Indochina gets into your blood and once you have a taste you'll find it's impossible to stay away.

For the most part Ho Chi Minh City is safe but like any large city you need to pay attention to what's going on around you.

The visa thing can be an issue, if you're going to work for someone here make sure they will help you with this. However, so that you know what you need make sure you research the visa issue on your own. A 90 day visa is not a problem and I saw six month visas being offered through the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, but nothing about one year visas or temporary residence cards. Of course you are probably aware that you need some sort of visa in advance just to gain entry into Vietnam.

On my discharge, I had the challenge of putting my life back together but Vietnam stuck in the inner recesses of my mind.

If, at the end of my days, the sum of what I've taken exceeds the sum of what I've given, then I have lived in vain.

Also Ho Chi Minh City is broken up into districts so it's much like little cities within the city, in your home district folks take the time to smile and wave as you pass by or even try to have a little chat.

Overall the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City is cheap and if you can stay away from Western restaurants and use just local products in your everyday life it's really cheap.