Vietnam - HCM (Thread 3)

[datou]

Originally Posted by Hurricane88

26 An Duong Vuong P9 Q5, shop name Kim Phung Goldsmith shop.

thks for the info

[datou]

Originally Posted by r_n_boyz

Anyone here feels that recently, there is a stricter regulation going through custom in Tan Son Nhat Airport?

Example : I'm surprised the custom officer ask me to fly back to Singapore unless I produce a hard copy of the flight itinerary (to and fro) on spot. Never encountered such a strict requirement in my past visit =(

Originally Posted by lausung

Finally they retaliate and take revenge, think maybe later on more and more excuse to turn us back and same way singapore turn VBs back.

I was not asked for the iternary, just the boarding pass.

[densha]

Originally Posted by datou

Hi Bro Hurricane88

I m in HCM now, can u tell me the location of the D5 Goldsmith shop?
Ben Than is 3410 for CNY n 16080 for SGD yesterday. Thks

Paiseh, not much to write
First time landed in HCM midnite 2days ago, airport is 15800 for SGD. Change little bit for taxi.
Airport counter try to sell taxi to d1 at 220k
Walk outside took vinasun cab to hotel at Pham Ngu Lao only 128k, gave 130.
Slept till morning hv free hotel breakfast then to Ben Than market.

Walk around saw many people eating some kueh w pork floss 18k a plate, ordered w sugar cane 10k...taste good...its named Bao xx Hue can't remember exact name.
Money changer open at 10am, changed n back hotel.
Went Circles to buy simcard but sold out, approach hotel n one of the staff brought me nearby foodstall n got a mobisim for 120k w 100k load.
Rested n evening ate at nearby roadside stall, chicken n fishcake w rice n soup 40k, then walk bui vien so many people sitting n drinking ,quite a few okts approach me but I just ignore as i m tired due to lack of sleep.Don't see any girls on bike approach me. Many girls giving flyers for $5 an hour massage, so cheap?? Some bars w girls waving people in.
Saw pool tables in some bars, wondering is it buy the girl a drink n play pool w her?

Bro. You might want to try the casino at the Sheraton Hotel on Dong Khoi. I find it to be even better than the exchange shop on Dong Khoi by a small margin.

Of course you'll need to do one time quick registration. It's my goto place for foreign exchange.

[densha]

Originally Posted by rojakcanai

Just finished my Hanoi and HCMC business trip. Found a new place in HCMC.

Regal Business Health Club
57-59 Pho Duc Chinh St, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist 1. (www.regalspa.vn)

Basically, it's a sauna, jacuzzi cum massage joint. The entrance fees 300k VND. The massage damage depends on the tips. Just tell the guy your criteria and they will bring the girl.

Name: Lanh (no. 6)
Figures: 36D, 23, 34
GFE: Very good
BBBJ: Good suction
HJ: 6 (too rough)

She speaks quite good English for a Viet. Very good attitude, give you the kind of GFE. As usual, wanted 1M for BBBJ, negotiated down to 500k. The whole deal finished in about 1.5 hours including sauna, jacuzzi, massage, etc.

Bro thanks for the info. Would like to ask some additional questions on this but your box is full.

[densha]

Originally Posted by zmanz

no need be sarcastic right? this is a legit question leh. uber used in a lot of Asian countries that have lots of taxis including Singapore & Malaysia leh. since Vietnam has, can considered right?

Bro, if not too late, here's my take on Uber in Saigon.

Uber works in Saigon/HCMC. I use it daily.

PROS:
- Uber X slightly cheaper than taxi (for both HCMC and Bangkok)
- Charged to card so no need to fumble with small changes or no change issues.
- If you time your activity correctly, they'll be right at your door


CONS
- Avg VN Uber driver tend to not be as good with direction (as compared to taxi counterpart)...BK Uber X driver on the other hand are very well-trained, educated, and good direction
- VN Uber Black cost slightly more than taxi...about 20-30% higher if I'm not mistaken

How about GrabTaxi? To me this app add zero value in Saigon/HCMC.

Taxi safety not really an issue in VN (if you use Mai Linh or Vinasun). Unlike say ML, TH or PH, taxi in Saigon/Hanoi will pick you up if they're on meter as opposed to cherry-pick esp during rain. And in the case of ML and PH, safety is a concern.

You pay additional premium to use GrabTaxi. You can call taxi via Vinasun hotline for free (and they do have option for English speaking staff): +84 8 3827 2727

My two cents...

[zmanz]

Originally Posted by densha

Uber works in Saigon/HCMC. I use it daily.

PROS:
- Uber X slightly cheaper than taxi (for both HCMC and Bangkok)
- Charged to card so no need to fumble with small changes or no change issues.
- If you time your activity correctly, they'll be right at your door


CONS
- Avg VN Uber driver tend to not be as good with direction (as compared to taxi counterpart)...BK Uber X driver on the other hand are very well-trained, educated, and good direction
- VN Uber Black cost slightly more than taxi...about 20-30% higher if I'm not mistaken

Bro, thanks for your taking the time & effort to share this Much appreciated

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by r_n_boyz

Anyone here feels that recently, there is a stricter regulation going through custom in Tan Son Nhat Airport?

Example : I'm surprised the custom officer ask me to fly back to Singapore unless I produce a hard copy of the flight itinerary (to and fro) on spot. Never encountered such a strict requirement in my past visit =(

Nope, dun feel any stricter...

As a visitor to Vietnam, we have to follow their rules...so nothing wrong to show our ticket upon request...

as I fly in reqularly, I offer them no excuse by telling the immigration officer my flight number and offer them my printed copy of flight itinerary...

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by lausung

Finally they retaliate and take revenge, think maybe later on more and more excuse to turn us back and same way singapore turn VBs back.

I think your statement is incorrect...

he just have to show his printed itinerary and nothing else happen...just try to follow their rules and regulations...

[naemlo]

Originally Posted by r_n_boyz

Example : I'm surprised the custom officer ask me to fly back to Singapore unless I produce a hard copy of the flight itinerary (to and fro) on spot. Never encountered such a strict requirement in my past visit =(

Originally Posted by lausung

Finally they retaliate and take revenge, think maybe later on more and more excuse to turn us back and same way singapore turn VBs back.

I posted before either in this thread or other. Randomly, the custom officer will ask for your out bound ticket or even ask for your boarding pass. It has been happening for many years.

The worse airport check I been to was New York and Melbourne. In Newark, the officer asked a lot of questions till I felt like I am taking oral exam. While in Melbourne, I was treated like I am going to bomb the whole Australia and was told to empty my luggage for inspection. I guess Vietnam custom is still very lenient n treats us good.

[FireShark]

Originally Posted by naemlo

I posted before either in this thread or other. Randomly, the custom officer will ask for your out bound ticket or even ask for your boarding pass. It has been happening for many years.

The worse airport check I been to was New York and Melbourne. In Newark, the officer asked a lot of questions till I felt like I am taking oral exam. While in Melbourne, I was asked to empty my luggage and repack. So I guess Vietnam custom is still very lenient.

Agreed; US and Australia have stricter Customs Regulation. In Vietnam immigration counter sometimes will asked for return tickets. I was once caught by the immigration officer tell me to produce my itinerary and I got turn on my laptop and show it to him.

Additionally; if you are bringing new laptop; additional hp (max 2 if not put it in your pocket); please get ready to be question by customs. Once my friends brought 3 hp and the customs ask him to pay tax but luckily in the end he didn't pay anything. He wasted 1 hr by just explaining to them.

[datou]

Originally Posted by densha

Bro. You might want to try the casino at the Sheraton Hotel on Dong Khoi. I find it to be even better than the exchange shop on Dong Khoi by a small margin.

Of course you'll need to do one time quick registration. It's my goto place for foreign exchange.

ThKs bro for the info, I just exchanged from D5 goldsmith shop. Rate is 3470 for CNY n 159800 for SGD. better than Ben Than for CNY almost same for SGD.

Found a billiard club named Angel across the park from Pham Ngu Lao, 70k per hr.

Took a vinasun cab, fare is 65k. I was in the front seat n took out money n look for 70k. The driver pointed to my 500k note n mumble some words in vietnamese . Took 70k pay him n alight.

[densha]

My Local Forum Freelancer Report:

I believe bros that live in HCMC been posting periodical report on freelancers via forum that locals regularly visit.

My local buddy been telling me about it for several months. Tempted as I was by some of the hot photos and price (from 300k to 700k VND for one-shot/one-hour), I just never muster enough time to go through the ritual.

I said ritual because it's quite a process. Here's my account:

First Quick Info/Tips:
- Most of the WGs on the two local forums are from the North.
- 2 categories of WG
-- 'Secret'. These don't show their numbers directly on the post. You'll see them (and their photos along with homework) on report by local bros. You have to PM the poster directly and ask for the girl's contact from them.
-- 'Open'. You can see their mobile contact on the post along with their photos and comment from other bros.
- All girls have 'code word or phrase' meaning...when you SMS them you need to include this code words
- Price does not include fee for short time hotel
- WG will designate hotel of their choice...they usually get a 'cut' from hotel so the more 'enterprising' ones will show up 'late' so you actually go 5 minute over 1 hour...in which case the hotel will charge you for 2 hours!
- Have exact change for hotel because the friggin hotel will find an excuse to charge you extra especially if you're not a local...I gave 200k and never got a change. When I asked get 100% VN response...it's usually 100k to 150k per hour.

Report:
- Local friend show me post with photos of a new girl
- Definitely MCOT...168cm (tall by VN standard), B+/C cup breast, sexual dimension...while I can't see her face since her eyes covered shape of face looked good...PRO TIPS: if you add her number, her Zalo might who up...and sometimes they have photo of their face on their Zalo profile...in her case she does! Jackpot
- This is where the process start...keep in mind that my local friend send me all my correspondent in Vietnamese for me to cut/paste...since most of these WGs speak almost zero English
- First SMS send her interest along with code word
- Got reply. You may wonder if Google Translate will help...sadly no. Experienced bros know that VN WGs (their Chinese counterpart also) typed in slang that confounded our dear Google friends...I tried to Google Translate all her replies...and most of them are complete gibberish
- After several exchanges I made my way to hotel in D10 (in that famous area where all barbershop/massage congregated)
- Motel is more fitting...find couple other punters (look to be white-collared type) also waiting for their room at tiny lobby
- TIPS: rooms fill up quickly as I may notice so asking for room then could equal to 30 minutes wait.
- I waited 20 minutes for my room
- The girl showed up about 5-10 minutes after I checked in
- TIPS: They wanted ID to check in. Didn't give them my passport. I gave them my casino membership card and they accepted (as long as it has photo...so you can actually give them fake ID for all their care as long as it has photo...actually good idea to do so as opposed to give them real passport)
- WG looks good. Sign language. She was a bit taken at first because they probably don't get a lot of non-local customer.
- She showered. I showered.
- Went through motion. She went through SOP...at least got a nice BBBJ. Did the deed. After we're done she spoke to me in English. She said she could speak very little. Of course this came out after we're done.

Conclusion
- While the WG look good
- Price is good if you go for 300-500k one...do keep in mind the extra 100-150k for hotel
- Better than WeChat scammers for sure
- BUT the whole process is too robotic for me...while the WG (with good rating/report) do try...it's also a number game for them
- If you repeat same girl, familiarity can breed GFE...but I barely repeat anymore
- I'm at the stage where I need full GFE and willing to pay premium to get those (usually from KTV girls)
- Would I repeat? Probably but not my top priority...will only do so if I see some really hot ones and I'm really horny
- Looking back, I couldn't have done this without assist from local or someone with good command of written Vietnamese

Happy punting in HCMC

[hoian]

Thanks for your PM. I reply u here. As mentioned, I am no longer helping out any bros because of bad experiences like the guy fly aeroplane etc.

I am surprised u have been living there almost a year and not picked up the language yet. I would suggest u hire a pte tutor... look for a busty one... who knows it may turn out to be like one of those Jap AV where the tutor seduces the student.

In any case, I might be in town again next month. In VN, it's all about money. No such thing as no gals.

Originally Posted by densha

My Local Forum Freelancer Report...

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by densha

Conclusion
- While the WG look good
- Price is good if you go for 300-500k one...do keep in mind the extra 100-150k for hotel
- Better than WeChat scammers for sure
- BUT the whole process is too robotic for me...while the WG (with good rating/report) do try...it's also a number game for them
- If you repeat same girl, familiarity can breed GFE...but I barely repeat anymore
- I'm at the stage where I need full GFE and willing to pay premium to get those (usually from KTV girls)
- Would I repeat? Probably but not my top priority...will only do so if I see some really hot ones and I'm really horny
- Looking back, I couldn't have done this without assist from local or someone with good command of written Vietnamese

Happy punting in HCMC

I paid 50k for a hotel room in Truong Son D8 last year. Paid 150k for a Motel room in Hanoi because foreigner rate (local rate is 100k)

Yes all SOP and no GFE....think need several visits before GFE can come..but not sure...never try rtf...

[Hurricane88]

Originally Posted by hoian

In VN, it's all about money. No such thing as no gals.

this statement bery true...scared no gal but I worried no uncle ho notes...