Posts Tagged ‘Ho Chi Minh city’

Taxis are a surprisingly cheap way to get around the major cities in Vietnam – and if need be, its event not too prohibitive to take a taxi between cities. In Saigon the crowded streets and haphazard construction can make walking a very hot and tiring exercise so it can be quite a relief to hop into a nice cool taxi when you are starting to wear out.

In general cross city taxi travel in Ho Chi Minh City between major tourist sights can be achieved for $1-2, occasionally up to $5 or $6 if you need to travel a particularly long way – for instance from downtown Dong Khoi area up to Chinatown. The vast majority of taxi drivers are very courteous, helpful and safe drivers, if a little too fond of their horns at times, so you should feel free to relax and enjoy the scenery as you drive.

(more…)

PhotosWhile they may not be as bright and shiny as malls or supermarkets, night markets have their own character and are popular destinations for local people and travellers alike. For many travellers the day is just too hot to spend shopping, and the cooler night air offers an ideal opportunity to grab some souvenirs, while for locals the evening is an ideal time to meet and gather outside and share a meal or a drink under the stars.

There is an enormous variety of goods on offer including clothes, footwear, hats. hair clips, jewellery, watches..etc The prices are normally cheaper than day markets or supermarkets as the sellers pay less for the rent, so there are some great bargains to be had. As well as the choice in souvenirs there’s also a great range of food, with many street vendors setting up shop to take advantage of the passing trade.

(more…)

It’s the name of a new tour program specializing in Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has co-operated with municipal Tourism Association to introduce “Ho Chi Minh City – 100 interesting things” program to the public on August 8, 2009.

It’s their aim to raise and standardize travel service quality in H Chi Minh City as well as as to attract domestic and international tourists.

Joining this tour, tourists will have opportunity to vote the most interesting things in Ho Chi Minh City based on the norms from organization board such as: national character, differences of Ho Chi Minh City, tourists’ psychology and taste, food safety, service quality… After collecting and classifying, the organization board will promulgate result to the public.

General information:

Ho Chi Minh City is the second most important city of Vietnam after Hanoi capital, once was considered as the Pearl of the Orient by the French.

Area: 2,098.7 sq. km
Population: 7, 123,340 habitants (4/2009)
Administrative divisions:
- Districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu.
- Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham, etc.

Location:

Situated in the southern part of Vietnam, also the core of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City is still called Saigon by many local. It is not only a commercial center but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist center. The city is bathed by many rivers, arroyos and canals, the biggest river being the Saigon River where The Port of Saigon located. It borders Tay Ninh and Binh Duong provinces to the north, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces to the east, Long An Province to the west and East Sea to the south with a coast of 15 km in length. (more…)