expats moving to HCMC

Floca

New member

Member since 05 November 2013

Shanghai

Floca

05 November 2013 15:26:14

Floca

05 November 2013 15:26:14

Shanghai

Hi, we are moving to HCMC after the Tet holidays. To be honest I am not so fond of going to Vietnam as I love to stay in my own country but husband's duty calls..
After my 1st visit I am not so sure if HCMC is such a safe city, I heard there are many burglary and even chloroform break ins?? I am not sure if these are wild west stories. But not very re-assuring when we come with small kids:(.
I checked and noticed that everybody is telling that the APSC compound is the most safest compound in district 2. Our kids ( North European) should go to the British school or the ISHCMC. I really liked both schools. I also liked the houses in that APSC compound but there are barely nice ones available. So my question is which other safe compound is also nice and close to the schools plus with many kids (age 4-8) and also some European families? Also could anybody tell me what is the hardest thing to get in HCMC and I really should bring to my new life in Vietnam? Thanks for your kind help!
Have a super nice day.
Floca

khanh44

ViP

Member since 12 January 2013

Bien Hoa

khanh44

05 November 2013 18:10:40

1191

khanh44

05 November 2013 18:10:40

1191

Bien Hoa

I think Vietnam is pretty safe. Sure lots of scammers and thieves but that's why you have to adapt a hardened street mentality. But you won't have to worry about being randomly shot at or beat up on.

You will like district 2. Not crowded and I've seen many expats jogging and walking their dogs. There is also lots of security guys watching some of the buildings from residentials to businesses so you should feel if you don't isolate yourself and make yourself an easy target.

What to bring to Vietnam? I'd say a good attitude and an open mind. People in Vietnam tend to take 1 rare incident to the extreme and apply it like it's an everyday occurrence without examining the reasons for it happening in the first place. Than they will spread it like wild fire. So yeah keep an open mind and good attitude and you will be happy to live in Vietnam.

MarkinNam

Serial expat

Member since 19 May 2013

Perth

MarkinNam

06 November 2013 02:34:25

926

MarkinNam

06 November 2013 02:34:25

926

Perth

second that.khanh 44

Floca

New member

Member since 05 November 2013

Shanghai

Floca

06 November 2013 09:43:50

Floca

06 November 2013 09:43:50

Shanghai

thanks guys for your advice!

vanluyentchl

Member

Member since 13 February 2013

Halong

vanluyentchl

06 November 2013 09:55:28

vanluyentchl

06 November 2013 09:55:28

Halong

in big cities as Hanoi or Saigon
There have so many things like that
if you do not like to live in Sai gon, why not chose our place
we are in Quang ninh which is far away from Saigon
but safe place and you can teach english for our school

Floca

New member

Member since 05 November 2013

Shanghai

Floca

06 November 2013 10:51:49

Floca

06 November 2013 10:51:49

Shanghai

good idea, but my husband's work is in district1 in HCMC...

vuandrew8

New member

Member since 17 June 2013

Quebec

vuandrew8

06 November 2013 16:30:05

vuandrew8

06 November 2013 16:30:05

Quebec

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Floca

New member

Member since 05 November 2013

Shanghai

Floca

06 November 2013 16:35:55

Floca

06 November 2013 16:35:55

Shanghai

Hi Linh, sounds great! Thanks

ozzy888

Member

Member since 24 June 2014

Ho Chi Minh City

ozzy888

18 December 2014 11:39:34

ozzy888

18 December 2014 11:39:34

Ho Chi Minh City

Can I have your contact number PSE ?
Andy Ang...

benlws

Active member

Member since 15 May 2014

benlws

18 December 2014 11:54:26

benlws

18 December 2014 11:54:26

#10

If you're worried about safety why not consider living in an apartment instead? There are a couple of higher-end ones in District 2 which you would probably be able to afford, plus they have recreational facilities for your kids (swimming pool, minimart, etc). I'm the biggest fan of a place called The Estella, it's on the other side of the main road but it's a proper Singaporean-developed luxury apartment standard (i.e. luxury being facilities and design, not ridiculously high rental prices) and it's walking distance to Parkson/Big C.

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