Ho Chi Minh Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Ho Chi Minh

On our trip we actually stopped over in HCMC two other times before finally staying for more than one night and having a decent look. The first time we were located outside the centre of town so didn\'t do much. The second time we were located somewhere nearby the airport so were even more...more On our trip we actually stopped over in HCMC two other times before finally staying for more than one night and having a decent look. The first time we were located outside the centre of town so didn\'t do much. The second time we were located somewhere nearby the airport so were even more out of the way. But the third time we stayed right in the heart of the backpacker distric just down the road from the central markets and right next to heaps of pubs and restaurants. It was SUCH a good area to stay in. We met heaps of other aussies (holiday season) and generally had a blast.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by italktocats – posted on Jan 6, 2008

5

Saigon - (Than Pho Ho Chi Minh) Gone the time of " Le grand Monde " (1954) the brothel, casino, Opium den of Chô Lon that was in the hands of the Binh Xuan .. No more partiedepoker around either ... Today the Ho Chi Minh city offers a poluted version of a hell of a striving to succeed life. An...more Saigon - (Than Pho Ho Chi Minh) Gone the time of " Le grand Monde " (1954) the brothel, casino, Opium den of Chô Lon that was in the hands of the Binh Xuan .. No more partiedepoker around either ... Today the Ho Chi Minh city offers a poluted version of a hell of a striving to succeed life. An amazing place for those who love movement & busy cities. Any business ideas could allow you to make a fortune .. if you are aware on how to fight your way through the vietnamese crafty peoples. Do not let the civil servants grab your hard earned Dongs! Also: Beware not to be lured by the lovely sirens in white "Ao Dai" as they are fast on spotting healty foreign investors. Travel: Ho Chi Minh is a nice place to strart up your journey. Hotels pricings can range from 70.000 VND onwards (7usd) - Rent a Honda or better: Use a "moto hom" (honda taxi) in order to avoid hours of traffic jams (do not forget to buy a gaz mask (available for 10 000 vnd at street vendors) Vietnam: If you are there just to enjoy the scenery: visit the Mekong Delta early morning and visit Hoi an - get lost in the late night street of Hanoï even if there are no more "traction avant" 11 L Citröen and foreign legionnaires.. The Along bay is a marvel but tourism has been there to spoil the beauty of the once peacefull place. I shall report for each city a little report... in due time. Meanwhile: You have little time left to visit a country that is still "virgin" .. !close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by maxperform – posted on May 8, 2007

1

It's easy to plan your own holiday in Ho Chi Minh City. If you want a budget stay that's comfortable, the best place to be is the Pham Ngu Lao/De Tham/Bui Vien area. Tour agents offer day trips to the Mekong River and Cu Chi Tunnels daily, and there are no lack of tours in this busy...more It's easy to plan your own holiday in Ho Chi Minh City. If you want a budget stay that's comfortable, the best place to be is the Pham Ngu Lao/De Tham/Bui Vien area. Tour agents offer day trips to the Mekong River and Cu Chi Tunnels daily, and there are no lack of tours in this busy area. Just note that all these day tours start at 8 in the morning, so if you arrive in the late morning, don't expect to get on a cheap day tour that these agents are providing.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by raffr – posted on Apr 21, 2007

6

Very lively city. Half of the population seems to be riding a motorbike at any given time. The food is very good if you can avoid the touist Vietnamese food in the city centre. The same goes for shopping. We found the outer fringes of the city centre had the most to offer on these front - thats...more Very lively city. Half of the population seems to be riding a motorbike at any given time. The food is very good if you can avoid the touist Vietnamese food in the city centre. The same goes for shopping. We found the outer fringes of the city centre had the most to offer on these front - thats where the locals goclose

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by annraoimorris5149 – posted on Apr 8, 2007

2

Surprisingly modern, Ho Chi Minh City has some qualities of a developed city yet is rich in culture and heritage. Within the city, there are shopping malls, historically sites, night market and excellent variety of food. HCM is also the gateway to beach resort in Vietnam as well as the Mekong...more Surprisingly modern, Ho Chi Minh City has some qualities of a developed city yet is rich in culture and heritage. Within the city, there are shopping malls, historically sites, night market and excellent variety of food. HCM is also the gateway to beach resort in Vietnam as well as the Mekong Delta. Previously a french colony, architecture of some parts of the city is strong influenced by the french culture. Hence, one might feel that she is in paris when sitting at a small french bistro, sipping coffee and admiring the buildings and architecture.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by ppeini6135 – posted on Mar 30, 2007

4

My inital impression of Saigon was the incredible traffic. I've never seen so many scooters in my life. The number of scooters in Paris and Rome pale in comparison to the overwhelming number of scooters in Saigon. As I explored more of the city, I really began to enjoy it. It's a city...more My inital impression of Saigon was the incredible traffic. I've never seen so many scooters in my life. The number of scooters in Paris and Rome pale in comparison to the overwhelming number of scooters in Saigon. As I explored more of the city, I really began to enjoy it. It's a city full of energy and vitality. Like Tokyo, Saigon is fairly stade and boring during the day, but at night, it transforms itself. People from all age groups are out strolling, and young couples pack the cafes. Saigon demands mulitple visits.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by violator17699241 – posted on Mar 28, 2007

10

i booked online for An An, but they moved me to a different hotel around the corner, called An An 2. I suspect An An is nicer (according to picture online) overall, but my room was worth the $25. in general the staff is very friendly and eager to please. however, the internet is incredibly slow,...more i booked online for An An, but they moved me to a different hotel around the corner, called An An 2. I suspect An An is nicer (according to picture online) overall, but my room was worth the $25. in general the staff is very friendly and eager to please. however, the internet is incredibly slow, to the point that i went 8 days without email access. i could have gone elsewhere and paid, but was annoyed that the 'free internet' really didn't exist. this might be a general problem in the area, or maybe not. also, i decided to extend my stay following a mekong river delta tour and had made a verbal agreement with one of the desk staff about booking the same priced room. she said no problem, and the next day when i asked again, she said, don't worry. then, the day before i left for the tour, i asked a different girl about my assumed reservation, and she told me that all the rooms were booked except for the $30 luxury penthouse suite. i had been paying $25 a night, which was already above my budget for HCMC. i wish they had told me earlier that this was the case, because maybe a cheaper room had been available but was booked by the time i asked the 'right' person who does the actual bookings. overall, AnAn 2 was the cleanest hotel I stayed in Vietnam, and the price is indicative of that. The cable tv reception was fuzzy, which again might just be HCMC and not the hotel. Recommended for cleanliness.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by cleorabbit – posted on Mar 23, 2007

2

Ho Chi Minh City is a very exciting place, I'm very glad I went and will return someday. It's very inexpensive and there's just so much to do. Be careful, too many inexpensive things become expensive. I spent a little too much money there. If you need any advice just find a...more Ho Chi Minh City is a very exciting place, I'm very glad I went and will return someday. It's very inexpensive and there's just so much to do. Be careful, too many inexpensive things become expensive. I spent a little too much money there. If you need any advice just find a motorbike driver to talk with. They know the ins and outs of the cities. If you can try to travel north as well. I went to Da Lat and it was literally breathtaking. At the moment I'm in Nha Trang...on the beach. Vietnam is such an amazing country.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by Hoofn – posted on Jan 14, 2007

2

saigon is a nice city with the cultural places to see as well as partying scenes. there're a lot of tourists and u get to meet a lot of different people. the best part was every is sooo cheap! i spent $150 only within 4 days... this included accomodation, tour, massages, a lot of food and...more saigon is a nice city with the cultural places to see as well as partying scenes. there're a lot of tourists and u get to meet a lot of different people. the best part was every is sooo cheap! i spent $150 only within 4 days... this included accomodation, tour, massages, a lot of food and drinks. it was just awesome! u've gotta watch the roads when u're crossing the streets though, there're millions of bikes in saigon.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by pitzzz – posted on Dec 29, 2006

2

Compared to other cities in the region, Ho Chi Minh is developing nicely. It combines its cultural roots with a new western flavour and there is enough to see and do to keep you interested. Unfortunately the people are far too Anti-American and some of the war memorial stuff is un-balanced and...more Compared to other cities in the region, Ho Chi Minh is developing nicely. It combines its cultural roots with a new western flavour and there is enough to see and do to keep you interested. Unfortunately the people are far too Anti-American and some of the war memorial stuff is un-balanced and glorifies torture and killing.close

Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

by AndyB2457 – posted on Nov 12, 2006

12