Ho Chi Minh City Local Custom Tips by TravelChick67

If you hear alot of honking while walking the streets of Ho Chi Minh, don't worry, the motorcycle riders aren't mad, they're just making sure you (and everyone else) knows they're there.

Here in the US, we mostly use our horn to express anger and irritating, but in Vietnam, it was clear that they use their horn for a more positive purpose. It's more of a "beep, beep, here I am" than a "hey jerk! out of my way!"

People, taxis, motorcyles, etc. are going in lots of different directions at once at intersections and such so this is how they let their presence be known.

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While going around HCMC, you'll notice many people wearing long gloves and/or handkerchiefs to protect their faces (and breathing) from the strong fumes in traffic.

Taking a motorcycle taxi is very common for locals in Saigon but I prefer the taxi! Give me comfort and air conditioning any time.

And the taxis are so cheap ($1.25 per fare on average) that there really isn't any reason to do otherwise unless you like sucking fumes!

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If you see a gouping of monks walking about the city in their brightly colored saffron robes, odds are they are on an alms round. They take their alms bowls to receive "dana" (food offerings) from citizens in the city.

Anyone can offer dana to the monks but if you are a woman, be very careful not to touch the monk. It is strictly forbidden for monks to touch women.

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