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Ho Chi Minh City

Last post 08-09-2006, 2:01 PM by Trisha Cain. 1 replies.
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  •  08-02-2006, 2:53 PM 121

    Ho Chi Minh City

    I spent a week there back in 2001. Crazy! cool! unlike any place else I have ever seen.

    You will not have a problem finding people who speak English or want to talk to you. There is at least one HSBC in the main square in Saigon where American ATM cards will work.

    I would caution you about taking the buses. Drivers there tend to play chicken a lot with oncoming traffic because the roads get clogged with all the bicycles, animals, people on foot, etc. on the shoulders. At least, don't sit on the drivers side of the bus. A fun road game is "How many children fit between mommy and daddy on the moped?" Most I counted was 4 but they can get more than that.

    I did the day-long Mekong delta trip and it was roughing it about as much as I ever have. 3-days may be a little long, by that point in your trip. There is a lot to explore in Saigon, I would not rush through it. Don't rush the beach either. beaches are gorgeous!  I forget the name of the town where we stayed. Eat lots of fresh seafood with lime juice and salt and pepper.

    Don't miss the Caodai temple/cu chi tunnels day trip, its a couple hours by bus from Saigon. It was amazing.

    Another fun game at the market is "How many different types of dead animals are packed into that bottle of snake liquor?" You will see what I mean! Men may encourage Bill to drink it. I've had it, it won't make you sick but it is definitely the most disgusting alcoholic beverage I've ever had. Pretty cool to say you drank out of a bottle with a dead cobra in it, though.

    Trish explored more of the country and can tell you guys about Cambodia and Singapore too. I'll ask her to post.

  •  08-09-2006, 2:01 PM 128 in reply to 121

    Re: Ho Chi Minh City

    Tracy, wasn't your beach stay in Phan Tiet?

    I wasn't a fan of the day long Mekong trip (wouldn't say I had to rough it though), and I would agree that a three day trip would probably be too long.  If you really want to go, you should definitely arrange your own travel and not go with one of the group packages you can find from Sinh Cafe. The group tours are convenient, but they just rush you around and I didn't really feel like I got to see anything.

    I agree about not rushing Saigon.  It is big and crazy and the three days I spent there were probably not enough.  Saigon wasn't on the top of my list of favorite places in Vietnam, but I don't feel like you can really go to see Vietnam and NOT go to Saigon.  (Like going to Thailand and not going to Bangkok.)  The place not to miss in Saigon is the War Remnants Museum. 

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