Vietnam Stuff
Ho Chi Minh City at a Glance
Still commonly referred to by its original name, Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city. With some 8 million people, it is known as the economic hub of Vietnam. Ruled by the French from 1859 and home to the South Vietnamese Government during the Vietnam War (refer to as the American War by Vietnamese), HCMC has experienced huge growth with many Multi National Companies setting up here and in the Mekong Delta.
Today HCMC is a funky modern City with flash cafes and expensive brand names, while at the same time there is always something happening at the small food stalls or along the narrow alley ways of this City that rarely sleeps.
Wondering the streets you will see a modern city growing quickly but in between you can marvel at the old French buildings and witness the daily life of Saigon locals along the pavement and narrow lane ways.
Ho Chi Minh City Fast Facts
Full Name: Ho Chi Minh City (formally Saigon)
Area: 2026 sq km
Population: 8,000,000 approx. (unofficially – 10-12 million)
Average Temperatures: Average Annual Temp. 27’C
Average Annual Precipitation: 1979 mm
Time Zone: GMT+7 hours
Languages: Vietnamese
Religion: Mostly Buddhism. Others include Confucian, Hoa Hao, Muslim and Christian
Currency: Vietnam Dong
Electricity: 220V
Vietnamese Money – The Vietnam Dong
The local currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Currently the exchange rate (Aug 2010) for the Dong is approx:
• 1900VND = 1USD
• 17000VND = 1AUD
• 27000VND = 1GBP
• 23000VND = 1EUR
The best place to find the latest exchange rates online is at http://www.xe.com/currency/vnd-vietnamese-dong
USD and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks, gold shops and hotels, although hotels tend to have a lower rate. USD can be used for shopping and also at larger restaurants.
Exchanging money on the streets (or black market) should be avoided as many travelers are often cheated.
Travelers Cheques can be exchanged at banks and larger hotels, while credit cards are accepted at many hotels and a few restaurants.
Visa cards and some cash cards can be used at ATM’s, which are located through out the city.
Banks and ATM’s can be found through out the city, but here are two in the middle of HCMC’s CBD:
• ANZ Bank – 11 Me Linh Square (river end of Hai Ba Trung Street) International bank with all your needs. ATM’s (24hr) outside, manned by security guards.
• Vietcom Bank – 29 Ben Chuong Street. Local Vietnamese bank which offers most of your banking needs. ATM’s available
• HSBC – 235 Dong Khoi Street (near post office). International bank with ATM’s.
• Commonwealth Bank – 65 Nguyen Du Street (Next to HSBC). Australian bank with all your banking needs. ATM’s on site.
• Several ATM’s can also be found in the main Post Office, opposite HSBC.
Vietnam has introduced coins and plastic notes into the country. Currently the coins include 200vnd, 500vnd, 1,000vnd, 2,000vnd and 5,000vnd.
While the new Australian made, plastic notes include 10,000vnd, 20,000vnd, 50,000vnd, 100,000vnd and 500,000vnd. There are plans to introduce more in the future.
It’s illegal to take Dong out of Vietnam, plus it is also worthless! So spend up before heading home!
Arriving in HCMC
Visa / Customs
Except for some ASEAN member countries, all nationalities require an entry visa for Vietnam. Tourist visas are generally valid for a 30 day period; however they may be extended when you’re in Vietnam.
When arriving into Vietnam, you need to fill in an “Arrival/Departure” card; you MUST keep this and return it to the Custom official when exiting the country.
There are limitations on the amount of cigarettes (200), alcoholic drinks (1lt) and foreign currency ($3,000USD) that you can bring into the country.
For more information on Visa’s and applying for a Vietnam Visa online, read the following article on my blog – Vietnam Visa – Apply Online
Air
Many travelers arrive into Vietnam by air. These days there are many international carriers flying from around the world to Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’re traveling on a budget, check out some of the low-cost airlines, you can now travel between HCMC and Thailand/ Singapore for as low $25USD one way (plus taxes). For bookings and details check out the following carriers:
• Tigerairways – Singapore to HCMC
• AirAsia – Bangkok to HCMC
• Jet Star – Bangkok/Australia/KL – HCMC
Getting to and from the Airport is easy with the airport taxi stand right at the front door of both the International and domestic terminals. The journey to District 1 takes approx 30 min and should be charged as per the meter. Most trips will cost around 100,000vnd or 6USD.
The best taxi companies are Vinasun and Mai Linh.
A handy tip is to remember to write down the address of your hotel when you make the booking. Many drivers will speak little or no English and with the Vietnamese language being tonal, it’s very easy to end up in the wrong location!
Train
If you began your travels in the north, you may arrive into HCMC via Vietnam Railways fine train service. If this is the case, you will end up at the Saigon Train Station (Ga Saigon) which is located at 1 Nguyen Thong Street, District 3.
Taxis and motor bike taxis (Xe Om) are always out front waiting for a fare. Taxis should be metered and will cost around 50-60,000 to District 1.
Generally speaking the area around the train station is safe; however you do need to be on guard. The major risk is pickpockets, so keep your bags and wallets secure and you shouldn’t have a problem.
If your taxi driver tells you that “your hotel burnt down last night” or “your hotel is fully booked,” don’t believe him/her. Chances are they want to take you to a hotel that pays commission!
Bus
Budget minded travelers may arrive in to HCMC by bus. There are many companies now offering cheap tickets to HCMC from either the north or from Cambodia
The vast majority of companies will drop you off in the “backpacker area” around Pham Ngu Lao. Although some of the companies coming from Cambodia drop off in District 5.
Tickets for the buses are cheap and generally the buses are clean, comfortable and allow only people onboard, not chickens or pigs!
Boat
Local ferries now travel to and from a number of cities with in Vietnam. The popular routes are generally from the south. These include Chau Doc, Cantho, My Tho and Vung Tau.
If you get the ferry, you will be dropped of at the dock on Ton Duc Thang Street. Taxi’s, cylclos and motor bikes will be waiting out the front. It’s only 5 minutes to Pham Ngu Lao.
Sleeping
Looking for more stars? Then head to District 1 and around Hai Ba Trung/Dong Khoi Street. Here you will find places like the Caravelle, Rex, Continental, Park Hyatt and the Sheraton all ready and waiting to give you that 5 star treatment. A number of 4 and 5 star hotels are also located along the Saigon River.
Eating in HCMC
Like hotels, HCMC has a massive array of choice when it comes to food. If you’re keen to go local, hit the streets and go wild! Vietnamese food
With so many places to choice from, it’s hard to write them all down! Here’s a couple around the District 1 area that will get you started:
• Quan An Ngon – 160 Pasteur Street. Popular because of its great food and great setting, Quan An Ngon gets super busy and it is nothing to waiting 20 minutes for a table. Cheap and cheerful – a winner with the kids!
• BBQ Garden – Corner of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. A great place with outdoor dinning. BBQ Garden serves up great bbq’s which you cook at the table. They also do lunch and breakfast. Very popular all round!
• Pho Noodle Soup – Nguyen Du Street (opposite Commonwealth Bank). A local hang out offering up great Pho Bo and Pho Ga (beef and chicken noodle soup). Mostly eaten for breakfast, a teaming bowl pho is always a great way to start the day! Also try Pho 2000 next to Ben Thanh Market (air-con upstairs)
• Lemongrass – 4 Nguyen Thiep Street. Lemongrass is a bit more of an up market place, with plenty of local dishes on offer. With nightly performances of traditional local music, this place is popular with groups and travelers. Bookings are recommended for groups.
• 3T’s – 29/31 Ton That Thiep Street. Crazy, smoky, noisy and popular – 3T is non stop! Like BBQ Garden, 3T dishes up great bbq’s, tasty hotpots and more. Above the Temple Bar, it is easy to miss. Next door is Fanny’s Ice Cream and along the street are several new bar’s that are worthy of coldie or three!
• Ben Thanh Market – Le Loi Street. Ben Thanh Market is a busy and lively market by day, but at night, it transforms in to a wicked, bright, noisy food market! Huge range of foods and cheap prices. For more info and photos check out this article on Ben Thanh.
• Pham Ngu Lao – The backpacker area has millions of cafes, restaurants and stalls. Many offer great food (local and western) at great prices and if you grab a street side table, the view alone is magic!
• Fanny – 30 Ton That Thiep. Great spot for ice-cream and fruit shakes. Next to 3T’s. Ice cream also available along Le Loi Street and at the Central Café on Nguyen Hue Street.
Sightseeing around HCMC
HCMC has plenty of great sights to see. Regardless of your interests, there is something for everyone! Here are few things to keep you busy during your stay in this crazy yet magical city.
• Ho Chi Minh Museum (Dragon House Wharf) – 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Road, District 4 (just over the bridge)
• Revolutionary Museum – 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1
• Vietnam History Museum – 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, D1 (inside Thao Cam Vien Park)
• Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, D3. Bigget in HCMC.
• Cho Lon (China Town) – Tran Hung Dao Street, D5.
