A Day in the Life of an American in Saigon Vietnam

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A Day in the Life of an American in Saigon Vietnam

Рет қаралды 12,861

Күн бұрын

In this travel/expat vlog, I show you what a day looks like for me as an American living in Saigon, Vietnam. I show you: my morning routine, Vietnamese street food breakfast, Vietnamese coffee (a couple of times), my gym, Vietnamese street food lunch, a Vietnamese language lesson, and then into the evening.
Hopefully this video reaches anyone who is interested in what life is like here as an expat in Vietnam!
INSTAGRAM FOR MY VIETNAMESE TEACHER (Tuyen):
/ coctaisuada
INSTAGRAM FOR PERSONAL TRAINER (Raymond):
/ rmdtds190b122d220
This video was filmed in Binh Thanh and District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Times House - Coffee & Bar
Chung cư, 79A Phạm Viết Chánh, Phường 19, Bình Thạnh, Hồ Chí Minh
Friendly Coffee Lady
Mê Linh Street, Binh Thanh, Ward 19
BODY FIX - Fitness Center
07 Đường số 5, Khu đô thị An Phú An Khánh, Thủ Đức, Hồ Chí Minh
Chicken Rice Place
112 Đ. Trần Não
Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoyed this travel/expat vlog.
If you did, please like, subscribe, and comment as it really helps out my channel.
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Thank you!
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FACEBOOK ►
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#expat #dailylife #vietnam

Пікірлер: 155

@loveviet2007 Ай бұрын

Drink coffee in the morning in a small alley. Wow, What a life. Love your moments.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

thank you!

@Eatshhhushi Ай бұрын

What a relaxing life! No stress. I only travel to VN for vacation once every 5-6 years. Wish I could go more often to reduce a stressful life in America. Maybe once I retire in a million years I will go back.

@KK-FL Ай бұрын

Thanks from all the ladies for not skipping leg day! 😂😂 Also thanks for linking your Vietnamese teacher!

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

leg day is probably my favorite because I can actually get a really good cardio workout from the lifting too...and you're welcome! she's a great teacher

@mr.randolph5582 Ай бұрын

I like the fact she served you in a Glass, not a plastic cup.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

yeah she only uses the plastic for to-go drinks

@minhho8719 Ай бұрын

It's good to c that UR taken care of yr health 4 drinking 2 cups of coffee without milk n sugar, n boosting yr vitamin C intake with 2 fresh orange juice. That's what i call self control. And also d gym workout as well. Good on U!

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

cheers! thank you

@maheraref7289 Ай бұрын

I enjoy watching these small details about the daily routine.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

@grantos28cars 28 күн бұрын

No frills, just what I needed to see. Thinking about making the move from New Zealand, Thanks for that.

@BigTimeBentley 28 күн бұрын

@@grantos28cars nice!

@maximustitan8171 Ай бұрын

Any Westerner that came to vietnam and lived there and able to learn the lanqauge. Thats a plus and deserves a sub and thump up.

@ztokkiz Ай бұрын

Binh Thanh is literally the most "saigonese" district in the city, it's like not too poor but not too rich, imo it represents the realest life of a saigonese. Good choice.

@AndreImmabe Ай бұрын

Bình Thạnh is probably the most weird district in Vietnam actually but quintessentially Vietnamese. Bình Thạnh has the tallest building in Vietnam but also has swamp land with cows and buffalo hanging around. The weird blend of modernity and the past

@TuanNhat-vf9do Ай бұрын

Bình Thạnh đa số dân tứ xứ nhiều 😂

@ztokkiz Ай бұрын

@@AndreImmabe i avoid using the word vietnamese just in case northern folks come and pick on my words haha.

@tuannguyenthanh6149 Ай бұрын

BT là Lục địa già của SG. Tôi ở Q7 còn rất trẻ.

@tuananhtranhuu Ай бұрын

When Saigon had the official name Saigon, Bình Thạnh did not belong to Saigon but the province of Gia Định. Before 1976 Sài gòn was the area now district1,3,5 and Bn

@ptiaptia7347 Ай бұрын

so relaxed, easy life. Am envy.

@EVITPOF Ай бұрын

I saw that small chair thing numerous times in vids. You have the answer: double it up. Gotta remember this when I come in autumn :)

@markholland6657 27 күн бұрын

best way to learn a language.. talk to everyone and never be scared to make mistakes.. keep trying/practicing... good on ya man! most dont even try!!

@BigTimeBentley 26 күн бұрын

cheers man I appreciate that

@HenryWrideExplores Ай бұрын

I miss Vietnamese coffee so much!

@FG-yl3oj Ай бұрын

You look so relaxed. What an awesome life. I only briefly enjoyed life when we had covid lockdowns (ironically). I didn't have to work and all I had to worry about was what to eat and what to drink. Grillin n chillin. Those were some good days. 😎

@maryssaadams9421 Ай бұрын

This was a great video!! Love your confidence and steady vibe in such a fast paced environment.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

thank you!

@binhkyla1252 Ай бұрын

This is Amazing Beef Stew so nice! Thanks Tyler u always make videos better then someone.👍👍👍❤️❤️🥰🥰💪💪💪✌️✌️✌️💝💝💝🤩🤩🤩

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@ChrissieSM Ай бұрын

Talking about the Eagles, my favorite piece is Doolin Dalton the Reprise/Desperado. Incredible transition.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

I'll check that out...love desperado

@datnguyen1615 Ай бұрын

Oh man! I listen entire your mono dialog about your life in Socal. I felt it man because I am in that situation now. I feel total stucked in California. I am a little bit different from you because I am Vietnamese abroads as my family. I went back there in 2002 since then I never go back because I got a very bad treats from friends, family and vendors. America has so many goods and as much bads. I have done with American dreams such as college graduated, entrepreneurs, own houses. But when I got divorced, I realized that how America wealth create a bizarre individual..I have no clue in our country any more man( means America). Though I am a government employees. I am going to retired early in a few year. Vietnam, my formed country is my though but those experiences back 2002 that hold me back man! I keep seeing your clips because your perspective in life so compatible mines.

@MeowTX Ай бұрын

Where did you visit back in 2002? Things have changed quite a bit. I left in 2010 and haven’t been back but i can’t wait to come back.

@KhanhNguyen-le5hd Ай бұрын

Have you ever heard of White privilege? It exists in America of course, and everywhere else on this Earth.

@ffn4s08 Ай бұрын

Well i listen to Eagles's Last Resort all the time..

@tommyho78 Ай бұрын

u live right by me...let's catch coffee and bo kho when i get back to saigon

@kenngo4434 Ай бұрын

I like to meet you when you come to Vung Tau. Love your positive of life here in Việt Nam!. America is not use to be.

@danielou01 Ай бұрын

From a new subscriber 😉 I was wondering, if you could talk about the French influence you could find in Vietnam still 😉thanks. Keep up the good work 👍🙏love your work and videos 🙏🙏

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

could be a good idea for a future video...and thanks!

@Mr.DJones Ай бұрын

Thank you for your time and posting. Could you please move to Hanoi so I can get more info about that city? That would be great... Thanks. :) Edit: I learned two things that nobody else has said. 1. I can double up the seats. I'm 6'2" with a replaced knee so... 2. Glad to know I can learn Vietnamese if I decide to retire there. Ya.

@a_sea_oasis Ай бұрын

Hi. I am a Vietnamese American. I have lived in California nearly 45 years (July 2024). I have not been back to Saigon, my birth city. I wanted to see Da Lat in the high land of Vietnam one day. However I wonder if I can endure the high heat and the unforgiving humidity there (not talking about flying crockroaches from wall to wall in my childhood) 😱 You can begin to get familiar with Vietnamese language and conversation on youtube. Best wishes.

@wonderfulworld572 Ай бұрын

@@a_sea_oasis-Da Lat is very cool. U don't have to worry about the heat. But SG is very humid n hot

@a_sea_oasis Ай бұрын

@@wonderfulworld572 I would love to see Ha Noi where my parents were born. I live in south coast California. The weather is so nice here all year long. I have seen many Vietnamese American moved to DaNang, Vung Tau, Thu Duc Nha Trang for retirement. Thanks for sharing.

@GlimpseInParadise Ай бұрын

Wow, videos are getting better man. Great work! So cool how you are learning their language, I can see how much they appreciate it.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

Thanks! 😃

@helenmac6405 Ай бұрын

we was in Saigon few days ago. Im surprised that you like Vietnam. Im a Vienamese American living in southern CA. I just cant stand the hot weather there . Im just spoil living in US and my standard a bit high. Street foods dont look too appealing to me. Its cheap there for sure but after 2 weeks. Im so home sick. Your vietnamese is very good. Keep it up!

@stoneform Ай бұрын

Love your channel man. You seem like you genuinely enjoy living in Vietnam and could live there for a long time. Thanks for sharing your experiences

@victoriapham5745 Ай бұрын

OMG. you listen to the Eagle? Nice! Good taste. 👏👍💜

@ChrissieSM Ай бұрын

Eagles, one of my favorite groups.

@earthtrotterjones7835 Ай бұрын

Great video this is kind of how I envision my life when I retire and live in Vietnam with my wife barring some difference of course. Great visual for me thanks! Also I think the hoodie and AC feels like California 😎 that’s why it’s cozy

@jimjohandes Ай бұрын

I enjoy drinking my coffee in the morning and watching your videos!! Jim in California

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@jimjohandes cheers from Saigon to California

@keithhogg1963 Ай бұрын

Nice neighborhood, good prices on food. I triple up on those stools. Sometimes with 4 lol

@lemmykilminster111 Ай бұрын

Le bo kho est l'héritage du bœuf aux carottes du temps des Français (1858~1954)

@daisysaephan-souza6392 Ай бұрын

Heyyy Tyler! Great to see you're back in Vietnam. And good for you for starting up in the gym. Keep your grind in the gym and you will feel so much better when completing an exercise. 😊

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

@markwilliams5852 Ай бұрын

LOL. You forgot to switch to english for the address of that com tam restaurant. Nhà hàng cơm tấm. I do stuff like that too by mistake and sometimes even dream in Vietnamese.

@maximustitan8171 Ай бұрын

You could do a street interview with the foreigns travel abroad Vietnam for more content.

@theelder91 Ай бұрын

don't drink so much orange juice or any other juices (sugar). stay with water or coconut juice.

@vanbui200669 7 күн бұрын

Love your video man. I’ve been thinking of retiring in VN when the time comes, but doing visa run every few months is nuts. How often do you have to renew your visa?

@nicolacrickmar8829 Ай бұрын

Interesting, love black coffee, fresh orange juice. Food looked good, cheap. One question though, how do you financially support your life there? Rent, utilities, food, gym....is your KZfaq channel covering your time there?

@nguyenhuyhoang1010 Ай бұрын

Chào bạn, đi chơi công viên và vườn bách thú Hà Nội ra Sài Gòn. 🇻🇳 1. Công viên Hồ Tây 2. Công viên Thủ Lệ 3. Công viên Thiên đường Bảo Sơn 4. Thảo cầm viên Sài Gòn 5. Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc.

@david94134 Ай бұрын

your Vietnamese is good.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

thank you!

@gaolutsoctrang4507 Ай бұрын

Here's probably some new content for you. I'm wondering if going to the gym in Vietnam is different from that in America! It would be great if you have a video talking about it.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

good video idea!

@tomhiddleston58 Ай бұрын

Wow great video ❤❤❤❤❤

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

thank you!

@mais6105 Ай бұрын

In Germany Pay only for Gas and Electric 300eu/ 1month ..one person .. Vietnam very Cheap..Good life..

@baongo1336 Ай бұрын

Dude this is the life! In the US im grinding every fk day.

@Tommytranwildchild Ай бұрын

Nightmarket food video.. Or supermall visit. Or hotel ranking

@johntobin4170 Ай бұрын

Heard a Vienamese guy sing a horrible rendition of "Hotel California" the other day in Da Nang, hiarious!

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

haha livin it up at the hotel california

@UncleHoCM Ай бұрын

🙂

@christopher3979 Ай бұрын

Living the dream.

@chesterphung1143 Ай бұрын

Great job bros that was one of my favorite dish looks delicious should be highest dink rate say hi to tran/dad Anthony Bourdain lol❤🎉😮

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

Will do!

@benberkowitz9617 Ай бұрын

👍

@yamuiemata Ай бұрын

That was a really short day 😅

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

that was my 9 to 5

@steph_raro Ай бұрын

Lol, enjoying the coolth of the A/C

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@steph_raro COOLTH

@HueNguyen-sh2dv Ай бұрын

Love how you're so humble! Will be in saigon in 3 weeks. Definitely will check out the street food. My first time to Vietnam.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@HueNguyen-sh2dv hope you have a great time!

@markosarkanj8524 14 күн бұрын

You need to watch a bit on nutrition, just going to gym isn't enough. I started making real progress just when started eating clean and tracking calories in addition to exercising.

@jonathanhuynh43 Ай бұрын

Make me thinking quick my day Job and move across the Pacific Ocean to Vietnam.

@leavinforadream Ай бұрын

I really liking what I am seeing in Vietnam, both Da Nang and now Saigon. I am wanting to retire though in Thailand because of the retirement visa and access to a Veterans Administration health facility. I loved that view of Landmark 81 too and I would probably look at staying in a condo if I were to live there permanently. Landmark 81 reminded me of Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan which was very nice. Some very high end stores, a Starbucks, and an Apple Store inside. One of two in Taipei. Great video and I will listen to the Eagles on the way to work. Great video.

@tylertran93nsx Ай бұрын

Tyler can I ask how much you spend a month on expenses for housing and food… just want to get a picture how much it cost to live in Vietnam a month and does KZfaq pay for all of it? I’m jealous.😊

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

I'll do a cost of living video in the future

@huy8479 Ай бұрын

Can you do a video about getting enough daily protein (0.8g to 1g per body weight in lbs) in VN without whey? Would be an interesting video. Keep up the good work!

@user-iw5rr6cs4d Ай бұрын

✌️🇻🇳🇺🇸😁👍

@gavinpierce5729 Ай бұрын

hey bruh im bouta live in saigon all summer lets meet up

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

give me a shout when you're here

@horstwassermann5957 Ай бұрын

When do you teach?

@sontruong2301 Ай бұрын

😎👍

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

cheers bro

@pickledbeaker5916 Ай бұрын

Very likeable guy Isn't too hot there to be outside? is food poisoning an issue?

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

it's very hot but you get a little bit used to it...food poisoning happens, but I haven't it happen in 7 years now *knock on wood*

@benquach3127 Ай бұрын

Oh man, u r not in PVC anymore. I'm testing out PVC next month for 2 weeks. Then DaNang. I've been to DaNang b4. It's much better, & cheaper than HCMC :)

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

I'm still in the PVC hood

@benquach3127 Ай бұрын

@@BigTimeBentley Cool, going back to Cali for a month, but be back in August, will stay in PVC for 2 weeks, maybe I will run into u :)

@conkiendien 24 күн бұрын

cofee and cigarette feel good man.

@neyler9314 Ай бұрын

Do you get lonely living there without families, friends, etc?

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

I miss my family but I've got a lot of friends here

@BANH_MI_NEW-YORK_TORONTO Ай бұрын

@mr.randolph5582 Ай бұрын

That was not a boat. It was a Barge LOL

@humanconnectionflores Ай бұрын

In Hanoi, my goodness, was it loud

@dalesmf4310 Ай бұрын

What’s the norm for having to renew visas? Every 30 , 60, 90 days? Is it a border run? Type of thing.. what options?

@13691john Ай бұрын

Do you work aswell as vlogging on youtube?

@oscar-lo4hc Ай бұрын

Can they get rid of the trash lying around on the ground?

@user-re9nc6ob2r Ай бұрын

*_Xin chào_* !

@rogregen4419 21 күн бұрын

Im 6'3" and about the same weight. How hard is it to find clothes that fit well?

@BigTimeBentley 21 күн бұрын

@@rogregen4419 quite hard. There’s one market in district 5 Saigon (Russian market) that sells our size. Every other local market would be tough to find our size. I usually just get my clothes when I got to America (which is why I don’t have a super diverse wardrobe lol)

@MisterSuki Ай бұрын

Just curious Sir, I hear good things about Dalat from expats. Have you visited?

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@MisterSuki yeah it’s a cool place just much smaller

@MisterSuki Ай бұрын

@@BigTimeBentley Apologies Sir, I meant DaNang. It looks awesome, the beach etc.

@mahlanie Ай бұрын

Do you ever go up North? I noticed most of your videos are in the same city or district.

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

I have a few times...I'll do some more traveling in the near future

@pwoodhou Ай бұрын

Are you working at all or just retiring?

@mr.randolph5582 Ай бұрын

Play Eminem

@rowdyraven2009 Ай бұрын

where is the hygiene.?..the hand washing.. the sanitary cleaning of hands and food prep.?..

@HolySpirits-e5w Ай бұрын

Can you drink water in Vietnam? I see you drink cold water and ice so it should be safe enough to do so. Thanks

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@HolySpirits-e5w your main water drinking should be filtered or bottled, but you can drink the ice, brush your teeth with the sink water, etc without worrying. At least that’s been my experience. But you shouldn’t drink the tap water as your primary source of hydration

@Yas-sx6rm Ай бұрын

I shouldn't have laughed at that badminton joke....!

@ombeomusic3364 Ай бұрын

Do you still teach english or do something else now?

@mr.randolph5582 Ай бұрын

Skin and Fat is OK. It's the right kind of fat thats OK.

@dominiquetran5163 Ай бұрын

Hi there . Please share your vietnamese teacher coordinates. And the cost of her lesson. Thanks 😊

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

@@dominiquetran5163 her Instagram is in the description, you can message her directly for prices

@lehai1372 Ай бұрын

I think the Cơm Tấm lady doesn't look too happy when you address her as "cô". I think she is not that older than you so addressing her as "chị" sounds better to me. Besides, finishing lunch at 3pm and then having dinner at 5pm, why having 2 heavy meals so close to each other like that?

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

pretty light lunch, was just a chicken leg...and yeah since I'm calling her husband anh I should probably switch to chi for her

@MadawaskaObservatory Ай бұрын

I'm amazed at your Vietnamese, you don't use chopsticks?

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

thank you...I use chopsticks for other meals, but beef stew with bread is just a spoon

@ongxa9346 Ай бұрын

A slippery slope with a romantic lifestyle at the top, and hedonistic excess at the bottom.

@johntruong7646 Ай бұрын

no wonder your vietnamese accent is good when you said "bo kho" b.c you have a Vietnamese Teacher lol

@loudmacleodsadventure3782 Ай бұрын

All day no shower wow lmao

@BigTimeBentley Ай бұрын

gotta earn that shower

@loudmacleodsadventure3782 Ай бұрын

@@BigTimeBentley i shower 3 four times a day in them warm countries if can

@BANH_MI_NEW-YORK_TORONTO Ай бұрын

I will teach you vietnamese for free....

@thaido3220 Ай бұрын

Even you are “fluent” in Vietnamese because the locals politely say so don’t take it like you are an expert. Remember speaking Vietnamese is a survival tool when you need to use it. If you make a living as an English teacher it’s better to help the students with your English not your Vietnamese because the parents of those students pay you a lot of money so their kids could learn something from you and maybe speaking English w/o an accent. However when you socialize with the locals it’s good to understand and speak Vietnamese so they cannot scam you. That’s all. Remember when you are already an adult it’s very difficult to master a language like kids do. I live in the US for many many years and sometimes I receive a “compliment” like “Your English is very good” and it makes me mad.😡 Just kidding.

@thaido3220 Ай бұрын

You don’t need to speak Vietnamese when you are in the country. The reason is people who don’t understand or speak English belong to the working class and it’s just fun for them that you try to speak to them in Vietnamese. However if you want to make a living in VN by teaching English you should play dumb and limit your Vietnamese speaking skill to a minimum because your students expect you to teach them and converse with them in English and not Vietnamese. May be I am wrong but Vietnamese who can afford to pay someone to teach them English are very “arrogant” and want to show off a lot and it’s not their fault because the media keeps telling them that VN is #1 and soon will surpass even Singapore. One typical example is when they won a soccer match vs Thailand they paraded in the streets, insulted the Thai’s players and partied all night to wake up drunk and go to work for a company owned by Thai’s business man.

@gaolutsoctrang4507 Ай бұрын

"You don’t need to speak Vietnamese when you are in the country"???? That comment alone clearly proved you totally ignorant. If you live in a foreign country for quite a while and you don't need to learn/speak the language of that country, you would be in trouble. What happens if you get sick and need to see a medical doctor? Learning some common phrases/sentences of the new language to daily communicate with local people will help make your life better. There's no question of that. Regarding your comment about soccer, it's just a game, after all. Sometimes we win, sometimes they win. Life comes back to normal as usual and nobody cares after that. How many people in the world knew or remembered Michel François Platini? Not many did! There's an American saying: "Stupid is as stupid does".