Ho Chi Minh City

[alphaqomega]

very nationalistic mga Vietnamese, proud sila na natalo nila mga 'kano nung Vietnam War, tapos ngayon asensado na sila (no thanks to PHL importing so much rice from Vietnam), at par o overtaken na ang pinas sa yaman at development...sana iexport nalang natin mga pulitiko natin

[Bugatti Veyron]

very nationalistic mga Vietnamese, proud sila na natalo nila mga 'kano nung Vietnam War, tapos ngayon asensado na sila (no thanks to PHL importing so much rice from Vietnam), at par o overtaken na ang pinas sa yaman at development...sana iexport nalang natin mga pulitiko natin

I don't know about that. I think lamang pa ang Pilipinas but Vietnam is quickly catching up. Sa airport lang, lamang na sila.

 

The people in Vietnam are ok. Hinde sila aggressive like they are in Shanghai, China, for instance. Though it's a communist state, you don't feel like you're in a communist country. Parang walang batas pa nga as people over there drive like crazy. Cutting corners, going against the flow of traffic, etc. Walang sinabi yung mga driver natin na walang disiplina. The drivers there make Filipino drivers seem extremely disciplined.

[oscartamaguchiblackface]

First time I visited Ho Chi Minh(Saigon) was 2008 and the exchange rate is 160000 Dong to a dollar. My last visit was this May and the rate was 200000 Dong to a dollar. You can say it has depreciated but the city center is more interesting than even Makati. There are more new buildings which replaced the old ones for commercial or shopping purposes. Lots of hotels to choose and expect each one to be clean even a three star. As a foreigner, you may feel safer there than in Manila. My guide tells me that authorities are always looking over foreigner not to have problems.

Try to get hold of a bottle of wine/whisky na ang nakababad ay cobra and arranged biting the tail of the scorpion although it is combined with ginseng and ginger, I think. The size of the cobra and scorpion depends on the size of the bottle. According to my tour guide/driver, the home made is more better. In Laos, not scorpions or cobras are in the bottle, even armadillo and tiger are soaked.

Food is good to taste and enjoy. Maanghang ang karamihan. Vegetable is fresh even having them on ordinary restaurant. Still I think food there is quite cheaper than in Manila considering also the quality of the ingredient. I tried sauted snake, I don't know if its really a snake or an eel on my way to our destination, the tunnel. Hard to communicate sometimes with the locals.

Nightlife is everywhere and if you need to a have the girl you prefer, just have to tell the driver and most likely you'll end up in a mini-hotel then girls would come for your choosing. Girls are also available in karaoke bars but you have to add other expenses. Girls outside the hotel offer room service as massage and maybe you may like the girl and have a nice ending. Just have to arrange with the reception. A 100 dollar is all that is needed in the mini-hotel or room service. Girls are quite small but nice skin but I would say Filipina girls are more prettier.

Spas are available but it's better to try the legitimate ones or in hotel to fully enjoy the service.

The airport really has a big impact to foreigners coming in and going out which makes NAIA........

 

Are there still many girls who pick up customers on their motorcyles/scooters? Way back in 2001 I encountered many pick up girls who literally try to pick you up on their motorcycles. They usually hang out near 4 or 5 star hotels where there are a lot of tourists.

[sonnyt111]

sir we have planinng to take vacation in vietnan and cambodia this may 14 total of 5 person can u give me tips and ano hotel pwd sa 5 person, thank

 

 

 

Cambodia: A visit to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap is a must. Lots of modern hotels near this 900 year old ancient city. In Phnom Penh, make sure to visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, also known as S-21 which was a school converted into a prison where Khmer people were tortured and later executed by the Khmer Rouge. And make sure to visit the Russian market. In the Killing Fields, you will be able to actually see bone fragments all around and the temptation to bring home a piece as a souvenir may enter your mind. But remember, these were bones once belonged to human beings so out of respect for the dead, try to resist the urge to bring home a piece of bone. BTW you can drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in about 7 hours. Driving will give you an idea of what the Cambodian countryside looks like.

 

Vietnam: If you plan to visit South Vietnam, make sure to visit the War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon) which will give you the history of the Vietnam war from the Vietnamese point of view. Also visit the Cu Chi tunnels about an hour's drive from Saigon. This is where the Vietcong hid underground to evade detection by American forces. They slept, ate, studied, made weapons, etc. in these underground tunnels. You will also see how the Vietcong made booby traps.

 

In North Vietnam, if you visit Hanoi, you can visit the Hoa Lo Prison, dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton" by Americans who were incarcerated there. Lots of war museums featuring American aircraft shot down by the Vietnamese. Visit the tomb of Ho Chi Minh (Uncle Ho) (no photographs allowed).

 

Whether you're in North Vietnam or South Vietnam, be very careful crossing the street. The main means of transportation there is by motorcycle/scooter and there are millions of them. When crossing, do not hesitate but walk straight. The drivers will go around you. If you hesitate and panic and take a step back, it will result in an accident. So be very careful as there are so many motorcycles which form an endless line. Also be warned that traffic rules virtually do not exist in Vietnam. Since you're 5 best to take an Innova taxi which is more difficult to find than the smaller cabs. Of course having a coaster with a tour guide is the best since the guide can explain things to you from the history of Vietnam, to where to buy your groceries.

[art gallaga]

will make plan to visit... the place looks great based on the fr's......

[Tttboy]

Good place

 

[deepdiverboy]

Cambodia: A visit to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap is a must. Lots of modern hotels near this 900 year old ancient city. In Phnom Penh, make sure to visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, also known as S-21 which was a school converted into a prison where Khmer people were tortured and later executed by the Khmer Rouge. And make sure to visit the Russian market. In the Killing Fields, you will be able to actually see bone fragments all around and the temptation to bring home a piece as a souvenir may enter your mind. But remember, these were bones once belonged to human beings so out of respect for the dead, try to resist the urge to bring home a piece of bone. BTW you can drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in about 7 hours. Driving will give you an idea of what the Cambodian countryside looks like.

 

Vietnam: If you plan to visit South Vietnam, make sure to visit the War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon) which will give you the history of the Vietnam war from the Vietnamese point of view. Also visit the Cu Chi tunnels about an hour's drive from Saigon. This is where the Vietcong hid underground to evade detection by American forces. They slept, ate, studied, made weapons, etc. in these underground tunnels. You will also see how the Vietcong made booby traps.

 

In North Vietnam, if you visit Hanoi, you can visit the Hoa Lo Prison, dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton" by Americans who were incarcerated there. Lots of war museums featuring American aircraft shot down by the Vietnamese. Visit the tomb of Ho Chi Minh (Uncle Ho) (no photographs allowed).

 

Whether you're in North Vietnam or South Vietnam, be very careful crossing the street. The main means of transportation there is by motorcycle/scooter and there are millions of them. When crossing, do not hesitate but walk straight. The drivers will go around you. If you hesitate and panic and take a step back, it will result in an accident. So be very careful as there are so many motorcycles which form an endless line. Also be warned that traffic rules virtually do not exist in Vietnam. Since you're 5 best to take an Innova taxi which is more difficult to find than the smaller cabs. Of course having a coaster with a tour guide is the best since the guide can explain things to you from the history of Vietnam, to where to buy your groceries.

 

Just came back from Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap last week. Not only are the historical places more well-kept than those in the Philippines, but they also seem to "look up" to Filipinos as people from a richer country. Many Vietnamese shopkeepers, even sidewalk vendors, know a word or two of Tagalog. When haggling, pretend to walk away. They'll say something like "bili na, mura na," or "may tawad pa." Funny because it's a Vietnamese saying it, but also probably because there are so many Filipino tourist dollars to be earned.

 

The night markets in both countries are worth a traipse through. I actually felt more safe walking the streets of Saigon and Siem Reap at night than I would in any part of Metro Manila outside the Fort or Makati. Heck, I don't even feel that safe walking from Makati Avenue to Glorietta at night. Better not go with the packaged tours, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other historical sites are just too huge for an hour or two's sightseeing. Fly to Siem Reap, rent a bike from your hotel, follow the tourist trail to Angkor and other sites. Directions to the sites are easy enough to follow.

 

Re: hospitality, Cambodians are on a par with Filipinos at hospitality. They might not have the English proficiency Pinoys have, but just about everyone I met, even those small shopkeepers, went out of their way to make me feel very welcome, even if I only bought items of very little value. If the Philippines doesn't get its tourism game up, Cambodians might soon overtake us, just as Thailand was behind us in the 1990s but has overtaken us now.

[sir miggy]

tried luxury hotel in district 1, HCM.. ver cheap, converted to peso it's only about 900 for an overnight stay.. clean room, big cr with hot/cold shower, queen size bed and free breakfast..

[Mark Lim]

Had a great stay at the Hotel NIkko Saigon. All the staff were so polite, friendly and helpful. Definitely 5 Star! Absolute luxery. Would advise to always stay in a Club Premium room to recieve all the extras. Bit further from the centre of the City, but with cab fares so cheap it really did not matter.

[shinynight]

Been here nice place

[bogard88]

good cheap hotels in saigon?

[rap86]

Good place to stay in ho chi minh?

[rap86]

Which one is better for vacation, ho chi minh or hanoi?

[Liz]

Which one is better for vacation, ho chi minh or hanoi?

 

Haven't been to Ha Noi or North Vietnam for that matter.

But i've been to South Vietnam last August and I suggest going to Nha Trang and Da Lat.

 

Nha Trang is their Boracay equivalent.

ONLY, it is way, way, cleaner and serene in Nha Trang.

Ok, the sand is not powder white and fine, but really, the cleanliness did it for me.

Imagine Roxas Blvd IF, IF, IF it was really, really, really clean.

I mean the hotels, the bars, the shops, are across the street. Yes you have to cross the street to get to the beach.

That, I suppose, makes it clean.

Plus the luxurious Vinpearl can be reached through cable car.

 

Da Lat is their Baguio counterpart, but way, way, cooler, quieter and more romantic.

The city was founded, built, colonized and developed by the French, so baguettes are their staple bread.

Find a tour that will get you to the Central Highlands.

 

You asked for vacation, these are my 2 cents worth...

 

Sai Gon (when in Viet Nam, call it how the locals do) is literally like Metro Manila. Literally.

There's a place in District 1 like Ermita/Malate where you see most tourists, bars, clubs, souvenir shops, budget hotels and backpackers inns (i know coz my sister and I stayed in one).

Oh, but there's also a place like Makati and The Fort. This is their business district, i suppose. This is where the high end shops are, ala Greenbelt 5 and Bonifacio High Street.

Then there's a place in District 3 which reminded me of Divisoria, Quiapo, Sta Cruz with its long stretch of bargain stalls.

Get what i mean? Spend 1-2 days in Sai Gon if you must. That should cover it.

 

Then move up to Nha Trang for a tan line. And cool down at Da Lat for a little peace and quiet.

 

Enjoy! =)

 

 

 

[Liz]

Good place to stay in ho chi minh?

 

Depends how much you're willing to spend.

PM me if you need further suggestions.

My travel agent is a good hearted lady willing to work on whatever budget you have.

 

P.S. prices of commodities hike up during the Tet. this is their official biggest holiday. this happens around january,

followed by the chinese new year shortly after. if youre budget travellers, visit during the low season (july-october).