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GemGem
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 13
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 Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:36 pm Post subject: Useful ideas/ objects to bring with me from the UK? |
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Hi all,
I'm flying out to VN next month and want to bring some objects/ items that are unique to the UK that I can incorporate into lessons/ show to my students. Y'know stuff they wouldn't see over there that will be a novelty to them?
It's difficult until I get there to know what this kind of thing might be so thought some of you already living it up in VN might have some suggestions?
Any ideas greatly appreciated! 
Gem |
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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My parents are coming from the UK in a couple of months and the things I've thought of them bringing are:
� - all the notes and coins
a flag - although you can probably find them here.
duck tape - run out and I always find some reason as to why it would be useful to have some left.
This is honestly as far as my imagination has taken me - will be very interested what others suggest! |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:17 am Post subject: |
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DUCT tape? We CAN'T get duct tape here???
I mean, I never actually NEEDED it, so, hence, I never went out looking for it.....but I cannot believe that we cannot get it here! Really?
Wow..... |
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Rincewind
Joined: 06 Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| I brought over a rugby ball, and some Maori tikis - they're the plastic ones sold to tourists in NZ. Young and old students (seem to) find them interesting. |
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
DUCT tape? We CAN'T get duct tape here???
I mean, I never actually NEEDED it, so, hence, I never went out looking for it.....but I cannot believe that we cannot get it here! Really?
Wow..... |
I'm actually referring to the brand duck tape, here's a fun web-page about duck/duct tape:
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/duckvsduct.html
honestly never checked if you can buy that brand - just assume you can't.
I know it's weird - it's just my dad swears by the stuff and I've used it to repair all sorts of things here and there.
Other thoughts (GemGem, I realise you only asked about teaching specifics, but I've included things for your day to day life just to consider) -
photos of you and your family when you were younger - of course digital is fine, I wished I'd scanned some albums before I left. Getting together some photos of your extended family would be nice to give a more personal touch to teaching family lexis too.
a metal potato masher - never seen anything other than plastic ones and they, or folks just don't cut it in my opinion - you'd be surprised how well mashed potato can give you a taste of home.
Consumer electronics - if you are considering buying a laptop or external hard-disk or digital camera etc when you come out here, I would consider getting them while at home for 2 reasons: 1 - you know what you are getting and 2 - sometimes prices are actually better at home.
Practically anything can be bought in VN though and I wouldn't be too surprised if the posters in HCMC or HN will reply saying everything I've said can be got if you go to the right place. |
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The Mad Hatter
Joined: 16 May 2010
Posts: 165
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Depending on what size your feet are, you might consider extra pair of dress shoes and sport sandals. If you wear anything over a US size 10 ( I think Euro sizes are different, but 40cm, anything over that you cant find here. Dont listen to others who say you can buy them. Maybe if you look all over but even Doc Martins are double what they cost at home.
Youll need white socks and T shirts if you work out. Cotton here is poor quality and anything over midget size says "XXL"
Consider bringing a toaster unless you want to pay $50 for one.
Comic books such as Graphic novels or anything like that for your students are appreciated and can really be useful for teaching.
bring some interesting realia such as brochures for tourist sites in your country. They make interesting reading.
Restaurant menus, post cards , etc.
Board games or card games that have vocabulary aspect . Such as 'worst case scenario" cards. And the game Clue. If its too much to carry you might want to post some things to yourself. |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Jbhughes wrote: |
| Quote: |
DUCT tape? We CAN'T get duct tape here???
I mean, I never actually NEEDED it, so, hence, I never went out looking for it.....but I cannot believe that we cannot get it here! Really?
Wow..... |
I'm actually referring to the brand duck tape, here's a fun web-page about duck/duct tape:
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/duckvsduct.html
honestly never checked if you can buy that brand - just assume you can't.
I know it's weird - it's just my dad swears by the stuff and I've used it to repair all sorts of things here and there. |
I can't even count how many of my cars I owned when I was younger were held together by duck/duct tape!! Damm - now I think I'm gonna go to Metro and Big C next time I'm in Ha Noi or Hai Phong....just for a laff to see if they actually sell it!
| Jbhughes wrote: |
| Consumer electronics - if you are considering buying a laptop or external hard-disk or digital camera etc when you come out here, I would consider getting them while at home for 2 reasons: 1 - you know what you are getting and 2 - sometimes prices are actually better at home. |
YEPPER - STRONGLY stress this point! I can almost guarantee that you WILL pay in Viet Nam an average of 10% to 25% more than in the UK/US/Oz for a laptop or desktop that often times is the last-generation's technology (e.g. - computer stuff that we would buy two yeas ago in UK/US/Oz)
And Mad Hatter is dead-on: Bring a toaster! My $55USD toaster I got at Metro makes great toast....but not fifty-five bucks worth of "great"! |
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I'm With Stupid
Joined: 03 Sep 2010
Posts: 432
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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Cadbury's chocolate. You can get the Australian imported stuff here, but it tastes a bit weird.
In terms of classroom materials, I think most of them can be found on the internet nowadays. But I agree with the person who suggested travel brochures (always a popular topic) and comic books.
I've also been a little disappointed with the quality of the formal clothes in this country, so I'd get them in the UK. |
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Kornan DeKobb
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 242
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:46 am Post subject: |
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| 100% maple syrup. I haven't seen it anywhere here. Bring it over for me and I'll pay you for it. |
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yogurtpooh
Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Posts: 85
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| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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| is it possible to get an electric toothbrush like oral b or replacement heads in vientam? |
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I'm With Stupid
Joined: 03 Sep 2010
Posts: 432
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| yogurtpooh wrote: |
| is it possible to get an electric toothbrush like oral b or replacement heads in vientam? |
I'm still trying to find them. I bought the toothbrush here, but the place I bought it didn't sell them, and I haven't seen them in the supermarket. I've still got some left from my old toothbrush (which died), but they're not the same, so I'm not sure whether they'll work. |
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snollygoster
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:18 am Post subject: Honey |
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Bring real honey (no I dont mean your loved one). Honey from bees. In Vietnam I only ever found honey which was severly diluted by mixing with water.
Marmite-better still Vegemite.
Sure these are not for the students, (but they DO get a kick out of tasting Vegemite.)-They are more necessities for survival. |
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Hasna
Joined: 15 Nov 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Saigon
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| Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| Actually, they sell 100% real maple syrup, as well as Marmite and Vegimite (however you guys spell it), at Annam Gourmet and Veggy's. Both are located in Phu My Hung (District 7), but Annam also has a D1 location. |
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Kornan DeKobb
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 242
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| Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 9:05 am Post subject: |
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| Hasna wrote: |
| Actually, they sell 100% real maple syrup, as well as Marmite and Vegimite (however you guys spell it), at Annam Gourmet and Veggy's. Both are located in Phu My Hung (District 7), but Annam also has a D1 location. |
Any place in Hanoi? |
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Hasna
Joined: 15 Nov 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Saigon
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| Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 9:15 am Post subject: |
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Annam Gourmet Syrena Tower
51 Xuan Dieu St., Quang An Ward, Tay Ho Dist., Hanoi
Tel : +84 4 3 7184487
[email protected]
Veggy's
Quảng An, Tay Ho district, Hanoi
No idea if their product selection in the same, but both stores are usually pretty good here in HCMC. Prices are high (sometimes really high) but for a taste of home, it is definitely worth it! |
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