Today was the grand-day, a month of hardwork (not too much) was all for a 20 min presentation to the tDA associates. I was slightly nervous and so wanted to get it out of my system. Thank goodness that the meeting today will be at Hotel Equatorial level 2 of where we are staying at. All I was thinking about seriously was getting it over and done with and head out to the streets of HCMC.
The other associates prsented what was happening in their country and the current design trends that they are spotting. I particularly enjoyed what Lisa Yong shared about her research work in Asia as well as USA. It allowed me to see that "Ang Moh" is not necessarily all good, Asians still know their market better and more agile towards situations. When it was my turn, I just had to mellow down on how I usually conduct presentations in schools or for corporate meetings. Just sat there and talked about the fashion trends in SG. When we finished, at least my bosses said that it was a well-done job. Thank goodness, I thought I might be fired if I did not do a good job for this. During the short break, I just had to take pictures with the different representatives for the various countries. I truly hope that I will be granted permission to join my bosses in the next scheduled meeting in Mumbai, as I have learnt alot from this short but sweet conference.
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Headed with the group to Bhien Than Market to soak in the atmosphere and hope that I can spend some money. Can u imagine this? I had no other venues to spend my money. Just realised that I am still a "millionaire" at that point. Hahaha. The market was lke any market you would have expected, tourists, provision shops and heaps of handicraft shops. Not too appealing for me as they all looked the same. Nothing "fresh" about them. Packed my bag with some cashew nuts and nothing else was worth it. Took some nice pictures to remember the market by and went back to the hotel with Saxone while the rest headed for more shopping down Opera street, I just wanted to get out from the group and gopefully Cong would bring me to some nice Viet lifetyle.
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Met Cong finally at the lobby @ 7.30pm. As expected, his means of transport was the motor bike. heehee....I was kinda nervous at first. Wondered if I might suffer any injuries from pillion riding. Hahaha. While working n Phuket, I witnessed some nasty injuries sustained by my fellow peers and after that, I got kinda worried. And to think that I am on a bike in HCMC. t was like living life dangerously. LoLx.
We went for dinner at Pho 24, a nice vietnamese chain of restauarants that was clean and dished out great food. As predictable as it seems, I ordered Pho and so did Cong. He explained that Pho is a staple in Vietnam and he eats it like 3 times in a week. Unlike Sg with our wide variety of food.
After dinner was shopping! Trust me I was really hoping to get some real good deals out in the city. After the days of supression, I was more than ready to shop like a millionare. Heehee...but my hopes were dashed after he brought me to the supposed hot spots in HCMC, and claimed that EL managed to squeeze some real deals from them. I was horrified, one after another the shops got more depressing. He even brought me to this shop with nice lookng clothes but basically all fakes! Fake Abercrombie, I almost fainted. Hahaha.... gave up the search and just needed drinks to drown away my sorrows.
Next stop was Club Samsara! I tell you...I almost shouted out in glee! I could actually find a decent club in HCMC with themed like ambience. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed in cowboy outfits and look absolutely stunning. Oh! How cute! The people that were drinking there were also nicely shapped and did not look third world at all. They were fun and had lotsa energy to burn. I downed 5 glasses of Whisky Coke easily under such mood lighting and cool crowd. Cong introed me to his fren with the same name as his. How fun! Vietnam has names that are identical in almost every sense. His fren recognised me from parties and clubs in SG. He travels to SG often for work-related purposes. ow interesting.
We ended the tour of Samsara at 11.45pm as the club closes at the stroke of MN. Next was Apocalypse, it was a mix crowd with many ang mohs there. the atmosphere was much more different than that of Samsara. I must say, for a third world country, this club was still so much better than The Court. Oh, how can HCMC be third world with Vertu and Gucci outlets littered across the city. Hahaha....silly me.
Called it a nght by 12.30pm and headed back to the hotel. I felt like Miss Saigon as the cool breeze carassesd my face calling me back to stay for another hour. I say "Cam On" (Thank You) to HCMC for being a wonderful host to a little boi like me. Saigon will be remembered as a city of lights and hosptality from the citizens.
The other associates prsented what was happening in their country and the current design trends that they are spotting. I particularly enjoyed what Lisa Yong shared about her research work in Asia as well as USA. It allowed me to see that "Ang Moh" is not necessarily all good, Asians still know their market better and more agile towards situations. When it was my turn, I just had to mellow down on how I usually conduct presentations in schools or for corporate meetings. Just sat there and talked about the fashion trends in SG. When we finished, at least my bosses said that it was a well-done job. Thank goodness, I thought I might be fired if I did not do a good job for this. During the short break, I just had to take pictures with the different representatives for the various countries. I truly hope that I will be granted permission to join my bosses in the next scheduled meeting in Mumbai, as I have learnt alot from this short but sweet conference.
================
Headed with the group to Bhien Than Market to soak in the atmosphere and hope that I can spend some money. Can u imagine this? I had no other venues to spend my money. Just realised that I am still a "millionaire" at that point. Hahaha. The market was lke any market you would have expected, tourists, provision shops and heaps of handicraft shops. Not too appealing for me as they all looked the same. Nothing "fresh" about them. Packed my bag with some cashew nuts and nothing else was worth it. Took some nice pictures to remember the market by and went back to the hotel with Saxone while the rest headed for more shopping down Opera street, I just wanted to get out from the group and gopefully Cong would bring me to some nice Viet lifetyle.
===============
Met Cong finally at the lobby @ 7.30pm. As expected, his means of transport was the motor bike. heehee....I was kinda nervous at first. Wondered if I might suffer any injuries from pillion riding. Hahaha. While working n Phuket, I witnessed some nasty injuries sustained by my fellow peers and after that, I got kinda worried. And to think that I am on a bike in HCMC. t was like living life dangerously. LoLx.
We went for dinner at Pho 24, a nice vietnamese chain of restauarants that was clean and dished out great food. As predictable as it seems, I ordered Pho and so did Cong. He explained that Pho is a staple in Vietnam and he eats it like 3 times in a week. Unlike Sg with our wide variety of food.
After dinner was shopping! Trust me I was really hoping to get some real good deals out in the city. After the days of supression, I was more than ready to shop like a millionare. Heehee...but my hopes were dashed after he brought me to the supposed hot spots in HCMC, and claimed that EL managed to squeeze some real deals from them. I was horrified, one after another the shops got more depressing. He even brought me to this shop with nice lookng clothes but basically all fakes! Fake Abercrombie, I almost fainted. Hahaha.... gave up the search and just needed drinks to drown away my sorrows.
Next stop was Club Samsara! I tell you...I almost shouted out in glee! I could actually find a decent club in HCMC with themed like ambience. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed in cowboy outfits and look absolutely stunning. Oh! How cute! The people that were drinking there were also nicely shapped and did not look third world at all. They were fun and had lotsa energy to burn. I downed 5 glasses of Whisky Coke easily under such mood lighting and cool crowd. Cong introed me to his fren with the same name as his. How fun! Vietnam has names that are identical in almost every sense. His fren recognised me from parties and clubs in SG. He travels to SG often for work-related purposes. ow interesting.
We ended the tour of Samsara at 11.45pm as the club closes at the stroke of MN. Next was Apocalypse, it was a mix crowd with many ang mohs there. the atmosphere was much more different than that of Samsara. I must say, for a third world country, this club was still so much better than The Court. Oh, how can HCMC be third world with Vertu and Gucci outlets littered across the city. Hahaha....silly me.
Called it a nght by 12.30pm and headed back to the hotel. I felt like Miss Saigon as the cool breeze carassesd my face calling me back to stay for another hour. I say "Cam On" (Thank You) to HCMC for being a wonderful host to a little boi like me. Saigon will be remembered as a city of lights and hosptality from the citizens.
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