[Vacancier Permanent]

BB,
Saigon has a major contingent of DCers who would be very worthwhile meet with. Reach out to them you'll meet some terrific people there.

[Vice]

What's the long-term visa situation in Vietnam? Is it as easy as Cambodia or the Phils?

http://saigoninacup.com/2010/03/25/5-yea...exemption/
^^According to the comments on that site, you can renew your initial 3 month visa up to 9 months from inside the country using agents. Is that true?

[Elim]

Vice, I paid someone $55 total to renew my visa for another 3 months. There should be plenty of similar services around this price range. Took about a week to get it done.

[Elim]

If anyone is here tonight, let's go out.

[MongolianAbroad]

Elim, I get what you're saying about Filipino girls versus Vietnamese girls, looks-wise, but how does English proficiency play into this?

In the Philippines, I can speak to 100% of the girls. I've been in the Philippines for 3 months, and I have similar critiques to yours, but I'm hesitant to jump ship to Vietnam, because it may shrink the potential dating pool to...I don't know, you tell me, what % among the 18 to 22 age group speak English?

EDIT: Just found an old post by Chochemonger where he stated it was 30%. Would you say that's about right?

[Elim]

Your pool is guaranteed to shrink. You're coming from a place with almost every young woman is available, loves foreigners, and speaks pretty decent English ...and going to a place where many of the hotties are apparently swooped up when they are young, not nearly the same amount of availability, English proficiency is lower, and not as many of them are interested in foreigners.

I'm not even sure how to answer your question. The spectrum of English proficiency is a bit wide. Some speak pretty well, and others can barely get by with a text conversation. I would say a large amount of the educated women can speak well enough. It's pretty frustrating for everyone when communication is lacking. I notice the girls tend to be shy and might not want to chat a lot, but it also makes logistics and planning with them a really big pain. If you try to spend more time with the educated girls who are often in the clubs, I think the English is good enough. If you choose to look online, it's not that hard to see who is good at English or not.

I do think sometimes the written English is ahead of the verbal English, as many girls don't have a lot of opportunity to practice. Anyone please feel free to add to my post or disagree.

[Cyclone]

(05-27-2014 08:24 AM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

I have similar critiques to yours, but I'm hesitant to jump ship to Vietnam, because it may shrink the potential dating pool to...I don't know, you tell me, what % among the 18 to 22 age group speak English?

EDIT: Just found an old post by Chochemonger where he stated it was 30%. Would you say that's about right?

For the 18-22 range, 30% is spot-on, unless yr counting metropolitan Saigon (really, all you should care about is the central districts). But in all honesty, I'm not even sure why this is an issue for you, Vietnamese girls are a significant step-up looks-wise compared to Philippines OR Thailand, so any worries you have about other criteria get canceled out pretty easily IMO.

(05-28-2014 12:10 PM)Elim Wrote:  

Anyone please feel free to add to my post or disagree.

I'd say your observations are correct, but at the same time they don't detract as much from pickup as you make it sound in your post. Using online meetups (couchsurfing, internations, maybe meetup.com) are easily the best way to sift through the FOB Vietnamese girls and get right to the smoking hot slice of the pie (looks-wise and chemistry-wise)

Cheers, and BTW, I will be coming to SGN July 20th for 5 days on my way back to the USA. Hope you guys are still there.
.

[Global Entry]

Pretty funny to see girls being referred to as FOB in their own country. I never really thought about it, but in China, I'm the FOB.

(05-28-2014 01:01 PM)Cyclone Wrote:  

(05-27-2014 08:24 AM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

I have similar critiques to yours, but I'm hesitant to jump ship to Vietnam, because it may shrink the potential dating pool to...I don't know, you tell me, what % among the 18 to 22 age group speak English?

EDIT: Just found an old post by Chochemonger where he stated it was 30%. Would you say that's about right?

For the 18-22 range, 30% is spot-on, unless yr counting metropolitan Saigon (really, all you should care about is the central districts). But in all honesty, I'm not even sure why this is an issue for you, Vietnamese girls are a significant step-up looks-wise compared to Philippines OR Thailand, so any worries you have about other criteria get canceled out pretty easily IMO.

(05-28-2014 12:10 PM)Elim Wrote:  

Anyone please feel free to add to my post or disagree.

I'd say your observations are correct, but at the same time they don't detract as much from pickup as you make it sound in your post. Using online meetups (couchsurfing, internations, maybe meetup.com) are easily the best way to sift through the FOB Vietnamese girls and get right to the smoking hot slice of the pie (looks-wise and chemistry-wise)

Cheers, and BTW, I will be coming to SGN July 20th for 5 days on my way back to the USA. Hope you guys are still there.
.

[Irish]

Going to be in Saigon with a mate from Dubai 10-14 July. I haven't booked a return flight to Singapore yet so might stay on a bit longer, will drop you a PM Elim as looking for some pointers on where the best bars/clubs are to go, preferably the higher end ones (Vip table service and all that). Want to avoid the backpacker scene and the hooker scene as much as possible

I have been to Saigon for a few days before but that was back in 2010, im sure a fair bit has changed since. Got the number of a cute Saigon chick when she was in Singapore a while back and she's been throwing some suggestions my direction but will run them by you for a second opinion.

[Elim]

Irish, I can offer a little insight, but I'll check with some guys tonight for their opinions. Most of us didn't spend too much time in the higher end clubs. I can probably offer better advice on most other things, but let me see what I can find for you.

Are you based out of Singapore? I might consider working there someday, so I wanted to stop by for a 3-4 day visit (about all I can afford right now) before I head back home.

I doubt anyone will read this on time, but I believe 5 forum members are meeting up tonight, as I am leaving to travel up north to Hanoi, then I am off to Bangkok. Might stop back in Vietnam later, but I'm hoping to get to Jakarta. Would love to meet up with someone there.

Anyway, if anyone is in town tonight, here's your opportunity to meet some guys @ 730pm in District 1. PM me your phone number and which program to reach you on.

[iknowexactly]

Any opinions about Vietnamese chix accepting guys much older? That's the great thing about Phils, you can sometimes get 18 year old 6s even if you're 50.

And an 18 YO 6 is sexier than a 33 year old 8

[Elim]

have money
be in shape
have a little bit of style

[Irish]

Elim if you're going to Jakarta, or anyone for that matter, hit me up. Cheap and easy flight over from Singapore for me and that place just kicks ass for nightlife. Any excuse for me to go back i'm taking it

remember to avoid it during Ramadan tho (July), the place totally shuts down, everyone goes to bali

[Elim]

I might hit it up in August/September sometime. Hope you will be down for at least a weekend. I would prefer to not go alone.

[Elim]

tips for saigon

Try to only take Vinasun taxis, or Mai Linh. I left my phone in a Vinasun taxi and actually was able to get it back. I still might have had a little luck involved, but I would have been screwed with just about any other company. Also, you can be sure you're getting a fair rate. Watch out for copycat taxis.

For the love of god, stay in either District 1 or maybe even 3. (D1 if you're only going for nightlife.) You will be glad to be nearer to the city center. Unless you have lived here for awhile and have realized you could live closer to your job, or have some other preference such as less noise or cleaner air and know what you're doing, the safe bet is District 1.

For longer term visits, find a place to stay on airbnb.com or craigslist. DO NOT take more than 1 month at a place you have not lived. I dealt with construction for 2.5 months, and I also wanted out of my lease for other reasons. Some places are also just loud as f*** and blaring music nearby, or you could run into other problems. Make sure you confirm with your apartment management that you are allowed to come and go as you please (and have guests stay over). Many places have guards/rules. Get this out of the upfront and save yourself a lot of time and trouble. From what I've heard from a couple people, it seems some places don't even give you the benefit of the doubt that your girl isn't a hooker.

For shorter term visits, look on airbnb.com or find a cheap hotel. You might want a nice hotel, but the more upper class hotels are less likely to let you bring the girl back if you can't prove you are married. Always book your hotels for 2 people, and, to be safe, ask to make sure it will be OK if your girlfriend (who won't be there at the time of booking) will be allowed in later. You might be able to negotiate prices (as so many things are in Vietnam, including gym memberships)

Don't take a taxi if they won't use the meter. (Vinasun or Mai Linh solves this problem.) If you ever have to get on a motorbike taxi (xe om) sometime, make sure you negotiate the price before you get on. I guess Uber is now in Saigon, and the rates are right with the reputable taxi companies, or even cheaper.

If you need to hit a gym once or twice, I am quite confident your best option will be GETFIT in District 4. Don't worry, it's right across a bridge from District 1. $10 USD to get you in for a day, and I didn't check, but pretty sure you could take advantage of yoga or other classes with this too. Address is 384 Hoang Dieu, District 4. If you choose sometime like a $25 gym somewhere, it might have awful equipment and no air conditioning.

Get your drugs at the government pharmacy directly across the street from GETFIT. Supposedly has everything, and at prices cheaper than other pharmacies. This also means you won't have to deal so many cheap generic products from who-knows-where. I went there once, and I got everything I needed at a fair price. The only problem is they might limit how much you can buy at one time.

If you want to find some cheap clothes, head to Saigon Square (near Saigon Center and Ben Thanh Market.)

Most of this information has been from my personal experience, but some of this is common knowledge or adapted from other things I've read online. This is all I can think of for now, might update later.

[Cyclone]

Spot on work Elim, theres some stuff on there that even I didn't know. Although i'm surprised that you didn't just buy a motorbike - getting from D3 to city center would be a ~10 min ride.

(07-07-2014 05:06 AM)Elim Wrote:  

Always book your hotels for 2 people, and, to be safe, ask to make sure it will be OK if your girlfriend (who won't be there at the time of booking) will be allowed in later.

I did this shit all the time! though i'd always say "might" or have to come up w/ an excuse if she didn't show up

(07-07-2014 05:06 AM)Elim Wrote:  

If you want to find some cheap clothes, head to Saigon Square (near Saigon Center and Ben Thanh Market.)

Note that there's 1 official store there, where the prices are fixed. that place is legit and even bought a high-quality backpack there that was made in Saigon.
.

[Elim]

I did rent a motorbike, but I should have bought one and then sold it later.

I should mention there's actually name brand stuff at Saigon Square. (I'm guessing you grabbed a North Face backpack.) You can just pick up a shirt at Saigon Square, or you could have one tailor made in D1. http://www.shopdung.com/ (Dung Tailor) has had a lot of positive reviews online. You might be able to find somewhere else with some better fabric (depending on what you want made) but their service seems to be quite reputable. I haven't had a chance to wear my shirts yet.

[stefpdt]

Are the Vietnamese women pretty open to approaches (with good game)? Going to Saigon for my online business but I have other needs too haha. Also...are the massages really that cheap?

[Beyond Borders]

^ The girls in Saigon seem really receptive online.

[Hamsterchoker]

What would you the say the cost of living is in Saigon vs Manila? And how likely would you survive not knowing a single word of Vietnamese?

(03-17-2014 12:27 AM)M-Chill Wrote:  

Haha. Xerxes apparently.

From what I can see from living here for 3 years, the guys getting the most and consistently highest quality Asian pussy in Asia, are, drumroll, Asians.

So Vietnamese do better than foreigners? Or are these Asians from other countries. Then I wouldn't be surprised if they are running the sugar dadday game.

[Corroncho]

(07-21-2014 05:14 AM)Hamsterchoker Wrote:  

What would you the say the cost of living is in Saigon vs Manila? And how likely would you survive not knowing a single word of Vietnamese?

(03-17-2014 12:27 AM)M-Chill Wrote:  

Haha. Xerxes apparently.

From what I can see from living here for 3 years, the guys getting the most and consistently highest quality Asian pussy in Asia, are, drumroll, Asians.

So Vietnamese do better than foreigners? Or are these Asians from other countries. Then I wouldn't be surprised if they are running the sugar dadday game.

You can survive okay in Saigon using only English in Districts 1,2 and 7, where all the foreigners are. The main Vietnamese words you need to learn are the food names. If you learn to eat the good Saigon street food (specifically in the alleys off of the main roads) you can eat like a champ for under 10 bucks a day.

Vietnamese/Korean guys typically have the hottest girls bought and paid for already, but there are plenty of girls in Saigon who like Western guys. The shitty English is an issue though, and it's exacerbated by their self-consciousness about it.

[JJJames]

Hit me up if anyone's in Saigon. I'll be in town end of July to October.

[stefpdt]

I found a pretty nice site covering Vietnam from the perspective of a "single dude." He seems to share the sentiments in this thread on Filipino chicks being boring, too.

http://www.singledudetravel.com/tag/vietnam/

[Elim]

Filipinas are boring to me, but some guys here want 2 bangs per day. (Not exactly concerned about having a decent conversation.) Vietnam is not the best place to up your notch count. In the Philippines, the girls will also generally treat you better and you won't have to deal with whining or lack of English. Literally half of the girls I took out for a smoothie did not drink more than 20% of it because they did not like it. This wasn't on the street, but sometimes in nicer cafes. I hate to link to this guy, but there's probably actually a lot of truth here. Take note:

http://www.kylele.net/2013/08/girls-in-v...o.html?m=1

[stefpdt]

(07-22-2014 03:11 AM)Elim Wrote:  

Filipinas are boring to me, but some guys here want 2 bangs per day. (Not exactly concerned about having a decent conversation.) Vietnam is not the best place to up your notch count. In the Philippines, the girls will also generally treat you better and you won't have to deal with whining or lack of English. Literally half of the girls I took out for a smoothie did not drink more than 20% of it because they did not like it. This wasn't on the street, but sometimes in nicer cafes. I hate to link to this guy, but there's probably actually a lot of truth here. Take note:

http://www.kylele.net/2013/08/girls-in-v...o.html?m=1

I think that article was written somewhat jokingly. Buy her the latest iPhone? That's going into instant beta bitch mode.

But yeah, I understand Vietnam isn't the best place to up a notch count. I don't think it attracts the crowd of single guys quite like Thailand does. But I'm totally cool with going to Saigon to bootstrap a business (with trips to Thailand/Cambodia on the side).

Money > Bitches.