What's LIVING IN HO CHI MINH CITY like as a foreigner? 🇻🇳

Asking foreigners living in Vietnam about their daily lives, challenges, and advice on moving to Saigon.
Rebecca: ‪@Becksxpat‬
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#hochiminhcity #livinginvietnam #foreignerinvietnam #movingtovietnam

[@skyetran]

Hello, I'll be interviewing locals & foreigners in Vietnam... What questions or topics would you like to know more of from the people here? Also if you're in Saigon & open to be interviewed, DM me on IG @theskyetran

[@tienlocnguyen760]

Please give me takumi contact. I want to make friends with him :D

[@phoenixle9304]

Why do you end all your sentences with a high tone?

[@Ka-cv3pr]

The American guy is really passionate about what he talks. I like it!

[@skyetran]

He’s great!

[@ocmanga5685]

Vâng, có thể nhận ra qua giọng nói đầy hào hứng của anh ấy, đó là giọng mà một người nói dối sẽ không bao giờ bắt chước được.

[@donganhacquyen]

Tôi rất thích những người làm phụ đề có tâm như bạn, không phải bật CC và có thể xem ở chế độ picture-in-picture😚

[@mottiengnhat8921]

phụ đề có tâm kiểu “laid back culture” dịch thành “cực đoan văn hoá sa thải” 😅😅😅

[@deetee56]

@@mottiengnhat8921 "living expenses make sense" dịch thành "chi phí sinh hoạt có ý nghĩa" =)))

[@MD72538]

@@mottiengnhat8921 thật, dịch vớ vẩn

[@NhânTrần-m7e]

phụ đề dịch sai nhiều chỗ quá :)))

[@ocmanga5685]

Cô ấy là một người gốc việt và chắc chắn là cô ấy hiểu tiếng anh hơn tiếng việt. Ví dụ như anh chàng người Nhật Takumi nói "like me" đại ý "giống như tôi", thì cô ấy lại dịch thành "thích tôi". Nhưng không sao, đó là một sự nhầm lẫn và có thể cải thiện theo thời gian. Ai cũng cần phải học, mỗi lần sai sót sẽ giúp chúng ta tiến bộ hơn.

[@jennchandesu]

I love the vibes of this video! As someone planning to move to Vietnam this video gives me the confidence I need to move! Thank you!!!

[@skyetran]

Oh nice! When & where in Vietnam do you plan to move?

[@jennchandesu]

@@skyetran Initially this yr June but I was scared so I postponed it until Feb next yr HCM!

[@tranxuanminh4623]

at 4:02 she mentioned the "extreme laid back culture" which roughly means people are quite "not-so-serious", but your caption said "cực đoan văn hóa sa thải" which means "extreme job firing culture". I believe you can use "văn hóa quá thoải mái" instead :D

[@skyetran]

i should hire a Vietnamese to work on my translation!!! lol

[@bac9760]

@@skyetran just don't be too straightforward on the translation, such as 7:47 Grab is a noun so don't need to translate it, or 15:35 tones = tông màu, but in this context it mean tông/tone giọng". But overall, I can still understand most of the translation.

[@skyetran]

@@bac9760 I appreciate it, this is a learned lesson for me & thank you for the feedback :)

[@ocmanga5685]

Ồ, bạn nói tôi mới để ý đến phần phụ đề, bởi vì tôi thường che phụ đề đi để luyện phản xạ nghe tiếng anh. Đúng là nó rất kì cục và mang một ý nghĩa hoàn toàn khác.

[@Davenzoid]

​​@@bac9760in this particular instance, i think she meant "remembering the tomes" as in the "dấu" or tonal markers, where words can change their tone with different markers, if that makes sense lmao

[@warrenwade8531]

Great interviews with relevant questioning. Guest was allowed to answer in their own way without interruption. Very well done. Note: The South African lady is a natural Beauty, no make up, but absolutely stunning. Working on her MBA too…what a catch!

[@skyetran]

Thank you...more interviews to come! Rebecca is brains & beauty

[@theaxiologist]

@@skyetran Great interview Skye How can I contact Rebecca please

[@codrin1862]

I really liked the American guy. Seems very friendly and chilled.

[@qalat23]

In Finland, I have a friend from Vietnam, a really cool person, and his parents.. I will visit in the future .

[@skyetran]

That’s awesome!

[@Mr.DJones]

Thank you for your time and posting. I'll be visiting VN in October to see if I want to retire there next year. But I will pass on HCMC, just to big. Thank you again.

[@jamierudberg4843]

Awesome video Skye thanks so much for sharing! Been living in Korea for 5 months as an English teacher but defiantly interested to explore Vietnam for long term travel and work opportunities!

[@skyetran]

Aww great to hear... Where would you like to visit in Vietnam?

[@TramHicks]

Some things laid back and some things don’t You look at all markets it’s very busy all day through Vietnam Workers are working so hard compared to the west They work in the heat and they are sitting on the ground Quite tough work from 6 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday without stopping never take a holiday in their whole lives

[@byRubberDuck]

Im from Brazil, ASIA is very secure if compare with another countries the valours are different Im very happy to be in Thailand for 3 months... will visite Vietnan soon.

[@JamesWBurns]

That was brilliant. Loving your videos so far. Keep them coming!

[@skyetran]

Thanks James, really appreciate it :)

[@prunecuda1]

People are using the term third world to describe undeveloped countries lately but it is wrong and annoying. The term first, second, and third world came after world War two. Whichever countries signed to be with the US and England are first world, NATO. Whichever countries signed with Russia are second world, warsaw pact. Whichever countries didn't sign with neither or stay neutral are third world. Got nothing to do with economic challenges. Finland and Sweden just now, this year, signed with nato. Were they economically challenged until now?

[@LunaNK22]

Do you really expect them to know the differences? Wishful thinking man

[@babehc]

In terms of both GDP and GDP per capita, vietnam and south Africa are pretty much the same. It’s weird to say vietnam is “third world” compared to south Africa

[@The_Potato]

Sounds like some is jealous of the first world.

[@Cai-Luong-Chi-Bao]

I don't find it annoying. I find you annoying.

[@The_Potato]

@Cai-Luong-Chi-Bao oh, so you f8nd first world people annoying also. You've got issues pal.

[@lalia1612]

Rất thích chị làm nội dung như thế này, tiện thể giúp em luyện nghe với cải thiện speaking luôn ạ❤❤

[@efefrfrs]

This was a great video! I’m even more excited for my trip to Saigon next week

[@tompham637]

Interesting video. Thank you for posting it.

[@skyetran]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@backpack_person985]

Great video! Can you make a video about your own story? What made you decide to move to SE Asia and how did you make that happened?

[@skyetran]

I could, anything else you'd want to know? :)

[@vyhuynh5662]

Laid back culture is not sa thải (laid off) , it is cà tàn, ung dung (unhurried, relaxed in style) 🥰, btw love your video, subscribed 🤩

[@KhanhVogel]

cau Takumi rat de thuong va coi mo chuc Takumi nhieu thanh cong va hanh phuc cung nhu manh khoe o viet nam.....

[@skyetran]

lots of luck for Takumi :)

[@themuslimmorisco17]

What an amazing video, Thank you! You have a new subscriber!

[@skyetran]

Welcome!!

[@Eonwe]

18:00 Yes! The fatigue from being in a very foreign environment is such a real experience. The upside is you sleep really well at night from being so mentally tired. I wonder if it would be less exhausting if I exercised vigorously everyday and ate more eggs and fish for the brain.

[@skyetran]

haha he did make a valid point with the overload info fatigue!

[@allencoffland1685]

thanks for adding subtitles.........very useful for learning Vietnamese

[@skyetran]

You're welcome...glad they're helpful

[@minatran3652]

Hi I just subscribed to your channel. I'm from Australia. Do you know the KZbinr brokethehabit?

[@nguyenhoanganh4586]

Such an interesting video idea!

[@skyetran]

Thank you!

[@marisolmeza3407]

Very enjoyable episode. Planning on becoming an English teacher there in Summer 2025

[@skyetran]

Thank you! where in Vietnam do you plan on living?

[@Jenny.kumar1]

Glad you posted this ❤

[@skyetran]

Thank you, more to come!

[@Omil7750]

Excellent interviews, amazing video.... subscribed !!

[@skyetran]

Thank you & welcome!!!

[@johnmcintosh5797]

Nice Video Skye! Hope all is well.

[@skyetran]

Hi JOHN!!!! Add me on IG @theskyetran

[@ross42247]

Wish you interviewed a different South African. Someone who speaks about their country more positively. I’m from Cape Town SA and I miss it every single day. It has far better infrastructure, insanely beautiful nature and friendly/polite people. I’ve been to a few countries and nothing compares.

[@aSTARer]

it's interesting to see how other foreigners in vietnam live.

[@vophuong1832]

Lần đầu tiên mình xem một video phỏng vấn người nước ngoài mà không tua một giây nào

[@skyetran]

🫶🏼

[@Fumito19]

Mình góp ý xíu nha, phần Vietsub ở dưới nhiều chỗ dịch sai quá bạn, như kiểu dùng công cụ dịch tự động word-by-word chứ không phải người dịch ấy. "laid back culture" là "văn hóa ung dung/nhàn nhã" chứ không phải "văn hóa sa thải". "living expenses make sense" là "chi phí sinh hoạt hợp lý" chứ không nên dịch là "chi phí sinh hoạt có ý nghĩa", nghe rất tối nghĩa ạ. Hoặc câu của anh người Nhật "I have to use Grab everytime" mà tự nhiên lại thành "Tôi phải sử dụng đồ thị mọi lúc"??? Còn nhiều nữa mình không thể liệt kê hết, nói chung mong bạn đầu tư chăm chút và cải thiện hơn phần Vietsub nhé ạ, đọc cmt thấy cũng nhiều người học tiếng Anh/tiếng Việt thông qua các video của bạn mà dịch sai thế này thì tai hại lắm ạ.

[@skyetran]

Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it!

[@skyetran]

Maybe you can be my translator?

[@hkvideovlog6152]

Xem qua các comment thì có thể chị này là Việt kiều nên tiếng Việt không rõ lắm. Chắc có gì đợi chị từ từ cải thiện thôi

[@satune07]

Dùng Google dịch sub tốt hơn bản dịch của video.

[@mrpeas2111]

OH SHIT THAT’S LITERALLY VIETNAM ON THE VIDEO 😱😱😱 Từ nơi đồng xanh thơm hương lúa Về nơi nhà cao xe giăng phố 🗣️🗣️🗣️ So proud Vietnammmm

[@skyetran]

happy to hear

[@vinhho3202]

Good one Anh, keep going. You look better than 4 years ago with the pink hair

[@aprianto1985]

Ho Chi Minh City so memorable for me

[@patrickrambeaux9796]

I live in Vietnam and married in Vietnam 👍👌

[@TerrySharp-y1r]

Skye, I think you might be attracted to the gentleman from Japan. You actually made visuals with him and higher energy! Yes, he was handsome! Thank you for your vids. I’m from southern CA also. However, live here now for a few days.

[@skyetran]

@@TerrySharp-y1r what visuals and higher energy?

[@CactusYellon]

Vietnam is no longer a third world country. Besides, some people that you interview are trying to make eye contact with you but you rarely look into their eyes.

[@johngtran]

Great ways to open up and introduce VN to the world and especially Viet people who born Oversea get to know VN better if they no longer have any connections back to VN. Thank you for doing this. How is VN similar to SEA/East Asia and different from it?

[@skyetran]

Glad this could be as educational for you as it was for me...I plan on sharing more videos like this sharing from different perspectives from the people who live here :)

[@hienluongvi3533]

Những cuộc phỏng vấn trong video rất thú vị, tuy nhất có 1 điểm mình muốn góp ý là ở phần subtitle, bạn nên review kĩ hơn, phần tiếng anh thì ổn còn phần tiếng việt nhiều lúc thấy dịch hơi bị word by word, điển hình là ở phút 7:48, 6:48. Chúc kênh phát triển nha

[@skyetran]

Aww Thank you...I'm currently still learning Vietnamese to be better at the language

[@Mickeytravel]

Great video 👍

[@skyetran]

😃

[@vananhlethi933]

Great interview! I really like listening to every interviewee' perspective. Just one minor correction: at 20:06, she's saying "Bien Hoa" not "Ben Thanh"

[@skyetran]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the different perspectives. And appreciate the feedback :)

[@Eonwe]

Every time I see a South African on a video from some other country, I think, "thank god you got out to a safer place."

[@skyetran]

S.A must be that bad?

[@Eonwe]

@@skyetran the reports from people who have lived there for a long time are....sobering

[@ross42247]

It’s not THAT bad. She exaggerated way too much. Cape Town SA is a thousand times better

[@Davenzoid]

At 6:39 nicking something (off of someone) just means stealing (trộm cái gì đó của bạn)

[@RonanTOC]

where is this in HCM?

[@kayflip2233]

South Africa isn't a first world country. Vietnam even has a higher GDP than South Africa. Also, what is this lady talking about "they'll kill you in my country but here they would rather just rob you" - There are barely any robberies in Vietnam or anywhere in Southeast or East Asia. Why even suggest that "at least people won't kill you here" as if people are getting robbed everyday in Vietnam when it is an extremely rare occurrence. Don't even make that comparison when you haven't even seen cases of tourists getting robbed at all in Vietnam.

[@LinhNguyen-zf9ww]

Yeah i don't know what she talking about , maybe not in live in saigon

[@angryashell100]

I think she means phone or purse snatching. I don't think she means robbery in the violent sense. Violence is non existent. Very rarely. I saw a fight over a girl once. Two young guys. That's going to happen anywhere. It's about a 1000 times safer than the US

[@vdimension6300]

​@@angryashell100robbery by definition involves violence or threat of violence. I think she misspoke. She probably meant to say steal from you, not rob.

[@kayflip2233]

@@angryashell100 Phone or purse snatching is robbery. Yes, the entire continent of Asia with several billion people is safe. You never hear Asians express fear of crime about other Asian cities because there is practically no crime there. It's only foreigners from countries with lots of crime that comment on the safety of Asian cities because they're not used to the feeling of being 100% safe that they can't even believe it's real.

[@Rananh90]

I been hangout and observe western since 15 years, everything just simply Vietnam cheap and friendly and that is nothing sound cool for me, like people be here not by choice

[@naominguyen8784]

others have mentioned it but i think you would benefit a lot from having better translation for subtitles, both English & Viet. they're a bit all over the place atm :( nonetheless very interest takes from all 3 of them. my south african girl (her old HR is from Bến Hoà btw not Bến Thành) pls look out for urself still! things can get crazy there real quick

[@soosul]

Apparently, the APEC card doesn't work in the USA for the Koreans. The USA is a member of APEC, though So we still need ESTA, but can use the fast track One more thing, the reason why you got the many airdrops is not they're very very friendly, but you're handsome 😂

[@RotApple0]

Saigon

[@TramHicks]

insurances companies have been making money very fast go around and around But Vietnam is different

[@LinhNguyen-zf9ww]

13:49 hell yeah , in ha noi capital there a auntie selling phở , she is the best and only known by recommend from friends, if you visiter there low chances you can meet a people known her 😂

[@thebluemoon-h7d]

Một số điểm du lịch hoặc trong một số lĩnh vực có thể có nhiều người quan tâm đến người nước ngoài, nhưng người dân địa phương thông thường không quan tâm đến người nước ngoài. Họ không thể quan tâm đến người nước ngoài vì họ phải lo cho cuộc sống của họ. Và càng sống lâu ở Việt Nam, bạn càng nhận ra rằng suy nghĩ và văn hóa của người Việt Nam chủ yếu xoay quanh chủ nghĩa cá nhân.

[@chaksha]

I’ve been there many times, I would stay there permanently if I could find a job with enough income or start my own business.

[@skyetran]

Saigon has a strong start-up culture

[@mienongdauyeu3795]

cho mình hỏi bạn là việt kiều sống ở nước ngoài lâu năm hay là người việt học tiếng Anh ở việt nam nhỉ ?

[@scogginsscoggins]

Not true. HSBC is open at lunch time.

[@trongtran3459]

The "laid back culture" was not translated correctly. However, the next sentence with "laid back" was translated correctly :)

[@TramHicks]

If you look at in all markets and people work in the streets streets vendors busy busy every day

[@luvlifemore]

may i ask ??? first world/ second world,.. in the video what is it ??

[@jinhduong]

Why did he always wow to all questions? Were they really such interesting 🤔?

[@orlando32819]

As long as you bring money to VN, everything is OK. If you take the money back, you will know the bad side.

[@S1lverarrow]

If your income is legal and you can proof it, you can take it back.

[@orlando32819]

@@S1lverarrow, People have lives. Who wants to waste their lives to deal with this.

[@TramHicks]

All markets are not laid back The workers they have to work all day long It’s very different in the west

[@KuNhiRonaldo]

hay qá ạ

[@skyetran]

Cảm ơn

[@AnhPHh-fs7xn]

Thích 👍..nhưng dịch chữ VN nhỏ rất khó đọc...nếu phỏng vấn bằng tiếng Anh, thì chữ VN phải lớn hơn chữ englinhs (Anh)

[@peternguyen5915]

24:25 'ba la lot' is beef not pork

[@lukenguyen813]

I want to move to Saigon with my family. I have 3 small children so im unsure about the education. We do not want to pay the international tuition fees. Its ridiculously expensive costing nearly 10k-15k per child per year. Anyone have suggestions?

[@Rudychwan]

i'm not a saigonese but live here for 5years and i have heard about international students in normal schooll. if you dont want your children to go to an international school, do a research then send emails or phone calls to the local schools, ask them if them could take english speaking students. It will be easier if your children can speak daily or basic vietnamese, the local schools will take them in easier if they under middle schools, from secondary school the locals have tests to ensure the quality of students so it would be harder to step in after secondary school and especially high school. Last things, i usually hear that most international student will get a year of re learning to get use to the new educatinl system, so they will take 1 year late than other as same ages.

[@Philiplubert]

Did she just say Vietnam is know for third world country??? I’m gonna articulate this but Vietnam isn’t a third world country, mate!

[@Belv6]

It is a 3rd world country, research before making yourself look stupid.....

[@tengun]

First world / Third world terms have nothing to do with how developed a country is. It's all about their alliance during the cold war. Vietnam is a second world country, not a third world country, because Vietnam sided with the USSR.

[@mapVNESE]

❤

[@skyetran]

⭐

[@tidoluong5420]

Mình đóng góp ý để kênh có thể cải tiến thôi. Nhưng ai làm vietsub cho kênh thì hơi bị lười đấy, đọc vietsub toàn giống kiểu google translate, thậm chí nhiều chỗ dịch sai ý nữa.

[@e2bobbie]

I'm in Nha Trang. Let's film together

[@XIYIREN2006]

I'd like to be interviewed .

[@skyetran]

Hi, DM me on IG @theskyetran

[@aringuyen7525]

i understand why the Japanese guy got a lot of airdrops stuff he looks so fineeeeee~

[@kimpham7846]

Many things cost money in Vietnam. The foreigners in the video see the surface of Vietnam or small part of it, not see it deeply...

[@skyetran]

what's below the surface that you're talking about? :)

[@kimpham7846]

@@skyetran You should interview more Vietnamese people from poor family background, from different generations, interview people who escaped Vietnam during Vietnam War, etc... to know what is 'under surface of Vietnam'.

[@minatran3652]

Bo la lot is actually beef not pork .

[@skyetran]

it's sooo good

[@minatran3652]

@@skyetran yeah it's yummy 😋. My neighbour's grow betel leaves sometimes they give it to my mum or she just buys them.

[@RAPHAEL07]

South Africa is developing second~third world country, it is two times more poorer than russia. No difference with Vietnam

[@LordEQUATOR]

🌴🌴🌴

[@skyetran]

😎

[@trrhalamadrid454]

Ms Rebecca! Mình hiểu cảm giác của bạn khi phát âm tiếng Việt. ĐIều đó khiến bạn thiếu tự tin. Nhưng người Việt luôn có các giải quyết các vấn đề. Nếu thật sự bạn muốn học Tiếng Việt. Tôi có thể giúp bạn miễn phí. Để bạn thấy thêm yêu tiếng Việt và hứng thú học nó. Có gì bạn cứ trả lơi tôi. Tôi sẽ cung cấp số điện thoại để chúng ta có thể liên hệ bàn thêm.

[@hackeranvip]

'"Laid back" mean "nghỉ trưa" in your video, not "sa thải"

[@Mouse2409]

"laid back" is not "nghỉ trưa" or "sa thải". "laid back" or "easy going" means "từ tốn, nhẹ nhàng, không quá áp lực" .

[@RonanTOC]

14:20 he's living in the ghetto 😂

[@LordEQUATOR]

🌴❤️‍🔥🐉🌴

[@samsungtap4183]

Very difficult to really know Vietnam. It's a land of ilusion. Nothing is quite what you think. I can tell these people being interviewed don't get it. Vietnam is similar to Britain you open your mouth and people know exactly where you come from and it matters a lot. It matters a great deal. However as a tourist or xhort term resident this disparagey means nothing...just enjoy but there is a massive secret that's hidden in plain sight.

[@longnguyen-fx1pg]

6:00 "certain people" 💀

[@abdeldorado]

its APAC :)

[@jacktran7024]

you're from vn and you're vietnamese and your name is sky?

[@skyetran]

Hello, I’m from the states

[@LinhNguyen-zf9ww]

5:41 i don't know what is she talking about, maybe she not live in saigon

[@quocthang7857]

.

[@RogerDat00]

Imagine getting scammed every single day, that’s what it is like 😂😂

[@honguyenminh]

The caps are wayy off lmao

[@spiritgirl2517]

Hmm, I noticed no one is talking about how in South Africa she is a colonizer. History matters 😔

[@babehc]

Vietnam isn’t any more “third world” than South Africa in terms of GDP and GDP per capita. That’s not an economic term. Let’s not use it loosely.

[@ThangTran-cb3yb]

Ms Tran you really need to brush up on your interviewing skills your body language towards the people your asking questions is very off putting 😏

[@bugcatcapoo8613]

The Vietnamese translation is pretty bad lol, even worse than Google Translate.

[@trangnguyen-yx9px]

BS

[@xbmcbox2325]

The girl from South Africa was being real about South Africa. SA used to be a great county. Black people ran the country to ground. I hope South Africa will recover someday.

[@eugene2928]

You talking kak.....most of the white south Africans who says such stuff about SA is just poor white south Africans like you....rich white south Africans are making money in SA and they are living large......I am sure u not educated and u don't own anything...you spend too much time on racism

[@prunecuda1]

Black people are running it to the ground? Well... It's their country. They have been exploited enough. Blet them sort it out for themselves. Afrika for Africans.

[@hacanmc]

người việt mà làm sub như ....

[@kimpham7846]

The subtitle is like shit:)

[@kimpham7846]

The subtitle is like shit.

[@mrgingerman6020]

I didn't like Vietnam at all, i found the people to be not friendly, i would smile at them and they would look back with a stoney face, they are not a friendly people imo i find them to be quite rude and loud, and in some cases you can see that they don't like foreigners.

[@Kickass231000]

WTF? What you said is exactly opposite😅 You are dead wrong, or you faked or you never been to VIETnam lol

[@prunecuda1]

Maybe they just didn't like you. Get a better attitude might help?😢

[@benquach3127]

Great promo video to attract more Farang LBH (losers back home) to come to HCMC 😄But let me share the ugly truths: HCMC is dirty, polluted, trash everywhere, hot & humid, super crowded, reckless drivers, unsanitary foods, full of scammers (locals & expats), corruption, bad western food, & omakase is a joke. Yes, there are some positives which are already all promoted in the video. One positive not sure if mentioned in the video, it's incredibly affordable, esp. for a Vietkieu like me.

[@prunecuda1]

Then why are you there living off them? People like you are never grateful for anything in your life. Take take take from the less fortunate and take take take some more

[@fatmanslim4592]

im assuming the interviewers name is skye tran...tran is a vietnamese last name, is she vietnamese? she looks like a half mix of latino and asian