33/ Ho Chi Minh City

1/ Population: 7 million

2/ Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

3/ Newspapers: Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) / Tuoi Tre (Youth) / Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) / The Thao (Sports) / Saigon Times Daily.

4/ Emergency numbers: Police 113 / Fire Brigade 114 / Ambulance 115

5/ Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Vietnam’s largest international airport,
located 7km north of the city centre (District 1). The air conditioned airport bus, service number 152, is the cheapest way into the city. You can also get in town with taxis for US$3-5 (make sure the driver uses the meter and wears an official badge) in approx. 20-30minutes.

6/ Ho Chi Minh: Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? The first used to be the capital of the French colony and latter of the former state of South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. Yet the locals still lovingly call it Saigon. Upon arrival, you’ll immediately be plunged into a lively street atmosphere, cadenced by over 3 million motorcycles, racing along sidewalks dotted with colourful fruit stalls. Ho Chi Minh did not escape the war but it’s now a rapidly growing city. The nation’s economic heart has embarked onto important urban and education developments. Some 50 universities and colleges attract over 300, 000 students! You will also find dozens of supermarket chains, luxury shopping malls and modern fashion centres. But Ho Chi Minh is also a city with a rich past! Heavily influenced by the French in terms of culture and style in the past, there are still elegant boulevards and historic colonial buildings. For a moment you may be fooled by the smells of coffee and baking bread. The city is divided into several Districts. The best way to do the tour is on foot. Most major tourist venues are in District 1. There you’ll find the History Museum or the famous Ben Thanh Market!

7/ Cho Lon (chinatown) : Separated from the main section of the city by the Saigon River, this is one of Saigon’s oldest and most mysterious parts. Don’t miss the overwhelming Binh Tay Market
where you’ll get uncanny glimpses into everyday life in Saigon. Touring the bustling place in the morning is a real experience! Cho Lon is also home to some typical beef noodle soup! One of the best places to taste the authentic and cheap local food is Thi Sach street (two blocks behind the National Theatre) lined with many small restaurants which are packed nightly.

8/ Local Public Transport:
A) Bus: Since 2004 Saigon has had an efficient public transit bus network. It’s cheaper and safer than many of the alternatives. 2.000 VND/ride (Available onboard bus).
B) Taxi: Taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around and are cheap. It’s easy and safe to catch one anywhere and anytime. It’s recommended to use the newest taxis, they have air conditioning and they drive more safely. Taxis in Ho Chi Minh City charge you 12 000 VND for the first 2 km, and 6000 VND for every km thereafter. Always make sure the meters work properly!
C) Cyclos: This three wheel pedalled vehicle is being phased out, as more and more streets are
banning the cyclos from entering. Cyclos’ prices are bargains, which is about one third of taxi fares.

D) Bicycles And Motorbikes For Hire: Bicycles and motorbikes for hire are available along the pavements near hotels and around the backpackers’ area. Many places will ask you to leave your passport as a deposit; other places just ask you for your name and the hotel where you are staying. Prices are negotiable, a motorbike is about 6-12$ per day or less, while bicycles cost around 4 - 6$ per day. |DESTINATION: HOCHIMINH PUBLISHING DATE: 2007-11-01

9/ Eating and Sleeping:
A) CAFÉS: Café 9 is a very popular terraced venue among youth, tourists or expats. There is a
great selection of coffees, juices or beers.
B) PHO: For many Vietnamese, pho is life, love and all things that matter. We treasure pho, and most of us have loved it since the day we were old enough to hold a pair of chopsticks.

The pho itself is actually a noodle made from the finest white rice. The pho is then topped with thin slices of beef. The rich, vibrant broth, is produced after long hours of simmering in the finest beef and bone marrow. This flavorful broth is then poured onto the pho. The rich bowl of pho is then topped with onions, cilantro and green onions. Pho is then served with side dish of bean sprouts, limes, spikes of basil, and sliced green chili on the side to create a healthy, delicious, and satisfying meal.

Pho provides a delicious one-dish meal for your breakfast, lunch or even dinner. Pho in every Vietnamese family is a must, much in the same way as pasta is an inextricable part of Italian culinary tradition and culture.

C) Hotel: New World Hotel, The Rex Hotel, Hotel Metropole, etc. You can easy to find any hotel with any price. its depends on your pocket, such as 5 stars, 4 stars, 3 stars and 1000 star also easy to find it.. haha.. but you must be careful when you choose 1000 stars. haha.

10/ BARS & NIGHTLIFE: Ho Chi Minh City is very intense at night. You will find dozens of featured bars and pubs, wine and cocktail bars or backpackers’ bars! District 1 is the best place to stay when the sun goes down, especially around Hai Ba Trung and Dong Khoi. In Saigon, you can have fun and dance to the latest sounds all night long! Like the bars, the best nightclubs are in District 1.
They usually have a cover charge and not any particular dressing code to get in. Go as you are!