Job Discussion Forums

[jippy85]

a strange question for the forum crew, i will be moving to Vietnam shortly to join the ranks of fellow serving english teachers, my question is as follows.

I come from a very musical background having played in bands for a few years (its my passion) i wanted to get a vibe for HCMC with regards the live music scene.

is it possible to buy electronic music gear once i'm there? (i've traveled asia for a few months and know how difficult it is to do the basics) or can someone suggest a way to get music gear.

if i did manage to get the equipment, is there many places to play. I.E pubs/clubs that like a bit of the western world music??

i ask this because it will make a big difference as to how much i will enjoy my time in Vietnam. thanks in advance for the help

p.s if there are other muso's out there please get in contact and we will organise something

[just noel]

There is a music scene in hcmc, but it's a bit limited in my opinion.

I used to go the some small live shows at Vasco's, for example. They had to shut down by midnight.

There are some other venues. If you want to play, I'm sure you'll find a place

[toiyeuthitmeo]

The local expat mag of note recently published a large article, mostly bemoaning the sad state of live music in Saigon. To some extent, it is a very sad scene, given the youth, money, and population of the city. The local predilection for sappy, syrupy love songs and Korean-influenced sugar-pop is much to blame, as are tight government controls on performances and music releases.

But I second the opinion above, you can find opportunities to perform. You can even use a professional recording studio for bargain prices. There's a fledgling punk and hip-hop scene, a smattering of expat cover bands, loads of generic Filipino cover bands, etc, and a pretty nice jazz club. There are open jams at various bars now and then, and if you have some talent, you will be needed and appreciated. Saigon needs musical messiahs!

It's not too difficult to buy acoustic and typical rock gear in Saigon, in fact some of the guitar-makers in town have great talent for good-sounding knock-offs. DJ and home recording equipment and software is more of a problem.

Check out the local expat magazine, network and chat with people, send me a PM, hit the bars and clubs. You'll find an artistic outlet.

[jippy85]

thank you for the advice etc...
it sounds like a challenge but not impossible to get something musical happening. i will be in HCMC next week so will check out the expat mag + track down a music equipment shop (i may need to get directions if i have no luck finding it, if thats ok) very interested in the recording studo, do they have website? or a name/address i can find them at?

[toiyeuthitmeo]

Some info for you

Studio...
HP&P Audio - Video - Production - Distribution Co., Ltd. 39 Huynh Dinh Hai Street, Ward 14, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

They charge between $20 - $40 per song, fairly high quality.

A street known as "guitar street" by some, because, uh, there are a bunch of guitar shops...

Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, believe this is district 1, pretty close at least

The expat magazine...

"The Word." I for one find reading this magazine to be a very irritating experience most of the time, but it does offer some valuable guidance on musical goings-on.