Ho Chi Minh City Transportation Tips by Blatherwick

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Most people in Saigon use small motorbikes which are called "xeom" but they'll often call them a "moto". You will often see whole families on these bikes with groceries and other assorted stuff. The most people that I saw on a bike was 5 and I've heard of people seeing 7 people on one bike. You can hail a bike as a taxi anywhere in the city and the price is often between $1 to $3 depending on your barganing skills.

Please note that it is technically illegal to have more than 2 people on a bike. Helmets are now required as well but most people refuse to wear the "rice cookers".

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'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: High-speed hydrofoils run from Saigon to Vung Tau and to the Mekong. The trip to Vung Tau only takes 1 hour and the ticket is about $10. You can catch these boats at the Bach Dang Wharf.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Cyclos are a decent way of seeing Saigon at a leasurely pace. They will offer to take you to many places for $1. However, these people work hard and you should pay them a little bit more for their trouble. Many of the drivers will have books with recommendations from other tourists that have used their services. Other drivers will offer to take you to see "a girl" if you would like. If you are smart you will pick one cyclo driver and stick with him. This will build trust and prices will fall accordingly. He will also put in that little extra something to show you a little known part of the local scene that others may not know.

Do not assume that cyclo drivers are stupid. Many of them are former South Vietnamese soldiers, teachers, or even doctors who lost their residence rights in Saigon when the communists took over. They have a keen eye for what is happening around them and they look after each other as they know that very few other people will.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: The best way to get from the airport to downtown is by taxi. A taxi ticket booth near the exit sells coupons to take a taxi at $6 USD. The trip takes around 30 minutes to the centre of District 1 (Saigon).

If you are skilled at negotiating and walk outside the confines of the airport parking lot then you may be able to get one for $4 USD. However, in this instance, the taxi driver may try to get you to go to a hotel where they receive a commission but you will be fine if you stick to your original destination.

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