Matthew Fabian after 7 days and COOP Mart

Today, Jan 27,2007 is my first week here in Vietnam. In that 7 days,
I have somehow "understand" how things are done here. And in just 7
days I have gone places, I never imagined I can go...in an unfamiliar
territory. But that how it goes and how it should be. Eleven days to
go...and more adventures....ah yes, and misadventures, perhaps?

One of the busiest bars here in downtown Ho Chi Minh. Many foreigners
frequent this place, day in and day out...but expensive, too, I guess.

One of the many places I've come across to...a frequent place to
conduct price surveys and product checks. It has 4 branches in Ho Chi Minh.

"Our Day Will Come"- This time my version and not by Spiral Staircase!:)

Jan. 24-- My Savior has arrived!

Hoping to have a positive results on my "potential distributor", I went to the address ---just about 20mins walk from my place....good exercise, huh? hehehehe. To my dismay, the address is a boutique/shop of DNKY clothes and accessories. 2 down? Nah! Showing the papaya soap to the saleslady (never mind the sign language), she dialled a number on her cellphone and gave it to me. After a brief introduction of my purpose, she asked me to come back at 1:00pm. 1:00pm? It's only 10:45am! Patience.... I went back to my room and formulated my next strategy.

When I arrived at 12:30pm, Behold and Alas! A lady welcomed me and introduced herself...she is Ms. Huynh My Thanh, Chairman of Sato Co., Ltd. What happened after our meeting? Well, it's for me to find out....maybe history? Let's see.

Distributor, Distributor, Where Are You? :)

Jan. 23 -- Distributor, Distributor....where are you?

First order of the day is to locate the address of the distributor I found on the internet. I found the place, but unluckily the office had closed down. ONE DOWN! More frustrations? I released my frustration at Diamond Department Store. It's lke Rustan's in Manila. All the designers' clothes and stuff are found here. Prices here range from 700,000-30,000,000VDN....Whew! Cool, huh?

Late afternoon on my way back to my room, I passed-by Citimart Supermart at Nguyen Trai St. and it is here where I got the prices we needed. And it is here where I found my "prescious discovery" here in Ho Chi Minh --- Hiyas Papaya Soap!

Day 3 in Saigon

Jan. 22 -- A regular day in Saigon

This is my last day at Empress Hotel, I need to be out by 12:00pm. After eating breakfast, I started to pack my things. I also called the office of Ms. Le Thi Phung, her secretary told me that she have a meeting until 3pm today, but hearing that I am from Naturale, she put me in Ms Phung's appointments for the day. It's nice that she speaks English...hehehe.

At 11:45, I left Empress Hotel. Thanks to the very accommodating hotel staffs whom I now consider my "first friends in Vietnam". I thank them for their patience in teaching me some Vietnmese words, and of course for the errands esp. when I need a local sim. Got the catch for being friendly? hehehehe

My meeting with Ms. Phung was my first "official business" here in Vietnam. We talked about our business here in Vietnam, her fond memories of Manila, her Filpino friends here in Vietnam, etc. Nice lady. It was indeed a "fruitful" meeting, learnign the ropes of the trade here in Vietnam...coming from an expert

My First Church Visit in Ho Chi Minh

Jan. 21

An ordinary Sunday for me. After hearing mass (even though I don't understand), I started looking for a place which can be my abode on the duration of my stay. I am hoping to find one good damn place. With the help of some tourists, I found this hotel at Pham Ngu Lao.

Good Morning, Vietnam!

Jan. 20 -- Good Morning, Vietnam!

I arrived in Vietnam at 9:30am (10:30am, Manila time). New place for me, new culture, unfamiliar territory. I came here with a mission....wish me good luck