Ho Chi Minh City was founded relatively recently, it arose in the 18th century and today it is the largest metropolis in the country, where life is bustling around the clock. Noisy, bright, bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is considered the main business and cultural center of the country. Tourists can find absolutely everything here, luxury and affordable housing, luxury boutiques with branded clothing and markets with cheap goods, colonial-era architectural monuments and Asian pagodas. It is impossible to imagine a tour of Vietnam without visiting this huge city.
Also there will be no question with food in Ho Chi Minh City, there are restaurants, coffee, fast food everywhere, on the street in shops they sell exotic and strange creatures, whether to try them or not is everyone’s business. Restaurants offer dishes from different cuisines of the world, so every stomach of every tourist will be satisfied.
They offer accommodation for every taste; in total there are more than 600 hotels in the city, not counting boarding houses and guesthouses, of which there are plenty in Ho Chi Minh City. Five-star hotels are distinguished by the highest level of comfort, the service here is excellent; in cheap guesthouses you should not count on anything extraordinary: a bed, a table, a bathroom.
Beaches of Ho Chi Minh City located not in the city itself, but on the Vung Tau peninsula, they can be reached either by special ships or by highway, travel time is about 1 hour. The Vung Tau resort is suitable for tourists whose priority is a beach holiday. located on the first coastline and create maximum comfort for their guests.
Vung Tau is called the Vietnamese Riviera by locals. It is located 128 km from Ho Chi Minh City and used to be a place where the elite came to relax. Today the peninsula has turned into a resort with many hotels and a well-developed entertainment infrastructure.
The most popular beach in Vung Tau "Front Beach". A large number of hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars are concentrated here. The infrastructure is developed quite well, and the beach itself is very beautiful. When you talk about the popularity of the beach in Vietnam, you should not equate this concept with the beaches of Egypt or Turkey. In Vietnam, despite the development of tourism, there are many times fewer travelers.
The most crowded beach in Vietnam is located opposite Front Beach and tourists call it Remote beach. Thousands of vacationers gather here, especially on weekends, the infrastructure here is well developed, and 10 km of sandy coast gives a wonderful time in the sun.
The beaches of Vung Tau have only two drawbacks: periodic sea pollution occurs due to nearby drilling platforms, as well as petty thieves who steal things they like.
Transport in Ho Chi Minh City developed quite well, there are about 130 bus routes throughout the city, which are recommended for tourists, all of them lead to the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City. The buses are very clean, air-conditioned and cheap.
Taxi– another convenient way to move around the city; you can order a car for the whole day and explore the city without haste. Renting a motor boat in Ho Chi Minh City will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the place from the sea; you can book a cruise at the Bach Dang pier.
Renting a scooter in Ho Chi Minh City is an affordable, but very dubious pleasure, since the traffic in the city is crazy, and local drivers seem to be unfamiliar with the rules of the road.
Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for shopping lovers. Here there are not just shops or shopping districts, but entire streets where the same product is presented in a wide variety of variations. Since 2012, tourists can return VAT, if the total amount in checks exceeds 2 million VND. There are VAT refund terminals at Ho Chi Minh City Airport.
Shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City are designed for foreign tourists, so the prices here are not low.
Definitely worth a visit Ho Chi Minh City night markets, of which there are a lot in the city. At the night market you can not only buy souvenirs or some products of local craftsmen, but also try local cuisine and plunge into the unique atmosphere that is present here. It is worth remembering that if you haggle with the seller for a long time, you can reduce the price by 2 times. But you should be very careful and keep bags with money close to your body - thieves are not asleep.
At all, Ho Chi Minh City is the most crime-prone city in Vietnam, a special police department has even been created here to combat banditry. Most often, tourists are robbed right on the street, snatching bags and breaking chains.
In the Mekong Delta. The terrain here is flat, enriched with various gardens and fields, which give travelers a good impression of the overall landscape.
With the exception of the river, there are no other bodies of water in Ho Chi Minh City itself, including the sea. However, almost any beach resort is easily accessible from the city. Transport connections are at a fairly high level, unlike the main part of the country, so tourists often stop here.
Features of a beach holiday
It is very important to carefully choose the time of your trip to Vietnam, because the rainy season, which is, can easily overshadow your vacation with turbidity of the sea and dampness.
Reference! The average annual temperature in Ho Chi Minh City is 28 degrees.
The closest place to Ho Chi Minh City. This place is not famous for its perfectly clear waters, due to the presence of the Mekong Delta and the oil industry. Despite this, the beaches are popular with locals and tourists.
Ferries and hydrofoils from Vina Express and Greenlines operate from here to Ho Chi Minh City (2 flights per hour from 7:00 to 16:00, 1 hour 15 minutes, weekday/weekend ticket - 200,000/250,000 VND). The time spent on the train by ferry is about 3 hours.
How to get to Ho Chi Minh City?
If you want to fly to your holiday destination without transfers, there will be only one option - Aeroflot flights from Moscow straight ahead. In time it will take 10 hours, the cost of the flight in both directions is about 500 dollars.
Flights
A good way to buy cheap air tickets is on the largest search engine in Russia, aviasales.ru.
From Saint-Petersburg can you get to Ho Chi Minh City? in 13 hours, with the help of Aeroflot with a transfer in the capital of the Russian Federation.
Interesting! Ho Chi Minh City is recognized as the most valuable center of economic and transport industry in South Vietnam.
Many airports in Asia are connected to Ho Chi Minh City by flights of low-cost companies Air Asia, VietJet Asia and others. You can get there from, for example, Hanoi or Bangkok. Other cities of the Russian Federation are deprived of the possibility of direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Connecting flights depart from cities such as Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Omsk and Kaliningrad.
Tours and packages
There are many flights from Ho Chi Minh City to this city, and they are cheaper than from other cities. Departures 3 times a day, travel time is 6 hours, and the ticket price category is 120,000 VND.
Note! You can also use the intercity bus or train, which runs from Ho Chi Minh City railway station to the resort 3-5 times a day. The journey takes 4-6 hours, the fare is 130,000-150,000 VND.
Where to stay?
Hotel prices
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The variety of accommodation options for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City is pleasantly surprising. Here you can find both inexpensive hostels and upscale hotels. It’s not difficult to find a cozy shelter in a good area. They are often combined with baths, saunas, and fitness centers. This type of room costs about VND 2,400,000 per night.
3-4 star hotels are famous for the best ratio of cost and quality of service, costing from 420,000 to 1,200,000 VND.
Reviews from tourists
Tourists note that it is better to combine visits to Ho Chi Minh City with the resorts of Nha Trang and Da Nang.
Vung Tau city, located on the coast, receives the most negative reviews due to unclean water and underdeveloped European structure. Many people advise, in order not to spoil the impression of the country as a whole, to pay attention to the beaches of Nha Trang at the beginning of the trip, and only then resort to Vung Tau Beach, which is close to Ho Chi Minh City.
Many people didn’t like their holiday in Mui Ne:
- “We also didn’t really like the beaches in Mui Ne - this is a Mecca for kite surfers, there is excellent wind and waves, and for those who are not keen on kites, this, in our opinion, is far from the best place
- The beach is long and good for running, but the sea near the shore is kind of gray and the scenery is completely unattractive.
- In general, Mui Ne is a fishing village; of course, it can’t be compared with the fish market in Bali in terms of assortment, but we still came to see the morning catch.”
Lovers active night's rest note that Danang resorts rich in variety of nightlife and bars.
Vietnam is one of the “rice civilizations” with ancient Buddhist temples lost in the jungle, underground guerrilla tunnels and a rich colonial heritage, perfectly preserved from French times. Vietnam is the Thailand of 20 years ago, not yet trampled by millions of tourists. “Fun, bright, inexpensive” - this is how you can describe local resort life in three words. Incendiary discos until the morning, forbidden pleasures, excellent shopping, unimaginable exotic dishes... Or a relaxing holiday with children, romantic sunsets, mountain hikes and the best photos as a souvenir. You choose what you like.
How to get there?
It takes approximately 9 hours to fly from Moscow to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City on regular Aeroflot or Vietnam Airlines flights. And this is the only point that can confuse beach lovers in winter. Our fellow citizens do not need a visa to Vietnam. And if you want to see more in one trip, it’s logical to combine a vacation in Vietnam with a visit to neighboring countries - China, Laos, Cambodia, Burma or Thailand. Where is the best place to relax? More on that later.
Which resort should you choose?
If you fly now or in the coming months, then a rain-free holiday is most likely in the south and center of the country. These are popular resorts: Phu Quoc Island, Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Da Nang. Focus on flights to Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang, depending on the chosen resort. January and February are “velvet” months, it’s comfortable to relax, the air and water are +25...+28 °C. In March and April it is hot and dry, the temperature is +30…+35 °C. In the summer months, it is better to choose resorts in Northern Vietnam with a flight to Hanoi. And now we will briefly describe the most popular and rated resorts in the country, where you should go first.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang and its antipode Phan Thiet top the rating of preferences of Russian tourists. Nha Trang Bay takes an honorable 29th place in the world ranking of the most beautiful resort bays. Nha Trang (Russians from the Far East say “nishtiang”) is growing and developing rapidly, new hotels of international hotel chains appear every year. Many restaurants, shops, colorful markets, a beautiful resort promenade. You won't be bored. After or instead of the beach, you can go on a boat to the neighboring islands - see the monkeys or hang out for the whole day in an amusement park. Temple complexes, Buddha statues, pagodas are the cultural component of the resort. And you can improve your health in local mud baths and thermal baths. Nha Trang has a lot of European youth, decent clubs with trendy DJs, and a good selection of inexpensive alcohol. A few disadvantages: most hotels are on the second line; Locals come to the city beach, which is used by most tourists, in the late afternoon; after work, they like to relax here with their children. And in the summer months there are many jellyfish near the shore.
Phan Thiet
The complete opposite of Nha Trang. Relaxed, democratic, inexpensive. Most of the hotels are two- or three-story cottages on the shore, comfortably hidden in palm groves. Here everyone smiles at each other, there is no crowd on the beaches, only the sea, the sun and a light, fresh breeze. If flip-flops (aka “flip-flops”), shorts and a white Panama hat are your style of relaxation, but you want to forget about the dress code at least for a while, this is definitely the place for you. Tourists come with children because it is inexpensive, sandy beaches and the entrance to the water is gentle. Couples find romantic sunsets and time to be alone in Phan Thiet. Lovers of large portions of seafood with ice-cold beer will find relaxation here, and local masseuses will make you see “the sky in diamonds” with their little hands. There are no particularly interesting attractions in Phan Thiet and the surrounding area. Tourists tired of the sun prefer to dilute their idle lying on the sand with water sports. And the downside is perhaps the only one. From the nearest airport in Ho Chi Minh City, it will take 5-6 hours to get to the resort by bus or taxi.
Mui Ne
A neighbor of Phan Thiet, this resort is loved by outdoor enthusiasts. Thanks to the constant wind, there is an ideal wave for surfers and kiters and several dozen specialized schools with professional instructors. The prices are tolerable: an hour of windsurfing costs about $50, kitesurfing costs $70. Many speak Russian, and there are several establishments where you will be treated to borscht and dumplings. True, prices at the resort are higher than in Phan Thiet, again thanks to the large number of our tourists. On the central street of Mui Ne you will find spas and massage parlors, cafes and souvenir shops.
Phu Quoc
An island resort in the very south of the country, in the Gulf of Thailand, just 15 km from the coast of Cambodia. Considering the size of the island (the largest island in Vietnam is the size of Singapore), there is plenty of room to expand here. Active tourists choose trekking through the jungle, kayaking and canoeing, walks through numerous gardens and parks, and excursions to pearl factories. And diving in coastal waters is considered the most interesting and inexpensive in the country. But the main natural wealth of the island is its luxurious sandy beaches, stretching for many kilometers. There are still very few tourists on the island, although the infrastructure is rapidly developing. Hotels, casinos, golf courses, shopping and entertainment complexes are being built, and a new airport has appeared. But today it is still a calm, clean and still inexpensive resort. There is no better place for a quiet family or romantic holiday in Vietnam.
Vung Tau
A popular family resort 130 km from Ho Chi Minh City. It is almost as large and famous as Nha Trang, but there is no vibrant nightlife here. But in the evening you can while away the time in bars with live music, which is very rare for Vietnam. The beaches are wide, sandy, and restaurants and guest houses are now open in the former villas of the French aristocracy. The choice of hotels is also decent, for every taste and budget. Buddhist temples, pagodas, parks, a former royal residence, caves and underground tunnels - there is where to walk and what to see. There are two disadvantages: petty theft on the beaches and the presence of oil drilling platforms in the water area.
Con Dao
“Let’s catch up and overtake Thai Phuket!” – this is roughly how one can voice the ambitions of the Vietnamese tourism authorities on the islands of this archipelago in the South China Sea. The first description of the islands belongs to Marco Polo, and Con Son (the old name of Con Dao) received its notorious fame thanks to the most terrible prison for political prisoners in Vietnam. Today it is a young resort with beautiful beaches and the best Six Senses hotel complex. Most of the island is occupied by a National Park, with many interesting dive sites and fishing spots.
Dalat
A popular international mountain resort in the south of the country, 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City. These places are reminiscent of the French Alps with their mild climate and natural beauty. And it was built during the French colonization of Indochina as a mountain refuge from the sweltering heat. It is cooler here than on the coast, and daytime temperatures, even in the hottest summer months, do not exceed 25 °C, and at night drop to a comfortable 15 °C. From November to April is the dry season, it is better to come at this time. Dalat can be compared to Ubud in Balinese. Here are the best spas and massage parlors in the country, and also offer several options for treatment and healing using traditional oriental methods. These are acupuncture, Vietnamese herbal massage, Indian massage, Tibetan practices of facial and body massage with warm basalt stones. And Dalat has the best themed restaurants serving Vietnamese and French cuisine. As souvenirs, tourists buy the famous Luwak coffee (a palm marten has already feasted on its beans), artichoke tea, ceramic dishes inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and premium quality silk products. It’s logical to combine Dalat with a holiday on the beaches of Nha Trang and a few nights in Ho Chi Minh City.
Danang and Hoi An
The most popular seaside resorts in Central Vietnam. The best season for a beach holiday is March and April. Da Nang has a modern international airport, the city is the fourth largest and the industrial center of Vietnam. Nevertheless, it is very picturesque, there are several good beaches nearby, including the famous China Beach - a place for youth hangouts and surfing stations. And 40 km away is the cozy town of Hoi An with a huge number of temples, pagodas, art salons, silk and souvenir shops. This is a museum city; 844 historical monuments are officially registered in it. Here you should try authentic Vietnamese cuisine and inexpensively replenish your summer wardrobe with handmade silk items, literally sewn in front of you. The ancient imperial capital of the country, the city of Hue, is a place of pilgrimage for tourists, history buffs and adventurers a la Indiana Jones, located a few hours away by car from Da Nang.
Halong and Haiphong
Halong Bay is a very beautiful and unusual place in northern Vietnam. From Hanoi it takes 3-4 hours (150 km) by bus or taxi. If you've seen James Cameron's film Avatar, the cliffs of Ha Long will remind you of the floating boulders of the planet Pandora. Only in Ha Long do they strangely stick out from the turquoise waters of the bay. The best way to spend a few days in Ha Long is on board a wooden cruise ship. So you can swim to your heart's content in warm and clear water, visit the most beautiful and interesting places, buy authentic souvenirs in a floating village, go down into mysterious caves on the shore and take the best selfies of your life. And don’t forget to try the local delicacy – sweet and sour fish baked in sugar. Ha Long is also famous as the filming location for the films “Indochina” starring Catherine Deneuve and “Tomorrow Never Dies” with Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. Haiphong is a cozy resort town not far from Halong. It is reminiscent of Hanoi twenty years ago with its clean flower-filled boulevards, colonial houses and leisurely pace of life. In addition to good shopping, the city has many temples, inexpensive restaurants, and a decent zoo. The proximity to Hanoi makes it easy to visit Halong and Haiphong in one trip, along with a few days' stop in the capital.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
A description of the resorts will be incomplete without mentioning the main cities of Vietnam, which are usually visited by almost all tourists, because they are also the air gates of the country. These cities are definitely worth attention and at least a short introductory visit.
Hanoi is the capital of the country. This city will not leave anyone indifferent: old French houses are surrounded by greenery, and two steps around the corner there are ancient temples. Halt a rickshaw and ride along the city boulevards, and in the evening catch a performance at the Theater on the Water. Have dinner at a national restaurant, and the next morning go take a photo at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, look into the Temple of Literature and be amazed at the elegance of the One Pillar Pagoda and throw a coin into the Lake of the Returned Sword. And if you have time and energy left, go for a while to the mountains to the former French resort of Sapa. In one day in Sapa you can feel all four seasons, enjoy natural beauty, see the unique Tafin Underwater Palace and the Thac Bak Silver Waterfall. And the bravest and most resilient will be able to climb the highest peak of Indochina, Mount Fansipan (3,143 m).
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, as locals and American tourists habitually call it, is the main city of South Vietnam. Saigon is interesting during the day and does not sleep at night. Colonial buildings from the last century coexist peacefully with skyscrapers, shopping centers and office buildings. You'll be impressed by the former Presidential Palace, and you can buy interesting finds from local designers on Dong Hoi Boutique Street. Military history buffs will be interested in descending into the guerrilla tunnels of Cu Chi, while families with children will appreciate a river cruise along the Mekong with lunch and a visit to a snake nursery. And in the evening it’s so nice to admire the bright lights and life boiling below, while sipping a cocktail or a cool beer at the hotel’s rooftop bar. And with renewed vigor, go in search of “adult” night adventures after an invigorating foot massage. In terms of the number and density of bars, discos, and entertainment on the edge, Saigon is not inferior to Bangkok.
Ho Chi Minh City is a city experiencing rapid development, which attracts the attention of millions of tourists from all over the world. There are no disappointed: the city is so original that it never ceases to amaze every time you visit: the juxtaposition of buildings of different eras, styles, purposes; an abundance of green islands, retail outlets, street food; transport uniqueness - an abundance of scooters and a small number of cars. What is it like to vacation in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019? We'll tell you about the best attractions, entertainment and what it costs in the economic capital.
Saigon remained the center of political wars for a long time. In 1976, the reunification of North and South Vietnam took place, the city was renamed in honor of the first president of the united country, Ho Chi Minh.
The next two decades were not the best period in the city's history: many businessmen left the city, which negatively affected the economy of the growing city. It was only in 1994 that the government managed to return foreign investment, which quickly took off and turned Ho Chi Minh City into the economic center of Vietnam.
Today Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 19 districts (urban) and 5 counties (rural). Of these, the following are of tourist interest:
- district No. 1 - French quarters with Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, post office, city hall, Reunification Palace, botanical garden, zoo;
- area No. 3 – colonial-style villas, pagodas and temples, Museum of War Victims, railway station;
- District No. 4 – museums, old port piers.
It is important to know: the monetary unit of Vietnam is the dong. Ruble to dong exchange rate at the beginning of May 2019: 1 ruble - within 350 dong (VND).
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City is located in a subequatorial climate zone with constant hot weather. There are no low or high tourist seasons here. The calendar is divided according to other criteria: dry period (December-April) and wet period (May-November).
The driest month is February, most often it rains in September. Sometimes the rains can fall several times a day, but they are fleeting, although plentiful, bringing life-giving freshness to the metropolis exhausted by the heat.
The city receives large flows of tourists all year round, but the favorite time to visit is the rainy season.
How to get there
Direct flights from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City are operated by only one airline - Aeroflot on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flight duration is about 10 hours. The cheapest one-way ticket is from 14,000 rubles.
The best time to travel is in February: the cost of round-trip tickets is on average 18 percent cheaper.
Note: you can purchase tickets at a minimum price seven months before the flight, excluding weekends and holidays.
You can save on airfare but spend much longer on the road by taking connecting flights in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Doha, Seoul or Tokyo.
From airport to city
Tan Son Nhat is located 6 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. This distance can be covered using various transport.
Bus
- No. 152 goes to the Pham Ngu Lao tourist center, where the most popular hotels are located (from 7.00 to 19.00, ticket price - 7000 VND);
- No. 147 – to the Sholon bus station (6000 VND);
- No. 109 - to the park "23 September" (from 5.45 to 1.30, ticket price - from 12,000 VND).
Taxi
The cost of a trip from the airport to the hotel is from 160,000 VND.
Mototaxi
To ride a motorbike to the city, you will have to vote on the road and pay for the ride with a breeze of 90,000 VND.
Transport
Ho Chi Minh City is often compared to an anthill. Here, personal cars are rare due to their high prices. Scooters, mopeds, bicycles are the most popular types of transport.
Public transport is provided by buses. The metro is expected to be built in the coming years.
Buses
There are more than 150 routes in the city, many of them cover the main attractions. Tickets can be purchased on the bus from the conductor. The fare depends on the distance and type of bus - 3000-10000 VND.
To better navigate bus routes, it is better to purchase a map.
Taxi
A convenient means of transportation around Ho Chi Minh City, and also inexpensive: from 80,000 VND around the city. Most taxis are equipped with meters, payment is made according to their readings, and only in cash.
Mototaxi
The fastest way to travel around the metropolis, which can be found on any street. The cost of the trip also depends on the distance and starts from 20,000 VND.
Note: motorcycle taxis will deliver you to the right place without delay during heavy traffic hours, when residents go to work and return home (7.00-8.30 and 16.30-18.00).
Where to stay
There are more than 2000 hotels, apartments, guesthouses, and hostels in the city. The lowest prices are May-September.
Most of the hotels are located in the center (District No. 1), with fashionable ones on Dong Khoi Street and areas nearby, budget ones on Pham Ngu Lao Street.
The backpacker quarter on Pham Ngu Lao Street is considered a tourist area: where you can find accommodation at any price. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants, entertainment centers.
The cheapest accommodation can be found in mini-hotels starting from VND 110,000 per night. Accommodation in a double room in a 1*-2* hotel - from 230,000 VND, 3*-4* - from 420,000 VND, 5* - from 2,400,000 VND.
Note: it is better to choose a hotel not on the main streets, but in the streets and alleys adjacent to them: the incessant noise of the metropolis does not reach there.
Hotel Continental
The most famous hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, built in 1885 in a colonial style, is surrounded by attractions: the Opera House, City Hall, Main Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral.
There are two restaurants here: “Le Bourgeois” with European cuisine and live piano or violin music, “Continental Palace” with Vietnamese cuisine. There is a bar and a cafe.
The price for a double room starts from VND 2,000,000 per night.
Many celebrities have stayed at the Continental, including the writer Somerset Maugham (Saigon is described in the essays “The Gentleman in the Lobby: From Rangoon to Haiphong”). Another writer, Graham Greene, often visited here (there are many descriptions of Saigon and the hotel in the novel “The Quiet American”).
During the 1940-1950s, the hotel became a kind of international journalistic press club, where information about the Indochina War was discussed and exchanged.
The hotel features in many scenes in the French-Vietnamese film Indochina, starring Catherine Deneuve, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1993.
Where to eat
In Ho Chi Minh City, seductive aromas are everywhere: on the streets from stalls; in shopping centers, where entire floors are occupied by catering establishments; in markets, in numerous cafes and restaurants that can be easily found anywhere in the city.
South Vietnamese cuisine differs from the cuisine of the northern regions: it is less spicy, more varied, with its own twists, borrowed from its neighbors, whose dishes are also represented in the city: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian. Those who prefer European cuisine are not deprived of attention: you can easily find restaurants and cafes serving French, Italian and dishes from other European countries.
- "Xu Restaurant Lounge" - Vietnamese cuisine. The signature dish is rice crackers with beef;
- “La Villa French Restaurant” - French cuisine. Famous for beef with tomatoes and mozzarella;
- "Restaurant Bobby Chinn" - European, Asian, African cuisine. Popular dishes include Moroccan soup and steaks;
- "New York Steakhouse & Winery" - American cuisine. The main course is, of course, steak;
- "Zen Saigon Japanese Yakitori Restaurant" - Japanese cuisine. Popular national dishes and amazing plum wine;
- Temple Club - Vietnamese cuisine with an antique store. The signature dish is fried monkfish;
- "Quan An Ngon" - Vietnamese cuisine. Famous for rice pancakes and grilled meat;
- La Camargue" - French cuisine where you can taste foie gras and chateaubriand beef.
The basis of Vietnamese cuisine is rice and noodles, served with meat, seafood, aromatic herbs, and various sauces.
Dishes you must try in Ho Chi Minh City:
- pho soup with rice noodles, cooked in meat broth and served with chicken, beef or dried squid;
- banh mi - a sandwich with a variety of fillings (fish, seafood, sausage or egg);
- Banh Seo spring rolls – deep-fried pancakes filled with mushrooms, meat, seafood or vegetables;
- goi suon - rice paper rolls stuffed with minced pork, noodles and herbs;
- thit nyong - noodles with grilled pork, topped with fish sauce and served with vegetables and herbs;
- banh bo ha – meat soup with round noodles, herbs and soybean sprouts.
Shopping
In the huge city you can find huge supermarkets, shopping centers and department stores with goods from world brands, several hundred markets, souvenir shops and shops.
The most famous and popular shopping places:
- “Ben Thanh Market” (Ben Thanh Market), built at the beginning of the 20th century, the main entrance is decorated with a clock tower - one of the symbols of the city. Here you can buy clothes, shoes, dishes, souvenirs and, of course, food - fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and have a snack in one of the many cafes;
- Binh Tay Market is located in Telon Chinatown, where all goods (both food and industrial) are from local producers. People rush here early in the morning to buy the freshest products at prices much lower than in other markets in the city;
- Saigon Center occupies three floors of the skyscraper: 1st floor – cafes and restaurants; 2nd – branded clothing, shoes, accessories; 3rd – household goods, including interior decoration;
- Dong Khoi Street - an abundance of souvenir and antique shops, artists' workshops where you can purchase exclusive products.
What they bring from Ho Chi Minh City:
- paintings embroidered on silk;
- figurines;
- products decorated with wood carvings;
- varnished miniatures;
- products made of bamboo and mahogany;
- jewelry made of silver and pearls, sea and river;
- natural cosmetics;
- green tea, coffee.
Note: in city markets it is customary to bargain: a talented buyer can reduce the price by two and sometimes three times.
Attractions
Few cities in the world can be proud of such a variety of architectural and natural attractions as Ho Chi Minh City: Asian and European traditions, styles, and cultures overlap here.
Reunification Palace
Built in 1966 on the site of a palace destroyed in 1962 during the conflict, erected in 1868 for the governor of the French colony.
The author of the project for the new palace is the talented Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu, who used elements of Western architecture and the principles of Feng Shui. The architect's discovery is marble screens in the shape of bamboo shoots on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building, behind which there are verandas. Screens provide shade and airflow into the rooms.
The palace got its name in honor of an important event in the history of Vietnam: the document on the reunification of the country was signed here.
Today the building houses the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, the exhibits of which tell about the history of the palace, its inhabitants in different years, and events. There is an American Huey helicopter on the roof - the same one used by the last inhabitants to escape. In the park adjacent to the building there are tanks and a fighter-bomber - weapons of historical events.
Ticket price: VND 15,000.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The beautiful namesake of the famous temple of the French capital is located on Paris Square in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1880, the building resembles Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. All materials for its construction were delivered from France.
Previously, on the square in front of the cathedral, a monument was erected to the missionary Father Pierre Pignot, who held Prince Cagnes in his arms. But in 1945 it was destroyed. On the preserved foundation, a white granite statue of Our Lady, commissioned by the Saigon bishop in Rome, was installed in 1959.
The Catholic Cathedral is active and open to the public even during services.
Central Post Office
The elegant pink building appeared in Saigon in 1891; Gustave Eiffel took part in its design. Already at the end of the 19th century, a telephone exchange was operational here, the first in the country.
The post office has not changed its originally intended functions, except that souvenir points have been added, where you can buy original things to remember the city, send a letter or postcard anywhere in the world.
Opera theatre
The elegant building with an equally beautiful interior, designed for 800 spectators, decorating Lam Son Square, was built in 1863 for performances of a European theater troupe. Currently, concerts and performances are rarely held here.
Jacques Lam Pagoda
The oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, built in 1744 from precious wood and becoming the first Buddhist monastery in the south of the country, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its beauty and uniqueness.
Monks from different countries come to the center for teaching Buddhist canons of the existing monastery. There are many beautiful statues and sculptures made of wood and bronze on the territory. The buildings amaze with their wall decorations and priceless collections that introduce the history, architecture and culture of Buddhism.
The pagoda is open to the public. Here you can sip aromatic tea, relax in the shade of the trees, enjoying the beauty of the architecture and surrounding nature.
Temple of the Jade Emperor
The Taoist temple was built in 1909 by representatives of the Chinese community and is dedicated to Ngoc Huang, the deity on whom the fate of people after death depends.
The interior decoration of the temple is striking: a statue of a god surrounded by other deities and heavenly guards, skillful carved decorations.
Thien Hau Pagoda
One of the most beautiful pagodas in the city is dedicated to the goddess of the sea, patron of sailors and fishermen. It is believed that if you write a wish on special red paper strips and attach it to the wall, the goddess will hear and your wish will come true.
The pagoda was built at the beginning of the 19th century in the Telon region of China. It’s great luck to get into the temple during a service.
Huyen Chi Church
One of the most beautiful Catholic churches in the city was built in 1902 by the grandfather of Nam Phuong, the last Vietnamese empress. Huyen Shi converted to Christianity at the beginning of the 20th century, the church is named after him. In its chapel there are marble tombstones on his grave and the grave of his wife.
War Victims Museum
Opened in 1975. Its original name was the American War Crimes Museum. The name has changed, but the exhibits remain: captured military equipment; cages where prisoners were kept; the guillotine, which was used for the last execution in 1960; many photographs and other items depicting the cruelty of war and the consequences of the use of napalm, phosphorus bombs, and Agent Orange.
Ticket price is 10,000 VND.
Cu Chi Tunnels
A system of underground passages with a length of about 200 kilometers was created near Ho Chi Minh City during the guerrilla war. Several camouflaged entrances, living quarters, kitchens, warehouses, weapons workshops, hospitals - everything testifies to the courage and love of freedom of the Vietnamese partisans, who did not stop the war even in such conditions.
Dam Sen Park
This is not just a huge park, but also the most popular cultural and entertainment center in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can relax with the whole family.
There are lakes on which you can ride boats, attractions, the Royal Garden, a zoo, a botanical garden, a water park, a miniature narrow-gauge road, and a Historical Museum.
Entrance to the park: adults - 18,000 VND, children - 12,000 VND. Water park: adults – 50,000 VND, children – 30,000 VND. Botanical Garden and Zoo: adults – 8000 VND, children – 4000 VND. Museum – 10,000 VND.
Recreation and entertainment
In the city you can find interesting excursions with a Russian-speaking guide. Fans of active recreation will not be left indifferent to safaris, mountain hikes or bicycle tours.
An unforgettable journey will be along the Mekong River, surrounded by stunning nature, with a visit to the floating market, ethnic villages, and workshops of local craftsmen who create exclusive items and souvenirs.
In the parks, relaxation can be combined with watching puppet theater performances on the water. The city has several water parks with a wide variety of water slides and attractions.
For lovers of night entertainment - clubs, bars, cafes, discos, including live music. Popular nightclubs: “Apocalypse Now”, “Sax n’ Art Jazz Club” (jazz lovers will appreciate it), “Saigon” (located on the 10th floor of the Caravelle Hotel) - you can admire the city at night from above.
Please note: entry into nightclubs is prohibited in sandals, shorts, and sleeveless T-shirts.
Festivals
Among the variety of holidays and festivals, the most striking and impressive are:
- The festival of lanterns and light takes place from early December to mid-January, during which you can see hundreds of glowing lanterns in the shape of various figures, including giant ones. The program includes music shows, entertainment;
- The Southern Fruit Festival takes place from May to August in Suoi Tien Park. It presents all varieties of fruits grown in the country, which can be purchased at up to 40 percent below market prices.
Vacation with children
The city offers entertainment and activities for families with children of all ages. The parks have many attractions and playgrounds. Water parks with children's areas, a zoo with a dolphin show, and a botanical garden will be of interest to everyone.
With children under 10 years old, you can visit the city of professions “Vietopia”, where, over a large area, children can try themselves in a variety of professions.
Schoolchildren will be interested in the Just Kidding Thao Dien amusement park: car racing, a climbing wall, an electric train, creative workshops and many other events.
The fascinating performances of the water puppet theater last about an hour, and even the little ones will be captivated by the unusual action.
Boys will love the Museum of the History of Vietnam, which displays various artifacts and weapons, including those from colonial times.
The whole family will enjoy the Japanese park "Rin Rin" with miniature bonsai, rock gardens, colorful fish in ponds.
The city of eternal summer cannot leave you indifferent. It is not like other South Asian cities, not only in Vietnam, but also in China, Cambodia, and Korea, people from whom live here. It has its own rhythm, its own appearance, its own character, a special mentality of its inhabitants.
More information about the city in the program “Heads and Tails”:
Today’s article contains a detailed report on what recreational opportunities this country provides.
Popular resorts in Vietnam
Resort | How to get there | Prices | For whom |
Own airport | Families with children and teenagers |
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Own airport | **** | Nightlife lovers, partygoers, young married couples |
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Ho Chi Minh City Airport, river "missiles" | |||
Phan Thiet | Ho Chi Minh City Airport | Families with children, elderly people, kitesurfers |
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By plane from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, by ferry from Rach Gia town | **** | Families with children, people looking for a relaxing holiday, divers |
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By plane from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, by ferry from Vung Tau | **** | Divers, newlyweds |
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By bus from Hanoi | **** |
Danang
Da Nang's sandy beaches are ranked among the world's most attractive beaches by Forbes magazine. The town of Danang itself is located on a coastline indented by bays and surrounded by low picturesque mountains. Its location is also convenient because from Da Nang it is easy to reach towns such as Hue, Hoi An and My Son. The time from September to December is suitable for surfers - during these months there are stable waves.
pros
- Nearby is one of the best water parks in the country - Da Nang Water Park. China Beach is considered the best in Vietnam.
Minuses
- In June, the coastal waters are inhabited by red jellyfish, whose burns are painful and can cause an allergic reaction.
Nha Trang
Perhaps the most popular for Russian tourists. Announcements, advertisements, and menus in many restaurants are duplicated in Russian, and many Europeans call this city “Little Russia.” There are a huge number of bars, restaurants, clubs, beauty salons. In addition, the city has several dive centers, healing springs and a mud bath.
pros
- Nearby, on a separate island, is the Vinpearl water amusement park, which can be reached by cable car. Lots of attractions and entertainment.
Minuses
- In the northern part of the city, a river flows into the sea, which sometimes brings with it mud, giving the water an unpleasant brown tint. There are many thieves and petty swindlers in the city.
Vung Tau
Vung Tau is located near, so residents of the metropolis spend their weekends here. The climate is milder than in other resorts, and you can relax all year round, avoiding the period from June to September, when the most rainfall occurs. You can entertain yourself by walking through the city park, going to the local market, exploring pagodas and temples, or visiting the lighthouse and statue of Jesus Christ.
pros
- Good infrastructure for shopping. Possibility to get to Ho Chi Minh City by water in 50-60 minutes.
Minuses
- The beaches are polluted by garbage washed up from the Mekong Delta and waste from industrial enterprises located within the city.
Phan Thiet
Phan Thiet is also close to Ho Chi Minh City and includes the small fishing village of Mui Ne. The resort is no less popular among Russian tourists than Danang, so you can often find Russian-speaking staff and menus in their native language. In addition, Phan Thiet is popular among surfers. Many people like to come here in the low season, as short rains relieve the heat. There is a lot to see in the area - the famous statue of the reclining Buddha, Binh Chau mineral springs, lotus lake.
pros
- Large selection of water activities, golf courses, really good beaches.
Minuses
- Almost complete lack of night entertainment.
Phu Quoc Island
Some compare Vietnamese Phu Quoc to a Thai island. And although they are somewhat similar, Phu Quoc is inferior to Phuket in the number of bars, restaurants, and discos. It is believed that Phu Quoc is the quietest and most relaxing resort in Vietnam. There are not only beautiful beaches, but also luxurious nature, into which the tourist infrastructure fits harmoniously. In your free time, you can visit pearl or black pepper factories, go on an eco-tour to the jungle or mountains, or try your hand at fishing.
pros
- The best place for diving.
Minuses
- You can only get to the island with transfers.
Con Dao Island
Con Dao Island is difficult to access, but this only plays into its hands - the holiday here is calm and secluded. Plus, most of the island is a national park, so the nature here is fantastic. The beaches are sandy, snow-white, and the visibility of the water sometimes reaches 20-40 meters. The best time for diving is from February to July, and from May to November there is a unique opportunity to see turtles that come to the island to lay eggs.
pros
- Few tourists. Great place for diving. There is an opportunity to travel to neighboring islands.
Minuses
- The tourism infrastructure is not yet very developed. Little entertainment.
Ha Long
Ha Long Bay is perhaps the most important and popular attraction in the country. More than 3,000 small rocky islands are scattered throughout the bay, creating a landscape of incredible beauty. Tourists mainly visit as part of excursions, but there is everything for a complete beach holiday. Particularly famous is the fashionable Tuan Chau beach, where Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh himself rested in the middle of the last century.
The best time to swim in the bay is from April to October.
since the rest of the time the water in the bay is not very comfortable.
pros
- Incredibly beautiful surrounding landscapes. Developed entertainment infrastructure.
Minuses
- Apart from the bay itself, there are no attractions. The resort is not suitable for diving.
