Wall Street Securities Joint-Stock Company,Vietnam

The Ho Chi Minh City branch of Wall Street Securities Joint-Stock Company is at No. 255, Tran Hung Dao St., District 1, HCM City

 It is in the HMTD building.(HMTD tòa nhà văn phòng)

The head office is at :No. 212, Tran Quang Khai St., (No. 1, Le Phung Hieu St.,),Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam.

The company's main theme is"A class of Properity" (Dang cap của sự thịnh vuợng)

Wall Street Securities Joint Stock Company (WSS) shareholders were Cable and Telecom Materials Joint Stock Company and Duc Giang Garment Company, and individuals who have many experiences in finance – banking sector.

Besides, WSS also attracts many strategic interests from domestic as well as global financial institutions. In this same building is the Kim Eng Securities Ho Chi Minh head office located on the first floor,with branches in Chinatown near Cholon,Hanoi,Hai Phong,Danang & Angiang.


Kim Eng Securities is Asia's leading investment broker with its homebase in Singapore.
 Foreigners wishing to invest in the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchane (HOSE) are required to register through a custodian licensed bank namely: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG and Standard Chartered Bank.

Currently the local stock market is in a very bearish mode as seen in the technical chart.

The market has been slumping since it's high registered on the 2/03/07 @ 1,147.66 and went into a suicidal mode on the 23/2/09 @ 243.81 points.

Vietnam's financial market is the first to undergo tremendous correction while global markets are skyrocketing.
Some brokerage houses are in a dire state so it's a golden opportunity for foreigners to snap up some of these companies as given time,Vietnam will be the first to recover and will become an Asian Dragon next to China as their chart pattern is similar to that of the Shanghai Stock Exchange which is hoovering bearishly. **Listed stocks

 

The entrance arc with a multi-storey tower.
The owner of the land possibly a local ethnic Chinese has rented out be be used as  motorcycles parking area and some food stalls.
 

The structure and architecture design is so unique but the place looks neglected. The oval entrance is majestically grand.The owner must have a belief of Chinese "feng-shui"

The front door is the most important element of good feng shui.It allows energy to flow freely thereby bringing postivie changes,good luck and wealth.

You'll noticed that the top first storey is an octagonal opening and the Chinese called it "pak kwa"

The Feng Shui Talisman, called Pak Kwa, represents the union of Feng Shui with I Ching (The Oracle of Change).
The talisman is represented by the symbol Yin Yang (Tao) surrounded by 8 trigrams. In Feng Shui, it is said that Pak Kua keeps away evil. It is often found hanging at the door and inside the house to bring good luck and dispel disaster.






Inside view of the arch entrance compound acting as motorcycle parking ground.

Motorcycles are still the dominant means of transport in Vietnam.The 125cc categories are most sought after.

It is illegal for a foreigner to own a motorbike in Vietnam. However, it can be registered in a Vietnamese persons name. You will still need the papers to prove to the police (if you get pulled over) that the bike is not stolen.

If you do get pulled over by Police and don’t have any papers, they may turn a blind eye in the way of a bribe. Worst-case scenario is that they confiscate your motorbike and you’re left in the middle of nowhere with your ride impounded.

 “Motorbike for Rent” signs are lined up all along Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham, and Bui Vien streets. VND50,000 (just over US$3),one can easily rent for the day.

Vietnamese primary school students having their morning physical education.
 The school uniforms are similar to those schools in mainland China.

 The school motto:"mot nhan cach tot se duoc nay no trong.."It's about Dignity and well being.

"Cong Truong Em Sach Deo-An Toan"--Safe Child Policy

 Taxi fare: from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh city centre is about $4.00 USD.

The most reliable cab companies in Ho Chi Minh City are Mai Linh Taxi, Vina Taxi, or Vinasun.

 Important telephones in Ho Chi Minh City:
HCM Airport: tel (848) 8443179

HCM Railway: tel (848) 8436527

English Paging service: Tel: (848)105

Ambulance: Tel: (848) 115

Police: Tel: 113
Area code for Ho Chi Minh City: 08 (drop the zero when calling from abroad)

Tran Hung Dao's road to Cholon.

Tran Hung Dao Road,the main arterial road of the city which is a few metres towards the right from Crazy Buffalo Bar & Restaurant junction.

Vietnamese and Thailand's time are the same.As early as 6am,the street is already bustling with heavy traffics.

A very clean and pleasant   five foot walkway with all the nice shady tress lining the streets.

This road was named after General Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who defeated the Mongols Invasion in 1285.

Every February at the Cua Ong Temple,Quang Ninh Province( 50km from the centre of Halong city) there will be a festival in memory of Tran Quoc Tang who is the third son of General Tran Hung Dao who defeated many enemies and brought peace to the region during the 13th century. 

Buses on this side goes to Cholon bus terminal while across the road on the other side are buses returning to Benthanh Market terminal.

 For Muslim travelers there's a mosque along Tran Hung Dao for them to perform their "solat" prayers.

This is Thanh Duong Jamiul Islamiah Mosque at 459b Tran Hung District 1.

 As the case of "halal"food (no pork involve) for Muslim,there are also Muslim restaurants around.

 Islam in Vietnam is primarily the religion of the Cham people, a minority ethnic group related to Malays especially around the region of Chau Doc in the Southwest quite related to Kampong Cham people in Cambodia.

The ancestors of the Cham probably migrated from the island of Borneo and they are probably remnants of the Kingdom of Champa (7th to 15th centuries). Approximately 4,000 Chams also live in Thailand; many of whom have moved south to the Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkhla Provinces for work.

Cham form the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam.

Along the same stretch from the mosque nearby is a Chinese temple.
Tran Hung Dao Road is a very straight stretch of road and Cholon is about 6km from this point.

 To avoid the hassle of road crossing due to a chaotic traffic,one can hop into a local bus with route displayed costing about $0.3/ticket for a person (VND4000~5000), a visitor can travel as far as 15km.

Discovered this only stall along the side street after 15 minutes of walking.
Having breakfast with noodles- "Pho Bo" for 17,000Dong.

Along this side alley is where the seating area is located.

A very unique building just beside the seating area.

Looks like a French architecture.

 "BEATI MORTUI QUI DOMINO MORIUNTUR" This is a Latin word which means "Blessed are (the dead) which die in the (grace of) Lord".

"A Mass of Requiem and the Office of the Dead were said by the community. Please continue to keep him in your prayers."

  A gated entrance and there were also Chinese wording inscription on the side walls.

The inside view.

VINH DANH THIEN CHOA TREN TROI (Glory to God In Heaven)
 BINH AN DUOI THE CHO (Peace to mankind) TUI THIEN TAM (My Kindess)

CHO HOA BINH market is slightly near the riverside off Tran Hung Dao where another short walk further up will be the 5th District of Ho Chi Minh City,Cholon-the largest Chinatown of Vietnam.

The advetisement on VOCA brand refined sesame cooking oil.
Can be used in food industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics making.

Chợ cá Hòa Bình là một trong những khu chợ cá đầu mối của thành phố
(This is one of the fish market area of the city's focal point)
 Hòa Bình means Peace.

Pham Ngu Lao Street,backpackers paradise.

Ho Chi Minh city formerly known as Saigon is a very vibrant metropolis and commercial capital of Socialist Republic Vietnam.

Vietnam is the 65th largest country in the world, covering about 331,689 square kilometers.
However, the massive Vietnam population 90,549,390 (July 2011 est.) , makes it the 14th most populous country in the world.

Thailand ranked 20th with a population of 66,720,153.

Compared to China where bicycles swarmed the street,over here in Ho Chi Minh city motorcyclist zoomed all over the roads even during off peak hours.





 A food stall vendor transporting his wares on a tricycle cart gets his priority against all the super fast machines.

Well he must be a "Pho" vendor. Pho is the closest thing Vietnam has to a national dish, originally from Hanoi; this hearty noodle soup is very famous and one must never miss this while in Vietnam.
 As the sunset in the horizon,the sidewalks of the city emerges with a new set of activities especially the street food vendors.
Vietnam’s street food are some of the best in the world.








The Sorya bus from Phnom Penh stopped across its main office along Pham Ngu Lao Street.
It was already 5:30pm and the whole area was bustling with all sorts of activities.
A park is just beside the main street.
Along this road were many travel and bus ticketing agencies.

Crossing the road is quite hazardous as one has to tackle with the oncoming vehicles on both sides.Heading towards  De Tham Street were many guesthouses which were popularly recommended on travel websites.Don't forget to walk into the alleys which even have more budget hostels.

  A shop selling Vietnamese flags and insignias along Pham Ngu Lao Street.

The flag of Vietnam, also known as the "red flag with yellow star"

Saigon was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. Japan occupied Vietnam in 1941-1945.
 In March 1945, the Japanese deposed the French colonial authorities and proclaimed an Empire of Vietnam with Bao Dai as emperor. At that time Vietnam was also called Annam with its capital at Hue.

In this photo,another 5 minutes walk from where most cross borders buses stop is the Benthanh Market.






Pham Ngu Lao was a prominent general in battlefield of the Dai Viet Army so this street was named after him.
The history of Vietnam begins over 2,700 years ago.
By far Vietnam's most important historical international relationship has been with China. During World War II, Imperial Japan expelled the French to occupy Vietnam, though they retained French administrators during their occupation.
After the war, France attempted to re-establish its colonial rule but ultimately failed in the First Indochina War.
The Geneva Accords partitioned the country in two with a promise of democratic election to reunite the country.
However, rather than peaceful reunification, partition led to the Vietnam War.
During this time, the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union supported the North while the United States supported the South.The war ended with the fall of Saigon to the North in April 1975.







 De Tham Street is the first lane off Pham Ngu Lao and midway is the Bui Vien St junction.

Travelers all over the world will converge in these two roads where there were many bars,guesthouses,hotels ,tour companies,open air bars and food stalls.
It has a similarity to that of Khao San Road in Bangkok except that there were no night market stalls
During the night the streets were fantastically very lively.

 

Crazy Buffalo Saigon Restaurant and Bar at the corner of DeTham & Bui Vien Street off Pham Ngu Lao main street.

A big red crazy club with beer and booze and music 24/7 days a week.
 Located right in the heart of the 'Backpacker Area' This Restaurant and bar is a hot spot amongst backpackers, locals and expats.

Along De Tham Street,same row across Crazy Bull Restaurant is the Sinh Tourist Office.

This is a very popular tour booking office which is unusually pack with travellers even during the night.

They have reasonable cheap tour packages within Vietnam as well as bus services to Dalat,Nha Trang,Danang,Hoi An Hue,Hanoi and Halong. Headoffice address:

246 - 248 De Tham Str., Dist.1, HHCM Tel: +84.8.38389593 Fax: +84.8.38369322
Email: info@thesinhtourist.vn Website: http://www.thesinhtourist.vn/

Hotels and guesthouses along the main street are slightly higher in room rates and easily being fully booked.

By venturing into this narrow alleys and backlanes off Bui Vien Street you'll be surprised to see a large section of the community live inside and as many as about 20 guesthouses similar to that of a homestay were available.

This hawker stall operates in the evening selling Vietnamese noodle called Pho and is quite popular among the locals.There is limited sitting tables as the alley entrance is shared with motorcycles going back to their community.

Most of the buildings here are 5 storey high and the only air flow that can be felt is along the alley's corridor.
Many of the housing blocks here have room to let.

Stayed at Phuong Van Guesthouse.

84/12,Bui Vien Dtreet,Pham Ngu Lao Ward District 1.

Ho Chi Minh City.

Tel:(84-8)22100754 H/p:0906 613 567

email:dungkhanhvan_hcm@yahoo.com.vn






Imagine a single bed fan room for USD7.00 per night.
This is far much better than staying in a dorm with the same price as noted in some travel sites.

It is family owned and the rooms are very clean and tidy.Towel,a small piece of soap and disposable toothbrush are provided minus the toilet rolls.

Satellite tv channels and free in house wi-fi is also provided.

I was given the first floor which has 2 fan rooms in a row,while aircond room is on the 3rd and 4th floor.

Travellers have to walk up the very narrow staircase as there isn't any lift.

A western toilet with hot shower.

The lady owner's grandson by the name of Hom is a fluent English speaker who graduated from the University of Dalat majoring in Business English.

He'll be available in the evening after his office work as a land surveyor.During the day,his elder sister will be manning the reception.

A view of the narrow alley where the community live.The local community are very closely knit and with this type of 4 or 5 storey building,olden days Vietnamese must have live in a multifamily in the same building block.