Experience in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by Nhi

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

Ho Chi Minh is a busy and "colorful" city. As many people from different regions of Vietnam come and work or set up their businesses, the culture and gastronomy are very much different in each districts. If you want an active, peaceful and crowded city then Ho Chi Minh is the right place for you. Traffic is a little bit difficult, but if you have a motorbike, it will no longer be a matter to travel around any more.
I would recommend 2 things you should try when visitng Ho Chi Minh. The first is food and the second is gazing city by night. In Ho Chi Minh, you can try various cuisines of many regions of Vietnam inside the city, from Pho - Ha Noi's flavor and Sai Gon's flavor is very much different, Hu tieu (a kind of noodle with pork), Bun bo Hue (a kind of noodle with beef), banh uot, banh cuon, banh cuon (kinds of rolling rice) and especially ốc (seafood) to many very delicious and "creative" street food like banh trang tron (a mixture of dry pancake with eggs, beef, vegetables, salt, oil, mango, etc. depending on what the merchant's interest), chè (sweet soup, many different flavors and ingredients). And don't forget to try banh mi (bread, made with various ingredients) and pure coffee. You can google image the names of those food by copying the Vietnamese name I gave for easy reference, or go to these website: foody.vn or diadiemanuong.com. They have all you needs: food, cafe shop, restaurant, spa, pub,etc.
In the evening, it will be wonderful if you have a walk around city center like Duc Ba church, Times square (Nguyen Hue boulevard), the Sai Gon river or just a sit at the Garden and have a cup of coffee, seeing how the city moves and breathes or have a beautiful view of the city from Bitexco's building.

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

Students are friendly and studious. They study hard and play crazily. There are quite a lot of activities every week for the youth which are held by the Student Unions of each university or the Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh city. Students usually go back-pack travelling (usually they hold in small groups) during weekends or summer vacation or sometimes just gather and chit chat. There are bars but it is not common that students go there. They are quite expensive. It is normal customs that students invite friends to their home and cook. Therefore, just be relaxed in case you are invited.

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

It costs around 3,000,000 vnd to 4,000,000 vnd (roughly 150usd to 200usd) including housing (in Around city center like Binh Thanh, Tan Binh district, District 10, District 11, District 5) and food and transport. Living in city center like District 1 and District 3 or in new resident area in District 7 can have higher cost? It may be higher depending on your expenditure

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

No, it isn't if you are student. You can ask for support from the Youth Union in your university or Ho Chi Minh city's Youth Union ( website: nvhtn.orh.vn; address: No.4 Pham Ngoc Thach street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1) or there are usually a lot of ads in or around the school.

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

I think you can find the answers in the first question.

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

To me, I think it would be interesting and informative to visit some historical places like museums (you can find the list here www.hcmup.edu.vn and also Indepence Palace
Besides, pagodas are also famous in Ho Chi Minh (like Hoang Phap in Hoc Mon district, Vinh Nghiem in District 3...). They are very special in architecture.

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

Yes, it is. It's very common that everyone eats out everyday, especially in the evening. Restaurants, shops, street shops are very popular and price is reasonable.
Well, you can check on foody.vn or diadiemanuong.com for places to eat.
To me, I like seafood at some restaurants near Tan Son Nhat airport (Bien Dong sea food at No.1AB, Pho Quang street, Tan Binh District, Ut Lien sea food at No.3C, Pho Quang street, Tan Binh District

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

I think the answer is replied in the first question.

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

If you want to explore a busy, diversified, colorful and crazy interesting city, then go to Ho Chi Minh. You can explore yourself more than I can, I believe