August 11, 2014
Accelerance recently certified three new software outsourcing partners in Vietnam. All three are in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon, abbreviated HCMC) and we visited to meet the people and complete our certification process.
Our ACE partners in Vietnam have a broad range of technical expertise from developing mobile apps for iOS and Android to web and enterprise apps build with Microsoft .NET, PHP or Ruby on Rails. One partner is expert at QA and builds tools for managing the QA process. All are very impressive and on par with our ACE partners in the rest of the world.
But what should you expect on the streets of HCMC?
We spent a lot of time “on the road” during our Vietnam. Being driven in HCMC is an experience! Motorbikes come at you from all directions. But all drivers are respectful as they go from point A to point B, they just have no hesitation to go around you (from either side) when needed. Generally, the bigger the vehicle the more of a right of way they expect… and receive.
That’s not so good for pedestrians and walking across the street is an interesting experience. The trick is to watch for oncoming traffic – bicycles, motorbikes and especially cars and trucks – but without stopping too much. Pedestrians use their body language to communicate the path they are taking so vehicles will avoid hitting them. We tried it a couple times… but then did most of our travel by taxi.
Most taxi drivers don’t speak English well. However, providing a written address will get you where you want to go. And English-speaking hotel employees will relay your destination to the taxi driver in Vietnamese and also advise you on the approximate cost of the trip.
But the ultimate way to travel in HCMC is by motorbike!
On an afternoon off, we hired TIGER Tours, a small local motorbike excursion company that takes you on the back of their bikes to interesting and historic sites around the city. The sites are fantastic and whipping through traffic and surviving via motorbike is exhilarating! (See our review on Tripadvisor)
Once were warmed up with a motorbike tour of HCMC we went on a full day excursion to the Mekong Delta by means. We hired Saigon Riders for a trip via motor cycle, boat, ferry, canoe and pedal bike, exploring the small towns, businesses and lifestyle that make up the everyday life of many Vietnamese. (See our review on Tripadvisor).
When you are outsourcing to Vietnam then take time to visit. Hire a motorbike and take time to tour the countryside and experience this beautiful country. Learn more about outsourcing to Vietnam on the Accelerance website.