Going to Vietnam, any DE blades available?

[rmac]

I’m in the process of planning a trip to Vietnam in September/October. Will be visiting Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi amongst other places in between.

Because I’m moving around a lot I will be flying carry on only, shave kit is minimalist (Gillette sensor, muhle travel brush and La toja stick) but I would like to take a DE. My merkur travel razor is small enough to occupy a small corner of my wash bag and never gets stopped by airport security when disassembled.

Just wondering if there are DE blades available anywhere in Vietnam? If not I don’t mind using the sensor but would be nice to use a DE if possible.

 

[Halfbeard]

If we talk about Vietnam and DE -blades Dorco comes to mind. Made in Vietnam.

 

[rmac]

If we talk about Vietnam and DE -blades Dorco comes to mind. Made in Vietnam.

I’m aware there are a few blades manufactured in Vietnam but are they commercially available to the public there or are they mostly shipped to overseas markets?

I ask because I was in South Korea 2 years ago and despite there being a few blades made there I couldn’t find any in either Seoul or Busan. It was all Mach 3’s and Fusions etc and not even any nice colognes as a compromise.

 

[Multum in parvo]

The Super Thins have also a Vietnamese label print so I would guess they are at least available to local barbers.

 

[Multum in parvo]

There is even a Vietnamese version of a Super Blue or Klick? called Super Thin that I’ve never seen before @ivan_101

How cool is that?

 

[BigJ]

If we talk about Vietnam and DE -blades Dorco comes to mind. Made in Vietnam.

+1! Yes indeed!! Definitely worth a try!

 

[ivan_101]

There is even a Vietnamese version of a Super Blue or Klick? called Super Thin that I’ve never seen before @ivan_101

How cool is that?

View attachment 1849341

The one on your photo is the version for Vietnam. Simply called Super Thin as the blades. Comes with the blade intended for Vietnam - Super Thin Platinum.
The same razor is also available in Thailand as Super Click. Comes with a different Super Thin blade for Thailand.

Also sold as Goal Klik in Indonesia with a Gillette Goal blade. All of these are manufactured in China of course.

 

[Joezamboni]

I guess the original poster may be asking if they’re “common“ to come across there from first hand experience. I did a recent trip to Costa Rica and it seemed the majority of non-tourist (no souvenirs) small markets actually had the Astra Stainless in stock for instance. I think about 4 of 5 had them. Can’t speak for Vietnam.

 

[malocchio]

Off topic , but if you are a coffee drinker you may want to pick up a couple of high quality stainless steel "PHIN" coffee pots for brewing and perhaps a kilo of robusta or robusta / arabica mix green beans for roasting at home . Viet Nam is famous for this type brewing and coffee beans .

 

[rmac]

Hi guys, feel I should report back with my findings so far…

Firstly, Vietnam is a beautiful country! Some of the nicest food and natural beauty I have seen anywhere in Asia so far. The people have been so welcoming and very much go out of their way to make a solo (possibly annoying) Irish traveler feel comfortable! I would highly recommend anyone visit here, it’s a wonderful experience!

In terms of my quest for DE blades, in Ho Chi Minh I couldn’t find anything shaving related. Simply Gillette foamy and Vector cartridges. In Da Nang however I was able to find the Gillette super thin blades and occasionally the super thin/super click razor. So if I had have bought my merkur travel razor with me (which I didn’t in the end) I would have been having some nice shaves. Would have liked to be able to take home some of the Gillette stuff, but I am flying carry on only so unfortunately it’s a no go

I did end up taking the sensor but only packed one blade (which has been dull for the past week) so have opted to go bearded for the remainder of the trip. Shaves were ok, just a quick hand lathered bar soap provided good cushion for the sensor until it went blunt.

Ah well, I fly back to the UK on Friday so will be reunited with my precious DE’s and SE’s.

 

[rmac]

Off topic , but if you are a coffee drinker you may want to pick up a couple of high quality stainless steel "PHIN" coffee pots for brewing and perhaps a kilo of robusta or robusta / arabica mix green beans for roasting at home . Viet Nam is famous for this type brewing and coffee beans .

Now I wish I had have checked luggage even more! Would be good to bring back some souvenirs etc. ah well, maybe next time!

 

[ErkRusselReserve]

Super Thins with Japan flag are great blades. A pity you missed them.

 

[ErkRusselReserve]

Pro tip- always check baggage on your return flight. You can even pack a light nylon duffle as you travel to, or buy a bag at your destination.

 

[rmac]

Pro tip- always check baggage on your return flight. You can even pack a light nylon duffle as you travel to, or buy a bag at your destination.

Unfortunately not an option for me, due to changing through multiple different airlines with a few tight connections and a lengthy layover in Doha my only option was to not check any luggage.

Lesson learned, knowing what I know now I will definitely check a small bag next time round!

 

[ERS4]

Also recommend "Super Thin", this is what I have been using for a long time.
This blade is "Made in Shanghai", but it is mainly sold in Vietnam, and you can also buy it in other parts of Asia (I am in Taipei).

Although it is not the best blade, it is widely sold and stable, so it is a daily necessities that suits its purpose.

Wet shaving supplies are not easy to find in large chain stores.
Usually you may have to go to a local small daily necessities store or grooming tool store to buy it. It's also a good idea to show a photo on your phone and ask the store owner to help you find it.

 

[Jopo]

You can find the Gillette Super Thin Platinums at chain supermarkets in Saigon and elsewhere. Look for a clear plastic cube filled with loose tucks, up by the checkout aisles.

They can also be found at the little independent corner shops "tạp hoá", they look like this:

 

[Jopo]

The one on your photo is the version for Vietnam. Simply called Super Thin as the blades. Comes with the blade intended for Vietnam - Super Thin Platinum.
The same razor is also available in Thailand as Super Click. Comes with a different Super Thin blade for Thailand.
View attachment 1849390
Also sold as Goal Klik in Indonesia with a Gillette Goal blade. All of these are manufactured in China of course.

The Vietnamese version is also called "Super Click":

Similarly, there's also the Gillette Rubie Click in Phillipines

 

[ChriWilson]

The Vietnamese version is also called "Super Click":

View attachment 1947765

Similarly, there's also the Gillette Rubie Click in Phillipines
View attachment 1947766

Noted for future travels

 

[Cannon Cocker]

have

I’m in the process of planning a trip to Vietnam in September/October. Will be visiting Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi amongst other places in between.

Because I’m moving around a lot I will be flying carry on only, shave kit is minimalist (Gillette sensor, muhle travel brush and La toja stick) but I would like to take a DE. My merkur travel razor is small enough to occupy a small corner of my wash bag and never gets stopped by airport security when disassembled.

Just wondering if there are DE blades available anywhere in Vietnam? If not I don’t mind using the sensor but would be nice to use a DE if possible.

If you get up to Gio Linh, about 10 miles north of Dong Ha, I left some Gillette blue blades in a collapsed sleeping bunker 57 years ago.

 

[helicopter]

I am reasonably confident the Super Thin is made to the same specification as the new and current Shanghai Gillette King C Gillette blade. I am not sure what is distributed in Ireland, but there is a Black Friday deal on Amazon for $13/100 right now. They are excellent blades.