Ho Chi Minh City Transportation Tips by machomikemd

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Tan Son Nhat International Airport has its origins in the early 1930s, when the French Colonial government constructed a small unpaved airport, known as Tân Sơn Nhất Airfield in the village of Tan Son Nhat. By mid-1956 United States of America foreign aid built a 7,200-foot runway and the facility became South Vietnam's international airport. During the Vietnam War, Tan Son Nhut Air Base it was an important facility for both the United States and the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). Before 1975, Tan Son Nhat International Airport had been one of the busiest airbases worldwide.

It is located around 7km (4 miles) northwest of the city center. It is the largest of the three international airports in Vietnam receiving more international flights than the capital, Hanoi. Twenty-two airlines serve 18 cities in Asia and Europe with regular flights going to Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The terminal has been expanded recently and improvements are continually being made to handle larger numbers of passengers. However, compared to most other South East Asian cities, facilities are very limited. A New Terminal Was Recently Opend (see my Than So Nhat Airport New Tips) A project to build a new international terminal is planned, although it will not be operational for a few years.

Than So Nhat is Located at: Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Taxis are plentiful outside the arrivals area, and a ride to town should be around $5. Alternatively, your hotel may have an airport shuttle—more expensive, but also more convenient.

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Phone: (848) 8485383; 844 8358
Website: www.tsnairport.hochiminhcity.gov.vn
Other Contact: Fax: (848) 8445127; 844 7812

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Taxis are the most comfortable way of getting around, and it's easy and safe to flag a taxi anywhere, anytime; but beware rigged meters that increase the fare too fast. flag down rate is 12,000 VND ( $ 0.73) for first 2 kilometers and additonal 8,000 VND every kilometer thereafter and they don't expect tips plus THEY ISSUE RECIEPTS!

Vinataxis:
For 4-Seater:

a. First 1.7 kilometers or less 12,000 VND
b. Per additional 200 meters up to the 30th kilometers 1,300 VND

c.,Per additional 289 meters up from to 31st kilometers 1,300 VND

d. Every 4 minutes of waiting time 1,300 VND

For 7-Seater:

a. First 1.7 kilometers or less 12,000 VND

b. Per additional 200 meters up to the 30th kilometers 1,400 VND

c. Per additional 289 meters up from to 31st kilometers 1,400 VND

d. Every 4 minutes of waiting time 1,400 VND

* Free Toll in City, Hanoi Highway, Binh Trieu, Phu Lam Station and
Tan Son Nhat Airport
* Highest Insurance coverage of 10,000 USD per passenger
* Accurate Fare Meters

other Taxi Compamies: Call Vinasun (84-8-827-2727) or Saigon Taxi (84-8-823-2323).

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Phone: (848) 815 5152 / 53
Website: www.vinataxis.com
Other Contact: Fax: (848) 815 5158

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: This New Terminal of Than So Nhat was opened in August, 21, 2007 with Tiger Airways being the first to be recieved. It was Officially opened on Sept. 2, 2007 during Independence Day. It has a passenger capacity to 8 million passengers a year and the total capacity of this airport will reach 15 million passengers per year. The old terminal will become fully domestic. After 2015, when Long Thanh International Airport is completed, Tan Son Nhat will serve domestic passengers only.

Than So Nhat is Located at: Tan Binh District about 7 km (4 miles) northwest of the city center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Taxis are plentiful outside the arrivals area, and a ride to town should be around $5. Alternatively, your hotel may have an airport shuttle—more expensive, but also more convenient.

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Phone: (848) 8485383; 844 8358
Website: www.tsnairport.hochiminhcity.gov.vn
Other Contact: Fax: (848) 8445127; 844 7812

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Cyclo is a tricycle taxi similar to rickshaws, It is a fun and sometimes, adventurous way to tour Saigon but Saigon has a strict rule on which routes the cyclos can go because they can cause traffic congestion. Rates start from around 1 USD for a short trip (about 10 minutes) Thus, before you get on a cyclo, make sure you and the cyclo driver agree on the same price. Hold on to your belongings when travelling in a cyclo as passing motorists and the like have been known to grab these as they pass.

You can also rent one of this cyclos and ask him to take you on a city tour. Note that cyclo drivers come from the countryside. Do not expect them to speak perfect English. Some of them will be able to tell you some things about the visited places, but some others will only take you around.

When hiring one of this guys, take some time to bargain the price. No matter what you pay, you will always pay more than locals. It is the price you have to pay for being a foreigner. Do not worry, cyclo prices are really low.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: There are several bus stations around the city that each serve different destinations. Facilities are very basic and are unlikely to have more than food stands serving local snacks. Services on short journeys depart when they are full and those traveling longer distances generally depart early in the morning. It is not possible to book tickets over the telephone and visitors should go to the relevant bus station the day before to check the schedule for the following day and purchase their ticket. In addition, a very useful telephone number is 1080 where English-speaking operators can give information on timetables.

The bus to Cambodia (better known in Vietnam as Kampuchea), operated by Cong Ty Xe Khach Saigon (tel: (08) 920 3623), departs from 309 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, twice daily for the nine-hour journey to Phnom Penh. The Cambodian visa should be arranged in advance but can be obtained at the border crossing point. Buses to Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot, Nha Trang, Danang, Hue and Hanoi depart from Mien Dong Bus Station (Ben Xe Mien Dong) (tel: (08) 898 4893), on Xo Viet Nghe Tinh in Binh Tan District. Other bus stations include Ben Xe Mien Tay, Kinh Duong Vuong Street, An Lac, Binh Tan District (tel: (08) 875 2953), which has a special booking service located a little nearer to the city center at 765 Le Hong Phong, District 10 (tel: (08) 752 0364); Ben Xe Cholon, 86,Trang Tu, District 5 (tel: (08) 854 8832), and Ben Xe Tay Ninh on Truong Chinh Street, Tan Phu Disctrict, for buses for Tay Ninh Province, has renamed and relocated the passenger pick up area to Ben Xe An Suong, Quoc Lo 22, Xa Ba Diem, Hoc Mon District (tel: (08) 883 2513).

There is one private bus company operating routes within the city, Saigon Star Bus Company tel: (08) 864 2762

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Phone: (848) 864-2762

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Motorcycle
Getting TO/AROUND: Xe om (motorbike taxis, pronounced ‘‘see ohm’’).

Xe om refer to the motorbike taxis that are available on most street corners. They are usually men sitting on or near their motorbikes which are parked on the street corner as advertisement of their availability. They are usually watching for customers so it is easy to get their attention with a little hand wave. "Om" means to hug and you may do this if it makes you feel safer but you will probably surprise the driver if you do. Negotiate fare in advance: rides within 2 - 3 km should be about VND5,000. They have the advantage of being able to enter all streets off limits to cyclos as well as many of the narrow alleys cars cannot access. They are sometimes called "Honda om" because of the ubiquitous Honda motorbikes.

they are available everywhere!

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