when I go hcm, is like going home...I go there to relax and recharge...virtually do nothing besides meeting friends both local and those resident in hcm...
I speak simple passable Tieng Vet and not interested to speak foreign language with locals...places I frequent or patronised are those that serve locals and must speak Vietnamese...
most of friends had followed me with similar patterns...we just enjoyed ourselves with the local Vietnamese for a few days...a few trips ago just before TET, I met bro Singkieu who happened to flew in too...nice meeting you...
Note - please do not pm me for contacts...I am just posting for sharing...recently not keen to meet newbies...