of course, being Vietnam, time-consuming - the only time I've made an over-the-counter ... Read More
ATMs in HCMC. Any where I can get more than 2M dong? by Nam_
My stupid bank (Wells Fargo) charges like $5 intl ATM fee I think (at least they did in Mexico, I used the ATM here one time and don't see the charge yet). I used an ATM for the first time the other day and all it would let me draw was 2 million ...
Suck it and see. We don't get charged, but you might. As with all overseas transactions, check the screen of the ATM carefully, and keep all receipts. It's why I always use credit cards, you can challenge the transaction if they're dishonest. Did I ... Read More
Romantic Restaurant in Saigon? by mtgmike
I'm looking for recommendations on a restaurant with decent food/romance in Saigon for a special occasion. Preferably in the district 1 or 3 area. Maybe Italian? Steaks?
I'll defer to the Authority on this (the missus). When I first asked, she immediately said "La Villa". I said, "not in district 2", and she promptly replied "Le Jardin". The service at Le Jardin is somewhat patchy and disengaged, but the food and ... Read More
The voice (Vietnamese version)
That's possibly the single most Vietnamese description of corruption I've ever heard. Congratulations. Read More
Attending a Thai Wedding, any advice
Hi Folks, Attending a Thai wedding in October, any advice on customs, appropriate gifts, inappropriate gifts, bucks night dos and donts, any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt Read More
Need help! Moving to HCM at the end of June!! by Fcoste
Hi, I will be moving to Saigon at the end of June and wanted to know a little bit about how to get around the city, I will be working in the Binh Tan district but would prefer to live more in the centre of town closer to the expat community. Is it ...
The expat scene in Saigon is fantastically rich, and the Vietnamese are very friendly and welcoming. Vietnamese love socialising, drinking coffee, eating together, drinking beer. Altogether, it's very easy to socialise with both locals and expats. ... Read More
Need help! Moving to HCM at the end of June!! by Fcoste
Hi, I will be moving to Saigon at the end of June and wanted to know a little bit about how to get around the city, I will be working in the Binh Tan district but would prefer to live more in the centre of town closer to the expat community. Is it ...
I like both. Saigon has the advantage of being able to mix and match, within a day or even, often, within a single meal. Truly a cosmopolitan city! Read More
English- French exchange by lucyd101
Hi, I'm an English girl aged 23 currently teaching English in District 2 and I'm looking for French lessons in exchange for English lessons! Anyone French (or who you speak fluent French) please get in contact! Cheers, Lucy
Sorry, no, I speak a little French but it's probably worse than yours. I was just laughing about your typo - "or who you speak fluent French". It's often the teachers who don't notice their typos, my wife is the same. Read More
English- French exchange by lucyd101
Hi, I'm an English girl aged 23 currently teaching English in District 2 and I'm looking for French lessons in exchange for English lessons! Anyone French (or who you speak fluent French) please get in contact! Cheers, Lucy
Just teasing, but are you sure you're an English teacher? ;-) Read More
Need help! Moving to HCM at the end of June!! by Fcoste
Hi, I will be moving to Saigon at the end of June and wanted to know a little bit about how to get around the city, I will be working in the Binh Tan district but would prefer to live more in the centre of town closer to the expat community. Is it ...
From what I've seen, expats tend to congregate in four main areas: An Phu and Thao Dien in D2, Phu My Hung in D7 (big Korean population, but also plenty of others), the southern side of Le Thanh Ton (mostly Korean and Japanese), and in the ... Read More
Who knows cooking class for foreigner in Ho Chi Minh city
My wife and I can strongly recommend Saigon Cooking Class, above Hoa Tuc restaurant in the Refinery courtyard on Hai Ba Trung (saigoncookingclass.com). We've been for two morning classes, and can't fault their facilities or the teacher. We had a ... Read More
ATMs in HCMC. Any where I can get more than 2M dong? by Nam_
My stupid bank (Wells Fargo) charges like $5 intl ATM fee I think (at least they did in Mexico, I used the ATM here one time and don't see the charge yet). I used an ATM for the first time the other day and all it would let me draw was 2 million ...
Hi Nam_, sorry I'm late to the conversation, but we always use Commonwealth Bank ATMs. They allow up to 9mill withdrawal, and don't charge a fee. Most of the others seem to charge a local 20,000/40,000 VND fee on top of whatever your own bank ... Read More
Hoagies, Cheesesteaks, or Delis? by mtgmike
Hello. I've been here in Saigon a couple months and I'm dying for some "American" style food. I like the local flavors but I need something different. Are there any western style delis here with sliced ham, turkey, salami, provolone, american ...
What you're describing sounds like b貌 b铆t tết, which is a popular breakfast for schoolkids (and champions), often with the addition of sausage and pat茅 into the mix. It's not considered to be a Vietnamese dish, although of course the execution ... 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 ...
Both Auckland and Sydney offer a better climate than the south of England, and (in my considered opinion) far better lifestyle opportunities. I would suggest you look at the institutions and your (potential) PhD supervisor, as these will have a far ... 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 ...
Not true. As a qualification, they would receive equal recognition. It's not quite the same as an undergraduate degree. Of course, the reputation of the institution and your supervisor will have a high degree of influence over any future academic ... Read More
I want to learn Vietnamese! by Anthony W.
Hey guys, I just moved to Saigon last month. And I think I should start learning Vietnamese. So can anybody suggest a good school? Thanks.
So Annie, do you speak with a northern or a southern accent? Read More
Helmets for european heads
My wife and I bought Andes helmets. Mine came from the shop on NTMK opposite the ReU, but (rather ironically for the OP), they didn't have one small enough for my wife. Instead she found one at a shop on the corner of T么n Thất T霉ng (IIRC) that ... Read More
I want to learn Vietnamese! by Anthony W.
Hey guys, I just moved to Saigon last month. And I think I should start learning Vietnamese. So can anybody suggest a good school? Thanks.
It really is very endearing that so many Vietnamese want to teach for free, but if you want to be able to be understood, take a class with a qualified teacher. There are three main difficulties in learning from amateurs. Firstly, they'll rarely ... Read More
I want to learn Vietnamese! by Anthony W.
Hey guys, I just moved to Saigon last month. And I think I should start learning Vietnamese. So can anybody suggest a good school? Thanks.
I'm into my second week at the faculty of Vietnamese studies at the university of social sciences, vns.edu.vn, and I wish I'd started months ago. You can learn a few phrases informally, but nothing beats high quality structured study. My ... Read More
bank service in HCM city by David1992
Hello All, I will be moving to HCM city soon from USA, for retirement, I am thinking about open a checking account with Citibank for transfer money from USA account to VN account, Is this a good choice or other bank is better thanks for your ...
Hi Budman, I don't intend on transferring funds at the moment, so it doesn't concern me, but it certainly intrigues me as I have a VND Citibank account; why can't you transfer foreign funds to a Citibank account? thanks Matt Read More
Running shoes?
Where is the "Now Zone"? I'll be on the lookout for new runners soon, but I don't want to go all the way to PMH. Read More
Should I worry about Mosquitos at night? by Donysisi
I changed hotel today, it's on 6 floor with a great view! I want left windows Open at night, but worry about Mosquitos assault!
If you're worried about malaria, don't. You're not at risk in Saigon. If, on the other hand, you're merely worried about being bitten, then the floor you're on doesn't matter. Mozzies can just as easily spawn on rooftops and balconies, but there ... Read More
Nice small restaurant with really cute girl !!! by Donysisi
It's on nguyen du Street, right between pasteur street and dong kho' NO.87. It's not far from the Citadel. Get to taste it! Recommend NO.5 hanoi style egg rolls and NO.4 Pho steamed rolls. Warning, DO NOT ORDER NO.6!
Number six is a classic. ;-) Read More
Where do foreigners like to visit in Da Lat city? by annalyly
Hi friends, Do you know which places do foreigner tourists love to visit in Da Lat city? any suggestion should be appreciated. Thanks.
We've just come back from Da Lat a week and a half ago, couldn't see any of the apparently numerous waterfalls, as they were closed, but we had a nice time. There wasn't a lot to do, but strolling around the central lake is nice, the Summer Palace ... Read More
Where to buy by Vicky.vp
Maybe some of you girls can help me :) Do any of you know where I can buy a bathing suit? Preferably not in Vietnamese sizes. Thank you! -Vicky
It was a bit of a hunt to find the right size, but there are a few options along Ly Tu Trong, starting around a block from Ben Thanh market and heading southwest. Once you find the right spot, the swimsuit shops are hard to miss, there's dozens of ... Read More
Correct Street Address for delivery by Ozbear
Hi All, I will be moving to Ho Chi Minh City in April and I want to ship some excess baggage before I head off and I have been given the address of the place I will be living but my Aussie friend is not sure of the correct way to use it. Can ...
The usual way to write it (in the South) is street number / building number. So if you lived at 53/9 Le Van Sy, Q3, TP HCM, your neighbors in the alley might be 53/8 and 53/10. If you walk out to the main road, you might find yourself standing next ... Read More
Grass, lawn or turf in Saigon?
Hi Folks, Does anyone know where one might buy lawn or grass seed, or even turf (at a stretch - prefer to grow from scratch). I've tried various nurseries around Q1, and they seem unsurprisingly bemused. Happy to travel further, if anyone has seen ... Read More
RE: Teachers by Steve Sutton
Hi all, I am looking to move out to Vietnam to teach English, I will have Cambridge CELTA but no degree, will it be possible for me to find work in decent schools or even get a visa without a degree Thank you
Simplify life, get it done here in one handy area of TP HCM.I was under the impression the authentication chain needs to start in the country of origin for notarizing the documents, that's what everyone has told us. I'm quite intrigued - what other ... Read More
RE: Teachers by Steve Sutton
Hi all, I am looking to move out to Vietnam to teach English, I will have Cambridge CELTA but no degree, will it be possible for me to find work in decent schools or even get a visa without a degree Thank you
Bring your documentation including police record and drivers licence.If you haven't already, read up on the notarization process elsewhere on these forums. It can be a laborious (and expensive, at least in Australia) process, and saves a little time ... Read More
Do I need a dvd player? by Travel12
I purchased a DVD movie from one of the stands and asked the seller if I would be able to play it on my laptop. Of course they said YES YES YES so I bought it. Now I'm home and it wont play on my laptop. Did I just get a bad DVD or do I need a DVD ...
The Chinese ones are pricier, but generally better quality.Say what??!!!???? China and quality used in the same sentence....I really think the world is going to end in a few days!! hahaI didn't say good quality, just better than a one-in-three ... Read More
Do I need a dvd player? by Travel12
I purchased a DVD movie from one of the stands and asked the seller if I would be able to play it on my laptop. Of course they said YES YES YES so I bought it. Now I'm home and it wont play on my laptop. Did I just get a bad DVD or do I need a DVD ...
If it won't play on your laptop, it's highly unlikely it'll play on a DVD player (unless your laptop is old and the drive may be faulty). The Vietnamese pirate DVDs have a high failure rate, I'd say one in three won't play for me, on DVD player or ... Read More
Need help grocery shopping... please! by Travel12
Hi, I'm new to HoChiMinh City District 11 so I grocery shop across the street at CitiMart or Lotte Mart (spelling?). Where do you buy your veggies and meat? Are those grocery stores safe to buy veggies or meat from? Thank you for any advice you can ...
Besides, the main problem is not germs. It is the chemicals used.That is a good point. I just read an article about some of the chemicals applied just before harvesting in the market gardens in D12. It's not that they're known to be dangerous to ... Read More
Need help grocery shopping... please! by Travel12
Hi, I'm new to HoChiMinh City District 11 so I grocery shop across the street at CitiMart or Lotte Mart (spelling?). Where do you buy your veggies and meat? Are those grocery stores safe to buy veggies or meat from? Thank you for any advice you can ...
If you buy vegetables from local (street) markets often they are grown in less than wholesome conditions. (And the bugs stay with them until cooked at very high temperature.)That's not strictly true. Washing will generally minimise the risks (30-60 ... Read More
Be careful to rent a room in Ho Chi Minh by heny
Dear friends, I only would like to share about my experience in Ho Chi Minh. I have been working in Vietnam for more than 1 year. During my stay, I rent a room in Phu Nhuan District, at Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street. It is owned by an old lady living ...
It's always good to complain to the police. If she behaves like this regularly with other tenants, it's possible she didn't register the contract with the police, and this means she wouldn't have paid tax on it. She can get into a huge amount of ... Read More
Problems login into Facebook. by Torresfox12
Hi seniors, i am facing problems login into facebook. Can you guide me along how to login to my Facebook account in Ho Chi Minh ?
My home network is set up to use Google's Public DNS via VNPT, and I often find facebook doesn't work in the mornings, but does after lunch. If I need to (ie, almost never), I just use facebook on the phone, as Viettel usually seems to have no ... Read More