Living In Vietnam, Mainly Hcmc

[Andreas84]

Hi,

I am considering to live in HCMC or thereabouts, in Vietnam, for three months or more. Previously I stayed for over three months in Chiang Mai. There, many of my needs were met and I wonder if HCMC (or other places in Asia) are comparable with respects to the following:

1. Accomodation. Is it possible to find western/modern style accomodation, in a convenient location, size 60-110 m2, in the price range equal to 10-20.00 bht pr month? And is it possible to rent this kind of accomodation for as little as three months? On the following link, is one example by what I mean: http://www.houseinch...Condo/C571.aspx

That one is 63m2 for 18.000 bht monthly. Or like this, 85 m2 condo for 18.000 bht monthly, in Chiang Mai: http://www.houseinch...ide-3/C208.aspx

2. Transport: Is it possible to live in HCMC and get by with public transport, Tuk-Tuk or equivalent etc?

3. Food: To what extent is there an availability of imported foods/imported health foods? Is there any availability of i.e. organic eggs, organic vegetables, organic rice, organic coldpressed coconut and olive oils etc? Any "health food" restaurants? Is HCMC in example comparable at all to Bangkok in this regard?

4. To what extent is there an availability of alternative health treatments, yoga studios etc? are some of these run by westerners?

I am very interested to know about cities in Asia which meets these requirements. (And right now I am considering HCMC specifically)

Any input appreciated!

Edited December 12, 2010 by Andreas84

[thedistillers]

No, Chiang Mai is not comparable to HCMC. In fact, I don't think there is any city in Asia that is comparable to Chiang Mai.

1. Accommodation in a good location in HCMC is very expensive, and I doubt there many options for those who want to stay short-term. Expect to pay more than 1000US$ a month.

2. You can ride the bus.

3. Don't know, but there is a lack of decent supermarkets period.

4. No idea.

I would be very depressed if I had to move from Chiang Mai to Vietnam.

[PattayaParent]

You'll not likely find 'western style' accomodation unless you're in a serviced apartment or in one of the recently completed condo complexes (eg. The Mansion) which are very expensive.

VN style houses in Ha Noi costs a foreigner $350~$500 a month, presumably the same or a little more in HCMC depending on the area.

You will have to rely on taxis and the local bus service to get around unless you can get a VN driving licence.

I don't know the supermarkets of HCMC but the ones in Ha Noi have verly little western food, and certainly not 'specialist' health foods, about the only western thing you can consistently find is wine and whisky, and some cheeses.

[Rumpole]

I agree with other posters. Rental accommodation in Vietnamese cities can be extremely expensive, unless you happen to get very lucky - which will likely take time and a lot of legwork seeking it out. Anything found on the internet will be considerably more expensive as it is obviously aimed at well-heeled foreigners/expats. Many foreigners stay long-term in guest houses or small hotels as an alternative to finding apartments etc.

Vietnamese restaurant/street food is generally cheap (and arguably tasty), but you will not have anywhere near the same range of options for non-local food as in Chiang Mai or other Thai cities with a significant foreign population. Supermarkets are thin on the ground and poorly stocked in my view, so you can more or less forget about Western-style 'health' and specialty items. Neighbouring Cambodia is considerably better in this regard, and also offers a more eclectic array of restaurants in the larger population centres.

Edited December 13, 2010 by Rumpole

[Andreas84]

 Thanks a lot to all of you!

I think you guys are right. And I do not think Vietnam could be better than Chiang Mai. But if there is any place in Asia which is comparable to CM, I would be interested in knowing about it :-)

[PattayaParent]

if there is any place in Asia which is comparable to CM, I would be interested in knowing about it :-)

Baggio

[Andreas84]

if there is any place in Asia which is comparable to CM, I would be interested in knowing about it :-)

Baggio

What/where is that?

[steelepulse]

Baguio Philippines?

[PattayaParent]

Baguio Philippines?

That's the place!

and the correct spelling.

Edited December 17, 2010 by PattayaParent

[thedistillers]

If there would be a city like Chiang Mai (low cost of living, low crime, lots of expats, international airport, etc), considering the number of people who are currently unhappy of living in Thailand, people would move there! But that place doesn't exist I'm afraid.

So people stay in CM and moan.

[Rumpole]

If there would be a city like Chiang Mai (low cost of living, low crime, lots of expats, international airport, etc), considering the number of people who are currently unhappy of living in Thailand, people would move there! But that place doesn't exist I'm afraid.

Try Siem Riep in Cambodia.

[Ulysses G.]

So people stay in CM and moan.

So true. The professional Thailand bashers have left this thread alone, so far. They must not venture too much out of the Pattaya forum.

[blyish]

Yeah, Vietnam is expensive for foreigners. Rents are ridiculously high, food options are poor (if you're looking for imported food) and shopping at local markets is a pain because of the double pricing thing (believe me, Thailand is nothing in comparison). Oh, and you get scheduled power outtages throughout the whole summer. You're better off in Thailand.

[jaideeguy]

I spent 3 years living in Baguio and was lucky enough to find a nice rental house outside of the city for around $200/mo. Baguio City is somewhat comparable to CM in that it is north of Manila and not near the mountains, but in the mountains @ 1000mtrs.....cool climate all year and it is considered the summer capitol of the Phil.

The city is quite congested and polluted, but the outskirts are quiter and cleaner. Ocean [china sea]can be reached in an hour. Lots of western shopping ops with supermarkets, restaurants, malls and theaters etc and it has several universies, so has the artsy flavor.

One of the best places to live in one of the worst countries in Asia.

Check it out.....

[PattayaParent]

Yeah, Vietnam is expensive for foreigners. Rents are ridiculously high, food options are poor (if you're looking for imported food) and shopping at local markets is a pain because of the double pricing thing (believe me, Thailand is nothing in comparison). Oh, and you get scheduled power outtages throughout the whole summer. You're better off in Thailand.

Actually, with the current Baht / $ / GBP exchange rate Viet Nam is considerably cheaper than Thailand at the moment.

And you don't have to shop at local markets, there are plenty of proper supermarkets with priced goods in them, there's even a Big C.

[rak sa_ngop]

Supermarkets in HCMC are more common than you think. Some of the new 'designer label' shopping malls in down-town Saigon e.g. The Vincom Centre Don Khoi Street, have supermarkets hidden away. This one is on Level B3 (basement 3). It also has parking on Basement levels 5 and 6 so a good place to be when the N. Korea bomb goes off!

[tutsiwarrior]

when I was living in HCMC 4 years ago there was the Saigon Coop(erative) located on the main drag on the border between Districts 1 and 3...good selection of western products (dairy and wines) good meat and produce and an in-house bakery in constant production with the best baguettes that I've had in SE Asia...I useta buy 6 then freeze them for my lunch at work during the week...

they even got a Loteria burger place attached where you can get a cheese burger before loading up inna taxi for the ride home...check it out...