Formerly known as Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam is now a bustling city of commerce and culture and has helped drive the country forward economically. Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City boasts of festivities and events throughout the year, which are set among its ancient pagodas and the markets teeming with life. Religion and spirituality are also accentuated in this city with its beautiful temples and churches scattered all around. This fascinating city has evolved through the ages and with its rapid growth and development, it is now one of the most populated and most visited cities in all of Vietnam. For visitors, Ho Chi Minh City offers both th
Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty of places where you can take your children. One place to spend the day is the Saigon Zoo. With 133 years of operation, it’s is one the oldest zoos world. The wide variety of indigenous animals, the aquariums and the museum can keep children occupied for the entire day. Several temples are also found in its extensive grounds.
Also known as the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre, the Opera House is a beautiful example of French Colonial architecture from 1897. The 3-story, 1,800-seat opera house stages a variety of concerts not limited to opera, including ballet, classical and pop music and traditional Vietnamese performances. The square outside is a great place to relax and people watch.
This is the historic post office was built in the 19th century European style and features an enormous portrait of the former president Ho Chi Minh. The crowds inside consist of mostly visitors rather than actual customers.
This is a popular spot for both tourists and the younger crowd, where Russian Market stores can be found selling cheap watches, T-shirts, DVDs, clothes, slippers and the like.
Formerly known as the Hotel de Ville and rebranded as the People’s Committee Hall, the City Hall is a strikingly beautiful French colonial building and an important monument to the Vietnamese. The entrance is a popular place to have your photograph taken by the statue of Uncle Ho.
The Bink Quoi Tourist Village was built in 1994 by the Saigon Tourist Corporation. It is the largest tourist attraction in all of Ho Chi Minh City, offering an evening dinner cruise with a cultural show. The tourist village offers a lot of activities to pass time as well as hosting puppet shows and boat rides.
This club was once used by French colonists. It is shaded by trees and has a number of tennis courts, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and table tennis facilities. Early in the mornings, the art of thai cuc quyen [slow-motion shadow boxing] is practiced.
The Fine Art Museum is widely known for its spectacular range of artifacts including contemporary paintings, some of which can be bought. A wide variety of art exhibits, including Khmer, Cham and Indian works of art are also displayed. This museum is just a few blocks from the famous Ben Thanh Market.
The Mariamman Hindu Temple is approximately 3 blocks from the Ben Thanh Market and was built in the 19th century and dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Mariamman.
The Ben Thanh Market is the biggest attraction in Ho Chi Min City for all tourists as it is the main shopping centre and everyone visiting Vietnam comes here looking for bargains. The market is very well organized with an array of stalls arranged in sections according to what they sell. The Ben Thanh is also huge on souvenir shops.
Cuisine: Italian Villa Romaine offers the city’s highest quality Italian food and is part of the famous Thao Dien Complex. The restaurant is just a 15 minute drive from District 1 and can also be reached by boat. It is definitely worth visiting if you want to enjoy a nice quiet meal on the peaceful banks of the river.
Cuisine: Italian Pomodoro’s is a fancy Italian restaurant that gives you a true sense of being in Italy. Their specialty is lasagna and their pizzas are absolutely delicious. The restaurant not only serves fine entrees, but also offers an array of appetizers if you’d just like to snack. Desserts here are also a treat.
Cuisine: Brazilian This restaurant is known as a Brazilian churrascaria – an all-you-can-eat restaurant featuring a wide variety of barbecued meats. Live Latin music and dancing provide the main attraction from Tuesdays to Saturdays. For authentically Brazilian cuisine and fine service, visit any of the Au Lac Do Brazil outlets in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cuisine: Spanish & Cuban With its colorful Mediterranean décor, La Habana offers outstanding Spanish and Cuban food. There are over 50 different types of tapas on the menu, as well as paella specialties. La Habana hosts free salsa lessons on Tuesdays and live music on Fridays, but show up any night of the week for a fun and relaxing atmosphere and great food.
Cuisine: Chinese Huy Long Vien offers the best Peking duck as well as fantastic all-you-can-eat dim sum. Location: 99 Nguyễn Du, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3823 7799
Cuisine: French A stylish French bistro, L’En Tete serves classic French cooking along with its live jazz piano performances. Every two months, the restaurant also organizes an art show and hosts an opening with the artists. With its fine food and great atmosphere, L’En Tete, which is open until midnight, offers a magnificent dining experience.
Cuisine: Vietnamese The Temple Club is an elegant restaurant housed in a turn of the century former Chinese temple. The décor is classic and much of it- from the rugs to the tapestries- is available for purchase. The Vietnamese standards are cooked wonderfully and the atmosphere is romantic and reminiscent of the 1930s Saigon.
Cuisine: Vietnamese and International delicacies The restaurant specializes in the city’s best barbecues, with both Vietnamese and international delicacies. At night the restaurant is beautifully decorated and lit, the air is thick with the odor of fresh meat being grilled and music sets the atmosphere for a fine dining experience.
Cuisine: Vietnamese Popular among tourists, locals and expats alike, this cozy restaurant by the opera house serves quality Vietnamese food and excellent seafood.
Cuisine: Thai This is the largest and most popular Thai restaurant in all of Ho Chi Minh City. Authentic Thai food is cooked by two Thai chefs and the food- both traditional and fusion- is always fresh and is served within minutes. This venue seats over 200 people and is air conditioned.
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InterContinental Asiana Saigon is set in the commercial center of Vietnam, just 3 kilometers from the train station and 7 kilometers from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Most of the tourist sites and landmarks are easily accessible from its location in the heart of the Ho Chi Minh City. The lavish hotel has 305 rooms and 18 suites and each elegantly-appointed room is equipped with a satellite television, a DVD player, telephone and minibar. The hotel also promotes multicultural restaurants, which cater to a range of tastes with fine Cantonese, French, Italian and Vietnamese cuisines. A business center, fitness center, convenience store, ballrooms, meeting rooms and tour desk assisting you in planning your itinerary make it an excellent choice for both business and leisure travelers.
The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is situated in the bustling business and entertainment district close to the Ho Chi Minh Zoo, the Botanical Gardens and several other sites worth visiting. Also within walking distance are the Saigon River and Saigon Centre. Each of the 470 room has access to state-of-the-art facilities, including marble bathrooms, massage-style showers, iPod docking stations and nice welcoming touches like fresh flowers and turndown service. The rooms in the 25-story Grand Tower are all newly renovated and have access to the Grand Tower Lounge and its 24-hour butler service and personal chef. Business conferences are made easy with 16 meeting rooms and an impressive 750-square meter Grand Ballroom, earning the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers the title of “Best Business Hotel” in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam by notable business and travel magazines year after year. With 8 restaurants within the hotel, there is no shortage of dining options allowing visitors to sample the delicacies of the Far East or enjoy international flavors and local favorites. A gymnasium, spa, casino and an outdoor swimming pool allow visitors to unwind after a day exploring the city.
Roughly 7 kilometers from the airport, the Majestic Hotel is situated very close to the Saigon River and is walking distance from the main commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Each room is well-equipped and fully furnished in the French colonial style. The hotel offers the very best of business services for corporate visitors. There is also a gymnasium, swimming pool and sauna within the premises.
Strategically located in the city of Ho Chi Minh, New World Hotel is within walking distance of the popular Ben Thanh Market, in the vicinity of the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Vietnam Wonderland and the Saigon Water Park and is just a 20 minute drive from the International Airport. The 5-star hotel is fully equipped with all the facilities required for a comfortable stay and the Executive Floors enjoy a range of additional personalized services. The New World Hotel’s ballroom, banquet halls, meeting rooms and skilled event organizing team are excellent resources for business conferences, exhibitions, shows or weddings. Located within the hotel, the Dynasty restaurant serves excellent Cantonese food and Dim Sum favorites and Parkview offers a buffet and international cuisine. For lighter fare, a poolside lounge serves refreshments and small meals and the Saigon Baking Company provides an excellent place to relax with a pastry and coffee.
This acclaimed 5-star hotel, which has hosted numerous celebrities and dignitaries since its inception in 1959, is located right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, a convenient 8 kilometer journey from the International Airport and 5 kilometers from the railway station. The rooms are elegant and spacious and the recreational facilities- fitness center, outdoor pool and salon and spa are state-of-the-art. Meeting facilities can accommodate 500 in the ballroom or host smaller meetings in the 11 meeting rooms. One on-site restaurant serves a continental buffet catering to all sorts of culinary needs and a fine-dining restaurant offers a sophisticated dinner inspired by world-class international chefs.
Right beside the scenic Saigon River, the Legend Hotel is within walking distance of many of the major tourist attractions as well as the city’s commercial center. There are 238 luxurious rooms with WiFi, satellite television and a turndown service. The lobby lounge serves coffee, tea and pastries each morning and the Atrium Café offers delicious buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other dining options consist of an Australian steakhouse, Cantonese restaurant and Japanese restaurant.
A luxury hotel in the center of the business district, the Renaissance Saigon Riverside Hotel is perfect for business travelers looking for a comfortable stay and has special packages for Vietnamese food aficionados, honeymooners or tourists. There are meeting facilities, WiFi access, a fitness center, rooftop swimming pool, and restaurants serving a range of casual and fine dining options.
This five star hotel is a great way to experience Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. With its 25 stories, it’s the tallest building in the area and offers great views of the city. An executive lounge, fitness center, pool, spa, business center and restaurants provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
This hotel is only a block away from the famous Ben Thanh Market. Nearby locations also include the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. For a reasonable price, it provides excellent accommodation with quality services for their guests. The affordable Liberty Central Suite is furnished in a sleek modern-style and the deluxe rooms are equipped with amenities such as air conditioners, a flat screen television, wireless internet and a private bathroom. Fusion cuisine is available at the restaurant, and an on-site swimming pool and fitness room provide great recreational options.
The Bong Sen Hotel, located conveniently in the city’s main business, entertainment and shopping district, is widely known for its professional service and the hospitality offered to all its guests. With its range of accommodation options- standard rooms, superior rooms, family deluxe rooms, superior deluxe rooms, junior suites, business suites and the luxury Bong Sen suite- there is something for every price range and every room specification. Honeymooners, business travelers, families and single vacationers will have all their lodging needs met at this three-star boutique hotel. The popular Buffet Ganh serves a range of Vietnamese favorites, while the Lotus Center has a great international menu and Halal options. A spa and fitness center offer relaxation from 10:00 am to 2:00 am.
Location: Ho Chi Minh City is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam, 1760 km south of Hanoi. Its average elevation is 19 meters above sea level. The city covers an area of 2095 square kilometers and borders the South China Sea to the South with a coast of 15 kilometers.; Dialing code: +848; Emergency numbers: Police - 113 Fire brigade - 114 Ambulance / Medical Aid – 115
The Dong is the official currency of Vietnam. (VND – Vietnamese Dong )
1st January – New Years’: Last day of the last lunar month - 3rd day of the first lunar month – Vietnamese New Year 10th day of the 3rd lunar month – Hung King’s Commemoration 30th April – Liberation Day / Reunification Day 1st May – International Worker’s Day (Labor Day); 2nd September – National Day: Other Holidays 3rd February – Communist Party of Vietnam Foundation Anniversary 8th March – International Women’s Day 19th May – President Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday 1st June – International Children’s Day 28th June – Vietnamese Family Day 27th July – Remembrance Day 19th August – August Revolution Commemoration Day 10th October – Capital Liberation Day 20th October – Vietnamese Women’s Day 20th November – Teacher’s Day 22nd December – National Defense Day (People’s Army of Vietnam Foundation Anniversary) 25th December- Christmas Day 15/1 (Lunar) – Lantern Festival 15/4 (Lunar) – Buddha’s Birthday 5/5 (Lunar) – Midyear Festival 15/7 (Lunar) – Ghost Festival 15/8 (Lunar) – Mid Autumn Festival 23/12 (Lunar) – Kitchen Guardians
a- January: 1. High: 31.6 °C 2. Low: 21.1 °C; b- February: 1. High: 32.9 °C 2. Low: 22.5 °C; c- March: 1. High: 33.9 °C 2. Low: 24.4 °C
There are now nearly 10 million inhabitants in Ho Chi Minh City with a population that is growing rapidly at a rate of 200 thousand per year. About 90% of the population is Vietnamese and 8% of the population is Chinese, a large number of whom live in the district of Cholon, the largest Chinatown of Vietnam.
Citizens of most Asian countries such as Korea, Japan as well as Scandinavians can enter Vietnam without an entry visa and this is valid for a visit within 30 days. All other citizens need to have an entry visa before they depart their own country, or they need to be in possession of a pre-approved entry visa which is then issued on arrival. The passport must be valid for at least one month from the date of exit of the city. Also two passport sized photos of size 4x6 cm are essential. Stamp fees need to be paid. These vary based on the type of visa you need. For a single entry visa, a stamp fee of 25 USD is mandatory. For a multiple entry visa, 50 USD needs to be paid and it costs 100 USD for a 1 year visa. These passport stamps can be available by applying to any one of the Vietnamese Embassies or Consulates. A visa can also be obtained on arrival, once you’ve reached your port of destination. As you pass through immigration, the entry visa is stamped on the passport and is valid for only 30 days. It can be extended however, once you’ve entered Vietnam.
Depending on when you visit Ho Chi Minh City, you can experience either tropical wet conditions or a relatively dry climate. The year is divided into two distinct seasons, the rainy season essentially lasts around 7 months from the month of May to November. The rest of the year is nice and dry. If the heat ever gets to you, there are plenty of water parks to help you cool down. This season is the best for people who love the outdoors as well as like to stay dry.
Formerly known as Saigon, the largest city in Vietnam is now a bustling city of commerce and culture and has helped drive the country forward economically. Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City boasts of festivities and events throughout the year, which are set among its ancient pagodas and the markets teeming with life. Religion and spirituality are also accentuated in this city with its beautiful temples and churches scattered all around. This fascinating city has evolved through the ages and with its rapid growth and development, it is now one of the most populated and most visited cities in all of Vietnam. For visitors, Ho Chi Minh City offers both the finest hotels and the cheapest guesthouses, the classiest of restaurants and the most modest street stalls.
What we now call Ho Chi Minh City first began as a small fishing village called Prey Nokor or “Forest Kingdom.” The area was originally nothing but swampland and was taken up by the Khmer people for centuries before the Vietnamese arrived. Colonization by Vietnamese settlers began in the 17th century and this presence isolated the Khmer, who became a minority in the region. The control of Prey Nokor by the Vietnamese restricted Cambodian access to this important port and entry to the South China Sea. By the 19th century, Saigon was conquered by France and its heavy French influence was reflected in the architecture, earning it the name the “Paris in the Orient” or “the Pearl of the Far East”.
The Saigon Center, also known as Sedona Suites is an office building but has 3 floors of shops in its base. The ground floor consists of cafés and a golf shop, the second floor is mostly children’s items and a supermarket and the third floor is mostly home furnishings. If you’re looking for gifts, crockery or home appliances, the Saigon Center is the best place to shop. Many people are put off by the high prices, but the quality of the items is good. It is open every day of the week from 9 am to 9 pm.
The Parkson Saigon Tourist Plaza is a Malaysian outlet mall. From designer apparel, jewelry and cosmetics to children’s clothing, sportswear and home appliances, Parkson has brands and prices of every kind. You can find absolutely anything in this plaza if you’re willing to spend a fair bit.
Gaya is famous for its new and defined style of furniture, Quasar Khanh lamps and the elegant tailoring of the French-Cambodian Romyda Keth. Furniture of the best quality and design can be found here along with other home décor.
Hip Vietnamese who love to spend come to this mall where prices are high and all merchandise is branded. The ground floor is mainly for women, where they can find colorful ruffled dresses designed by Vietnamese designers - Trong Nguyen and Thanh Long. Men will be excited by the likes of Pierre Cardin and other such outlets.
Chi Chi is a designer shop in Ho Chi Minh City with exquisite fabrics and designs and custom-made tailoring. It is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
Annam Gourmet Shop is a small but very classy shop offering an assortment of imported cheeses, wines, chocolates and other exotic delicacies you won’t find anywhere else. Those who have a taste for these fancy food items should definitely stop by for a nibble.
For you art buffs out there, Ho Chi Minh City is brimming with art galleries, some much fancier than others. If you want the top quality art work, the best galleries to check out are those around the Fine Arts Museum. Excellent works of art can also be found at the Blue Space Gallery. Similar galleries of equivalent quality can also be found at Lacquer & Oil and Vinh Loi Gallery.
Dan Sinh Market is THE place to shop if you want a chic pair of boots or a stylish outfit or even electronics and imported machinery. There is an array of stalls that sell anything from ponchos to duffel bags to second-hand military gear. The prices are very reasonable and the merchandise is reliable.
Saigon Kitsch is exactly what the name implies, a store filled with colorful knick-knacks. These trinkets make excellent souvenirs or gifts for friends back home. On the other side of the shop, Gallery Dogma sells communist memorabilia, posters, mugs and propaganda screen printed onto canvas and t-shirts.
For those of you interested in traditional Vietnamese clothing, definitely visit this store. Cham Khanh specializes in ao dai materials as well as tailoring this Vietnamese national dress exactly to your fit and style. Ao dai in all colors and fabrics can be found.
The Botanical Gardens were established in 1864 by the French and were once the finest in all of Asia. Tropical plants and trees are a huge attraction here.
The historical museum built in 1929 consists of a wide collection of artifacts depicting over 2,000 years of Vietnamese history from ancient dynasties to independence.
Formerly known as the Revolutionary Museum and housed in the former building of the Government of Cochinchina, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum contains valuable artifacts from the Communist period. Here visitors can view weapons, medals, uniforms and photographs portraying the Communist struggle between the French and the Americans. Outside the museum stands a military collection that includes a helicopter and a tank.
The Reunification Palace, once referred to as Norodom’s Palace and Independence Palace, is a monument of great historic importance to the Vietnamese and the site of many power transfers. First built and used by the French Governors General, the original palace later became the residence of the Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem but was leveled and rebuilt after heavy damage in attacks by the Saigon army. In 1975, a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates and this event would symbolize the fall of Saigon and mark the end of the Vietnam War. The tank is still there to date. The rooms, including the president’s headquarters, are open for the public to view. One fascinating aspect of the palace is the underground tunnels that lead to a telecommunications center.
This cathedral, with its two bell towers, was built between 1863 and 1880 and remains a famous landmark of Ho Chi Minh City. Right in front of the cathedral is a garden with a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. Though the cathedral’s interior is rather plain, it’s still a beautiful structure and notable because of its historical significance.
The Xa Loi Pagoda is the largest in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1956 and was said to contain ‘Xa Loi’ – sacred bones or rather fragments of them from The Buddha. The pagoda was the center of political protest in the 1960s, when monks and nuns inside were attacked, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Buddhists.
Ho Chi Minh City is a city of festivals and fetes. The events are exotic and distinct in their own way and portray Vietnamese culture with grandeur. The ideal time to visit this bustling city is during the months of January and February, when the weather is cooler. This is also the time for the famous Tet Festival. The Tet Festival is the highlight of the Vietnamese festivals which is celebrated with a lot of pomp and ceremony. Usually falling between the 19th of January and 20th of February, the Tet Festival is celebrated for a week in the south. It is the biggest festival celebrated and marks the Lunar New Year. The beginning of the New Year is believed to be the most auspicious time to start any venture and tourists planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City during the Tet Lunar New Year festivities must be well prepared and have bookings far in advance for accommodation and transport.
The Thien Hau Pagoda festival is celebrated in the famous Thien Hau Pagoda, with reverence to the Lady Thien Hau. Originally a Chinese deity, she is held in high regard in seafaring communities and is believed to offer protection to sailors. People regularly come to this pagoda to pray for a better life and during the festival, a lion dance is performed in the yard of the pagoda.
An event of great importance in Ho Chi Minh City is Buddha’s Birthday Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the Fourth Lunar Month. In Ho Chi Minh City this festival is lavishly celebrated in the Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda. The temple is exquisitely decorated, while monks move in processions through the streets. The celebrations are held on the night of the May full moon and visiting the temple a week before these begin is advisable.
Credited as being the founder of the Viet Minh independence movement in 1941 and establishing communist control in part of Vietnam in the 1950s, Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – September 2, 1969) was a Vietnamese revolutionary, who was later appointed as Prime Minister (1946–1955) and then went on to become President (1955–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The name Ho Chi Minh means "he who enlightens." This festival, honoring Ho Chi Minh’s is celebrated on his birthday, the 19th of May.
This festival is celebrated in the Nghia An Hoi Pagoda that is dedicated to Quan Cong an eminent Chinese officer during the Three Kingdoms period. The Chinese community, such as the Hoas and Kinh, visit this pagoda annually to commemorate this special festival, which is celebrated twice a year-on the 15th of the 1st lunar month and the 24th of the 6th lunar month (July). Once the prayers are over, various non-religious activities take place on the grounds of the pagoda.
Established since 1975, the Saigontourist Travel Service Company is one of Vietnam’s leading tour operators. It organizes sight-seeing tours of Vietnam with stopovers at all the biggest attractions of Ho Chi Minh City and also provides off-shore excursions.
The Asiana Travel Mate Company is known for its special promotions that combine excellent package deals with hotel accommodations. There are river cruises, cycling trips, adventure tours and tours that take you to see most of Ho Chi Minh’s highlights.
The Northern Star International Travel Company organizes several tours and has a variety of packages to choose from. One offer is for a stay that lasts roughly for 2 weeks, where an NTS guide picks you up from the airport and drops you directly to your hotel. The city tour includes the Central Post Office, the City Hall, the Reunification hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral and other monuments. Transportation to and from your hotel each day is included, as is dinner.
The Peace Tour Company is a well known company that organizes several tours around Ho Chi Minh City, which include both day tours around the city as well as from Ho Chi Minh City to Hue, Hanoi and Ha Long. Visitors who are in Vietnam for only a short while should opt for the Highlights of Vietnam Tour that covers all the main attractions and monuments of Ho Chi Minh City as well as surrounding cities.
The Cholon Mosque is found in the Chinatown – Cholon – of Ho Chi Minh City, and is an austere and clean building compared to the many colorfully decorated and lit Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhist pagodas around. The mosque was built by Tamil Muslims in 1935 but is not used extensively by the Malaysian and Vietnamese Muslim community. In the courtyard, you can find a pool for the ritual ablutions. There is also a tiled niche in the wall, mihrab, indicating the direction of prayer, towards Mecca.
This mosque was also built in 1935, by Indian Muslim Traders that lived there at the time. However now, Muslims from as far as Pakistan and Indonesia come to pray at the Central Mosque. Built in a traditional fashion, it contains a main minaret, a large courtyard and two verandas. Since the verandas are shaded, the stone floors make it an ideal place to sit and pray or read. Shoes must be removed before entering.
459 Trần Hưng Đạo, Cầu Kho, 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam08 3920 3325
phường 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
66 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
45 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
There are 4 main bus stations within the city: 1] Cho Ben Thanh Bus Station - This is right in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. It is walking distance from many tourist sites. 2] Mien Dong Bus Station - Buses heading north leave and arrive here. 3] Mien Tay Bus Station - Bus 139 from Tran Hung Dao Street leaves here. 4] Cholon Bus Station
The train is usually used to travel to and from Ho Chi Minh City. The train station, GA Saigon is on Cach Mang Thang Tam, situated Northwest of the city centre. It is just a short taxi or public bus ride away from the main district hotels. There is also an official train ticket office in the backpacker’s district. The Vietnamese railway company, Duong Sat Vietnam, operates on a single major route from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi with other side routes leading to mainly the northern towns. Tel: (08) 843 6528 (ticket prices) or 931 8952 (train information); website: www.vr.com.vn
Taxis are probably the most comfortable way of traveling. It is usually not difficult to hail a taxi anywhere within the city (and restaurants and hotels will readily summon them for you), although it is slightly harder to find one during heavy rain or peak hours. There are several taxi companies which are usually metered, but there are also unmetered ones where the fare must be agreed upon before departure. Reputable taxi companies are:
It is not usually advisable to hire a car without a driver; however cars with English speaking drivers can be sought out through travel companies. They also act as tour guides and will take you around the city and to particular sites. The following companies can arrange a car with a driver for the day:
By bus from the airport A 5 minute walk from the domestic terminal of the airport leads to the recently introduced No. 152 air-conditioned bus. It is the cheapest means of transport from the airport to the city and costs approximately 3,000 dong per person with an additional fee for the size and number of baggage. However, these buses are only available until 6 pm.
Most visitors prefer not to drive in Ho Chi Minh City as the streets are usually crowded with vehicles and traffic. Only long-term residents are allowed to drive, but visitors are permitted to hire cars. The best option for both visitors and residents is to use public transportation. Those that do drive their own car find it very hard to secure a parking spot. Foreign drivers are also usually targeted for on-the-spot fines.
When planning a trip to any new country, the health and safety of this city is always of prime concern. Although Ho Chi Minh City has developed vastly and is now a metropolitan city, precautions always should be taken to ensure one’s safety.
