ADLAND IN VIETNAM

Adland is Adland. No matter where it is.

I'm sure it's the same the world over. It rarely changes... same shit.. different view out the window.

Sometimes at work, I can easily forget I am even in a Vietnam. It's the same processes, the same challenges and the same rush of excitement when something goes well. Same deadlines. Same Same.

My brother said to me when I was looking at this role "what do you know about advertising to Vietnamese" - well.... I know a lot more now than when i started here and obviously their are some cultural differences but really... it's not that different at the core. We have some completely local clients, who hold meetings in vietnamese and I get translated too.. but most big brands are in English.

Of course, being a communist country you need to be extra sensitive. The Vietnamese are also a unique race, however I am lucky enough to have had great interest in them and therefore have a better understanding than most expats here. I always joke that I was vietnamese in a past life... but you know... I think it might be true. I really have a strange connection with these people, their food, the weather, everything. Given that I was born in 1978 when a lot of Saigonese were fleeing their countries for a better life in Australia and other countries... and never made it... you have to think twice about the possibility?

Anyway, Vietnamese past life or not... I'm an Aussie girl trying to get my head around this market and attempt to break the rules.. just a little... in this world of ultra safe cheesy advertising. This will depend how brave our clients are and so far so good.

I've been blessed with a brilliant, smart (arse), account manager who I refer to as 'star' and after a few teething problems the new team are coming together well and we are starting to feel like a real agency. More recruits joining every day and I've had the pleasure of hand picking my team. The agency culture itself is the perfect combination of ideas and creativity driven but results are why we are here. It's not arrogantly creative at the expense of the clients. It's run by smart, innovative people who also know how to have fun. Who could ask for more?

Meetings and daily correspondence between the two offices (Cambodia and Here) are Skype based and it actually all works pretty well. Thank god for technology.

We even moved into our new home which was custom built on top of a sports centre. Quite odd, especially given I am dating a footballer, that the view out my window is of a soccer field. I can't escape it. No matter how hard I try. Thought you'd like to see some abstract pictures we took of the new joint.

Me contemplating the culture - or trying not to look out the window. Could be either.

Funky red lights... how very Adland!
Some crazy team members. Good looking to boot!

We took the roof... and made an agency... quite clever really.

My american mate at his best... thinking hard and grooving to the beats he provides for the agency.

We are getting stools for this table but I like the TV!

My Star.

A nice place to sit and have lunch... delivered... from the cafe next door. NICE!

SAIGON SUNDAYS

Wow. I'm really bad at updating this blog aren't I? Well, I still don't have my camera fixed but I took some photos on my phone over the last couple of weekends to show you some of the fun we get up too here in Saigon on Sundays.

It's rainy season here at the moment so we have been getting totally drenched on the moto-bike. We've been renting a bike on weekends but now have one for the month. It's not very sexy but it's got bigger wheels that the little scooters so it's easier for me to learn to ride on.

Weekends have fallen into a nice routine now. They usually involve going out on Friday night, either to a big party or club or just dinner and beers with mates. Saturday morning is spent going out for breakfast somewhere locally and then at home chilling out whilst my boy watches his beloved wrestling (not my thing).

Afternoons are filled with shopping or working out or catching up with friends. On Saturday just passed we went and watched a football (soccer) game and then had dinner at a VERY local, foreigner un-friendly place afterwards - but boy it was fun! hehehe. The boys knew just enough English to get us by and it was so nice to not do the expat thing.

Sundays are spent at church. English Mass is at the ungodly hour of 9.30 and in the city at Notre Dame cathedral. There is an amazingly eclectic congregation. Lots of tourists and Filipinos and Africans and Westerners. I find it all fascinating. Afterwards we usually hang out in town and get a massage or shop or just chill out. It's a nice time to just reflect etc.

In the afternoons I've been doing my bike riding lessons. I am really crap... but I get better and better each time which is good. I can't wait to have the freedom to buzz around on my bike. It's bloody dangerous but I will try and be careful and I can't live my life being afraid of things like Vietnam traffic or I'll never survive here.

Sunday nights... of course... as per my usual routine - are spent at home. Preparing mentally and physically for the week ahead. Because come Monday morning.... Its ON!

Anyway, here's the photos as promised. Unfortunately I was the one behind the camera most of the time so you'll just have to look at this hot man instead! (bummer!)

Melting in the sun outside Notre Dame after church.

Touristy shot of us outside Notre Dame Cathedral.

My very own personal Xe Om (Moto Taxi) driver - and the best instructor ever!

Yes. That is me. Riding a motorbike - with NO helmet!

Safer this way I think... just using it as a seat. :)

The good natured one being hassled to buy chewing gum outside Ben Thanh Markets after our shopping excursion.

Some of us spend Sundays getting hot and sweaty in my gym....

Some of us get cool in the pool!

A nice romantic dinner at home... the perfect Sunday evening.

Made more perfect by forcing a half naked man to do the washing up!

Aghhhh. Bring on the next weekend I say.