The Lost Art of Jewelry Cleaning

Who knew?  One of my rings was looking a little dull so while I was out this morning I decided to pop into one of the many jewelry shops near the Market.  I was led to the back of the shop and was introduced to what I can only assume is the lost art of cleaning the shiny stuff.  I'm not kidding.  My ring just had the jewelry equivalent of a day spa!

Firstly the piece was assessed and a plan formulated.

It was then give a good polish.

He then wrapped a piece of copper wire around it and dunked it in this concoction.  Don't ask, I have no idea. It bubbled away in it's little spa for a good 3 minutes, raising out for a breath and an inspection every so often.

He then went all mad professor on me.  He attached in to a machine, twiddled the dials and rotated it through 3 different science beakers filled with I have no idea what.

I kid you not....he then gave it a blow dry.  Talk about a happy ending! (well if I am totally honest it was not THAT happy because he dried it with toilet paper).

And there you have it.  One sparkly ring ready to go in under 15 minutes.  How much for this incredible jewelry day spa I hear you ask.  50,000VND.  Thats about $2.50.  I KNOW!  If you are over here on a holiday it might be worth spending a few bucks and getting your stuff cleaned.  I have no idea what it would cost back in Aus but I doubt it's less than $2.50!

Yersin Market - not your average market!

Cho Dan Sinh, or Yersin Market (named after the street it sits on), is not your average market!  If you are an Aussie you will understand what I mean when I say it is kind of like Aussie Disposals on steroids.  Want to get all the good gear for a camping trip....head here.  Want to find "real" war memorabilia.....here is your market.  Want to mobilise an army in full gear...look no further!  I took a wander through the other morning.  I am nothing if not versatile, any market is a good market to me!

I ended up buying these cool blank dog tags from this lady.  I shall get them engraved by the guy on the corner of Pasteur and Le Loi and use them as suitcase tags.  She had an astounding array of torches, lasers, compasses etc.

Quite deceptive from the outside, the place is a huge bunker which appears to take up nearly a whole block.  Even then, it spills out into the surrounds of District 1.

Need some crime scene tape, they got you covered!

The old memorabilia I assume would be a bit hit and miss with regards to it's authenticity.  I have no doubt some of the stuff is real but I do remember reading a statistic once that stated there were more dog tags here than serving personal.  

Whilst the dog tags might be a bit iffy, I'm pretty sure some of the other little gems are the real deal.  I mean, why would you reproduce foot powder?

Vietnam LOVES a uniform!

Once you have stocked up on you metal detecting wand to satisfy your inner airport security guard and picked up that night vision gear and gas mask you have been meaning to buy, head to the other section.  There you will find just about every sort of tool and device that any bloke (or chick) could desire for their handyman needs.

It's very low key shopping.  The vendors pretty much leave you alone.  When it's time for a snack there is a small kitchen that was whipping up a feast as I went past.

There are a few shops like this one that I pottered around in for about an hour.  Old photos and postcards, lamps, coins, medals, military tools and the like.  Very eclectic mix.  It's fascinating stepping back in time.   One mans trash is another mans treasure so they say.

They also have a great range of electrical appliances.  A lot of it is industrial sized but I may even head back to get one of those industrial strength blenders for $90.  Just like the ones you see in all of the juice bars.  I think this place is definitely worth a look if you have time.  I love just wandering through and chatting to the vendors and seeing what is out there and what is left over from the past.  Yes, you can even buy the kitchen sink.

Yersin Market
104 Yersin
District 1

Topshop/Topman and Warehouse.Co.UK in Ho Chi Minh city

Walking past Bitexco the other day I note that Topshop is now open.  It also contains a shop called Topman which I assume, is, well, Topshop for men.  I only had a minute or two so I had a very brief look.  I liked what I saw.  Prices were not as unreasonable as a lot of the shops in the major shopping centres and there were some nice pieces of jewellery and accessories like handbags etc.  Will have to head back and have a proper look soon.  The address is ICON 68 - Bitexco Financial Tower.  Unit 1, Ground floor and 1st floor.  Number 2 Hai Trieu St, District One.

Whilst there I noticed a sign for Warehouse CO.UK.  I did not have time to go up to the second floor but it appears to be another British mid-price clothing shop.  Again, I'll have to head back and check it out.  Happy shopping!

Mega Shopping Spree!

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take myself on a bit of a mega shopping spree on Saturday.  A bus had been hired and a group of us were to hit some of the big factories that are a bit further out of town.  The first stop was the Minh Long factory.  They of course have all of the beautiful dinner sets etc but I think what most of us had come for was the "seconds" shop upstairs.  Row after row after row of china with more designs than you can poke a stick at.  There are varying degrees of "seconds" so you need to be a little careful in your choice but there are enough there that you can easily pick up sets where I really could not find anything wrong with them at all.  I filled up my shopping trolley with things from plates, cups, platters, bowls and even little soy dishes and servers.  I was a tad nervous I may have over done it.  110 pieces in all.  I nearly fell over backwards when she told me the total.  Luckily in a good way.  $128.  Yup. $128.  Yipee!!!

Click on this link for all of the details.  It's about 45 mins out of town. Minh Long

Our next stop was Gomo.  It is aimed at all things for the home including not only furnishings but bedding and all sort of decorative ware.  Lamps and placemats were the main things that our group seemed to buy.  They had rugs and all sorts of storage solutions as well.  Whilst not factory prices it does offer more of a European style which can be hard to find in Saigon. 

To get to Gomo follow Highway 13 (Xo Viet Nghe Tinh) out of Binh Thanh and Thu Duc through to Binh Duong. The showroom is located on the right hand side 5km after the international Hanh Phuc Hospital on Highway 13. The full address is 7/308 Highway 13, Thuan An, Binh Duong. Call 06503 765115 or visit www.gomo.vn.

Situated between Gomo and Minh Long is a beautiful golf course called Song Be.  We decided it would be the perfect spot for lunch.  I have to say, the food was very very good! For more information click here.

Our final stop was a glass showroom in Go Vap.

Vases are crazy expensive in Australia so I picked up a few.  I also fell in love with the blue glasses that you see stacked behind.  7 vases and 6 glasses set me back about $70.

Tired but happy we headed back to HCMC.  We had spent nearly 8 hours shopping (and eating) and had a fabulous day.  

Time to Share Some Secrets

Time seems to be running away faster than a freight train for me at the moment and I know before I realise it, June will be upon me.  With that in mind I think the time has come to share some of my "secrets" with you all.  OK, they are not really secrets as such, just the result of 3 years of living and bargaining here.  I definitely have firm favourites when it comes to where I choose to buy things.  Some of it is loyalty but mostly it's just that these people have shown good service, with good products at a good price over the years.  I am sure for anyone reading that lives here, you too have your own favourites.  Over the next few months I will be sharing a few of mine.  Anyone visiting may also hopefully find the info helpful as seriously, in  this town, sometimes its hard to know where to start.  I know...lets start with jewellery!

Teresa at 147 Dong Khoi has been consistently great.  One of the main complaints from people who have been taken for a ride when it comes to jewellery is that that have been told something that is just not true.  Yes, it's an emerald, yes it's 18 karat gold etc.  You get the idea.  I have found Teresa to be consistently honest as the day is long.

It's only a small shop and her range is not large but she will happily copy whatever design that you bring in.  She also has a heap of Tiffany brochures etc for you to browse through.  She has a beautiful selection of semi precious stones which she can set in yellow or white gold.  She also has pearls that, whilst not my thing, are stunning.

I had her make up these basic large silver hoops that set me back a mere $25USD. Over the years she has done a lot of stuff for myself and my family as well as many friends.  Everyone has been very happy so with that in mind I can without hesitation recommend her services.

Souvenirs from Saigon

As I have mentioned previously, the time has come for me to start to pick up all of those things that I have always said I would get "before we leave".  After three years the list is bigger than I anticipated!  I have posted some photos of some water puppets that I bought that shall take pride of place back in Melbourne.  So what else, when I look at it, will immediately transport me to the streets of Vietnam?

As strange as a souvenir as this may seem, for me, it will always and forever remind me of Vietnam.  These scales are EVERYWHERE!  And I mean EVERYWHERE! Every time you make a purchase from anything other than a shop, out they come.  They come in various sizes and they are in amazing states of disrepair around town.  I swear some of them look like they have been around forever.  I have no real intention of using them as scales back home, more like a fruit bowl in the kitchen.  These cost me 200,000VND (about $10) and I love them.  Keep your conical hat....for me, THIS is Vietnam!

Topshop in Vietnam

Yet another new international chain opening in Saigon.  Topshop has arrived.  Well, nearly.  According to this sign in the Bitexco Tower it is on the way.  I don't know too much about Topshop other than that I believe it is a British chain and Kate Middleton once bought something there!  Lets just hope that they have a little more sense a la Debenhams and they stock "real" sizes and not Oompa Loompa sizes a la every other international clothing store in town.

Cho Vuon Chuoi - The Best Market in Saigon!

Well, I happen to think it is anyway.  I guess it depends on what you like.  If you want to feel like you have stepped out of a time machine then this is the place for you!  Located in District 3 it does not look like too much from the outside but step inside and also wander around the surrounding streets and I promise you will get a taste of the elusive "real" Saigon that everyone is searching for.  The locals are incredibly friendly, particularly when practising my atrocious Vietnamese. (Once they stop laughing).  You could easily spend a few hours just wandering and people watching.  Unless you are doing your weekly food shop there is not too much to buy.  No tacky souvenirs and not a lacquer bowl in sight.  Just good old fashioned "stuff" and some of the most bizarre food I've come across.  It's busy, it's bustling, it's smelly and I LOVE it!  Enjoy!