Ho Chi Minh Tour Holiday Travel Tips

HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 1



Ho Chi Minh city accommodation:-

For cheap room rates in HCMC, book direct with the hotel. Although there are many sites where you can get discount room rates and cheap room rates, we have found out that in HCMC, you pay the best rate when you book direct with the hotel.

For example:- .......................................Asiarooms.com .......... Hotel direct
Lac Vien Hotel ........................................USD43 nett .............. USD32 nett
Tan Hoa Ngoc (New Golden Pearl Hotel)...USD92 nett .............. USD23 + 10% VAT
(See the HUGE difference? USD92 is not a typo)

Lac Vien Hotel:-... Website:-... www.lacvienhotel.com
............................... Email:-....... lacvienhotel@hcm.fpt.vn
Tan Hoa Ngoc :- ... Website:-...www.tanhoangochotel.com
............................... Email:-....... tanhoangoc@hcm.vnn.vn

If you want to stay close to Ben Thanh market, Tan Hoa Ngoc or New Golden Pearl will be ideal for you. If you like to stay slightly further away and do not mind the exercise to Ben Thanh market or hailing a cab, then Lac Vien might be something you can consider.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 2

Before purchasing anything in Ho Chi Minh, do check on the prices and fix the price first. If not, you will face the unpleasant experience of knowing that you are being ripped off, yet unless you want to waste precious time during the short period you have there, you will have to face the music.



HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 3

Always have the name card or at least the name and address of the place which you wish to visit written in both English and Vietnamese language. This is very useful if you intend to take cabs or if you lose your way.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 4

Although US Dollars is widely accepted, we felt that with the exchange rate, paying in Vietnamese Dong allows you more savings in general.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 5

Booking of Ho Chi Minh tour. There are many travel agents around Bui Vien Street in Pham Ngu Lao Ward where you can book your ho Chi Minh tour direct. Our experience with TNK Tours showed us that what is written on the travel brochures may not be what you actually experience during the tour.

For example, the brochure for our one day Mekong tour mentioned that we could see the following:-
- how rice is cultivated
- traditional cock fighting display where the birds won’t get hurt
- travel the rural road by horse and cart
However we did not experience the above and when we asked the staff, he claimed that the brochure was printed two years ago and now they do not have those any longer.

So do confirm what you will get before making the booking.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 6

If you intend to tour Ho Chi Minh, we suggest that you book a tour with any one of the travel agents as the prices charged are really great value for money if you follow a group. Plus you get the services of an English speaking guide and need not face any hassles and can be spared of any travel rip off.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 7

If you intend to travel by taxi in Ho Chi Minh, check the estimated price with your hotel receptionist and agree with the taxi driver on the price before going anywhere.


HCMC HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS 8

While crossing the street in Vietnam, do be careful. Cross only at traffic junctions. Even when it is the pedestrian’s right of way, be on the look out for motorcyclists. Although there are zebra crossings, they motorists and motorcyclists do not seem to bother about giving way.

The only way for you to cross the road is to tentatively put one foot into an onslaught of non-stop traffic and, with your heart in your mouth, daringly embrace danger as the hundreds of cars and motorcycles weave around you as you make your way to the other side of the road.