Job Discussion Forums

[BrentBlack]

Hey guys,

Another miscellaneous couple of questions. Can I play golf at a reasonable rate in HCMC? Also, are there any guitar stores in HCMC? I am bringing my own acoustic, but I will eventually need strings and would like to maybe buy an electric. Thanks guys. By the by, does anyone else on here play an instrument? i would love to meet up for a jam once in HCMC if you are down.

BB

[snollygoster]

Best guitar I ever owned (and I am a retired muso so I have owned quite a few), was made in Saigon by Ngoc Duy.
Made to fit me perfectly, and the sweetest thing ever. I only paid about $250, but that was 6 years ago, and when I took it home I was offered up from $1700 by those who know their gats. I believe you couldn't expect one for under $400 now- There are plenty of tin pot ones for $20, but they make good firewood. OK if you want to play Kai Luin I guess. (It doesn't require the gutar to stay in tune as far as I can make out)
Golf? No idea- dont see the point in a game where you whack a ball away and then chase it so you can do the same again. Friend however, tell me its not cheap. Compared to what I expect back home I guess, but I DID live in Golf City #1 where everyone has a gold course next door!.

[BrentBlack]

I never understood golf either, until recently. I played in high school, but stopped when I went to college. Too much time and money, and not enough free beer. Thank you rugby! Anyhow, I have researched this on my own and have found that it is quite expensive in Vietnam. I am just wondering if there are any under the radar cheapies where I can go slapdick the ball around? Thanks!

BB

[ajc19810]

I like Ocean Dunes, Novotel Phan Thiet. It's about $90 a round in peak time. They have specials which are about $30 bucks cheaper. You can get a good room and round deal for around $100. The hotel is on the beach so its a pretty sweet deal. Designed by Nick Faldo I think. Last time i played in Saigon with my mate who was a member i think i payed around the same for a far less beautiful course. Membership is out of the question for me, far too pricey.

[CThomas]

[BrentBlack]

[snollygoster]

I forget the name of the street, but heres how to get to it. Go to the end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai st, the end near the 5 way round about -the western end, Turn round and go up the first street on the left. Its approximately opposite the big Book store. About 200 mtrs up that street on the left are a few music instrument stores, One is Ngoc Duy. No guarantees, because someone told me he had shifted, and I dont know where. Good luck! PS, A friend of mine also bought a country guitar from him on my recommendation, and was rapt.

[CThomas]

[Buffalo Boy]

The street with all the guitar shops is Nguyen Thien Thuat. It's the last right before the round about.

[snollygoster]

Thatks Buffalo Boy- Trust a good man from the Delta to know the important things.

[CThomas]

Good thread about guitar making in Vietnam (around Saigon)
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2304913

This guy went to the street we're talking about: check out these guitarzzzzzz

http://guitarchitecture.org/2010/07/19/guitar-street-in-ho-chi-minh-city-vietnam/

And, last but not least, another thread, including contact, names of different wood in Vietnamese, etc (by BMT there):

http://www.livinginvietnam.com/index.php/forum2/Living-in-Ho-Chi-Minh-City/5210-Guitar-for-beginners.html

[Buffalo Boy]

I used to live on that street. Imagine how cool it would be if there was a kung fu movie set in Saigon, and there was a scene in that street with people fighting with the guitars. I thought about that often.

So Snolly, how come you never brought your guitar to work for a sing along?

[snollygoster]

It was so good Mr Chau, that it got stolen by a guitar conneiseur.

[frankly_norse]

[BrentBlack]