Infrastructure in Vietnam

As many of you know, Ho Chi Minh City is the most populated and developed city in Vietnam. I have lived here for about 10 years. The city's infrastructure is constantly improving, and I see it becoming more convenient every day. Recently, the new Metro (subway) was built, and electric vehicles are increasing. My hometown is Osaka, Japan, but Ho Chi Minh City is so developed that I sometimes feel it is even more convenient than my hometown.

Even in this modern city, power outages (blackouts) still happen often in some areas. In the suburbs, it happens about five times a year. Sometimes these are planned, but sometimes the power just cuts off suddenly without warning. Compared to Japan, this can be inconvenient. It’s hard when you can’t use your computer or Wi-Fi during work.

However, when the power finally comes back on, everyone feels so happy! At my office, people cheer and celebrate like it’s a festival. In Vietnam, people find joy even in these inconveniences. I used to work at a Japanese language school. When the power went out, we had to stop the lesson. But since the students had already come to class, we lit candles and just chatted. Perhaps because of the unusual atmosphere, I remember having great conversations even with the shy and quiet students.

Regarding tap water, we basically do not drink it. Most people buy bottled water at supermarkets or use water dispensers at home and the office. Many Vietnamese people say tap water is safe if you boil it, but I don't recommend this for foreigners who are not used to it. It is very "hard water" and might cause a stomachache.

I once tried to save money by drinking boiled tap water frequently, but I got sick. I learned that you shouldn't be stingy with water! It’s better to buy plenty of bottled water. Many restaurants use tap water for their soups, which is usually fine in small amounts.

Types of Bottled Water: The two most famous brands are Lavie and Aquafina. There are other brands, but these two are the most popular because they are cheap. You can also find Evian or Fiji at convenience stores, but they are too expensive for most people. I have almost never seen anyone buying them.

Water Cuts: Water stops about once or twice a year. Usually, it happens at night, and they often notify us in advance. However, since it can happen suddenly, I recommend keeping about 5 liters of tap water in containers just in case. Some people use tap water for cooking, but it’s a good idea to have extra bottled water for emergencies. I have brushed my teeth using bottled water many times—it feels a bit "luxurious!"

Most apartments in Vietnam do not have gas pipes. Instead, we call a delivery service to bring gas cylinders to our kitchens. I often see people carrying two heavy gas cylinders on a motorbike. Even though they are very heavy, the drivers balance them perfectly. I am always amazed by the great sense of balance Vietnamese people have.

University dormitories in Vietnam usually do not have kitchens. This is probably to prevent fires. Therefore, many students eat out for most of their meals. When the Lunar New Year (Tet) or long holidays approach, they take time off early to go back to their hometowns and eat their mother's cooking. Even for Vietnamese people, eating out all the time gets tiring, and they start to miss home-cooked meals!

That’s all for today about infrastructure in Vietnam. Are there any similarities with your country?

By Takkun