Vietnam is a tropical country with a hot and humid weather. Although there are full of four seasons in the north, there are only 2 seasons in the south called: rainy and dry season. In the southern, the temperature is always high around 30oC (80oF).

In rainy season, rain is almost squall, rarely to have rain all day like in Japan.

In general, Japanese people are easy to adapt the taste of Vietnam cuisine. Although, there are various herbs in the most of dishes, especially coriander has unique taste, some people have difficulty of eating those kinds of strong herbs, and some restaurants could arrange your request dishes without herbs when you order.

This dynamic country has vastly wide range of cuisine for your taste. You may find yourself from a very luxurious space in a 5 stars French restaurant to an exotic place from a Nepalese cuisine. Especially, it can cool down your missing of the homeland taste with a variety of Japanese cuisine. There is nearly everything for your needs.

It would be very interesting when you can relax yourself with friends in a very Japanese style house, enjoying some fresh delicious Sushi, sipping some sweet cold sake. Or just enjoy your own cooking with imported Japanese products in some gourmet shops which are always at your finger tip.

Most of Japanese expatriates would like to rent an apartment in Thai Van Lung or Le Thanh Ton street in HCMC where gathering most of restaurants including Japanese restaurants, Japanese gourmet shops, cafe and bars. Price of apartments near these areas can be on the high side, but very convenient instead.

The rent would be various rate depending on what location you choose. If it is rather far from the center, it would be reasonable. If you rent a room of Vietnamese families, the price would be at least 200 USD/month in compared with high class service apartment would be 2000 or 3000 USD/month.

Besides, there are still several choices for accommodations. Always, there are some places that suitable to your pocket in Vietnam.

Although Vietnam isn't a heaven for shopping, the experience of shopping in the market such as Ben Thanh would impress you lots. They, the venders, shop assistant are very friendly and willing to help you out. But they easily quote a high rate because you are foreigners and do not know much about the price. Bargaining may be very interesting experience when you enter normal market in Vietnam.

Coming to Vietnam, you might be getting used to going to market daily. This developing country still keeps the traditional ethic that they would prefer going to the market for daily things than a supermarket. However, Supermarket is still a better choice for foreign expatriates. The fixed price and good service make your shopping trips become more convenient and of course more safety. In supermarket, you will find many imported things from Japan even the very original Japanese rice for your home made meals.

Shopping for fashion and accessories in Vietnam is really fantastic. In Saigon, you may find many Japanese fashion style shops along Le Thanh Ton. Even a Japanese fashion designer has decided to live and opened a shop in here. You can still look in style with clothing in many modern malls. Many famous names in fashion have opened their franchise store in Ho Chi Minh City nowadays.

Usually the shops are opened from 7 or 8 am to 11 or 11:30 pm.

The main currency of Vietnam is dong (VND). But until recently, many high class shops and hotels insisted that you pay in US dollars. Now, the Vietnamese law has fixed that all the business must accept payment in dong. It would be very useful if you know that the banknotes come in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong.

You should pay attention that it can be difficult to get change for the larger notes in the market or small shops, so keep a stack of smaller bills handy. The coin has been reintroduced for use in Vietnam with the value of 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000.

You can have your money exchanged in many ways: at the bank, through authorized exchange bureaus and at the hotel reception desk. But it's always more safety when you bring your ATM card or credit cards. In many big cities and towns popular with tourists, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB are accepted. There is now a reasonable extensive network of ATMs in major cities.

The official opening time of Vietnamese banks is usually from 7 am or 8 am to 11am or 11:30am. Some are open from 1pm or 2 pm to 4pm or 5 pm.

We also know that Vietnam is baiku no tengoku, motorbike heaven. The main vehicle in the street is motorbikes. Driving motorbike in Vietnam city is the most convenient. Although you can hire cars with the charge of US$30 to US$40/ day, motorbike and buses are still the most convenient and economic for your daily transportation.

Buses system runs almost everywhere within the country, but it tend to be slow and unreliable. Besides, there are now several of cab suppliers for your daily transportation. But the best choice to travel within a city in Vietnam is still motorbike.

Hiring a motorbike can be very easy, but you should have nerves of steel since the traffic is still in hazard. In case, you are in a hurry, and fearless then try flagging down any passing motorbike. Many people will be happy to give you a lift for a reasonable fee.

Vietnamese people are very friendly with foreigners, even though they seem to watch what you are doing with strange eye. This peaceful country is considered the best safe place all over the South East Asia without terrorism.

You won't feel too pressure if you are living in such a country like Vietnam. A very peaceful without so much stress from an industrial life, you can really enjoy your life here. The life in Vietnam is safety enough to develop your career.

In general, it's quite safety in Vietnam although there are still some minor criminal such as snatch, pick pocket... happens whenever you don't pay much attention to your belonging, especially in holidays.

Moreover, you can easily make friend with others, since the population of Japanese community in Vietnam quite large. The Japanese community in Ho Chi Minh City includes more then 2000. They are living almost in the center of HCMC, especially in District 1. And it's quite interesting with the community that makes you feel like at home.

There are still few entertainment places for Japanese in general. But if you can speak even a little English, you may find some interesting entertainment places in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is considered the city of entertainment. There are lots of entertainments there. If you like theatre, you may find it very interesting to enjoy a real Vietnamese dramatics with English and French subtitles. Or you can relax with the hottest movie in the world in English at some big comfortable cinemas.

Hanging out with friends to some Saigon night clubs make your weekend fantastic. Besides, Saigon cafe is something very unique and original of this blooming city. It would be good experience while trying a cup of espresso coffee watching the peace city in the sunlight of a nice Sunday morning.

Most of Japanese people have insurance, the common insurance is overseas travel accident insurance or credit card includes coverage of insurance.

In case, you forgot to apply or extend your insurance after you left in Japan, you can also apply to local insurance company (BAO MINH).

In Vietnam, the level of medical services can not be the highest level. But you will be transported to hospital in Thailand or Singapore promptly for the best treatment.

Special disease in Asian area except in Japan such as Dengue fever is not rare case.

If you are in bad form, you are highly advised to see the Doctor immediately.

• International SOS
  65 Nguyen Du St., Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
  Tel. 3823-6520 (directly to Japanese clinic)
• Columbia Asia International
  8 Alexandre de Rhodes St., Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
  Tel. 3829-0485 (24hours Japanese assistant service)
• Franco Vietnamese Hospital
  6 Nguyen Luong Bang St. Dist 7, Ho Chi Minh City
  Tel. 3441-3333 (Japanese：1068)
• Family Medical Practice
  34 Le Duan St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
  Tel. 3822-1919 (directly to Japanese clinic)