How to Visit Ho Chi Minh City

Why Go to Ho Chi Minh?

If you can find the time off and the extra cash, you should consider traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is unlike any other city I have been to. It is quite a treat to see the different things the city has to offer. Most Vietnamese people are very friendly and helpful, even towards us Americans. There are many unique places to eat for the culinary traveler, and there are many sights to see. Before the hustle and bustle of the traffic, Saigon was christened "Paris of Asia" for its wide boulevards and amazing French villas. Getting around town is cheap if you know what you're doing. Although many people have different opinions, I think everyone can agree that Ho Chi Minh City is full of history and culture.

How to Get Around

The best way to get around the city is by walking, that is if your destination is in walking distance. If not, the next best alternative is to take a taxi. Taxis are relatively cheap. Getting across town in a taxi will most likely only cost you a few dollars. It is wise to make sure that you take a taxi with a proper company name. Vina Cab is one of the better ones. A couple other tips would be to carry a map with you so that the driver doesn't take you the "scenic route" and to make sure he turns on the meter.

Another alternative to get around town is to take the "cyclos." They can carry one person at a time and are not very fast, but they are a very nice alternative to see the city. I would definitely recommend riding one of these at least once, but be careful to not get ripped off. In my experience, it is best to pay only for one ride, do not "rent" a cyclo for a certain amount of time. If you plan on going outside of the city, take a bus.

Beggers and Street Venders

This is one of the things that tends to shy people away from visiting Ho Chi Minh City. When you first arrive in Ho Chi Minh city, you will immediately be swarmed by people trying to sell you something. It seems, for a while, that there is no escape from this and it will really irritate you. You can spend hours on the street talking to a vender. If it's not merchants trying to sell you something, it's someone trying to make you feel guilty about some disability they have. As an American, it's hard to say no. You have to though. Most beggers belong to a syndicate so the money that you give them doesn't go directly to them. The best way to deal with beggers and venders is to avoid eye contact with them. They're not going to waste their time with someone who's not interested in them. Do not speak to them; they will not stop if you show interest.

How to "Get the Most Bang for Your Buck"

If you do a little research for cheap hotels in Ho Chi Minh city, you can get a really reasonably priced place to stay. Many of the hotels in the city have brochures and ways to go on tours. Most every day, there are tours that; let you explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, ride around the Mekong Delta, and tour the beautiful city of Ho Chi Minh. Going on these tours is highly recommended. It is safe and cheap. Also, if you are staying within the city, walk around to the different restaurants. Try the different Vietnamese foods. There are very unique and interesting places to eat.

In Conclusion

Ho Chi Minh, Saigon, is a great place to visit. It is unlike any other city I have been to. It's a mixture of the rich Vietnamese culture and rich tourists. In reality, you don't have to be rich to visit the city though. Excluding the plane ticket price, you can visit the city for a week and only spend a few hundred dollars. Ho Chi Minh City is a must see. Although there are a few negatives such as the beggars and the street venders, you will not regret visiting the city. If you do decide to go, have a safe and enjoyable trip!