Ho Chi Minh City - The Travelers Basics
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| District 1, HCMC |
From The Airport
If you haven't arranged an airport transfer, do not fear! There are tons of taxi's hanging out waiting to take you to your destination. The taxi rank is just of to the left as you exit the International Terminal. While some travelers have experienced problems with drivers, slowly the Taxi business in HCMC is being cleaned up (but still plenty of work to do!).
The best companies in my option are Mai Linh and Vinasun. Generally both these companies have Rep's hanging out (in green shirts) at the taxi stand and they will help grab a taxi for you.
NEVER use the guys offering taxi services inside or just outside the terminal exit!
Cost of a taxi to District 1 is around 5-7USD depending on company and traffic and generally takes 40 minutes.
Hotels
Ho Chi Minh is city has a full range of hotels including super swanky 5 star places to cheap and cheerful backpacker hang outs. And to be honest, make sure you check out all the hotels, even some the larger 4/5 star joints have some pretty good prices! Here are three to check out, all are in District 1:
Duxton Hotel, Nguyen Hue Street
Great 4 star hotel in the middle of D1. Rooms are nice, staff are excellent and the location is one of the best. Did I mention the buffet breakfast!
Beautiful Saigon 2, Bui Vien Street
Beautiful Saigon 2, Bui Vien Street
Hotel located in a lane right in the heart of the Backpacker Area. Their are 3 different Beautiful Saigon hotels all in the same area. Popular amoung travelers, they have great rooms, staff, location and very good room rates.
Somerset Chancellor Court Apartments, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
Somerset Chancellor Court Apartments, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
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| Ice Coffee with Milk (Cafe Sau Da) |
If you are traveling as a family or in a large group be sure to consider Somerset. They offer 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and you can get them for around 150USD per night/per unit. Not a bad deal if you can share with friends!
The serviced apartments have the trimmings you would expect, plus with in the complex is a pool and gym. Breakfast is also included in the price. Somerset is popular with expats and business travelers, but a great score for traveling families!
Eating
With thousands of places to eat, here are just few goodies for you to try!
BBQ Garden - 135A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia
Great atmosphere with Vietnamese BBQ's cooked at the table (by you) and very tasty hot pots on offer. Always busy there is a good selection of dishes and wines. Great fun, great prices and worth the trip!
Red Hot Wok - 9 / 12 Huynh Thuc Khang
Just off Nguyen Hue Street, the Red Hot Wok dishes up excellent Chinese grub. Tucked down a small lane, this no frills joint is fun, loud and promises to leave you wanting more! Staff have limited English, but menu's in English.
The Refinery - 74 Hai Ba Trung Street (inside the court yard)
Some of the best food in town. Very popular at lunch and dinner, dishing up French dishes among other stuff. Great (and huge) salads, amazing duck and a double chocolate ice cream to die for! For wine list available.
Seeing
While everyone knows about the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Markets and the Opera House, here are three other great things to do in HCMC!
Bitexco Financial Tower
Standing at 252.5m or 68 stories, the building has become the landmark of Saigon!
You can enjoy the stunning 360' view from the Observation Deck located on the 47th floor. Entrance tickets can brought in front of the building for 200,000 p/p (approx 10USD).
Saigon Unseen
To expericnce Saigon like a local, check out Saigon Unseen Motor Tours. The half day tour will take you all over Saigon, allowing you to get a feel of what the city is all about.
Travel through lanes, alleys, markets, visit pagoda's and see the diffidence between new and old Saigon! Tours run daily from 8.30am to 1.30pm and cost 45USD p/p. Details at www.saigonunseen.net
Vung Tau - 120km south of HCMC.
When the horns and traffic have done your head in, grab a ferry ticket and head to the coastal town of Vung Tau. Only 1 1/2 hours by ferry, its easy to visit VT in just a day. There you will find beach, sand and sea. There are also plenty of parks, seafood restaurants and cafe where you can hang out and enjoy the sun.
Ferries leave Saigon every 30 minutes through out the day and tickets cost around 10USD one way.
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| Saigon Horse Races |
Saigon Horse Races
Every weekend the track is good, the horses ready and trophies polished! The Saigon Races are a great place for a laugh and to get some great photos. You can even place a bet on your favorite ride!
Entrance is about 1USD and the track can reached by taxi with in 15/20 minutes from District 1. Ask your hotel reception!
Other Snippets Of Useless Info
- Before you leave home, write down your hotel address as taxi drivers speak none or very little English.
- Hold on to your bags and cameras - bag snatching is growing in popularity through out the city!
- When you leave your hotel, grab a hotel card. It make it easy to get back when you are lost!
- Always have fun, your on holiday's!!
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