1. Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam and a major transportation hub. 2. The document provides information on getting to Ho Chi Minh City by plane, bus, train, boat and car. It also discusses transportation options within the city like taxi, cyclo, motorbike and bicycle. 3. The guide offers recommendations for things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City including street food, shopping areas, art galleries and day trips outside the city. It also provides contact information for travel agents and important locations like hospitals and embassies.

1. HO CHI MINH LOCAL GUIDE Ho Chi Minh Essential information
Getting to Ho Chi Minh cruise between Angkor Wat and either
By Planes Can Tho or My Tho in the Mekong Delta
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City by air is easy aboard one of the luxury, shallow-draft
and convenient way as Tan Son Nhat Pandaw Cruise Boats
international airport, located 7 km away (www.pandaw.com).
from the heart of the city is the main
gateway for flights arriving from the rest of Getting Around Ho Chi Minh
the world. By Taxi
Vietnam Airlines office: 116 Nguyen Hue, Taxis are clustered around the bigger
District 1 (tel. 08/3824-4482) hotels and restaurants. They cost 10,000
Ho Chi Minh Airport Transfer: 20 USD VND to 15,000 VND at flag fall and 6,000
( B o o k o n l i n e a t VND or so for every kilometer thereafter.
www.yourlocalbooking.com) Call Mai Linh Taxi (tel. 08/3925-0250),
Vina Taxi (tel. 08/3815-5145), or
By Bus/Minivan Vinasun (tel. 08/3272-727).
Saigon is the terminus of the "Open Tour"
Ticket for budget bus tours. Most of the By Car
buses usually drop passengers at Pham You can simplify your sightseeing efforts
Ngu Lao. From there you have to take taxi if you hire a car and driver for the day.
or another transport option for reaching the Contact www.yourlocalbooking.com.
city. Expect to pay about $45 for a day's rental
From Cambodia to Saigon, contact the with driver.
likes of Capitol Tours in Phnom Penh (or Hochiminh to Vung Tau: 85 uSD
any other budget tour office). Hochiminh to Mui Ne: 95 USD
Local buses are, as anywhere in Vietnam. Hochiminh to Cu Chi: 60 USD
Mien Dong Bus Station (292 Dinh Bo Linh Hochiminh to Can Tho: 95 USD
Rd., Binh Thanh District;
www.vexe24h.com) has services to the By Cyclo
north of Vietnam, including to the Central Cyclos are available for an hourly rental
Highlands and Phan Thiet. Mien Tay Bus of about 20,000 VND, a short jaunt
Station (395 Kinh Duong Vuong Rd., Binh around the Dong Khoi area or for hops
Tan District; tel. 08/3877-6594) serves the between some of the city sights is
Ho Chi Minh Overview Mekong Delta to the south. Cholon Bus memorable.
Ho Chi Minh City, situated in the southern part of Vietnam, is still called Saigon by most of Station (84 Trang Tu Rd., District 5)
connects with nearby towns in the Mekong By Bicycle & Motorbike
the natives. This modern city used to be considered as the Pearl of the Orient by the Delta, as well as west toward Cambodia Any hotel front desk can arrange rental at
French. Unlike Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City may lack charm and and the town of Tay Ninh. an inflated fee, or try the many little
elegance, but the city with its essential French colonial character has enough to draw your storefronts on Pham Ngu Lao, just west
By Car of the intersection with De Tham, where a
attention. The city's colonial villas, wide avenues and a lively cafe society remind you the For safety reasons alone, if you're renting a full-day bike rental starts at $1 and a
days of French dominance. The city with its teeming metropolis mingled with the elegance car, I suggest that you book a minivan with motorbike is from $5. Wear a helmet and
of ancient culture, gives you a microcosmic view of the entire nation. a tour or arrange a car with driver. Book drive slowly, staying in the middle of the
online at www.yourlocalbooking.com herd.
or call + 84 979 58 77 44
Saigon's Districts
In this Guide... By Train Most of the hotels, bars, shops, and
Saigon Railway station: 1 Nguyen Thong restaurants are in District 1, parts of
St, District 3. which are easily covered on foot. District
Saigon Railway Tourist Service Co: 1 is home to the central Ben Thanh
1.Hue Essential information 2. Ho Chi Minh Street Food 275C Pham Ngu Lao St. (tel. 08/3931- Market, Dong Khoi, as well as the
? to Ho Chi Minh by air, train, bus
How to get 3. What to Buy in Ho Chi Minh 2828). (Opening hour 7:30am to 8pm) backpacker district of Pham Ngu Lao.
?around Ho Chi Minh
Getting 4. Ho Chi Minh after Dark Most popular from Saigon is Nha Trang District 3 is just north and west of the
Useful phrase in Vietnamese language
? (about 6 1/2 hr.), Danang (13 hr), Hue (14 central Dong Khoi area and is home to
5. Things do not miss 1/2 hr), or all the way to Hanoi (31 hr). many foreign business offices and
?Ho Chi Minh
ATM in
6. Things to do in Ho Chi Minh Vietnamese trains are quite efficient and a embassies. District 5 is a fair ride west of
? Contact
Embassies good way to meet locals.
7. About YourLocalBooking.com the town center and supports the city's
? information
Essential large ethnic Chinese population, a
Travel agent in Ho Chi Minh City
?
By Boat
Check out the unique options to connect by number of older temples, and a market
boat from Phnom Penh or Chau Doc in the area.
Mekong Delta. One option is the weeklong
YourLocalBooking.com Hanoi Airport Transfer only 17 USD www.yourlocalbooking.com

2. Ho Chi Minh Essential information Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City
Useful phrases Canada, 235 Dong Khoi St. Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City Bookstores
(tel. 08/3827-9899) Try Local Beer .The local drop is Hoavener, Xuan Thu, is at 185 Dong Khoi St.,
1. Hello! - Xin chao! (seen chow!) across from the Continental Hotel. Daily
2. Goodbye - Chao (chow!) Australia, 5B Ton Duc Thang St. produced by the Hoa Vien Brauhaus (28 bis
Mac Dinh Chi Street in District 1). Try the 8am to 10pm.
3. How are you? - Ban co khoe khong? (tel. 08/3829-6035) pilsner-style bia vang or the dark lager bia Best are the many small bookshops on
(ban co kwe khome?) New Zealand, 9/F 235 Dong Skhoi St. den. De Tham Street in the backpacker area of
4. I'm fine, thank you! - Cam on ban toi (tel. 08/3822-6908) Try the shrimp in Tamarind Sauce (29-31 town.
United Kingdom, 25 Le Duan St. Ton That Thiep) Camera Shops
khoe (gahm un ban thoy kwe) Thien Ngan (46 Nguyen Hue St.; daily
5. And you? - Ban thi sao? (ban ty (tel. 08/3829-8433). Try Lang Nuong Nam Bo (285 Cach Mang
Thang Tam), which specialises in Mekong 8am-10pm; MasterCard and Visa
sao?) Delta-style barbecue. accepted), line busy Nguyen Hue Street
6. What's your name - Ban ten gi (ban Essential information Vietnam still has plenty of fine French-style (just parallel to Dong Khoi) and can print
thane zee) Hospitals & International Clinics: restaurants. If you're in the mood for Gallic and develop as well as fix or replace most
International SOS is at 167 Nam Ky Khoi flair, Le Bordeaux (72 D2 Street,) does a amateur equipment.
7. My name is... - Toi ten la (thoy thane Clothing Shops
la...) Nghia St.(08/3829-8520), 24-hour hot nice line in classics such as coquilles Saint
Jacques and duck confit. Minh Hanh sells one-off designer
8. Thank you - Cam on (gahm un) line, tel. 08/3829-8424. Local Food: Minh Duc (100 Ton That Tung, fashions, elaborate hats, scarves and
9. You're welcome - Khong co' gi (khom The Family Medical Practice is at the District 1) d r e s s e s . Te l : + 8 4 8 8 2 4 5 7 7 4 ;
go zee) Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, District 1. (tel. Sexy Xu (first floor, 71-75 Hai Ba Trung Minh Khoa has versions of traditional
08/3822-7848). Street, District 1) Vietnamese silk clothing. Tel: +848 829
10. Yes - Vang (vung) 8934;
11. No - Khong (khome) Maps -- The Tourist Information Center, Pho Hoa (260C Pasteur, District 1)
Quan An Ngon (138 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Khai Silks offers silk blouses, robes, and
12. Excuse me... - Xin loi (seen loy) at 4G-4H Le Loi St., District 1 (tel. 08/3822- other clothing for men and women. Tel:
6033), has free detailed city maps. Street, District 1)
13. Can you help me? - Ban giup toi Banh Xeo An La Ghien: 54A Nguyen Van +848 829 1146;
duoc khong? (ban zoop thoy duc Post Office: The main post office is at 2 Troi Indochina Boutique sells scarves and
khom?) Cong Xa Paris, District 1 (tel. 08/3827- Banh Mi Bui Thi Xuan: 122 E Bui Thi blouses. Tel: +848 822 4971
1149) Xuan, District 1, HCM Coffee and Tea
14. Good - Tot (thote) The best place to buy coffee or tea is at
15. Bad - Khong tot (khome thote) Safety: The biggest threat to your safety in Tin Nghia: 9 Tran Hung Dao, District 1, markets such as Ben Thanh in Ho Chi
Saigon is likely to be the street traffic. Cross HCM Minh City or Dong Xuan in Hanoi. Street
Com Nieu Sai Gon: 6C Tu Xuong, District vendors also sell them but overcharge.
the wildly busy streets at a slow, steady 3, HCM
pace. You can find a local who is crossing 3T Restaurant, Saigon: 29-31 Ton That Saigon Centre
ATMs in Ho Chi Minh and stick to his heels! Thiep, 2nd floor Dist.1 Ho Chi Minh City On the corner of Pasteur and Le Loi
Major banks in Saigon include ANZ Pickpocketing is a big problem in Saigon, Ben Thanh Market food stalls: Ben streets. It has coffee shop and and a golf
Bank, 11 Me Linh Sq., District 1 (tel. Thanh Market, Le Loi St, District 1, Ho Chi shop, children's items, supermarket and
especially motorbike drive-bys, with home furnishings. Most of the shops sell
08/3829-9319); Citibank, 115 Nguyen someone slashing the shoulder strap, Minh City
Hue St. (tel. 08/3824-2118); HSBC, 235 Restaurant 19, Saigon: 19 Ngo Duc Ke, goods imported from Thailand
grabbing the bag, and driving off. Keep Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City Computer Alley
Dong Khoi St., District 1 (tel. 08/3829- your bag close and away from traffic. Hang All along Huynh Thuc Khang Street, from
2288); and Vietcombank, 29 Ben Son Ha Restaurant, Saigon: 147A, Hai Ba Nguyen Hue to Pasteur Streets, are
on to your wallet, and don't wear flashy Trung, P.6, Q.3, Ho Chi Minh City many small shops selling computer
Chuong Duong, District 1 (tel. 08/3829- jewelry. Be especially wary in crowded
7245). All offer international ATM wares and related items, including CDs,
places like markets. games, software and peripherals. The
services. Telephone -- The city code for Saigon is 8. What to Buy in Ho Chi Minh software and games are mostly copies.
Standard Chartered: Saigon Trade Dong Khoi is Saigon's premier shopping Parksons
Center, 1st Floor (37 Ton Duc Thang street. There are lots of Japanese Zakka You'll find a wide range of cosmetics as
Street, District 1; Ground Floor), Etown Travel agent in Hochiminh City shops with cute -- though overpriced -- well as international clothing brands.
1 Building (364 Cong Hoa street, ward www.yourlocalbooking.com. Book jewelry, accessories, and shoes. You'll also Saigon Kitsch & Gallery Dogma
tours, hotels, airport transfer online find little watch shops, repair shops, and old 2 9 A D o n g K h o i S t r e e t
13, Tan Binh district) camera vendors (the street adjacent to
A good currency exchange is at 4C Le Sinh Café, 246-248 De Tham, District 1 The name alone was enough to entice us
Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, is lined with into this small shop on Dong Khoi Street
Loi St., right in the town center. (tel. 08/3837-6833; www.sinhcafevn.com), camera shops). Good silk tailors abound.
Sinh Café II near the Dong Khoi area at 24- near the Majestic Hotel.
Western Union:104-106 Nguyen Hue Listed here is just a short selection of the Dolphin Shop 16 Ton That Thiep Street
St. (across from the Rex Hotel; tel. 26 Pho Duc Chinh St. (tel. 08/3821-7421) many choices. Explore. Has variety selection. There's also a
08/3823-9116). Exotissimo, Saigon Finance Center, 9 Art Galleries smaller shop in the Renaissance
Dinh Tien Hoang St., District 1 Apricot Gallery, 50-52 Mac Thi Buoi St., Riverside Hotel.
Saigontourist, 49 Le Thanh Ton St., District 1, near Saigon Sakura Restaurant Gallery Thanh Mai: 52 Dong Khoi Street
Embassies Contact District 1.
Particular Art Gallery, 123 Le Loi St., They have some truly striking works, and
United States, 4 Le Duan St. District 1 the prices are not all that expensive for
(tel. 08/3822-9433) top-line modern art.
Hanoi to Halong Bay by Private Car only 86 USD Hue airport Transfer only 14 USD www.yourlocalbooking.com

3. Ho Chi Minh after Dark Things to do in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh After Dark drinks, ice cream, and a simple food menu famous Vietnamese "Banh Mi". Bread is including the Chinese Chua Quan Am
Bars & Clubs including eggs and rice dishes. baked fresh in the store. Temple and Cha Tam, which is a Catholic
The Pham Ngu Lao area stays up late, Poppy Café 217 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3. Barbecue Garden , 135A Nam Ky Khoi cathedral.
and there are a number of good watering Modern lounge café where the specialty is Nghia – District 1. The restaurant is a Cu Chi Tunnels
holes that cater to young travelers. On De fruit-topped natural frozen yogurt. The only barbecue specialist with both Vietnamese
Tham Street, about 100m off Pham Ngu café in SG that serves this refreshing and International recipes.
Lao, you'll find a host of little cafes, healthy treat. Free wifii, flat-screen TVs, Lion City Cafe & Restaurant, 45, Le Anh
restaurants, and bars. For a club or and English-speaking staff. Xuan, District 1 (Opposite New World
chilled lounge vibe, stick to the streets Sozo has two locations, including one in Hotel), 7PM-3PM. The biggest chain of
around the Opera House. Pham Ngu Lao. Prices are reasonable, wifi Singaporean restaurants in Vietnam, all
is free, and all proceeds benefit needy ingredients imported.
Coffee Shop Vietnamese families. Papaya by Chi Nghia , 68 Pham Viet
Cafe 5 Sao Near the Turtle Pond, on Trung Nguyen, The Vietnamese version Chanh, Binh Thanh District (near the Zoo).
Pham Ngoc Thach. Plays loud techno of Starbucks, but with much better coffee. Small place specializing in northern style
music. Attractive but pretentious crowd. Two convenient outlets are east side of Vietnamese cuisine. Very clean, and
Bobby Brewery Coffee, on Bui Vien st., Nguyen Hue right before City Hall, and nicely decorated.
opened and operated by an American corner of Thu Khoa Huan and Ly Tu Trong. Ngoc Suong Marina,19C Le Quy Don, is
guy who is used to offering money for the Regina Coffee 84 Nguyen Du Street, a restaurant specialising in seafood. Fish
charity. Used to show the movies on 2nd District 1, HCM City. It's a great p* salad and clams cooked in white wine. Crawl through the extensive network of
and 3rd floor. Vietnamese coffee or American style Sushi Bar, with four locations: corner of nearly 500 km of tunnels utilized by the
La Fenêtre Soleil 2nd floor on the corner cappuccinos Le Thanh Ton and Ton Duc Thang in Viet Cong in the 1960s to fight American
of Le Thanh Ton and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia. Window 4 Cafe, near the Reunification District 1. They serve a larger and more soldiers. Tours involve a description of
Save the world from pint size caramel Palace. This is a pen for Vietnam's fashion interesting variety than the typical the tunnels and tour through the tunnels
lattes. Brave the decrepit stairway and slaves and seems to be the place to be American or European sushi restaurant, at where tourists can crawl through them.
enter an oasis. seen. Pretentious atmosphere (it's not the half the price Museum of Ho Chi Minh City
Gloria Jeans Cnr Dong Khoi and best for those who want to relax), but their La Habana, 6 Cao Ba Quat, District 1. Not to be confused with the “Ho Chi Minh
Nguyen Thiep (opposite the Sheraton). coffee is very good and their menu is quite Outstanding Spanish and Cuban-style Museum”, the city museum's history has
Popular international cafe chain. satisfying, the place is always packed. food, including a large tapas menu. included a Governor's Palace,
Kem Café Nearest place for many in La Hosteria, on Le Thanh Ton a few committee building and Revolutionary
downtown D1 to go with a local. Pull up a Restaurant blocks east of the Hilton. A gourmet Italian Museum. Nowadays, its picturesque
plastic chair and sit on the pavement. Dong Ba, 110A Nguyen Du, Dist 1. This is restaurant with excellent home-made grounds attract newlyweds posing for
Cine Café 116 Nguyen Du, inside the a shop that sells Hue Food including Hue pasta dishes. photographs. You'll find a collection of
Galaxy Cinema complex. Quiet beef noodles and traditional banh beo rice Four Season Restaurant, 2 Thi Sach weaponry and memorabilia from the
ambiance with views of the park. cakes. Street, District 1, Vietnamese and country's revolutionary struggle as well
Givral Café, Dong Khoi (opposite Pao restaurant & caffe, 158 Bui Vien, Dist Malaysian cuisine as captured U.S fighter planes and tanks.
Continental Hotel). More in the French 1. Truly Vietnamese food like spring rolls,
tradition, with fresh pastries, collared hot pot, pho, 35,000-60,000 dong. They Things do not miss
waiters and elaborate portions of ice have a live Vietnamese instrument show - Cross the street without getting hit by
cream. on every Friday, Sunday. motorbikes
Hideaway Café, 41/1 Pham Ngoc Pho Bo Vien Quoc Ky, 52 Ngo Duc Ke - Shop in Cho Ben Thanh Market
Thach, Q.3 Decent Western menu, (near Nguyen Hué, District 1). A nice and - Try their street food
although slightly pricey, is good. Free cheap place for a soup. Try the sate - Try Iced Coffee in the backpacker's street
wifi. version of the usual Pho or My, a spicy of Bui Vien
Highlands Coffee is an upscale, delicacy.
somewhat pricey chain serving Western- Thi?n Duyên B?n Thành (vegetarian Things to do in Hochiminh
style as well as local-style brews in prime restaurant), 174 Calmette (near the city Chinatown
locations around the tourist district. They bus station) Well presented vegetarian Chinatown is a hive of activity, it is a maze
also serve food and pastries. food. of temples, restaurants, jade ornaments,
Cafe Napoly on Pham Ngoc Thach near Banh Mi Bistro, 76 Vo Thi Sau, District 1, and medicine shops. Aside from the
the Turtle Pond. Menu is typical for an across from Le Van Tam park. Great fresh sprawling Binh Tay market, you'll find
upscale Vietnamese cafe -- coffee, fruit gourmet sandwiches, especially the some fascinating temples in the area
Hue to DMZ by private car Hoian to Hue by private car: 70 USD www.yourlocalbooking.com

4. Things to do in Ho Chi Minh About Yourloclbooking.com
Vietnam History Museum Cao Dai Holy See Temple About Yourlocalbooking.com Private transfer to all destinations in Viet
The History Museum is a great place to The Cao Dai religion is relatively new at Nam. You can hire a private car and
learn about the colorful events of less than 100 years old. The temples are driver and travel in your own way.
Vietnam's past. The museum houses a distinguished by the “all seeing eye” which Who we are?
fantastic collection of ceramics, dominates the architecture. This Cao Dai Yourlocalbooking.com is an ambitious All Hotels in Viet Nam. You can book
weaponry and cannons. There are temple is the main temple for the religion young company, launched in 2010 when online and get instant confirmation.
photographs, clothes and household and is hugely ornate and impressive. Most our founders identified a niche in the Long Term accommodation in Hoi An.
objects dating back as far as the 1700s. people combine a trip to the temple with the market to introduce online instant
The English translations leave a lot to be Cu Chi Tunnels excursion.
bookings for local travel businesses.
www.yourlocalbooking.com
desired though. Ben Thanh Market
Emperor Jade Pagoda Think of Yourlocalbooking.com as your info@yourlocalbooking.com
Emperor Jade is one of the most gateway to a large searchable database of
impressive pagodas in Vietnam. The local businesses in Vietnam, including
intricate carvings and depictions of restaurants, spa, tours, hotels, bars,
deities including the Emperor Jade airport transfer, car rentals, long term Our Promise
himself. accommodation. It's like having Vietnam
Notre Dame Cathedral at your fingertips. - Money back guarantee
How we start? - Best value at all times
We like you, as independent traveller. We
not only looking for good online travel - No hidden fee
booking sites which offer best prices, but - Be there when you need
also looking for something special such as
Though the market is crowded and rife with interact with local people, explore local - Value travel advices
pickpockets, it is the ideal place to pick up a culture, where to eat local food with truly
bargain or try some traditional (and local taste. We are looking for some helps - Network security
inexpensive) Vietnamese food. It's an ideal and support from local people who can
shopping place. speak your language in case some
The Notre Dame Cathedral is an Can Gio Island problems arise while travelling. This is
imposing red brick building built between The Can Gio island is popular with tourists where we felt existing global online
1877 and 1883. The two towers that front and Ho Chi Minh locals as a way to escape
the chaos of the city. The beaches here sources were not helping much. That is our
the cathedral tower over visitors at nearly
200 feet tall while the neon lit statue of the aren't mind blowing like they are in core idea. We focus on local customer
Virgin Mary is also an arresting site. Thailand but it's a great place to relax and service; you never travel alone. This is
War Remnants Museum one of Vietnam's better islands. The how Yourlocalbooking.com was born.
The War Remnants Museum is a must island's monkey sanctuary and mangroves We also work with best local suppliers
see for anyone with an interest in are great for wildlife fans.
who could be small or large but
Vietnam's history of combat with both the considering quality and customer
French and the Americans. Inside you'll service are priority like us. Local suppliers
find informative exhibits focusing on
biological warfare, weaponry and in are carefully selected to ensure that they
depth statistics of Vietnam's armies provide the best service at a competitive
during the conflicts. The museum's best price.
exhibit is the collection of bombs, tanks, What we offer?
planes and war machinery which can be
found in the courtyard. The museum has Airport Transfer services to Hanoi, Ninh
a very pro-communism, down with the Bình, Hai Phong, Hue, Hoi An, Nha
capitalist pigs bent to it and it's interesting Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Mui Ne, Ho
to see. It's as much propaganda as it is Chi Minh
history.
Nha Trang to Da Lat, Phu Quoc Airport Transfer Ho Chi Minh Airport Transfer only 22 USD