HO CHI MINH

CREST & FLAG

National Day September 2

CURRENCY

Currency Dong

VISA

Most countries need a visa to be obtained from the Vietnamese overseas embassies and missions. check with them or the airline. Don't forget to check what the immigration stamps in your passport.

DID-INTERNET-GMT

DID 00

Country Code (84)

Area Code 8

Internet (vn)

GMT + 8

ELECTRICITY

127 in old buildings, 220V in new hotels 50Hz

Old Post Office

HOTELS

FACTS & DATA

Business Capital of Vietnam

Currency: Dong

Location: Southern Vietnam at the Mekong River delta

Area: 921 sq km

Population: 3.1 m

People: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham
Language: Vietnamese

Religion: Buddhism

Health risks: Good healthcare
Time: GMT + 8

Electricity: 220-240V
Weights & measures: Metric

Road traffic: Right side

Public transport: Bus, taxi and motorbike (very dangerous)

French is still very much alive in Ho Chi Minh

PUBLICATIONS

NEWSPAPERS

English

Vietnam Economy

Viet Nam News

NEWS

Southeast Asia News

AIR, Ho Chi Minh is connected to most major cities in Asia as well as in Europe. SEA, Cruise lines do sail from Singapore and Bangkok to HCMC. Trains run up to Hanoi via Hue and Danang. (Trainstation tel. 8468704). Taxi from the airport to most hotels is US$ 6 and most drivers like to see $.6.

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Food & Restaurants

Food Restaurants

Travel

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What to See & Do

Ambulance 115 | Fire 114 | Police 113 | Telephone local dir. 116 , int'l dir. 110

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, located at the Mekong River delta. It is as well the business metropole of Vietnam. Under the Kmer name name Prey Nokor , it was Cambodia's main port city, before being conquered by the Vietnamese in the 16th century. It later changed the name to Saigon and was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, and later of the former state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. Saigon is built on the banks of the Saigon River.

Notre Dame Cathedral dating back to 1883 was built by the French. A statue of virgin Mary stands in front of the cathedral. Mass takes place on Sunday morning.

Phung Son Tu Pagoda, is one of many in Ho chi Minh.

Binh Tat Market is the main market in Chinatown. Typical Asian market place for the daily life. A tip, buy some Vietnamese coffee, it's good. The Chinatown has kept much of it's bustling charm from previous days.

CuChi tunnels north of Ho Chi Minh. 1 1/2 hours drive is worthwhile to see. These unique tunnels the people built in the war against the USA. The total network is 250 km and where housing 16.000 people at it's peak. If you go into the tunnels, be careful not to get stuck.

Revolutionary Museum, like most other museum show the history of Vietnam in it's struggle against the French, American and Chinese.

The Reunification Palace did house the former South Vietnamese Government and was the first building to be occupied when the communists arrived in Saigon.

Vung Tau, 80 km south of Ho chi Minh has become a very popular beach destination for locals foreigners alike.

Being a big agricultural producer you find plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood. You will hardly see any overweight people as their diet is very healthy. Rice paper and rice wrapper filled with vegetables, some fish, chicken or meat, rolled to spring rolls and dipped in a wide range of sauces are some of a staple food. Local food you find best in the numerous hawker stalls and the typical local restaurants. Try as well barbecued game and Vietnamese fish cakes. Western food is widely available. The French cuisine is excellent, one of the best in Asia. No wonder as the French have been here almost 100 years.

Saigon Special and 333 is the locally brewed Vietnamese beer. Singapore's Tiger beer is brewed locally as well. Lion Brewery and Restaurant located opposite the Opera is a mini brewery. The German brew master brews Bavarian style fresh pilsner and dark beer, not bad. The Vietnamese coffee is very good. Try a black with some sugar.

Pubs and bars are numerous and spread all over the city. Many of them have life music with local or Philippine bands. The most famous one is the Saigon Bar in the Caravelle hotel. Roof top with a fantastic view. Apocalypse Now is a left over from the Vietnam war. Q bar in the old Opera basement is a cool hide out for locals and westerners alike. You want more, official forbidden and don't get caught. A little for US$20, more around 50-70. In hotels the security guard will happily let you pass for some US$.

Ho Chi Minh is famous for it's lacquer ware. There is a big difference in quality. If you want the good quality go to a factory.




Opera House

HOLIDAYS

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2005:

1 JAN New Years Day

Vietnams Tet New Years day end JAN beginning FEB each year (4 days)

30 APR Saigon Liberation Day

1 MAY Labour Day

2 SEP National Day

People Committee Hall. Can't be visited, but below is a picture from the grandiose interior.

At the Cu Chi tunnels a destroyed American tank

There are many French shops at least by the name

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Copyright © 2002 Trip World . All rights reserved. Last modified: April 06, 2006

Copyright © 2002 Trip World . All rights reserved.
Last modified: April 06, 2006