Ho Chi Minh CIty

By Joyce Ira

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Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is home to more than 7 million residents. The rapidly changing city attracts millions more each year. The busy streets full of motorcycles and the lush green trees on the side of the streets make Ho Chi Minh City one of the liveliest cities in southeast Asia.

Getting around the town is easy as there are plenty of taxis, buses and motorcycle taxis. Take caution as some drivers tend to ask for higher prices if given the opportunity. A fair price is generally 15,000dong-25,000dong per ride, equivalent to $0.75-$1.50. It's a good idea to ask for the price before riding to avoid hassles along the way.

Ho Chi Minh City offers limitless activities from side markets, fine dining, city tours, shopping, massage and acupuncture clinics, century old pagodas, sleek skyscrapers and ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, spices, baskets and handmade furniture all jockey for attention amid the urban collage.

Vietnamese people are warm and friendly. They are always welcome to entertain visitors and see to it that they are well taken care of. A simple greeting of ‘Xin Chao’ which means ‘hello’ in English can melt their heart away. It is advisable to bring a pocket Vietnamese-English traveler’s book to help with conversing with non-English speaking Vietnamese. French is also widely spoken.

To date, many tourists keep on coming back to Ho Chi Minh City. The charming city is a difficult place to leave for too long.


Ho Chi Minh City is accessible via air from Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Alternatively, buses depart from Cambodia as well.




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