Travelling to Ho Chi Minh city, any tips or suggestions?

Question

Travelling to Ho Chi Minh city, any tips or suggestions?

Answer 1

Try the street food. It's cheap and really, really delicious. Generally, anywhere with lots of locals eating there is going to be really good quality and fresh (so you wont get sick).

Taking a cyclo for a city tour can be good fun as well (pedalling out slowly into the face of hundred of on coming motorbikes only for them to roar around you is a great thrill.) Just make sure you agree on a price BEFORE getting in. (Do NOT get in if they say "Price up to you." Or "Price free") and also, use a pen to write down the agreed price on a piece of paper and show it to the driver to confirm it, before getting in. Do this, because I found it quite common for cyclo and moto drivers to agree on a cheap price and then say later when it comes time to pay: "I never said 10,000. I said 100,000." If you get a good driver though, tip generously.

Make sure you hold onto you bags quite well. Snatch and grabs from motorbikes are quite common.

Crossing the street in HCMC is quite terrifying at first. NO ONE will stop for you. All you do, is wait for a small gap in the traffic. Then step out onto the road and walk slowly in a STRAIGHT LINE AT A CONSTANT PACE to the other side. The motorbikes wont stop, but they will see you and zip right around you. If you run, or change direction, you'll probably be run over. It becomes great fun after a few goes.

You'll be approached by touts on the street quite often. The easiest way to deal with them is to simply smile and keep walking. It's not worth getting upset with them or being rude.

Finally, have fun. Chat to the locals and dont get upset over the little things. Sure, you're probably going to be overcharged for a few things, but in the scheme of things, generally, it's only a few dollars at the most. Just enjoy the noise, the smells and the excitement of one of the funnest cities in Asia.

Have Fun!

Answer 2

Bring a good mood and enjoy all you see and hear.  Eat all the good food you can and taste the good beer.  Be nice to everyone you meet and you will have a fantastic time.  I will be there again in 29 days and can't hardly wait.  Cheers.

Answer 3

Stay in a hotel near Le Loi Street (the main street).

Anything on Dong Khoi street near the Sheraton Hotel is overpriced.

Ben Thanh Market is good, expect to bargain 30-50% down at most places.

The Tax Centre on Le Loi Street is great for souveniers. Take the escalators up to buy clothes, shoes, wooden, stone and marble trinkets etc. The higher you go up, the cheaper things are.

Saigon Square (a bit out of the way) is good for DVDs and clothes (you can get most things at the Ben Thanh Market though)

Try 'Sinva' for clothes near the market on Le Loi - they make good clothes for a reasonable price and have off the rack things too.

Lots of interesting shops are on Le Thanh Ton.

Parkson - department store (pricey for Vietnam)

Looking for food that is edible and good... Pho 24, Paris Deli, Terrace Restaurant

Maxim's Restaurant is beautiful - Vietnamese food in a beautiful place.

Opposite the Rex Hotel is a tourist centre with free Internet and currency exchange. They book tours etc. too. I recommend this place!

Shops are open till 10pm most places.

Carry your bag on the opposite side to the street at night so that motorbike riders cannot grab it - this does happen

Answer 4

don't be a standout....o else they'll make money off ur azz......go with group of people......

Answer 5

Bring lots of kleenex.. and watch what you eat. Don't wanna get diarrhea in a place where toilet paper is not a common practice.. :)