Job Discussion Forums

tefl peasant · Joined: 09 Oct 2010 Posts: 132

Sigmoid has a point.

Honestly, I've never understood people thinking Saigon has this "nightlife."

Saigon shuts down early in general, with the police to ensure of this. I remember going to Vasco's for live music on Fridays. At Midnight, lights out, good night.

There are always a few (usually seedy) places that are open past midnight where people try to congregate.

As for Saigon being "fun," it depends what you're into. If you're into sitting on bar stools and plastic chairs to enjoy your bottle of beer, yes, Saigon is "fun."

I've enjoyed this, but after a while, it gets old.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject:

Like many others I have taught in both Saigon and Hanoi and (for me) Saigon wins hands down. I just find HCMC to be more westernised and the people much more friendly and welcoming. There is also a bigger expat population, better restaurants, bars, more choice with sporting clubs etc. Sure is not Bangkok, Singapore or KL but this is Vietnam we are talking about. In short, I find it much easier to live in Saigon than Hanoi.

Don't necessarily agree with the comments that the Hanoians are more dedicated or better students than the ones in Saigon, but I have only ever taught adults so in regards to teaching little people I can't comment. There are certainly differences in pronunciation problems but I don't think either group of students are better than the other (had slack students in Hanoi and got some slack students now). On the whole though the Vietnamese (both northern and southern) are lovely students and are [mostly] a delight to teach.