Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Information.

Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon) is the most in-your-face, abrasive and noisy city I have ever been to. I wanted to leave fairly shortly after my arrival. But that was six months ago and I am still here.

Perhaps it's the huge salary I can earn here in Ho Chi Minh City as compared to any other city in Asia. Or maybe it's the battle of daily life that keeps me on my toes and my senses 'alive'.

My senses had been dulled from years of living in Canada and France and England. And the complexities of the people back home had me confounded. I felt so bored with my comfortable life and sought out mishaps and complexities just to stay awake.

Not so anymore. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is perhaps the only city in the world where the police try to stop you from taking a picture of the sidewalk! But then again it was near the American Embassy...

Ho Chi Minh City is a very hot place, the air filled with the constant noise of honking horns from motorbikes and cars. Pollution rains down on your lungs with every breath. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Some people call Ho Chi Minh City harrowing and others heaven, a complete quench of their thirst for action. Whatever your disposition, be prepared to have your senses accosted if you plan on traveling to Ho Chi Minh City.

But if you are planning a Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam trek then it is worth the trip if only for a few days.
Arriving Vietnam Overland:

• From Laos

But if you're starting in Vientiane (Capital of Laos) then you'll exit Laos at the Lak Sao crossing and enter Vietnam via their Cau Treo border crossing, in Ha Tinh Province (Vietnam).

Nam Can border crossing connects Nghe An Province (Vietnam) and Xieng Khuang Province (Laos).

• From China

Trains coming from Kunming cross the border at Lao Cai, in north-west Vietnam.

From Guangzhou, you will cross the border at Mong Cai, a few hours drive from Halong and its spectacular Bay. (Halong Bay)

• From Cambodia

If you arrive from Cambodia by road into Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at the Moc Bai border crossing, which connects Vietnam`s Tay Ninh Province with Cambodia`s Svay Rieng Province.

I video taped most of the ride by bus into Vietnam from Cambodia. You can check out the video by clicking here.

• Arriving by Airplane

Airport (The code for Tan Son Nhat International Airport is SGN)
The airport is easy to get through. But don't go looking for signs in English because there still aren't any.

The airport staff take their jobs very seriously but are often ill-informed or just can't communicate well. Getting through immigration was fine but they stared at me and then back at the picture in my passport six times before letting me through.

And I have been told that everyone coming through gets the same cold reception.

Once you exit the airport you'll find metered cabs in abundance. A metered cab from the airport should get you downtown (Pham Ngu Lao budget area) for under $5US.

Another option is the air-conditioned city bus that departs from outside Tan Son Nhat International Airport terminal. At just 2,000VND (14 cents US) it's the cheapest way to go.

If you are flying out of Vietnam, keep in mind the airport departure fees. They are often included in the final price of your air ticket if purchased in Vietnam but if not, be prepared for them anyway.

• In Ho Chi Minh City, the International departure tax is $12USD.
• In Hanoi, the International departure tax is $14USD.
• In Danang, the International departure tax is $12USD.

How ever you arrive, Ho Chi Minh City is in the Southeastern region of Vietnam, 1,760 km (1,094 miles) South of Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong River delta. It was the Capital City of South Vietnam before 1975 but once Communist Backed Ho Chi Minh got his hands on it, it was named after him and Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam.

Click on the little blue pins on the map below to get an idea of where Pham Ngu Lao is or span out to get a current satellite image of any place in Vietnam.

View Larger Map

Things to See/Do:

• Tax Shopping Center

You should visit the Duty-Free shopping Center in downtown Ho Chi Minh City within 5 working days of your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

After five days they will no longer sell anything to you at Duty-Free prices. I don't know the reasons but just keep it in mind. If you are coming overland from Cambodia then it is cheaper at the Duty-Free shop at the Moc Bai border crossing. The prices are much cheaper.

Barring that, get to the Tax-Free shopping center (address above)within five days of your arrival. You'll need your passport in hand to confirm your arrival date.

• Notre Dame Cathedral

This Cathedral was built by the French in 1877. It's the best known building in Ho Chi Minh City for its neo-Romanesque architecture and the two towers that stand 57m high.

A statue of the Virgin Mary stands right out front as if to welcome you in. Last year red colored tears began to run down its stone cheeks. It went on for weeks and you couldn't even get in to see it for the crowds. I sold hot-dogs and made a killing.

• Ho Chi Minh City History Museum

This is one of the oldest museums in the city. That doesn't mean it didn't bore the heck out of me though. The truth is that unless you are an enthusiast about antiques; the Phu Nam culture, Cham arts and Mekong Delta arts, it's difficult to appreciate.

But everyone has a passion and if yours is the fore-mentioned arts, then get down there. And don't be offended when they triple charge you as a foreigner. It's still cheap at about $3USD a person.

• Ho Chi Minh Museum

This building was the place that Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh), embarked on the Latouche Treville to go abroad and begin the struggle for Vietnam's independence. The museum is dedicated to displaying materials pertaining to all of about President Ho's purported activities.

Of course, it's all about seeing Ho Chi Minh through the eyes of blind, reverent communist Vietnamese. He is their hero and a god-like figure so it's a political statement in the old Communist way. I loved that part of it.

It was interesting to see how people react to this account of a man who exterminated nearly two million of his own people and seized their land and assets in the process.

But I should leave my opinions out of it.

• Dam Sen Park

Dam Sen is THE hangout place for teens and adults alike. It's usually crowded on the weekends but the water-park inside is refreshing and the roller-coaster is cute for kids and stupid for anyone over 10.

So, of course I went, my knees stuffed into the dashboard of the tiny car. I won't be including a picture of that. It was ugly.

• Benh Tahn Market

This is a great place to do some shopping before you leave. Good for fake Rolex watches (Incredible quality), T-shirts; maybe a traditional Vietnamese dress for any cross-dressers or women out there and great coffee and spice can be found here.

Just remember that you can usually shave %50 off of the asking price. I never pay more. The sales person will crumble as you walk away and if not the other 57 stores will surely help you out.

• Reunification Palace (Independent Palace)

This was the site of the former palace of the French Governor of Indochina. Built in 1868, it became the presidential palace of South Vietnam when Ngo Dinh Diem came to power in the 1950s.

After being damaged by bombs during a coup attempt in the early 1960s, the palace was rebuilt. On April 30, 1975, tanks of the liberation army crashed through the main gate of the palace, ending the 20-year war for Vietnam's reunification.

There are some tanks and jet fighter aircraft parked near the front entrance. There is a also a captured American tank as well but there is little else to see here.

Inside the palace is just sterile and has that old man smell. Boring for me but it's there for any of you who would like to see the map room or other wartime memorabilia.

Cu Chi Tunnels in Cu Chi District

Once the headquarters of the armed forces in Ho Chi Minh City (Then Saigon). Gia Dinh, Cu Chi Tunnel is a system of 200km of tunnels between 2.5m and 12m underground.

A ninety-minute drive north of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels were built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long years of struggle for independence.

Four meters below the ground, the three level tunnel complex is spread over 200 kilometers and was able to withstand the force of repeated bombings and the weight of the heavy armored vehicles rolling above.

This subterranean city housed not only conference rooms, guard posts and booby-trapped false tunnels for use by the resistance fighters, but also Kitchens, sleeping quarters, school rooms, field hospitals and a mini-cinema for use by the whole community.

Today the tunnels have been widened to allow easier access for the many overseas and local visitors who come to marvel at the ingenuity of the war-time inhabitants of Cu Chi.

• Suoi Tien Park

For provincial visitors to Ho Chi Minh City, Suoi Tien is a must-see place. It's interesting because of the huge statues of the founders of Vietnam and the kings of the Hung Dynasty.

• War Museum

A must-see for foreign tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City. On display are exhibits concerning the atrocities during the Vietnam war such as My Lai massacre and victims of napalm bombs and Agent Orange.

There is also a guillotine brought to Vietnam by the French colonialists. In the late 1950s, this guillotine was moved to several provinces in South Vietnam to execute revolutionists.

There is also a souvenir shop that sells items related to the war.

FAQs:

Q:
Can you recommend a good tailor? I've heard they make great custom tailored clothes in Vietnam. Are they as good as they say?
A:
There are some good ones and some absolute terrible ones. I have never had a problem with Thu Ha:

June, July and December are peak time for foreign customers who go on vacation or return to their homeland to welcome the new year. Suits and coats are the two most popular items for this kind of client.

Q:
What should I do if I get seriously ill while in Ho Chi Minh City?
A:
Head to the 24-hour accident & emergency unit. They have both foreign and professionally qualified local doctors at hand at two locations in Ho Vhi Minh City (Saigon).

Address 1:

Address 2:

Q:
I heard Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to get some dental work done on the cheap.

A:
It can be. But you'll also find prices in excess of those in your own country. Vietnamese who head overseas and study at the dental university return and feel they should be paid massive sums of money. Shop around. I have had no trouble with:

Or if you get a toothache in the middle of the night and it feels as though your head is going to explode, head on down to the 24 hour dental clinic. Bring lots of cash because you can also get a nose job done while you're waiting!

I haven't been there but a friend of mine gave me a card and I drove past it and got the 24 hour contact number.

Fully equipped dental surgery offering emergency treatments and cosmetic surgery.
24-Hour Emergency Contact: 090 364 7156

Q:
Are Travelers’ Checks accepted in Vietnam?
A:
Travelers' Checks can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. People will just look at you with a blank stare if you try to use them anywhere but at a bank in one of the major cities. And then they charge you a 1-2% commission.

Banks such as CitiBank, ANZ Bank, HSBC and Vietcombank can change your Travellers’ Cheques for VND or US Dollars.

Q:
Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?

A:
Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Not all hotels, commercial centers, shops and restaurants accept credit cards.

Check with them before you spend any plastic money. Sometimes they just aren't in the mood to accept it even if they are fully equipped to do so. Cash is King.

A surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases.
Visa and Mastercard: 2.2 % surcharge
JCB: 2.75% surcharge
American Express: 4% surcharge

Just remember that they rarely inform you of surcharges on credit card transactions

Q:
Where can I withdraw cash?

A:
ATMs for withdrawal of Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns and capitals of provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language version.

Ask your tour guide for help when you need to locate an ATM or send me an email at info@travel-budget-asia.com

You cannot withdraw US dollars or any other currency from any ATM. As well, no bank will change Vietnamese Dong into Dollars but the other way around is fine. Hypocrites!

Q:
I gotta find my Consulate and FAST!
A:
Contact information for every Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam can be found here.

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web www.travel-budget-asia.com

Leave Ho Chi Minh City Page for Vietnam Travel Page
Return to Home Page