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Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: 3,083 reviews and 6,932 photos
The first culture shock (if you like to put it that way) was arriving at the international airport. The airport is actually the US Airforce base that was. When you land are are taxying to the terminal you go past the remains of the bunkers, and past the fortified helicopter hangers that are still in use today. If you want some photo's of this I would suggest that you take them from the aircraft, as taking photo's at the airport is not allowed (as I found out) It is actually recomended that you take no photos of anything remotely military anywhere in Vietnam, it being a communist state.
The arrival hall is not large and the immigration/customs officers who are in full uniform are generally unsmilling.
After getting through all the formalities and having collected your baggage, you go outside to get a cab, and the number of locals who form a square, who were I would say awaiting the arrival of relatives from overseas, is overwhelming.
When you get a cab and start the journey into the city, your real introduction to Vietnam starts. if it is your first trip, the traffic will kind of stun you. Not only the traffic but the traffic rules (or apparent lack of), the use of the horn, and the total absence of road rage. you travel down some 1 way streets, but hang on, scooters and mopeds apparently think thyey can go any way on any road, and they do.
After a slightly hair raising trip into town you arrive at your hotel.
On arrival at my hotel, I checked in and went and had a shower. Put on Shorts and tshirt and sandles, and went exploring. I found the an atm (actually contary to what I had read, there are many atm's that work with foreign cards.) I also found Sinh Cafe, the travel agent I had to see to arange the middle part of my trip, and after that the Huge Market in the center of the city. (see shopping section). 3 hours later I was back at the hotel and showered yet again. In this time, not only had I found my way round part of the city, but also braved crossing the streets. This is no where as bad as it seems as long as you walk at a steady pace till you get where you are going. In Saigon they also have tourist police (I think that's what they are called) that will help scared tourists over the roads.
Went to dinner at a restaurant called LEMONGRASS very close to the hotel which I recomend (again see dining section)
Reviews (8)
Visit the cathedral
Things to Do
(3)
The Notra Dame Cathedral is worth a visit. This is definatly part of Vietnam's French heritage. Its a brick building,... more travel advice
MEKONG DELTA TRIP
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(3)
This is a worthwile trip to take. Its about 6 hours all up and very scenic. You start with a long car journey to the... more travel advice
SOBERING, BUT A WORTHWHILE VISIT
Things to Do
(3)
This musem, is certainly worth a visit. It is sobering to view the photo's, the exhibits, and read the... more travel advice
CHINATOWN
Shopping
(1)
A typical LARGE asian market (under a roof). I found this market as good as if not better than the covered marked in... more travel advice
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Comments (7)
Yes...I remember reading your War Remnants Museum tip. I went there too but even after your tip i wasn't prepared for how graphic the displays were. I had to force myself to look at them. Awful...but necessary to see I think. T.
Yes, my son got hassled for taking a photo of a bridge when we were in Vietnam in 1995. But otherwise we were given a very friendly welcome everywhere, even though I had been an enemy soldier in the 1960s.
I loved HCM! Perhaps it was the culture shock...something different....crazy bike drivers, dunno! But I think the people are lovely. The airport sounds like something else...we cruised in ;o) Enjoyed your write up matey :o)
loved looking at your Ho Chi Minh page STeve. well done.:)
Stunning and sobering good choices of words for Ho Chi Minh. Girls in the west worship the sun and girls from the east protect from it. Funny world huh?
Hello Steve! Interesting page on Saigon! I loved it so much and hope to re-visit one day. Happy birthdya from Finland!
nice pages:) all the best