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Ho Chi Minh City Local Custom Tips by TravelChick67

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Ho Chi Minh City Pages by TravelChick67


Ho Chi Minh City Local Custom Tips by TravelChick67
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TravelChick67   
Early bird catches the sunrise!


Real Name: Marcie
Lives In: Los Angeles, US
Member Since: Apr 24, 2004
VT Rank: 2623

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Tips 1 - 3 of 3
Ho Chi Minh City Local Customs
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People: Horn Honking
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  • Ho Chi Minh City People
  • Weaving between the traffic in HCMC
  • by TravelChick67
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  • 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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    People: Take a taxi instead!
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  • Ho Chi Minh City People
  • Protection from traffic fumes...
  • by TravelChick67
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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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    People: If you're female, don't touch the monks!
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  • Ho Chi Minh City People
  • Monks on their alms walk...
  • by TravelChick67
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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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    More Ho Chi Minh City Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Restaurants
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
    Hotels & Accommodations
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Transportation
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Local Customs
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
    Packing ListsShopping
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Sports TravelGeneral Tips
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

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    Comments for TravelChick67 about Ho Chi Minh City
    chaYangshu Tue Feb 22, 2005 21:54 UTC
     Thank You for sharing the "monks on alms round in HCM"! I felt Peace! I'm going to Vietnam Friday 25th Feb, HCM-Nha Trang-HCM! Can't wait 2C! Greetings from Finland!
    genispp Fri Aug 6, 2004 23:14 UTC
     Beautiful page. I like your photos
    bpacker Wed Jul 7, 2004 07:49 UTC
     Thks for sharing the restaurant tips! Will check it out the next time I'm there. Yup the strawberry juice at the Dong Khoi cafe is yummy!

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