Ho Chi Minh City is a place where anyone would surely feel
the easiness and convenience of life, particularly on the financial aspect, you
don’t need to be filty rich to have a good or better life in this city. Salary
here is not much compared to other countries, but the cost of living is also
different, we can say it is cheaper to live here than any other country or city
in this world. Foods, garments, household stuff and other personal necessity is
cheap here, as long as you have your own motorbike, you will never worry about
the expense of transportation and it will bring you at any point of Ho Chi Minh
without spending much on it.
People are friendly, nice and helpful, they
are not self centered, most of them desires to help especially when you are a
foreigner in their country. In their spare time, you could see Vietnamese
people crowding the Café’s which is located everywhere. Some Café’s are
expensive one’s, some are in its normal price and the rest are really cheap
just mini Café’s that is put up infront of their homes, or in the streets. Most
men drink with a bit loud noise when they cheers each other, but they are not
initiating any argument neither fight during their drinking session, it’s a friendly and peaceful drinking for
everyone. Not everyone in this country speaks English, but some of them are
good as well. Some are trying just to be friend and able to communicate and
help. I experience once, I ate in a Café and there’s only one man who can speak
a bit of English, I was very pleased that he really tried to express himself
and the information I needed while I was eating in that particular Café, the
only thing I noticed is that he was so uneasy and he’s been nervous by the way
he stretch his fingers like he is about to passed out, I smiled but I
appreciate how he tried being nice to me as a customer. I believe that with
confidence of trying to speak English language, will make them more friendly to
people.
At work places, shops opens early between 7
to 8 in the morning and closes usually by 10pm. Offices has its 8 hours working
schedule everyday and half day on Saturdays. Its really amazing here that
during lunch time which is 12 to 1:30 pm, employees are free to go out of their
offices or sleep after having lunch. Some of them have their own sleeping mat.
Funny right but very comfortable that they can power nap at the middle of their
working hours. I was working in one company here and one time I accidentally
drop my pen and so I lean downward to reach it, and I was amazed seeing few
feet on the floor. And shoes are there too, so that made me feel confused and I
smiled. Before I came up with a conclusion about what I saw, I asked some
people here who is working in companies too, and they have confirmed that most
of them are like that, very comfortable at their work place, that they can be
barefooted inside the office, or even folding their legs in their seats. It’s
not actually formal compared to a work setting of other countries or companies.
Yet as it’s their culture and ways of practice, you may ask why this is being
tolerated here? I think maybe because they treat each other as family inside
their community or company or they don’t bother how they sit, walk and stand as
long as they work accordingly and systematically in their valued company. I
didn’t condemn such practice, and as a matter of fact? Laugh at me when I say I
am also following their practice which I found very comforting, like you’re
just inside your home. I can see it as a point of simplicity in their lifestyle
and working style. Not bad, since they all tolerate it and all you have to do
is go with it, and adapt what you see for you not to be left behind.
The only problem so far that I encounter in
this city, is the crowding of motorbike and other vehicle during rush hour.
Most of the vehicle used here is motorbike, very few people uses car to move
from one place to another, bus is also available which is very cheap, and taxi
which is kind of expensive. But reaching your destination when using four wheel
vehicles will delay you a lot. Unlike motorbike where you can maneuver it in
small streets to find short cuts. On crowdie days, reaching office and home
slows down, especially in the inner city. It is very difficult to cross the
road, but you have to be tough to get through. Rules on the road are not much
practice here too. Motorbike moves from any direction and you should be
attentive enough to move yourself on it. The great thing I noticed here is the
maximum tolerance and patience of everyone and the drivers. So am I? well, I
really need to, I was been experiencing being pissed off, with the long waits
on the crowd street, but later on, I just get used to it since there’s no
choice left.
It’s really enjoyable and fun to live here
in Ho Chi Minh although I am still having quite difficulty on the language, and
in moving around here. It’s not easy to learn Vietnamese language, with every
same word with different usage, meaning and accent. I think I really need a
tutor to live up here. When it comes to security, I find it more peaceful here.
Weather is on its rainy season now until October, so traveling on rainy days is
kind of messy to all working people. But when the sun is up, you will not even
dare to get burn outside with its hot sizzling heat. Better stay on the shade
or grab your umbrella and mask, and make sure you are wearing a jacket or coat
to cover you if you’re aren’t ready to get burnt.
Mango is the Philippines National fruit, you could see mangoes in fruit stall, groceries, supermarket and even on drive ways all year round. During summer is the best season for mango, it is known to be sweeter on its season though the availability is all through out the year. This fruit can be consume at any how you liked it to. It can be pickled mango, dried mango, baby mango, unripe mango and ripened mango, the taste differs but its still really good and healthy. 
