Final first impressions

So, we made our recce trip to HCMC. Here is what I feel so far:

Traffic: As bad as BKK only 100 times more noisy. Every one is trigger happy on the car/motor bike horn. I realise that some cars have two kinds of horns - the short, sharp one that says 'hey, get out of the way' and the more melodious one that says 'by the way, you are too close for comfort'. Both kinds of horns are used indiscriminately and often.

The right of way belongs to the smaller vehicle ie motor bike. So the car inches forward while the bikes flow around it.

Pedestrians: Rule of thumb when crossing the road - show no fear. Once you hesitate, you are gone. Step confidently off the curb (pray like mad) and then take baby steps (and pray even more) till you reach the other side. A local had this tip: make eye contact then look away. Once you have done that, it's the driver's responsibility NOT to knock you down.

People: Generally they are very nice and polite. Of course they find it hysterical when we mangle Vietnamese. Many of them understand basic English. When all else fails, sign language always works.

At the market.

Shopping: After BKK, it's like going back to Singapore 20 years ago. I asked to be taken to their best shopping centre and supermarket. One is called Diamond and the other is Parkson (yes, the chain from Malaysia).

The supermarket is small with not much selection. Things are also more expensive, more like prices in Singapore. Eg. a bag of 5kg rice is about S$8 in BKK but it's S$20 in HCMC.

As for the shopping centre itself, I think I'll be saving money as there isn't much to buy. Even the bookshop had few titles. Looks like I'll be stocking up on books too before I leave.

Decided to venture to the market. Biggest one is called 'Ben tinh' and supposedly has everything. I sort of expected a mini Chatujak. It had loads of food and fresh produce (think that is where I'm going to buy my fruit and veg). It also had loads of touristy stuff like lacquer ware, silk bags etc. Didn't take us long to walk it.

Pho Bo or beef noodles.

Food: Aaahhh... my favourite part of any country. most famous Vietnamese dish is Pho. We had a few versions. Tried the touristy version (in a restaurant called Pho 24 which is a chain), which was tasty but so-so. Then a local recommended one that is in a coffee shop (my favourite kind of place) and it was delicious! They ate it with 'you char kway' (fried dough fritters) which I have never tried before but it was addictive.

We tried the fried spring rolls, grilled seafood and cuisine from Central Vietnam (the Hue region) which was a little different. The noodles were a bit more spicy and they had dry versions with grilled pork.

Eating out is not cheap. An average meal we had was about S$20 for three bowls of noodles.

One of the cafes where people all face in one direction and just chat or people watch.

Bits and pieces: The only fast food chain there is KFC. There was not a McDonalds or Starbucks to be seen. There are many little cafes all over and people just sit (all facing outwards) , drink their beverage and watch the world go by.

I did not see any stray animals when I was there. I was told that Vietnamese do eat dogs. Don't think they'll be very interested in my two doggies as they are small and skinny.

The streets are better paved than the ones in BKK. Which makes walking around a little easier.

Life there will be different for all of us. It will not be what we are used to here in BKK or even Singapore. I look at it as being a next phase in our family's life and an adventure that will last us for life.

First impressions

It's been a long day and I'm overwhelmed. Ho Chi Minh City is what I had expected and more. The honking....even now as I'm sitting in my room, I can faintly hear it. The number of kamakazi motor bikes on the road has me shuddering everytime anyone of them comes near.

We spent the day looking at a school (can't go through 2 school tours in one day,will be information overload for me) and at several houses. Thank goodness there are not that many international schools in HCMC. I've narrowed it down to two and am going to see the next one tomorrow.

I used to be in real estate when I was in Singapore. I loved it as it gave me a chanceto peek into other people's lives (even then I was a busybody) and see how they lived. So, I was pretty excited about looking at some houses today.

It was an eye opener. For one thing, the ones we saw had as many stories as the house we are staying in now in BKK. A couple stood out because one had a room dedicated to a bar that came complete with pink and blue neon disco lights (seriously)! The last one that we saw appealed to TH and Sean as the top floor was a recreation room that came with a pool table (TH) and had a karaoke system, again accompanied with floral pink and blue neon. Sean loved the karaoke which has me worried as it could be a sign of things to come when I'll have to haul him away from karaoke joints to do his homework!

Of course being the foodie that I am, we had to have our pho. For dinner we were introduced to a restaurant that served central Vietnamese food. Didn't take any pictures as we were starving. It was something I've never had before but very yummy. Even their noodle was served dry with grilled pork and loads of vegetables (mint, cucumber, bean sprouts etc).

Am still trying to get used to the currency. All those zeroes at the end of it confuses me. When I had to pay 250,000 dong (don't you just love what it's called?) for lunch, I was horrified till I realised it was bout 500bht or S$25. Food here is more expensive than BKK for sure. I guess it is something we have to get used to.

I have to admit, first day, first impressions and am a bit apprehensive. I don't remember feeling this way when I first went to BKK. I guess it will be OK. Hmmm... now all I need is to find me a good mani-pedi place.