Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- nomadicmye
- Jul 10, 2016
- 3 min read
After the Christmas Full Moon Party and a whole month in southern Thailand, I was more than happy to go celebrate New Year in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. From day #1, I fell in love with Vietnam. It's inexpensive, the food is tasty and people are friendly. HCMC is quite a big city but if you know where to stay, you'll be close to everything. I am lucky enough that I was meeting up with friends for the New Year celebration and one of them is Vietnamese. She was able to show us a bit of her favourite spots in the city and she had us try some really good typical Vietnamese food. Lovely! Here's a list of my must do's for HCMC.
Stay at the Saigon Backpacker Hotel (Saigon Balo Hotel). It's inexpensive, rooms are comfortable and with hot shower. Wi-fi works okay. They have their own tour, bus and other, booking desk in the lobby. The owners are super friendly. Breakfast included. Close to everything.
If not at this hostel, stay in District One anyways. Major attractions and shopping opportunities are there. It's the backpackers area.
Eat local. The street food is awesome -and I am picky on food!-. There are many authentic Vietnamese restaurants everywhere, the food is great and so cheap you won't believe it. Try the little markets where they have food stands, you'll go crazy because everyone will be handing you their menus but it's worth it!
Drink beer! It's SO CHEAP here! Wow!
Visit the gardens/parks, take your afternoon naps there. There are many of them, pick your own. But, head on your bag, watch your stuff.
Visit the War Remnants Museum. If you don't already know a couple things about the terrible war that happened in Vietnam not so long ago, you will learn everything there. ATTENTION! Not for the heart-fainted. Seriously.
SHOPPING!!! Head to Saigon Square for some cheap, quality brand copy shopping! Including for Dr. Dre. Headphones and North Face winter wear. They have awesome NIke, Helly Hansen, Forever 21, Zara, and fancier stuff.
There are many other museums you can visit depending of the amount of time you spend there and they are all cheap from what I have seen.
Advice for Vietnam in general:
1. Buy yourself a SIM card at the airport if your phone is unlocked. It's about 15$US-20$CAD for 1 month of unlimited data.
2. Taxis: take only... Seriously, ONLY VinaSun & Mailhing. Don't let yourself be fooled by a guy with the VinaSun shirt that puts you in a taxi that is not a VinaSun... You will be charged 5 to 10 times more money than what the actual ride should cost. They have meter but it's obviously a fake one. The phone Numbers on a fake taxi will go as 22-22-22-22 or something like that when the real taxi goes as 27-27-27-27 or 35-35-35-35, etc.
3. Bargain, but do so politely, you will always be able to lower the price.
4. Do not hesitate to take overnight buses in Vietnam. The road an be long, 8-12 hours, between the coastal cities but they have AWESOME buses! The seat is more a bed than a seat!!! Comfy and easier to sleep in - if I say so, that's true, I am a champion at not sleeping in transport usually...!
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