Simply Amazing HCMC

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.