HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon)

 

Please note : I try to update the info in this wiki as much as possible but some early entries are dated back to 2006 and so may not be that updated - esp the restaurants.

 

 

WELCOME TO HCMC

 

First things first. Either change some VND (Viet Nam Dong) before you come over (for taxi fare. S$50 is more than enough) or you can change a bit at the Tan Son Nhat Airport but not too much (poor rates there compared to town). The rest you change when you're in town where you get better rates - there are many money changers around. No problem changing S$ here in HCMC, so no need to change S$ to US$. 

 

5D4N itinerary 

Here's a sample 5D4N itinerary that I prepared.

5D4N (Guided tour).pdf

 

Here's a sample packing list that I prepared

 Packing List for Travellers (PTC).pdf

 

Warning : There has been an increase in petty thefts in HCMC - snatch thefts, pickpockets - so please be extra careful, especially with expensive cameras and sling bags. They come from behind you on their bikes and grab your cameras and bags. One friend had someone approach him to ask for directions, placed a map on his waist pouch, and then took off with his digital cam that was in the pouch. 

 

 

10 Dec 2011:

The exit "toll" fee (or whatever you want to call it) at the airport has increased from 5,000vnd to 10,000vnd - just recently. So when you take a cab to the airport, you have to add 10,000vnd to the fare. Likewise, when you leave the airport, add 10,000vnd to the fare when you reach your destination.

 

ALL ABOUT TAXIS IN HCMC

 

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT HCMC

 

The rainy season in VN is from May to Nov usually. This year (2010), the rain started late in Aug instead of May - so I don't know when the rainy season will end now. Traditionally it ends in Nov, and Dec to Apr is the dry season. Oct to Dec is the high season for tourists - so it'll be crowded here, especially Nov (it's our school hols in SG, remember?). Jan to Apr will not be so crowded. During Tet (our Chinese New Year), the city is quite deserted - so nothing much to see or do. 

 

WEATHER UPDATE

 

Sun 15 Jan 2012 - This is the longest cold spell ever (since Dec 2011)!! It's been almost a month and the mornings are really cool.

Sat 10 Dec 2011 - A cold spell has hit HCMC - nice and cool weather in the morning for the past 2-3 days.

 

 

 

13 Nov 2011 :

 

1. Just went to Saigon Square 1 last night - it has taken over the neighbouring Chinese restaurant and expanded by at least a third.

2. Russian Mart in Lucky Plaza has closed down - saw one of the vendors at Taka Plaza who gave us the latest update. A real pity - we like the Russian Mart there very much.

 

 

Note : Visitors to Vietnam no longer need to fill up the visitors' card (since Sep 2010, I think). That's very good news - esp for those who have to fill up cards for your family members.

 

 

MAP OF HCMC

 

My Google Map : HCMC Shopping Sites

 

BELOW : This is the latest 3D Map (of just the town) that you'll find in the airport (I've added a few locations to it). Free tourist maps were made available to visitors in 2009 - unfortunately it looks like that was just an experiment as there are no more free maps to be found in the airport as of late 2010. The 3D map looks really good - but far from reality. You'll know when you do a comparison of map-to-ground (army guys will know what I'm talking about):

 

Right-click your mouse and click on "View Image" to see actual size

 

 

HOW TO MAKE CALLS

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

 

HCMC  is a city that caters to all budgets with regards to accommodation.

From US$5 beds to 5-star hotels costing a few hundred grand, it all depends on how deep or how shallow your pocket is.

Having said that, please note that the budget hotels in HCMC are in very "livable" condition and quite unlike those in Singapore, which I'm sad to say are quite pathetic.

I recommend the Backpackers' Area in Pham Ngu Lao (PNL) where you have US$5 beds to 3-star hotels (US$80 and above), the reason being that it has almost all that you need as a tourist. Loads of cafes and restaurants, travel agencies, bus companies, shops, pubs ...

If you're not fussy, you can lug your luggage (is that why it is called "lug-gage"?) and go hotel hunting. You can ask to see the room first before you commit - common practice here.

 

Our Fav Budget Hotel:

Sao Nam Hotel - Pham Ngu Lao, District 1. Back-packers area.

Problem is that Sao Nam is now getting a bit old (4 years or more) and there are newer hotels for about the same price.

I stick to Sao Nam because I know the people there - so it's easy for me to book a room; just an sms will do for me.

You might want to look around.

 

Ben Thanh Market area - also many hotels around here (budget to 3*) - same advice as for PNL. Shop and look around first.

 

After Ben Thanh is town - that's where you're expect to pay more. Advisable to book hotel online first if you want to stay in town. 

 

 

ELECTRICITY

 

Most sockets here can take both the double rounded or flat pins - just bring along sufficient adapters for your handphone, camera and notebook. Normally, people only bring one adapter and find that it is not enough. Although some supermarkets sell adapters, it is inconvenient to be running around looking for suitable adapters.

 

  

Power Socket in HCMC

 

 

SPECIAL MENTION

 

This is a fabulous website done by Ben Chua, a Singaporean living in HCMC - really impressive - 3D virtual tours of many places in and out of HCMC. He has many recommendations about where to visit, and tons of photos and virtual tours. Do check it out.

 

 

LINKS

 

HCMC Official Website - by HCMC People's Committee

 

Learn about Vietnam - VN Embassy  in USA

 

About Vietnam Culture

 

Ho Chi Minh City sights and attractions - Travelfish recommendations

 

Where to go in HCMC? - iexplore recommendations 

 

http://www.muinebeach.net/sites.htm#muinevillage - good site on Mui Ne

 

Falling in love with Ho Chi Minh City - A heart-warming article of how one American fell in love with Saigon

 

HCMC's Time has come - From the Taipei Times

 

Bus Ride through Vietnam - The New Straits Times 

 

Nordcham - info about HCMC

 

http://www.saigonscene.com/index.htm