Info on Vietnam

chrome-metronom

Hey all.
I have an opportunity to go to Ho Chi Minh City, more than likely working with TEFL qualifications. but i had some specific questions that you could hopefully help me out with.

1/ i hear they tax you on your belongings when you arrive. does anyone know how much or by what system they go? i was thinking about bringing some music equipment, but im guessing that the power system over there is not the same as europe, so it all in all it could be a bit of a silly idea

2/ how is the internet over there? i work alot on the web so it is kinda essential for me to have a good and steady connection...
i guess i could be asking too much, but hopefully youg uys can shine some light on these queries.

thanks in advance

kraggy

They're big into gaming so their broadband is good.

Never hear about the tax thing.

You can get an adapter for the plug on your music equipment.

Ho Chi Minh is a very modern city. Don't go there thinking you're going to see a gritty city like I did. I was disappionted with it. Prefer Hanoi (plenty of teaching opportunities there too) as it's more Vietnamese.

darrenh

+1 on Hanoi. Far nicer.

I think you have to pay tax on items if you are carrying more than 1 or something like that. For instance if you had a few Guitars they might think you are there to sell them. 1 guitar and your just another backpacker.

I do know in some countries though that if you got a laptop sent from home, they would tax you in the post office when you collect it.

On the internet connection, as Kraggy said, look out for the gaming internet shops and the connection will be good. Other than that it will be pretty average.

chrome-metronom

lovely stuff thanks guys. good news on the gaming front. besides web stuff, i play a lot of online poker, so i hope that isnt censored over there. ive been reading a few reports saying that it works in some places.

darrenh

I cant comment on gambling but I do know its very hard to get on Facebook. There is facebooklite which you can use.