Learn the Language...
by Unknownsu
...or at least a few phrases. Once you have, you will find the Vietnamese open up to you rather quickly. Returning home after 3 months in Ho Chi Minh City, I am proud to say I can hold a decent conversation with a local Vietnamese. That's arriving armed with knowing how to count from 1 to 10. Phrases such as Cam on (pronounced Gum erng) meaning Thank You will help considerably when you are invited to a family dinner. The language is Extremely difficult to learn but if I can do it, then anyone can. During the last week of my stay, I was waiting for an American friend getting his motorbike when I was approached by a tout wanting us to go to his bar. We first spoke in English and after he got a little too persistant, I switched into Vietnamese mode. I told him my friend did not want to go to this bar of his and that I am a local Vietnamese. To my luck and surprise, he actually believed me because it just happened that I understood everything he said! Thinking I was Vietnamese, his attitude quickly changed from persistant to practically begging us to go. I declined and just before we left, I told him the truth about me being Chinese and only started learning Vietnamese one month prior.
Trees and Eyes
by Unknownsu
For the visitors who are curious, ever notice why the bases of all trees in Ho Chi Minh City are painted white? It is a safety precaution dating back to when street lights in Vietnam were limited, to ensure the driver does not have rude encounters with the barked decorations.
Same goes for the eyes painted on boats. Legend has it that when the first boats were completed, locals worried about the unknown that lurked in the seas and oceans therefore, large watchful eyes were painted on the bows of all ships to ward off any danger that came from the unfamiliar waters.
You, You, You!!!
by 34N118W
Not long after walking around, you'll notice that people will say "you, you, you" to get your attention. It's seems a little rude, but I assure you they're not trying to be. In Vietnamese, women are called em, co, chi, or ba. Men are called anh or ong. All translate to "you" in English, which explains all the 'you'ing.
The Best Place to Relax
by Anarae
After two days of sitting on wooden stools in a boat on the Mekon Delta, we found ourselves incredibly stiff and sore! The Phuc Chau Massage Centre (just don't pronounce it phonetically!) was recommended to us as a clean, reputable and non-sexual massage parlour. Roughly translated, Phuc Chau means "Four Hands" and for about $15 you can indulge in a full body massage from two masseuses at once.
Once inside it's certainly an... experience! Mum and I were shepherded into a shower room with only a hot tap (ouch!) and then required to don robes which would probably only fit a child! We opted to stay wrapped in towels. You are then led to the massage rooms where you lay down and the two masseuses enter. For an hour they work on everything from your back to your hands to your temples, using fragrant massage oil. By the end of it we felt fantastic!
LOCATION
(Address copied straight from business card, hope it makes sense): 32 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, P 19, Q Binh Thanh - Lau 1
The massage is upstairs from a regular looking office block, making it a little hard to find. I'd recommend trying to find Cao oc Age (the building it's in on Xo Viet Nghe Tinh St) and going from there.
CHEAP!! Ladies Handbags & Mens Wallet!!
by jamescruise about Stores & Markets
This handbag shop sells everything from upmarket designer copy handbags to cheap fashionable handbags. Both my wife & me bought a lot of handbags here. Price ranging from USD$5 - USD$20 every item in the shop is tag with its selling price, so.. feel at ease buying cause there is no way that the shop will slash you. A part from handbags the shop also carries designer copy wallets both for men & women.
This shop is located in a district known as Quan GoVap, name street is Nguyen Kiem, F3, shop number 625B, shop name CityGirl Fashion... is actually near the Ho Chi Minh international airport. The shop is run by 2 ladies which... well to our surprise happens to be sisters.. one of them speaks english and they are extremely patient and courteous... despite of my wife's fickle mind.. they still serve with a smile. I have actually recommended many of my friends to the shop since then and their responds were all positive. SO... overall my wife & me give a 2 thumbs up for this handbag shop in Ho Chi Minh City!! items to look out for copy designer handbags... etc USD$5 - USD$20
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Motorbike Parking - Cannot parking anywhere
Viva Coffee
Ben Thanh Market
pho (regular)
