Experience in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam by David

What is it like to live in Ho Chi Minh City? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I really enjoy living in Ho Chi Minh and in Vietnam. The change compared to life in Europe is huge, I prefer the anarchy and unpredictability you will see here rather than the organised life and landscape back home.

What is the student lifestyle like in Ho Chi Minh City?

Universities are generally out of the city but if you come with Erasmus and you are in an advanced year of studies, you may only have to attend classes two days per week. This means you would be better off living in the city center or one of the leafy and calm residential neighborhoods preferred by expats and foreign residents.

How much does it cost to live in Ho Chi Minh City?

If you are not picky about your food, you can eat well for a ridiculous price (one euro per meal). Going out for a party can be more expensive, some high-end nightclubs charge as much as in Europe but you have many cheaper and fun options (watch out for the pirated or fake booze though).

You can share an apartment or a house with other students and live in a nice part of town for around 300 USD/month, this requires planning and house-hunting together.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City? Is there any advice you can give?

I can be difficult but try to get the experience of those that came before you in previous years. Some new students from France have discovered An Phu (District 2), not usual for students but they love it here, this was thanks to contacts they had locally (relatives). They searched for apartments with a real estate agency specialized in this part of town:

SNAP

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

I definitely am a big fan of "Cha gio", the Vietnamese fried springrolls, excellent. They also have some fishcakes which are very tasty. You have such a huge offer of international food, all over town (well mainly in District 1, 2 and 7 :-) that you can vary the kind of food you eat so you don't get tired of one specific style.

Food is also relatively cheap in many foreign restaurants so you won't be cooking at home very often, believe me, you will order delivery!

What places would you recommend visiting in Ho Chi Minh City?

I would try to avoid the typical tourist spots and get on a bus and travel around town, to very local neighborhoods where foreigners don't go, get a real taste of Saigon this way.

Besides that, there are nice parks to go to (between Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nguyen Du for example).

Don't miss the war museum, never hurts to remember what happened here because otherwise you would not even imagine it by the surroundings and everyday life.

If you want some down-to-earth and real life stories and reviews about things to do in Saigon (like going to a Saigon Heats basketball match), have a look at my blog, any one of you can participate and share their own stories about Saigon or Vietnam: GO-VIETNAM

Is it good to eat out in Ho Chi Minh City? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Definitely, the Spanish restaurant in District 1, Pacharan. In District 2, a chilled out place with good on-the-go food is Snap café. For Vietnamese/Chinese, especially dim-sum, near the Caravelle hotel a restaurant called Dragon Court.

Is the nightlife good in Ho Chi Minh City? Where is good to go?

So many places pop up, it is difficult to catch-up. Choose one you like and generally stick to it is my motto.

Sleazy but compulsory at least once: Apocalypse Now.

High-end and nice to have a drink in the terrace: Blanchy's Street.

For the late night owls who never get enough, after all the others are closed: Last Call (safe) or Go2 (more risky).

What advice would you give future students headed to Ho Chi Minh City?

Enjoy your stay by opening up to the local people. You won't have much time to learn much about the language but a few key words (my name is, how much, I'm from xyz, I'm x years old, I have siblings, etc. ) can make people smile and will make your experience much more authentic.

You will probably be tempted to drive a motorbike, the risk is not worth it if you are just here for a couple of months. Be safe, share a taxi and get back home in one piece!

Hope you enjoy your stay, I'm loving it!