Post: #101

(09-10-2014 12:54 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Don't know if this was posted here before but each time I watch it, I am amazed at how they manage it!



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I do this every morning and evening in Hanoi on a bicycle. It's a crazy rush. No close brushes with death either!

Post: #102

Double post.

Post: #103

(09-10-2014 07:59 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  

(09-10-2014 12:54 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Don't know if this was posted here before but each time I watch it, I am amazed at how they manage it!



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I do this every morning and evening in Hanoi on a bicycle. It's a crazy rush. No close brushes with death either!

I've been riding a motorbike in Saigon for about five months now; I wish I could say that there have been no close brushes with death, but that would be a lie. Still, it's a great way to experience the city and it means that your logistics are always pretty tight unless it's raining. The main thing to remember if you decide to ride a bike here is that anything in front of you has the right of way. You have one job: don't hit whatever is directly in front of you, and don't worry about what's behind you. Use your horn liberally. And stay away from the buses as best you can; they own the road and they drive that way.

Post: #104

I'll be heading to Saigon next week from the Phils. I'll be going over to check things out and see how it compares to the Phils first hand. I'll be there at least 2-4 weeks, and may stay indefinitely if it's really as great a place as some people say. If not it will be back to the Phils as I love it here.

If anyone is interested in hanging out hit me up.

Post: #105

Your notch count will go down by 70 percent, the average age of the girls you bang will be 2 or 3 yrs. higher, your wallet will be thinner, and your frustration because of lack of english and a bit conservativeness will increase. But you will have a good time anyway.
I prefer the phils.

Post: #106

A lot of great info on this thread. Thanks everybody. I've done the Philippines, it was a fun and interesting experience but don't want to go back there really. I want to check out Vietnam and Saigon in particular for a couple of weeks during Dec and Jan holiday.
I have a couple of questions and would be great of one the guys who's been there before could give me some tips.

1. What else is to do around Saigon other than chasing pussy? I mean any interesting touristy things around that you could do with a day trip or so?

2. Could you guys recommend an accommodation (hotel or a building from airbnb) that you've tried and doesn't have all the the restrictions and security guards issues?

Post: #107

First night in HCM, sitting at a restaurant, when an Australian guy comes in and yelling 'anybody interested in an english teaching job?'.. Good oppotunities to set up shop here

Post: #108

Any advice on how much I should be paying for 1br or 2br apartment around district 1 ? I am searching on that 123 viet site but got a feeling they are still telling me "white guy" prices.

So far was offered decent studio in average location for $600 per month.

Post: #109

^Get a local friend do it for you. $600 in Vietnam is definitely a rip off.

Post: #110

(11-11-2014 04:26 AM)Felix88 Wrote:  ^Get a local friend do it for you. $600 in Vietnam is definitely a rip off.

Saw a couple of 2brs for $600 about 5-10min from Ben Than market with motorbike, still too much ? It was pretty decently furnished.

Also is paying deposits here the standard ? Any potential problems getting them back ?

Any advice is much appreciated

Post: #111

Paying multiple months ahead in rent is pretty standard. I found out my company paid six months rent in advance for my apartment.

Post: #112

You shouldn't ever have to pay more than 2 months deposit in Saigon. How many square feet for the places you looked at? Post pictures if you can. What street, etc.

Post: #113

2 that they linked me, others are approximatley the same distance & around the same price for those specs(will add more latter when they mail me addresses of the ones they showed me)

http://sagohouse.com.vn/property/central...istrict-1/

http://sagohouse.com.vn/property/2-bedro...-van-kiet/

Post: #114

who of you is in Saigon now?

I also opened up a thread in the meetup section
/thread-41720.html

Post: #115

I'm headed to Hanoi and then up to Mai Chau for some motorcycle riding right around new years. Been to HCM once for a couple of weeks back in the mid-nineties, but never up that far.

Anybody in country with intel on that area? Much appreciated.

Post: #116

I got now shown a bunch of apartments in the "russian market" building and ones next to it ... Mostly 2br's, prices again around $600

3 different agencies total, so I guess prices are pretty much like that ? Or are all including the foreigner fee ?

Post: #117

$600 for a two bedroom would be a steal in Bangkok. My friends in Saigon told me housing there isn't so cheap, but I haven't looked for myself. How nice were the places? Mordern, or older rooms?

Post: #118

Somewhat modern, nothing special.

I see now some some individuals posting a lot cheaper on that site, but nobody is replying to my texts :/ guess only "real estate agents" speak English...sucks

Post: #119

I am not currently living in Saigon or else I'd help, the crowded traffic make even the half hour getting there pain in the ass.

The best you can do is make some Vietnamese friends, a lot of Vietnamese wan to learn English or have English friends, it's kind of a status thing, as long as they don't see you as Tây ba lô(backpacker) foreigners can make friends easily here. Try to make friends with whom have connections in the governments (there are a lot), can make your life here a lot easier and smoother.

I'm not foreigner so I don't have first hand experience, this is just observations from people I know and from my father and his friends who are high government officers.

Post: #120

Felix, are you from Saigon originally?

Post: #121

I'm not originally from Saigon but I've lived there.

Post: #122

Now got one for $550 in central garden, 2br, pretty solid furniture... The only thing is that they want 2 months deposit, everywhere else I paid only 1m deposit. They claim this is normal here in HMCM true ?

Post: #123

2 months deposit is standard. I managed to get a one month deposit and had it spread out over my first two months of rent, but only because my girlfriend knew the landlord. Is central garden directly on Vo Van Kiet? That road is insanely busy and loud. Seriously, bang out a girl and have her make phone calls for you. In fact, let owners think she is the one looking for an apartment so you can get a realistic price for it.

Post: #124

Getting no love in the Traveler's Lounge, so maybe somewhere here can help.

Can anyone recommend a good gym in Ho Chi Mihn?

Preferably with a pool but not absolutely necessary.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #125

BB, budget and requirements?

(11-17-2014 07:25 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  Getting no love in the Traveler's Lounge, so maybe somewhere here can help.

Can anyone recommend a good gym in Ho Chi Mihn?

Preferably with a pool but not absolutely necessary.