"Ho Chi Minh or Saigon???" Ho Chi Minh City by stedeb

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: 3,081 reviews and 6,928 photos

Street scen in HCM near market - Ho Chi Minh City

HCM

What a great city is HCM very different to Hanoi the traffice doesn't appear to be so frenetic as it was in Hanoi and there are a lot more cars on the road which is more difficult ot cross.

Bui Vien St scene at night from our hotel window

We stayed very conveniently in the street next to Sinh Cafe which meant when we took a tour we only had a stroll around the corner.
There is no need to walk far as we found most things were availabel within the surrounding streets of our hotel in Bu Vien St District 1

All those kids playing with 1 marble!!!

We booked a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels at the Sinh Cafe and it was terrific well worth the time and money. We also took a day trip to the Mekong Delta and experienced lots of interesting things like a coconut plantation that makes all the sweets by hand you can watch the ladies from start to the finished product which is for sale. We also had a tea ceremony where the men were invited to taste the snake wine the Vietnamese Viagra we were told. There weren't many takers, this was accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra and singer.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great shopping
Cons:Take off your jewellry
In a nutshell:Loved the place!!!!

Last visit to Ho Chi Minh City: Oct 2003
Intro Written Nov 16, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (5)

Entrance to war museum - Ho Chi Minh City

War Museum Things to Do (2)

It is very intersting to note that the Vietnamese War is desribed as the American War in Vietnam. The musuem is very... more travel advice

What is madame looking for? - Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Shopping (1)

This market sells everyhting from up to the minute phones to clothes and sounvenirs. We did a lot of shopping here... more travel advice

Phoenix 74 Hotel Hotels (1)

Phoenix 74 is run by 3 genertions of 1 family, parents, 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter who are all very friendly and... more travel advice

Cu Chi Tunnels Things to Do (2)

We took only a half day trip to the tunnels with Sinh Cafe. Even if you can't manage the tunnels it is still a great... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Watch your jewellry

Been to Ho Chi Minh City?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (6)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Aug 11, 2010 at 6:08 AM

Glad you enjoyed your visit to HCMC, We also took a tour to the Cu Chi tunnels from the Sinh Café (in 1995) and were very satisfied. Ours was a full-day tour that also went to the Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh.
Reply
- Report abuse
paul657 Feb 1, 2009 at 4:50 PM

I would say the best things about are safety and location. We paid $18 plus a taxi pick-up for $10. All this can be negotiated I think. The staff were always at reception for questions even though they were not very informed about sightseeing in Saigon.
Reply
- Report abuse
jolou Jan 30, 2005 at 11:04 AM

Useful tips, thank you as will be going there in march :o)
Reply
- Report abuse
kimmo_v Jan 11, 2004 at 11:23 PM

Great tips! Cu chi-tunnels are a must see, arent it? Wil be back there this summer. Any tips of north-Vietnam?
Reply
- Report abuse
mim95 Dec 30, 2003 at 8:26 AM

Interesting country...and great prices for budget travellers. Would love to go some day.
Reply
- Report abuse
genispp Nov 28, 2003 at 11:13 PM

Beautiful page. I like your photos