My first time visited Vietnam was in 2009. During that year I did not see any tall buildings as yet. As I remembered, we just shopped at Ben Tanh Market, Saigon Square, night market and at small shops and boutiques at the old buildings. We went to Cu Chi Tunnel , Mekong River , and war museums while some of us who a little more adventure, they went to water puppet show and massages. It was an authentic company trip as compared to what we have in Kuala Lumpur at that time.
In 2013 I went to Ho Chi Minh again , but this time with my small family, my husband and my daughter. It was a last minutes arrangement and we went to view Shakira's new school. It was more like an induction session for my husband who will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh for a work assignment. We were there for 3 days 2 nights and it was during the New Year celebration. That time, I saw not much differences from the first time I came to Ho Chi Minh City. I only saw few new tall buildings but not as tall as buildings in Kuala Lumpur. The traditional concept restaurant with very low chairs (looks like squatting when you sit on it) and very low table were still occupying old buildings to cater working peoples around the city.
2014 we arrived Ho Chi Minh in August while my husband came earlier in February. I was impressed when I saw new high raise building were under construction in the town center. I was wondered why were the expats residing in District 2 (Quan Hai) instead of District 1 (Quan Mot) where there were not much of shopping mall in District 2. There are only Parkson and METRO in District 2 which are located in An Phu area, while most expat are residing at Thao Dien.
Most of International Schools are located in Thao Dien and only one International School near to An Phu area, that is AIS Thu Thiem campus. Shakira is schooling at AIS Thu Thiem campus which is the main campus of AIS. At the main campus they have the kindergarten, the primary and the secondary. In 2014 the apartment that we currently occupying was just opened and not many people residing in yet. In front of our apartment there was an empty land where you can see a lot of cows and there were few huts on that empty land. There are only 3 apartment complexes near to our apartment including the one apartment that attached to Parkson.
Now in 2016 , there is one giant mall was built in just 2 years called Vincom Mega Mall and it is as big as Subang Parade. It is now add varieties and options to expats living surrounding areas within District 2. I can see a lot more new restaurants with modern concepts were built along the roadside towards to our apartments. From only 2 traditional coffee shops now there are more new concepts restaurants were built to cater the increasing communities surroundings the area. The recent development is the new opening of new mix development of apartments, office and commercial buildings behind our current apartment. I can see now their MRT developments through our windows. The MRT project will mark their economic level is competitive as other ASEAN countries.
As conclusion,Vietnam is developing rapidly like when Malaysia was in the 1990's and their people are now struggling developing their country and nation via the economic activities. This rapid development will push their economic going upwards in fast phase. However, this development should be monitored closely on its quality in terms of product , services, and deliverable. Otherwise people would have perception Vietnam as the 2nd China ( very good economic growth but well known of their imitations and low quality products).
As Malaysian I'm still proud that I was born as Malaysian. "Happy Malaysia Day" to everyone in Malaysia.
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