There are many things to love about Ho Chi Minh City, but just like the good, there can also be things that are not so pleasant. For expats, one of the most common problems encountered is the language barrier and cultural misunderstandings. In general, it’s the occasional rip offs, bribes, and red tape that makes the system more complicated than it has to be. There’s also heavy traffic and the “unique” driving style of people makes it scary just to even cross the street. And just like any city, there is a lot of noise and pollution. There used to be a lot of periodic flooding and power outages in Saigon but over the years, this has improved. Expect to be target for thieves too, if you’re foreign looking as people usually think you have more money.

For Information on air pollution go to Air Pollution in Vietnamese Cities Threatens Young Lives