Job Discussion Forums

[BrentBlack]

I am aware of how ridiculously hot it is in Vietnam, but is it necessary to pack the odd long sleeve t-shirt/sweater? Is it ever cold? What is the coldest it can get? I am assuming it can get a little chilly at night. I know this may seem like a dumb question, but you never know.

[I'm With Stupid]

I can only tell you about HCMC, but basically no, you won't need anything. Night temperature is about 25 degrees. I'd pack a few long-sleeved shirts just because of the sun though. Or just buy them when you get here.

I hear Hanoi gets a bit chillier during the winter.

[snollygoster]

If you are going to HCMC-No warm clothes needed, If to Hanoi-absolutely you will need them in the winter, Cold, wet, foggy and generally miserable. Doesnt snow, but its not far away.
I have a thermometer on the iutside of my window, and the weather man says its 4degrees-my thermometer says MINUS 2. (Its in the shade so maybe that accounts for the differences).
But DEFINATELY need cold weather gear- pullover, gloves, parka, boots, overcoat is good, scarf. If you are small, these can be bought here- If you are large- bring with you.

[frankly_norse]

was wondering about this myself. i'm planning on showing up in hcmc in november. i understand it's warm there so no need for warm clothing, but what about the cdc warnings about malaria - i understand the zones of concern are further to the west and northwest, but i keep reading about wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants to minimize exposure to mosquitos. do any of you folks in hcmc or the surrounding areas give this much credence?

also, i'm a huge fan of cotton, can't really stand to wear synthetics. would love to hear what kinds of clothing any expats or even locals are wearing...

responses much appreciated!!

pb

[I'm With Stupid]

The malaria risk zone is pretty much the border area with Cambodia from what I saw when it was explained to me at the doctors. The locals will tend to cover themselves up a lot, but that's more to do with this obsession with staying as pale as possible than any risk of insect bites. I went to the Mekong the other week, and most of the people on the trip (Vietnamese and foreign) were wearing shorts and short sleeved tops. I don't think even the high-risk areas in Vietnam are particularly high risk by international standards. And particularly in the city, you're going to be near a hospital anyway.

[BrentBlack]

I am going to HCMC, so I am good on cold weather gear. I am a pretty big, though, so where can I find things like work cloths? Also, does every school have a dress code for teachers? Am I on the right track if I am expecting to wear a shirt and tie everyday? Thanks!

BB

[I'm With Stupid]

Yeah, pretty much.

To be honest, I think you'd be better bringing a few work clothes with you. The off-the-peg stuff here isn't really any cheaper than you can get it back home (UK for me), and obviously if you're bigger, you might struggle to find something suitable. Then once you've been here for a bit, you can get recommendations for a good tailor, who are usually pretty affordable.

[mark_in_saigon]

You should state your size, especially height, and your shoe size. If you are about the same size as the Asians, you are fine. If you are taller, and wear larger shoes, you CERTAINLY SHOULD bring all the shoes you will be wanting, you will even have trouble finding large flip flops. U.S. men's shoe sizes 11 and bigger are almost unobtainable. For my size, (tall and not overweight), it is best to bring pants and shorts, but I find the shirts here are fine for me. It is also best to bring your own socks. One interesting aspect of shopping here is they do not have the resale places like we do in the west, so if you are into bargain used clothes, you will not find that here. Clothing is perhaps a bit less expensive than the west, with less variety in sizes, and often with their own style. It is not one of the huge bargains here, like the bargains that food, transportation, labor and housing are.

[BrentBlack]

By Asian standards, I am a giant. Shoes: 13 Height: 6'2 Weight: 220 (good day) 230 (holiday weight). I guess I should come prepared. My original plan was to come over with a backpack full of cloths, both work and leisure, a guitar, and a computer. Then once I have an address I was going to mail myself a box over from back home that I will pack before I leave. Best to include some extra things!

BB

[Kornan DeKobb]

Whether you mean washcloths or facecloths, they probably will have cooled by time you get off the plane.

[BrentBlack]

oh yes, clothes is spelled with an E. Thank you for pointing that out, KD.

[blateson]

It's a good question, and even saigon gets a little chilly a few times a year. Temps can get down to around 17 c, certainly not cold but just a tad nippy if there's a good rain that day, but in that situation you wouldn't need anything special. You may end up taking a trip to Dalat (mountains) or further up, where it gets nippier, so a very light sweater might prove a little useful, but I didn't need one. The locals, however, were wearing coats befitting for Alaska.

[deadlift]

[BrentBlack]

But tailors have been mentioned. About how much does a decent pair of pants from a quality tailor cost? Do they also make shirts? I mean, if its somewhere between dirt cheap and reasonable, I will just get clothes made for me. In addition, I think 17 is definitely sweatshirt/sweater weather, especially if it is raining, and you are wearing shorts. In terms of shoes, I've got my trusty Birks, dress shoes for work, and a pair of sneaks just in case. I think I will be good!

BB

[chim35]

I never wear anything but shorts and short sleeve shirts in hcmc and elsewhere in the south. Don't need to, unless you want to protect your skin from road rash if you crash on a moto. have had no problem finding extra large flip flops to fit my 10-1/2 US size feet.

If you want warm clothes, go to Dalat. Tons of stuff sold on the streets and very cheap. I recently bought a bunch of new, quite thick short ankle type socks, the kind they try to sell you for 25,000 dong at Ben Thanh market, from a seller at the Dalat market, for 5,000 dong a pair. Seem very small like made for Viet feet, but boy, do they stretch! Fit very well.