"Chi Minh City" a Ho Chi Minh City Travel Page by stevemt

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)