Ho Chi Minh City Transportation Tips by Ewingjr98

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Though it looks insane, once you try it you'll realize that motorcycles are the best way around town. For US$1 or 2 an hour, you have your own personal tour guide and translator who will take you to all of the major sights and even wait while you walk through museums or take photos. Our driver took us to some great restaurants outside of the tourist area.

I'm not sure if there is really any other smart way to travel...

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: When you fly to HCMC, you'll land at Tan Son Nhut International Airport. If it resembles an air force base, it should -- during the Vietnam War, it was called Tan Son Nhut Air Base and it housed the USAF Headquarters in Vietnam.

Today the airport is the international gateway to HCMC. The war-era revetments and aircraft shelters are still around, but the airport has a new passenger terminal.

The airport is 7km north of HCMC.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: The most convenient way to get from the airport to downtown is via taxi. It should cost about US$4.00, and the trip takes less than 30 minutes. Be wary of the scams and touts -- be sure to negotiate a fair price before you get in the cab!

When you get to the city just tell them you have a hotel room, even if you don't, otherwise they'll take you to their brother's hotel and try to rip you off. They might even try to offer you a tour of the city after you check in, so they can take even more of your money! My best advice is to get to the city then shop around a little before you make too many deals... they are pushy at times, but so what!

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'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The best way to get from HCMC to Vung Tau is aboard the high-speed hydrofoils. There are 6 or 7 departures per day and the trip only takes one hour. Cost for a round trip ticket is about US$10. The boats load and unload along the waterfront at the Bach Dang Wharf passenger quay in downtown HCMC, and they make a straight shot for Vung Tau.

There are two companies operating the hydros: Vina Express and Greenlines. I think their rates are exactly the same (as they should be in a communist country!) and they probably even use the same boats. The hydrofoils have seating for about 120 people--during my trip, maybe 1/4 of the seats were full. There were some locals on board, I think they get a big discount on the fare.

Here's a schedule from the Vina Express website:

HCMC to VT departures
0600, 0830, 1030, 1230, 1430, 1630

VT to HCMC departures
0600, 0830, 1030, 1230, 1430, 1600

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Phone: 8297 892
Website: http://www.vinaexpress.com.vn/english/contac.htm
Other Contact: Ticket booth: No 2 Nguyen Hue St

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: We hired a taxi for a day to take us out to a friend's house in the country. It was a one-hour ride to the house, the driver waited with us for three hours, and we had a one-hour ride back. I think we spent a little more than average at US$35 for the day, but it was worth it. He took great care of us and we had no problems. Before you leave ensure he knows you want him to wait at the destination, and do not pay him until you return.

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