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They Told Me to Avoid This Place in Vietnam

Robert Berg

94,629 views

Exploring one of the poorest districts in Saigon, Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City travel vlog. Almost no foreigners ever come here.

This time, I head into District 8, one of the poorer parts of Ho Chi Minh City and home to large slum communities. I had also been warned about the poverty and danger before coming here, but rather than judge the area from the outside, I wanted to experience it for myself.

Alone and with no real plan, I spend the day exploring District 8, meeting locals and seeing where the streets take me.

And through it all, I have one big question in mind: How will people here treat me as a foreigner?

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20 Comments

@BGL1214 2 months ago

Sup dude! I am a local in district 8. The whole place is getting cleared out rn so you may have captured the very last moments of my hometown. I am glad that you enjoyed the trip there!

@curiositytalk 2 months ago (edited)

If you wear shoes, don't walk into their living room. That lady helping you with coffee was very nice.

@TrầnHuyHoàng-e3d 2 months ago

I'm confident that in Vietnam all places are safe! some areas could be poor but people are kind and hospitable. Vietnamese parents usually teach their kids that Even if the paper is torn, its margin must be kept. (A clean fast is better than a dirty breakfast), it means always maintain your moral integrity, no matter how hard life gets.

@NovaDecoded8 2 months ago

Nice people; people are warm, and they will give the shirt off their back for you, even though they are poor. Cheers.

@annapham1811 1 month ago

13:35 the lady who helped you find a coffee shop was really nice.

@tieudiet3soc 2 months ago

District 4 and 8 used to be the hideout of the biggest mafia gang in Vietnam since 1960 to 2001, and the mastermind (Năm Cam) was finally caught in 2001. That's why these two districts were said to be "dangerous" for decades, and rich people moved out, making the place more affordable. But even back then, it's nowhere as dangerous as a typical ghetto in America or Philippines, ordinary citizens could still walk around at midnight without worrying about being killed or kidnapped.

@Skybumzee 2 hours ago

my grandma lives and district 8 and now she's going to the USA to work even tho her hometown is in district 8

@kbee613 1 month ago

The Vietnamese people are so kind and genuine.

@goldcoastrob984 2 months ago

Good afternoon from Australia
Vietnam is a very beautiful place and so full of beautiful kind friendly people
Honestly spend three months just visiting different places
You will encounter some amazing Vietnamese food and people

@hanntgh 2 months ago

Yes! My Vietnamese people are literally one of the friendliest people ❤

@MrDdz 1 month ago

4:38 he said the roasted duck is sold whole only, not for the sandwhich.

@SangHendrix 2 months ago

The thing about tipping is that if you do that in fancy restaurants—they welcome it. But outside of that, many people are happy to greet you or do nice things purely out of kindness. If you tip them, it might make their gesture feel less genuine, as if it turned into a transaction.

@QUATETVIET68-LUXURY 1 month ago

Vietnamese people are very friendly and particularly fond of Westerners; residents in local neighborhoods are very welcoming. Instances of overcharging foreign tourists tend to occur only in areas frequently visited by travelers, such as District 1. You can freely enter residential areas in Vietnam, and it is very safe to do so.

@hai4411 2 months ago

Vietnamese people are simply the sweetest, they have so less but still pay your coffee and don't accept tips. Love the fact that you try really hard to communicate!

@nicholasbishop5892 1 month ago (edited)

Thank you, Robert. I live in District 8 and it is a great area, even though most of the people are not that rich here.

@sugarpil7586 2 months ago (edited)

We have a lot of local districts, you dont have to go to district 8 only. But wow, people are sooooo kind!!

@kathybui1918 1 month ago

The young man at the end of video is very kind and he could speak very well English.

@vinhiq 2 months ago

Another FOB (Fresh of the Boat) Youtuber from Sweden comes to Vietnam, explore a real life in ghetto neighborhood area, and found friendly people. Look so chill.