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EmperorTud · 24-05-2008, 01:08 AM

I'm just back from Saigon this evening... was at a friend's wedding.

Butterfly · 24-05-2008, 09:19 AM

will need to go back to Vietnam, loved the place

Saigon is better than cold Hanoi, great thread

kingwilly · 24-05-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Saigon is better than cold Hanoi, great thread

dunno about that, I quite like Hanoi

Butterfly · 24-05-2008, 09:58 AM

Hanoi is a bit dumpy, even with the lovely French colonial district, it's pretty much rundown

Saigon is better structured, and more enjoyable in a comfortable kind of way (if you were to live there)

nikster · 28-05-2008, 10:20 AM

I love travel reports. Thanks!!

mistakurtz · 28-05-2008, 04:41 PM

Great pictures. Makes me want to get to Saigon. Thanks.

farmerfloyd · 29-05-2008, 09:24 PM

Wife and I went to Siagon last winter and I found a little guest house in the center of a block, that had a narrow 4 ft wide lane no noise there loved it. New building family cooked breakfast, had 100 ch TV, about 4 floors, with two schoolteachers to get latest news from, family invited us to wedding of their daughter on second nite there, Big at hotel 300 people, really enjoyd it. Be carful of getting drunk and getting picked pocketed by two lovelys at
night who will try and talked you into a encounter. haha sweet people cheaper then Thialand also. Very good guys.

EmperorTud · 31-05-2008, 02:44 AM

I stayed in one of the A & EM hotels. They have four branches located in District 1, two are on Ly Tu Trong.

These rooms are good value for money at $30 per night. You can pay more for bigger VIP suites. All rooms have LCD TVs.

The bathrooms are well appointed, clean and modern.

EmperorTud · 31-05-2008, 02:48 AM

The rooms have IDD telephone and well stocked minibar.

Rosy Cafe further down the road is a nice place to have a beer and watch the World go by. They have an impressive dress code for the female staff...

Another branch of A & EM, this time looking in at the reception.

A late night bar where we watched the CL final. It's open late every night. Can't remember where it was.

Not very great photos but most of them were from the wedding and I can't post them here. When I'm back over in a few weeks I'll update this thread.

Marmite the Dog · 31-05-2008, 02:59 AM

Good pics & info. Thanks.

Mathos · 31-05-2008, 05:54 PM

Nice thread MtD.

It must be twenty years or more since I was in Nam.

Saigon was a lot different then as well, from photographs I have seen since and snippets on TV or films and such like.

The place looks to be booming from what you have shown alone.

There were two million bicycles, three Vespa scooters, a Honda moped and a couple of Citroen cars in town then.

Oh and some buses with forty five gallon drums of H20 on the roof. The radiators either leaked or were blocked up and a continual run of cold water into the system stopped them seizing up.

We had to stay on some old boat on the river, there were three Filipino girls and a couple of musicians entertaining every body {I do mean everybody} day and night.

Flobo kept me on a short leash and locked me up at night.

I happened to get slashed at the time with a big machete, almost took my finger off.

There was only one Doc in town and he had nothing to stitch with. I cleaned it up with some whiskey and poured a bottle of iodine on it, wrapped a piece of clean cloth torn from a handkerchief around it, and then taped it up.

I can still make out the scar, but it works OK.

I might have some old photographs of Saigon and surrounding areas, I'll have a look sometime and post them if they turn up.

Marmite the Dog · 31-05-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathos

I might have some old photographs of Saigon and surrounding areas, I'll have a look sometime and post them if they turn up.

Yes please.

Milkman · 01-06-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathos

We had to stay on some old boat on the river, there were three Filipino girls and a couple of musicians entertaining every body {I do mean everybody} day and night.

I heard back then this was the only place that could have foreigners stay.

True?

Quote:

I might have some old photographs of Saigon and surrounding areas, I'll have a look sometime and post them if they turn up.

I'd love to see them, as I live in Saigon.

Please post them if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mathos · 02-06-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milkman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathos

We had to stay on some old boat on the river, there were three Filipino girls and a couple of musicians entertaining every body {I do mean everybody} day and night.

I heard back then this was the only place that could have foreigners stay.

True?

Quote:

I might have some old photographs of Saigon and surrounding areas, I'll have a look sometime and post them if they turn up.

I'd love to see them, as I live in Saigon.

Please post them if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if having to stay there was a forced issue Milkman, I think it was the only place available that one could stay.

The food at the time was bloody awful too. I understand it has improved quite dramatically though.

There will be some old photographs somewhere, I am going to make a bit of time during the coming week to have a rummage and see what turns up.

Leave it with me.

Mikenyc · 11-06-2008, 04:12 AM

gREAT Post. Pictures great also

Told Stool · 21-06-2008, 11:33 PM

Sweet Saigon. The Paris of the Orient is right. My Vietnamese friend took me to see a museum and we drove past some famous cathedral. Notre Dame or some name like that.

Went to the same bar every night for dinner and a drink.

Guesthouse was nice and comfy with aircon.

I'm too lazy to post any pics anymore on the Net.

Accidental Ajarn · 04-07-2008, 04:30 PM

After 10 years in LOS, I have moved to Saigon, been here a little over a week. I haven't decided if I like it yet or not.

Milkman · 05-07-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

After 10 years in LOS, I have moved to Saigon, been here a little over a week. I haven't decided if I like it yet or not.

Take time in "deciding." It may or may not take a while. You have to give this new culture, city, and situation, some time....

I am close to you.....

Bobcock · 05-07-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

I stayed in one of the A & EM hotels.

Which one, details please, i am having trouble getting hotels in Saigon that can accommodate the family. two rooms in a smaller hotel like this could well be an option.

Accidental Ajarn · 20-07-2008, 10:56 PM

Weel, have been here in HCMC (Saigon) for a few weeks now. Guess time to report.

In some ways it is very different from living in Bangkok and Thailand and in other ways it is the same.

Of course the language is different and this takes some adjusting.

Overall the people have been friendly and pretty good to work with. I loved living in Thailand and doubt that on average one could find a place with nicer people. But the Vietnamese aren't all bad.

I have had some limited experience with the communist government. I had to make a police report (nothing serious), and the first police station I went to was a total joke. They wouldn't do anything, obviously expecting a bribe.

Second station was staffed by friendly professionals.

As far as after work activities, well it ain't Bangkok but there is a active expat community and enought to keep one busy.

I would recommend giving the Viet pros a pass, but the amateurs are extremely friendly.

The job is good, and the people and culture aren't quite what I expected, but the surpise has been of a positive nature.

Although I am surely a newbie here, it does appear that the people of Saigon tolerate the Northern dominated government, but only give lip service to communist idealogy.

Anyway, the place is worth a visit.

31-05-2008, 02:44 AM	#68 (permalink)
EmperorTud Twisted Mentat Last Online: Yesterday 02:58 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LV-426 Posts: 3,925	I stayed in one of the A & EM hotels. They have four branches located in District 1, two are on Ly Tu Trong. These rooms are good value for money at $30 per night. You can pay more for bigger VIP suites. All rooms have LCD TVs. The bathrooms are well appointed, clean and modern. __________________ Mortals you defy the Gods, I sentence you to travel among unknown stars, until you find the Kingdom of Hades, your bodies will stay as lifeless as stone.

31-05-2008, 05:54 PM	#71 (permalink)
Mathos Elite Member Last Online: Today 04:50 AM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wherever I put my head down between UK and BKK Posts: 1,542	Nice thread MtD. It must be twenty years or more since I was in Nam. Saigon was a lot different then as well, from photographs I have seen since and snippets on TV or films and such like. The place looks to be booming from what you have shown alone. There were two million bicycles, three Vespa scooters, a Honda moped and a couple of Citroen cars in town then. Oh and some buses with forty five gallon drums of H20 on the roof. The radiators either leaked or were blocked up and a continual run of cold water into the system stopped them seizing up. We had to stay on some old boat on the river, there were three Filipino girls and a couple of musicians entertaining every body {I do mean everybody} day and night. Flobo kept me on a short leash and locked me up at night. I happened to get slashed at the time with a big machete, almost took my finger off. There was only one Doc in town and he had nothing to stitch with. I cleaned it up with some whiskey and poured a bottle of iodine on it, wrapped a piece of clean cloth torn from a handkerchief around it, and then taped it up. I can still make out the scar, but it works OK. I might have some old photographs of Saigon and surrounding areas, I'll have a look sometime and post them if they turn up. __________________ All the women take their blouses off And the men all dance on the polka dots It's closing time !

11-06-2008, 04:12 AM	#75 (permalink)
Mikenyc Bangkok Last Online: 07-10-2008 04:57 AM Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1	Great Post gREAT Post. Pictures great also

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24-05-2008, 01:08 AM	#61 (permalink)
EmperorTud Twisted Mentat Last Online: Yesterday 02:58 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LV-426 Posts: 3,925	I'm just back from Saigon this evening... was at a friend's wedding.

24-05-2008, 09:19 AM	#62 (permalink)
Butterfly Suspended Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 11,989	will need to go back to Vietnam, loved the place Saigon is better than cold Hanoi, great thread

24-05-2008, 09:58 AM	#64 (permalink)
Butterfly Suspended Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 11,989	Hanoi is a bit dumpy, even with the lovely French colonial district, it's pretty much rundown Saigon is better structured, and more enjoyable in a comfortable kind of way (if you were to live there)

28-05-2008, 10:20 AM	#65 (permalink)
nikster Grand Palace Last Online: 25-11-2008 05:22 AM Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Pai Posts: 45	I love travel reports. Thanks!!

28-05-2008, 04:41 PM	#66 (permalink)
mistakurtz Chiang Mai Last Online: 29-11-2008 11:49 AM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chiangmai Posts: 11	Great pictures. Makes me want to get to Saigon. Thanks.

29-05-2008, 09:24 PM	#67 (permalink)
farmerfloyd Grand Palace Last Online: 02-12-2008 10:56 PM Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooksville Florida Posts: 47	Wife and I went to Siagon last winter and I found a little guest house in the center of a block, that had a narrow 4 ft wide lane no noise there loved it. New building family cooked breakfast, had 100 ch TV, about 4 floors, with two schoolteachers to get latest news from, family invited us to wedding of their daughter on second nite there, Big at hotel 300 people, really enjoyd it. Be carful of getting drunk and getting picked pocketed by two lovelys at night who will try and talked you into a encounter. haha sweet people cheaper then Thialand also. Very good guys.

31-05-2008, 02:48 AM	#69 (permalink)
EmperorTud Twisted Mentat Last Online: Yesterday 02:58 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LV-426 Posts: 3,925	The rooms have IDD telephone and well stocked minibar. Rosy Cafe further down the road is a nice place to have a beer and watch the World go by. They have an impressive dress code for the female staff... Another branch of A & EM, this time looking in at the reception. A late night bar where we watched the CL final. It's open late every night. Can't remember where it was. Not very great photos but most of them were from the wedding and I can't post them here. When I'm back over in a few weeks I'll update this thread.

31-05-2008, 02:59 AM	#70 (permalink)
Marmite the Dog Too drunk to fuck Last Online: Yesterday 05:30 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fuckwitistan Posts: 25,924	Good pics & info. Thanks.

21-06-2008, 11:33 PM	#76 (permalink)
Told Stool I am in Jail Last Online: 22-11-2008 10:56 PM Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Posts: 316	Sweet Saigon. The Paris of the Orient is right. My Vietnamese friend took me to see a museum and we drove past some famous cathedral. Notre Dame or some name like that. Went to the same bar every night for dinner and a drink. Guesthouse was nice and comfy with aircon. I'm too lazy to post any pics anymore on the Net.

04-07-2008, 04:30 PM	#77 (permalink)
Accidental Ajarn I am in Jail Last Online: Yesterday 02:30 PM Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 580	After 10 years in LOS, I have moved to Saigon, been here a little over a week. I haven't decided if I like it yet or not.

20-07-2008, 10:56 PM	#80 (permalink)
Accidental Ajarn I am in Jail Last Online: Yesterday 02:30 PM Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 580	Weel, have been here in HCMC (Saigon) for a few weeks now. Guess time to report. In some ways it is very different from living in Bangkok and Thailand and in other ways it is the same. Of course the language is different and this takes some adjusting. Overall the people have been friendly and pretty good to work with. I loved living in Thailand and doubt that on average one could find a place with nicer people. But the Vietnamese aren't all bad. I have had some limited experience with the communist government. I had to make a police report (nothing serious), and the first police station I went to was a total joke. They wouldn't do anything, obviously expecting a bribe. Second station was staffed by friendly professionals. As far as after work activities, well it ain't Bangkok but there is a active expat community and enought to keep one busy. I would recommend giving the Viet pros a pass, but the amateurs are extremely friendly. The job is good, and the people and culture aren't quite what I expected, but the surpise has been of a positive nature. Although I am surely a newbie here, it does appear that the people of Saigon tolerate the Northern dominated government, but only give lip service to communist idealogy. Anyway, the place is worth a visit.

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