Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a much busier city as compared to Hanoi.  A lot more commercialized too.  I find that things in HCMC are generally cheaper than in Hanoi and the people in HCMC are also warmer and more friendly. 

How to get to the city?

From airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center

• Grab.  Grab is widely used in Vietnam. For the comfort and convenience, it's a little price to pay to start your trip. I have only tried Grab from hotel to airport and it costed me VND140,000 (about S$9) including  airport surcharge. 
• If you don't have many luggage. Try taking their airport bus no.109 (VND20,000=S$1.20) 

   or 

   public bus no. 152      (VND5,000=S$0.30 + VND 2,000 for luggage) to HCMC downtown. It's a half an hour bus ride. 

Bus stops for airport bus no. 109

I tried taking the route map on the bus 109 but it failed terribly...

Downloaded from the bus company site

There are a few things that you should take note of for first timer to Vietnam.

Rule: 

1) DON'T run while crossing the road, walk in a regular pace! The motorist will avoid you when they can anticipate your pace.  Any sudden change in your pace will disrupt their judgement which may lead to accident. You will learn that despite the chaotic traffic, there is still a system for crossing the road.  
  
2) DON'T use your mobile phone while walking on the street.  First you are risking yourself walking into the chaotic traffic or even motorists on the pedestal. Secondly, you are encouraging snatch thief.  If you need to use the phone for direction, go into a shop or at least face the building (not towards the road) 

3) Be EARLY for your shopping.  Vendors are generally superstitious, their first customer of the day means a lot to them and generally you will be at the upper hand for any bargain.

A typical scene in HCMC. 

Where to stay in HCMC?

There are plenty of hotels to choose from in HCMC, it all depends on your budget.  I have tried staying at service apartment and different types of hotel during my different visits and each has their own pros and cons.  The most important consideration while choosing your hotel is LOCATION.  As the traffic in HCMC can be very bad, it is important that you choose a hotel that is close to the places of interest.  I will usually choose one that is close to or walking distance to Ben Thanh market. Try to choose one that is between Ben Thanh market and Dong Khoi.

Local hotel
There are many local (brand) hotel at budgeted price.  If you are not particular about having gym or pool facilities, these are good options.  You can easily afford their suite with good big clean room which doesn't cost an arm or a leg.  

Accommodation that I have tried:

• Somerset service apartment 

Huge 4-bedroom condo with pool facilities and American breakfast. Good for family. Though it is in district 1, it is way out of the city area, you will need to take a taxi/Grab everywhere you go.

• Signature Saigon

I have booked their suite that comes with 2 king size bed and jacuzzi jet shower.  Room are bigger than usual hotel and 3 min walk to Ben Thanh market.  Rooms are clean and the best part is that it is just beside The Sinh Tourist branch and booking for one day tour and bus pick up on the actual day was easy.  

• Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel

There are actually 4 Liberty hotel in the city, don't go to the wrong one. The one I stayed is literally beside Ben Thanh market.  This is so far the best hotel among those that I have stayed. Location was fantastic. 

What to do in HCMC?

You can practically booked your day tour on the day of arrival. Don't have to pre-book online as it's gonna cost you more. I usually preview the day trips at "The Sinh Tourist" website.  This company has proven to be the more reliable one over the years.

• Cu Chi Tunnel

This is a must go place whether you are a war fanatic or not.  You won't be able to see a similar kind of history in any other part of the world. The struggle and survival of the Vietnamese during the war will vividly stays in your memory.

https://m.thesinhtourist.vn/tour/sg/to-sgcc-02/cu-chi-tunnels-12-day-afternoon

• War Remnant Museum

Don't be deceive by the images of the little worn out museum. It may look like a boring museum at first but it gave such rich history of Vietnam. In particularly the orange agent war and the bio war fare was very disheartening and leaves one with a heavy heart when we see the descendants of the people are still affected by the orange agent after all these years.

• Mekong river

We were expecting to see floating market at the Mekong delta (My Tho) but it was so pathetic with only 2 or 3 boats selling fruits to the tourists.  The river, though looks muddy, is the life of the people. You will see people swimming in the water or  washing the fruits with the water scoop from the river. I am not too sure if the water is being used for other purposes. To see a similar floating market, you will need to further west to Can Tho. 

Elephant fish which is the river Tilapia

Woman making rice paper

• City by foot

Most of the attractions in the city can be done by foot.  Free walking tour by university students is highly recommended but need to book way in advance.  
* Post office
* Notre Dame cathedral
* independence palace

Recommended to book free tour by university students who wants to learn English (e.g. Saigon free walking tour)

Where to eat?

1) Com nieu Saigon - flying rice (also known as Anthony Bourdain restaurant cos he visited). The acrobatic act of cracking the claypot and tossing  the rice in the air and try their unique dishes instead of the common street food dishes.

Cơm niêu Sài Gòn

27 Tú Xương, Phường 7, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 28 3932 6363 https://g.co/kgs/pB3k9w

Flying rice

2) Ashima mushroom hotpot - this is a must try. Mushroom broth for the hotpot is damn good. There are a few branches. I tried in HCMC and Hanoi.

ASHIMA 3

35A Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 28 3824 1966

https://goo.gl/maps/rv96ej6sFMQ2

3) Banh mi Hong Hoa - French loaf with fillings  

Bánh Mì Hồng Hoa

62 Nguyễn Văn Tráng, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 90 881 15 94

https://goo.gl/maps/7XYzcyPtAwR2

4) Den Long -  authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Ask for recommendations.

Den Long - Home Cooked Vietnamese Restaurant

130 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

+84 90 994 91 83

https://goo.gl/maps/4fRoSLwyg8E2

5) Nha Hang Vong cac - Seafood zichar place. Coconut (bud) salad is a must order. Choose your live seafood and choice of cooking. There are other zichar dishes to go with.

299 Phạm Thế Hiển, Phường 3, Quận 8, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cqo7m

Coconut bud salad

6) Cafe Vy - nicer coffee than the famous Trung Nguyen coffee. A place to sit and chill.

Cafe Vy

277E Lê Thánh Tôn, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

+84 28 3829 5416

https://goo.gl/maps/VKgA8vQS7z22

7) Rex hotel level 1 open air restaurant - crispy eel noodle (tang hoon) and pho

141 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
+84 28 3829 2185
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9f8nq

crispy eel with tang hoon

8) EON51 Cafe/Bar.  Go to level 51 for ice cream or drinks. A great place to see the night view of Saigon. A little navigation required to find the lift to level 51. Just ask for direction.

Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hải Triều, Bến Nghé, Hồ Chí Minh, 700000, Vietnam

+84 28 3915 6156

https://goo.gl/maps/rGDinnP3cJ82

Where to shop?

• Bags (backpack, duffle bag, travel sling bag, etc)

Saigon Square 1

81 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

https://goo.gl/maps/EKQNdqLCSJw

Shop 36

36 Lưu Văn Lang, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

https://goo.gl/maps/EoBY2F7Xuu42

Taka Plaza

102 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

https://goo.gl/maps/x4krtT8bGZJ2

• Dried shrimp/ snack lotus seeds/ nuts/ dried goods/ coffee powder

An dong market @Basement 1

Binh Tay market @level 1

Ben Thanh market (more expensive than the other two)

• Quick dry t-shirt/ shorts/ hair accessories/ Stationary/ cloth/ etc.

An dong market - wholesale market, everything wholesale, from undergarments to stationary. You will have to buy in bulk (5 to 10 pieces minimally)

HCMC and its surrounding

•Mui Ne

4 hours bus ride. You can read my Mui ne post.

Places that I want to but have yet to explore

• Nha Trang

Seaside area

• Dalat

Paris of Vietnam

• Phu quoc 

Known to be the Maldives of Vietnam.  Famed for its white sandy beaches and fish sauce factories. You will need to take an hour flight to Phu quoc from HCMC. 

• Vung Tau

2 hours fast ferry from the city jetty OR 2.5 hours car ride. It's a beach getaway for city people and it famed for a smaller version of Christ the redeemer statue on mountain top.