Ho Chi Minh City Things to Do Tips by JonnyVN

Finally got to Cu Chi tunnels, taking my 18 year old nephew, interesting in historic way. But the highlight still is letting of a few rounds of an AK (if your into that sort of thing.

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Well it's not your apocalypse now type jungle, but it's a great day out. I did a bike tour down there, picked up the bikes then jumped on a boat to cycle round the islands. Stopped for bite of Elephant ear fish and prawns, with a couple of peach brandies. The cycling isn't strenuous as it's all flat.
Reccomed Buffalo tours for this one, bit more expensive than the rest but the guide was first rate and we were well looked after.

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Website: http://buffalotours.com/

There a lots of live music options in Saigon, regulars like Juram and Kurtis King play all over the place. The rock fan club is a group of Vietnamese heavy metal musicians that hold regular gig around town, well worth the effort to get the experience of the young here letting rip. Mainly cover versions but more and more original stuff.

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Website: www.rockfanclub.org
Other Contact: gigs@rockfanclub.org

This is the only real Jazz Club in town, owned by locally famous saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan. I saw him the first time 12 years ago in Hanoi and he's come a long way, other guest musicians feature nightly, he plays the weekend gigs.

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Phone: 822 8472
Address: 28 Le Loi, District 1

Something you should do while your here, or before, is read this book. As kids we were brought up with movies and books about the whole thing here, Bao Ninh's book show another side, not a political one just describes the books title. makes you understand this country a little more

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Getting a massage can be tricky sometimes here many a time the services offered go a bit further than what is advertised on the door. Have discovered a full male spa treatment which doen't include "special service". The Regency hotel Gym and spa is a great afternoon relaxing, on three levels you are first shown into the sauna or steam room, then given a chinese body scrub (which is a bit freaky if you have never had one). Then up to the next floor for head massage, hair wash (they will cut it if you want) and ear clean. Next floor is relaxation room then on to the body massage.
All this for $14.95, though you should also tip as you go along.

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Address: 206 Dien Bien Phu, District 10, HCMC

I know it might seem strange to travel to a country such as Vietnam and go bowling, but this is a great place to see how young rich Vietnamese behave. The top floor of Diamond Plaza has about twenty lanes, video games, coffee shop and KFC, one of the few modern places for kids to hang out. This is the growing nouvo riche class of Vietnam, due to the relative cost (in international terms at a few of buck as game its pretty cheap).

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Address: 34 Le Duan, district 1
Directions: Just accross the street from the Cathedral

Get to meet the local expat crowd and drink a lot, they meet every sunday at the Cravelle Hotel at 2.30pm.

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Address: 19 Lam Son Square, District 1
Website: www.saigonh3.com

Not tried this yet, but next time i get a long weekend I'm of, reports from mates is that paraglidong around the dunes of Phan Thiet is a must. They also organise trips in Dalat, Tay Ninh, Cao Lanh and Vung Tau.

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Phone: 0903825607
Website: www.vietwings-hpg.com
Other Contact: info@vietwings-hpg.com

Had a couple of female friend from UK pop in recently, after a couple of days exporing the town and the mekong they needed to relax. Sent them here and they ended up spending the whole day there being pampered, eating healthy food and sitting by the pool. Well worth the money they said, and compared with europe very reasonable.
The setting alone is worth it, beautifull renovated french villa in District 3

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Phone: 932 5181
Address: 64A Truong Dinh, District 3, HCMC
Directions: It's down the quite alley
Website: www.lapothiquare.com