My Thoughts: 11-Months Living in Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh/Saigon

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Author: Reekay V.

Since 2012 I’ve been traveling through various islands of the Philippines as a full-time Expat and spent 1999 living in Vietnam.

Share with me my ongoing adventures of life in the Philippines. Hopefully you find my observations helpful in your own adventures.
— Reekay

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    1. @Gregorio Puro that’s not entirely the scene in vietnam. there are many beautiful, wonderful women to have a relationship with in vietnam. i dated several while there. but most will be over-35 and single-mothers. for a man who is fine with a beautiful. slender woman in that age-range, there is plenty of dating to be had in vietnam.

      there are also younger filipinas who are living in vietnam (mostly saigon, hanoi and vung tau) who are there to teach english. so that option is there as well.

    2. As great as you say you love Vietnam ,, what’s the point if the beautiful girls don’t want to have a relationship with you because you are an OLD DIVORCED EXPAT . Look ,, but don’t touch !
      It’s more fun in the Philippines.

  3. Reekay have you consider living in Da Nang, much cheaper more cleaner and less traffic. By the way i have visited Da Nang and now i am in Saigon.

    1. @butterflytrader 1 Da Nang is DA best beach city in VN if not SE Asia hand down.

    2. @Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea I’m in Hanoi right now and already planning my exit. Its boring as hell here. You can see everything you need to see in 3-4 days.

    3. at some point i’m sure i’ll be visiting da nang. as well as hanoi and more of vung tau. but saigon is my favorite city. 🙂

    4. but also less nightlife, less exciting places to hangout, less good food spots, and less pretty women to get acquainted with . . .

  5. Whats it like Reekay is it easy to make friends? Is the language barrier any problem?it looks so nice I may want to visit in the future,thanks Merry Christmas to you n family

    1. if you’re willing to ask around, people you bump into, you will find english-speaking vietnamese eager to hang-out. even just being at the park near end of day you will meet plenty of locals interested in becoming friends.

  6. Im with you.Ive walked around that area many many times.Beautiful buildings,super friendly people,great food.I hope to move there in the near future.I liked Danang a lot too.I only did 1 night and 2 days in vung tau but it was awesome too

  10. Hey. Reekay: When you go to PH – ask Filipino women what they think about moving to Vietnam with their husband bf?

    2. @Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea What about the visa situation for the girl? Will she have to do visa runs every 90 days as well?

  11. My AirBnB when I was last in Saigon was a couple of blocks from where you were walking. Walked there and Ben Thanh pretty much every day. Was there during Tet so it was pretty busy.

    1. i watched the action from my balcony on Tet. i was still downtown until around 8pm and it was already shoulder-to-shoulder. 🙂

  14. I get the impression that you’re going back to the Philippines first for a visit. Did you still keep your apartment in Ho chi Minh City.

    1. i will be in ph to be with my g/f, vi. so i ended my lease in vietnam, but will return later most-likely taking vi with me.

  15. Merry Christmas Reekay to you, your family and all the subscribers.
    Have a great time…bye from Central Florida…

    1. @Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea Sounds like a plan man. Vi can go to Viet just as easy as you can.

    2. that’s the plan. first, vi and i will travel the ph together. then make plans for vietnam. 🙂

  18. Nice review Reekay, and I’m happy that you are enjoying life there. It’s good that you have experienced life in another South East Asian country instead of just only the Philippines. Maybe one day you will visit Singapore, another great country with so much to see and do ( but expensive) or Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is a great city, and Penang and Langkawi islands are only an hours flight away. Great places to visit with V sometime maybe.

    1. i still have langkawi on my radar. but i would rather go there with vi at the right time. 🙂

  19. I plan to go to Davao & spend 6 months in the philippines, then check out Vietnam, prefer somewhere near the beach like Danang

    1. @scott80ca completely disagree. I see a lot of lonely young white guys walking around sad and alone

    3. @FILIPINA ADVENTURE IN PARIS FRANCE You should at least travel a bit before made suck silly comment. chicken adobo is a joke.

    4. I think if you’re a young foreigner than Vietnam is better for women. So I’ve heard from several different people.

  21. Can you make a PG-13 sort of video explaining what the heck you do in HCMC since the girl situation sucks compared to the Phils? Are you going to full service massage spots? How much do they cost? Stuff like that. I can understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but what he heck is an older guy to do if he can’t get a younger gf in Vietnam?

    1. @Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea Wow. Thanks for detailed response. I was trying to give you a video idea. Options for older guys in Vietnam. Frame it like, well I don’t do this, but plenty of guys that I know do this. LOL

    2. Saigon is a major city just like Manila or Makati, New York, or Shanghai; so women here are not easily swayed by money or the fact that you’re from a western country. The good-looking women, even those who are “working” girls, have their pick on who they want to hook-up with. If you’re an older expat, with neither looks nor money to back you up and are used to easily getting a girlfriend but only in provincial areas, yeah Saigon’s gonna suck for you; plus, there’s also the language barrier you may have to contend with. You can probably experience the same level of “success” (if that’s what you want to call it) in the rural areas outside of Saigon. You can have sex anytime, if you pay for it. The quality will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. The best ones I’ve seen will run you around $150 short time, or $300 overnight and that’s just for the sex.

    3. i had a 3-month relationship with a Vietnamese woman (Gina, 46 years old). before and after that, i dated a college girl for 5-weeks and went on dates with women in their mid-30’s that i met either through VietnameseCupid or at the english-club meetups. between dating, spending time with expat friends and running my channel, i had a full-calendar to keep me busy.

      as for the P2P scene, i didn’t find it necessary. but for those interested to explore that there are a few options. one is the ‘massage’ industry at Bui Vien street. it’s a bit under the radar but it’s there. about $25 for the massage and then a $25 ‘tip’ for other, minimal services at the site. i’m sure you could work out something more involved with the girl at that time for her off-shift time.

      there is also the LINE app. plenty of amazingly beautiful ‘dates’ available after 9pm on there, for about $65/hour or $120 for overnight. it’s all very much controlled so don’t expect any haggling over price to be effective.

      if you are in your mid-40s and dress to impress, you can spend some time (and money) at the bar-scene just outside of the Saigon Centre mall where there are lots of female hostesses eager to spend time with you. depending on your game, maybe you score for the night. otherwise it would be on a P2P basis and at a premium price.

  22. Hi Reekay. Saigon is a special place indeed. I moved to Bến Tre from SoCal around the same time as you did. I agree with the lights and vibe, it feels like Christmas all the time, seeing all these colored lights. There is definitely so much to explore over here. It will be ideal when you find your soulmate and settle back in VN.

    1. @Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea That sounds like a Plan! PH is so close to VN , so easy to travel between both countries.

    2. my plan is to spend time with Vi in the PH and then the two of us live in Vietnam for several years together.

    2. i am half spanish and mexican by descent. american by nationality. but i very much fell in love with vietnam. i plan to continue seeing more of the country.

  24. Reekay, apologies this comment is not really related to your video but, I wanted you to know, that you have given me some masterful comments on relationships and women. I have written those comments in my “nuggets of wisdom” and refer to them often as i recover from a marriage that has failed. I plan to move to PH next year. Thank you for your perspective, your maturity and your wisdom that you share will all of us. It truly benefits us all more than you know. You, Gio and Paul are on the top of my list for the quality of your content, the friendliness of your presentation and the sharpness of your wisdom.

    2. thanks. 🙂 i am glad you’ve found some of the materials helpful at this time. i wish you the best as you patiently explore the PH for the next chapter.

  25. Strange , Asians like me love travelling to foreign countries where Asians are less. Foreigners love visiting Asian Countries where their own country citizen are less

    1. i guess many of us want to be in a different set of surroundings from what we usually know. 🙂

  26. Hello Relay, sad to hear your leaving Saigon. Can you stay longer if you chose to stay ? My wife is from Saigon, we are going next yr. Merry Christmas and a safe New Year…..

    1. yes, i could have easily gotten another 1-year visa for 2020. in fact, i had already paid for a flight back to HCMC, but changed my plans after meeting Vi in davao.

    1. It’s actually illegal, but people do it anyway (any means to get around traffic). But most are careful; the rule is, you’re responsible for not hitting whatever is in front of you.

    2. yes, it’s VERY common so it’s best to look behind you before crossing the sidewalk. a new habit worth having in vietnam.

  28. HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT BACK HOME AND MERRY XMAS. WHEN BACK IN VIETNAM?
    WHEN I WAS THERE 1993-99 SAIGON FOR ME WAS THE BEST PLACE, NOT HANOI NOT DA-NANG NOT DA-LAT. HCMC, SAIGON I FELT BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE, THE ATMOSPHERE, THE CLIMATE JUST WALK UP AND DOWN AND DRINK ONE “BIA” OR “CA-PHE” AND LOOK AROUND

    1. i plan to be back in vietnam, with my g/f Vi, after we spend some time touring in the PH first. i do love it there in vietnam. a very classy, enjoyable city with great weather at night and so many nice parks.

  31. My friend from Georgia and his filipina wife are moving to Dalat. We are going to visit him in sept.

    1. September is not the good month to visit Dalat , because it will very rainy . You better go in Jan , Feb or March

  32. Reekay, I noticed you don’t use face mask when outside in the streets of Saigon. Man, whenever I go back to Vietnam, I brought with me at least 10 N95 face masks….especially when riding my motorcycle. Be careful, the air is quite polluted!

    1. Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea …..Good! they sell those cloth masks….I know it’s NOT much, but any little bit helps. Take care buddy!!

    2. yes, i’ve seen the results on the air-quality app. myself, i lived in D7 where the air-quality is comparatively better, and then would go to downtown saigon just for the day or evening.

  33. Did you use your cell phone or a go pro to record this video? Also what did you use for the microphone or was it just the built-in microphone on the camera pretty good audio and not a lot of excess noise from the background?

    1. Reekay’s LifeBeyondTheSea That’s good to know, I I was going to buy a new camera before I go but I think it will be best if I save a little bit of money and just get a new go pro eight before I go and save up while I’m over there, I’m surprised how good the audio is for all the different go pro videos I’ve seen so far

    2. i used the gopro for this and the built-in mics. it has one in front and back.

  34. I hate to rain on your parade but the air is not fit to inhale in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

    1. Totally agree about the air quality. I’ve been in Saigon for five years. Air quality has really gotten bad over the last couple of years. I just stay inside with the air con on as much as possible for now. One more year and I’m moving to Malaysia.

    2. yes, i’ve seen the results on the air-quality app. myself, i lived in D7 where the air-quality is comparatively better, and then would go to downtown saigon just for the day or evening.

  35. Great video of the neighborhood at night! Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas with a prosperous New Year!

  36. The only places I would recommend for a foreigner to stay long term are Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia-Bali and Malaysia. Countries such as Vietnam, China, S Korea and Japan you will feel alienated big time.

    1. Peter Prydz You got it about right, I’ve been to all those places and agree with you, also Colombia is my favourite too as lived there in the 80’s with my x wife

  37. Please Reekay, tell us about visas, what you have, time periods etc. And any hassles with visas/authorities?

    1. Brian ..why would u not do your own research..it is really simple to look up. Not rocket science ..go to google …type and enter.

  38. Me and My fiance have been only friends for over 5 years, but this year we decided to get serious in our LDR anyone is free to follow us
    YouTube : Darin & Analy LDR Journey
    Instagram : Darin & Analy LDR Journey
    Facebook : Darin & Analy LDR Journey

  39. Do you still have Thailand, Korea and Indonesia on your radar? Seems you could visit about 4 places for maybe a month or two each, and then see what draws you to those areas. I know a lot of younger bloggers love the Makati area of Manila, and it looks a bit like where you are right now. Keep exploring, and taking us along. My wife got back to her hometown of Dumaguete with her sisters from the US last week, and met up with Bud Brown.

  42. I’ve been here in Vietnam for 10 months and 2 weeks. I spent the first 6 months in Saigon and enjoyed the many parks, malls and tourist attractions but I found the congestion a bit overwhelming, especially the traffic. Literally, millions of small motorbikes zipping about in every direction. After the first 6 months, I moved down to the resort town of Vung Tau. Vung Tau is way more relaxing and only a fraction of the traffic that Saigon has. It’s two main beaches provide an ample variety of watersports and sunbathing. The cost of living is basically the same as Saigon even with it being a resort community. I just looked at a brand new studio apartment yesterday that was only $215 per month. All I had to pay was the electric. Luckily, I already have my Filipina here with me. The best of both worlds, the Philippines and Vietnam.

    1. Vung Tao for me was like a another planet very far away from Saigon. So much different in any way, very beautiful city. What a place to live!

    3. thats pretty cool it worked out like that, what inspired you to try vung tau?

  43. I understand your love of the place, but for me having been to 60 or so countries it is just one of many other destinations that can compare with Saigon imo, I realise you’ve spent much more time there than I have and you have a better perspective of Saigon.

  44. “I see people that are industrious and they work hard and make the best of their situation and they enjoy life”
    I would really recommend you to explore Kuala Lumpur whenever you have the opportunity to do so. After a couple of visits it has become my favorite city in South East Asia, and I feel it shares many characteristics with Saigon and a similar cost of living, while being even more cosmopolitan.

    1. who says you can’t have a steady girlfriend in vietnam? you can. but she will likely be over 35 and possibly a single-mother. and that’s exactly what many guys are looking for.

      as for me, i have a filipina g/f and plan to take her to vietnam. best of both worlds.

      abandon binary thinking. think outside the box.

    1. for me, yes. because renting a condo or apartment with a kitchen saves me even more money since i can have a kitchen/fridge to make my own breakfast/lunch. and then go ‘out’ for dinner.

      for guys who don’t or won’t cook, maybe a hotel is best. although i usually find condos at airbnb at lower rates than many hotels.
      http://bit.ly/airbnb-reekay

  49. Enrique: Sounds like HCMC is your favorite place in the entire world…. and Merry Christmas . (fr USA).

  50. Hello Reekay, a nice one year in Vietnam , you have put out a ton of information for your followers like me. I would like to see you consider Cambodia as a long stay adventure also, I live in Thailand which is a good place, but getting more expensive all the time and the immigration rules keep changing so next year I might try Vietnam or Cambodia for a possible one year landing spot, never been to the Philippines and have thought about going , but after exploring other places first.

  51. hi Reekay” I am coming to Ho Chi Minh CIty Feb. 27,2020. I never been there, coming from the States. I was wondering if we could meet up for a cup of coffee or lunch one ?

    2. unfortunately i will likely be in the ph at that time. 🙁 otherwise i’d be glad to.

    1. Philippines like korean k.pop and maybe they like foreigner like american movie..
      Some pinay is not really brown color or black like me i am white girl..

  53. with my travels in Canada ,Mexico, U. S. A.and Cuba i found fantastic sights ,and history in all of them .great people and memories ….your videos are fantastic ,with updated views ,, currant informative information that is happening today..your feet on the ground information is well appreciated .. hope to travel there next winter,Philippines high on the list ..have a happy safe holiday were ever your travels take you … many thanks

    1. Absolutely safe
      i was there for few days 3months back
      very nice people and veg food

  56. good point about the people you would run at nights in california ! There is no life in some areas here, also the beaches are closed at night. Some 13-14 year old kids just stabbed a girl in NY, so sad 🙁

  57. Why do you prefer Saigon to Dalat, Nha Trang and Danang with their beaches / cool mountain weather?

    1. i enjoy beaches and mountains. i’ll revisit da lat and nha trang again. but i like the vitality and expanse of saigon, so much to do.

      can’t just sit by the beach all day for months on end.

  58. Nice I’m planning to go for my birthday for a few days. This video was informative. Love you channel and topics.

  59. It is really good in the places that you don’t know much, specially at first. But the moment you trully know what they mean sometimes or started to say some negative about you and you’ll starting to understand, it will start to change your perceptions..And i didn’t see it in you reekay, i can say you’re really a nice man.

  61. One of the most polluted and noisy city in the world with Hanoi. And probably one of the most corrupted evil communist country with China. ..unconsiderated impolite cheaters just obcessed by money ….yakkkkk

  65. As long as we don’t speak the Vietnamese language well, it is very hard to live here, very hard to get along with locals and fitting into vietnamese society. so why most of us choose to live in countries like Thailand, cambodia, Philippines.

  66. Nice video, have you done any videos of cost of living in Vietnam and Philippines?

  67. Cool Video Ricky, and your a cool guy. Keep chillin…TML

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