Entertainment and recreation
Ho Chi Minh is the largest metropolis in Vietnam, the commercial and industrial center of the country. The city is located in the south of Vietnam, in a picturesque place - in the Mekong Delta.
Like many places with a rich history, Ho Chi Minh City has several informal names. For its role in the economic and cultural life of the country, the city is also called the Southern Capital, and for its colonial heritage and French charm - Paris of the East. Local residents, by the way, are much more willing to use the former name of the city - Saigon(even despite the love for the legendary leader of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh).
The architectural appearance of the city is based on the traditions of different parts of the world: from classical Chinese to Western European. By the way, in the west of Ho Chi Minh City there is a large Chinatown of Cholon, which was annexed to Saigon at the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays, this area is famous for its lively trade.
The southern capital of Vietnam is more than an interesting tourist destination. Whatever travelers want - rich excursions or bustling nightlife, exotic Vietnamese cuisine or familiar European dishes, luxury hotels or budget guesthouses - it will not be difficult to find all this in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Ho Chi Minh City |
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Population |
7123340 people (2009) |
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Population density |
3398.54 people/km² |
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Vietnamese dong |
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Timezone |
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Postal code |
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International dialing code |
Climate and weather
Ho Chi Minh City has a subequatorial climate, so you can come here for vacation all year round. The average annual temperature does not fall below +28 °C, while even in winter it is +22 °C at night. The hottest months are April and May, when the mercury column reaches +35 °С during the day.
When choosing a time to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, remember that the rainy season here lasts from May to November. The rest of the time, there is practically no rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City - this period is considered optimal for visiting the city. But if high humidity and intermittent rains do not cause you discomfort, you can come to Ho Chi Minh City whenever you like.
Nature
Delta Mekong, on the territory of which Ho Chi Minh City is located, is a unique place of its kind. Flat places are replaced by hills that reach several hundred meters. And although there is no jungle here, the landscapes delight the eye with endless gardens, rice fields and mangroves.
In the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City there are many species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Of the river inhabitants, representatives of the “giants” are so surprised: a giant pangasius from the catfish family, a giant carp and a giant freshwater stingray, whose weight reaches 600 kilograms. In general, the Mekong basin in terms of biological diversity is second only to the river basin. Amazon.
There are three national parks and four nature reserves in the Mekong Delta.
Attractions
There is a lot to see in Ho Chi Minh City. The local architecture has absorbed the history of the city from its foundation to the present day.
A masterpiece of the colonial era appears Cathedral of Notre Dame de Saigon. He, of course, is on Paris Square in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The temple was built for 6 years - from 1877 to 1883 - and is still a functioning cathedral. You can freely enter here even during the service.
Such an attraction is connected with the not very old past of Ho Chi Minh City Reunification Palace. Although it was built at the end of the 19th century, it is famous for the fact that it was here that the act of unification of Vietnam was signed. The palace is open to visitors. You can wander through the halls, see interesting expositions and even see a film about the history of the palace.
History buffs should definitely visit tunnels of Cu Chi(Cu Chi), which are located about 30 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels were built during the guerrilla war. This is a huge system of underground passages with several levels deep. Here you will find the real romance of the dungeon: secret passages, warehouses, weapons workshops, rooms where partisans lived.
Among the museums of Ho Chi Minh City, of particular interest are Historical Museum and Museum of Military History. Unique plants and natural landscapes can be seen in Ho Chi Minh Botanical Garden.
Nutrition
Many experienced travelers admit that food is tastier than in Ho Chi Minh City only in Madrid and Tokyo. True, with regard to prices in restaurants, Ho Chi Minh City is confidently leading in terms of the availability of gastronomic delights.
In restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, you can taste dishes from all over the world, and the most popular here are South Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Chinese Korean and Italian cuisines.
If you want to appreciate Vietnamese cuisine, don't miss Temple Club restaurant. The building where the institution is located is not too remarkable against the background of others, but inside you will find the atmosphere of Vietnam in the 30s. There used to be a Chinese temple in the building, and the owners have completely preserved the interior of that era. By the way, the main highlight of the restaurant is that it is also an antique shop: here you can not only eat delicious food, but also buy any interior item or cutlery you like. We recommend ordering fried angelfish or long-wa fish with garlic sauce here. The cost of a typical dinner for one person is from $10 to $20.
Another Vietnamese restaurant worthy of attention is Quan An Ngon. Although this place does not boast an outstanding interior, the food here is beyond praise. At first, the number of items on the menu can even confuse you - the variety of local dishes is so great. You can start your acquaintance with rice pancakes with different types of fillings or punch-cha (grilled meat with noodles). The average bill will be $5-10 per person.
Fans of French cuisine are advised to visit restaurants Augustine and La Camargue. In terms of atmosphere, they are very different: in the first, carefree fun reigns, and in the second, peaceful calmness. But the food is excellent in both. Foie gras, Chateaubriand beef and an extensive wine list are guaranteed. At prices, Augustin is a little more democratic, but in La Camargue dinner can "pull" $ 100.
Accommodation
There is no shortage of hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. You can easily find here guesthouses for $5 per person, and chic 5-star hotels at surprisingly affordable prices. At the same time, it is not necessary to book a room in advance: upon arrival, you can always find a hotel here. Booking in advance will help save money if you are going to stay in a more expensive place.
It is believed that it is best to stay in Ho Chi Minh City near the Ben Thanh market (District 1). A large number of hotels of various price ranges are concentrated here, and many attractions, shopping centers and parks are located within walking distance. Finding accommodation here is extremely simple: as soon as you appear in the area with a suitcase, you will literally be grabbed by the hand and offered affordable options. Even for $15 for two, you can count on a clean room with all amenities.
Entertainment and recreation
In Ho Chi Minh City, travelers will not be bored. This modern metropolis offers many opportunities for unforgettable entertainment.
One of the traditionally popular leisure activities in Ho Chi Minh City is river cruises along the Mekong Delta. Trips involve not only admiring natural beauties, but also visiting an unusual floating market, local ethnic villages, factories and workshops that produce authentic souvenirs, and much more.
For children there is a huge amusement park "Give Us" And Ho Chi Minh Zoo.
And if you want to arrange unforgettable entertainment for the whole family, go to park "Dam-Sheen". This is the largest cultural and entertainment center of Ho Chi Minh City. It has a water park, bird garden, puppet show, royal garden Nam-tu and sports center.
It is also interesting to visit a performance beloved by the Vietnamese - a puppet theater on the water. Fans of outdoor activities have the opportunity to participate in exciting safaris, mountain hikes, and bicycle tours.
Life in bustling Ho Chi Minh does not stop even at night. In the city center there are a lot of nightclubs, bars, cafes. Especially many establishments working all night are concentrated in Dong Khoi area. By the way, it doesn't matter if you don't like noisy discos: Saigon it's easy to find nightclubs with live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Purchases
You can't come to Saigon and not go shopping. There are hundreds of shops in the city center where you can find absolutely everything - from cheap souvenirs and clothes to antiques and works of art. On the street Dong Khoi the highest quality goods are offered, however, the prices here are the highest.
If you want to visit a colorful place and not overpay for purchases, we advise you to take a walk along Ben Than Market. Here it is most profitable to buy lacquered miniatures, dishes, silk, textiles from Sapa and military souvenirs. It is also interesting to visit the Saigon night market, which unfolds here after dark. Even if you don’t find anything useful, the atmosphere of this amazing place will be remembered for a long time.
For civilized shopping in Ho Chi Minh there are Saigon Square. This is an indoor market with mid-range shops. Here you can buy household goods, clothes, appliances.
Perhaps the main advice that can be given to a tourist who goes shopping is to actively bargain. In Vietnam, bargaining is not only a tribute to tradition, but also a real way to bring down the price by two or three times.
Transport
In Ho Chi Minh City, unlike many cities in Vietnam, travelers can easily travel by bus - the benefit of the routes recommended for tourists is about 130. Buses are comfortable, travel is inexpensive, free and understandable route schemes are distributed at Ben Thanh bus stations.
Taxis are also popular, and this is understandable: inexpensive and comfortable. Landing and the first kilometer cost less than a dollar. However, so that the cost does not become an unpleasant surprise for you, use only official taxis with meters.
The brave ones can rent a scooter. Inexperienced drivers are strongly discouraged from doing this, as the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is very busy and chaotic.
Pedestrians need to be extremely careful when crossing the road, because in Saigon, as elsewhere in the country, drivers do not give way to pedestrians, even if they go on a green light. Drivers skillfully go around pedestrians on the roadway, so the latter should not rush about or make sudden movements.
When renting a car, keep in mind that you will have to take it with a Vietnamese driver: international driving licenses are not valid in Vietnam.
Connection
In Ho Chi Minh City, the traveler will not have problems with the Internet or telephone connection.
You can call abroad from hotels, but it is very expensive. Street payphones still function, but are already losing popularity. It is most reasonable to make international calls from special call centers.
Mobile communication is well developed. If you want, you can use roaming (MTS, Megafon and Beeline operators have an agreement with Vietnamese companies). If desired, you can purchase a local SIM card. Its cost is approximately $5.
Internet access is available in all hotels and most guesthouses in Ho Chi Minh City. But just in case, this option must be clarified before settling. There are many Internet cafes in the city, and free Wi-Fi is available in a number of restaurants and cafes.
Safety
Ensuring the complete safety of tourists in such a metropolis as Ho Chi Minh City is not an easy task. Moreover, the flow of tourists coming here is growing year by year. In 2012, the police even had to take additional measures to maintain order on the streets and ensure the safety of foreigners. Police officers are constantly on duty at tourist spots and popular attractions. The main problem that a traveler may encounter is banal theft. Sadly, even the most vigilant police cannot protect against clever pickpockets.
Therefore, it is very important, while on the streets of the city, to keep an eye on personal belongings and not demonstrate your values. It is better not to carry large sums of money with you, but to store all valuables and documents in the hotel safe.
Also, do not succumb to the provocations of local residents who will obsessively offer their help or try to sell any goods.
Business climate
Ho Chi Minh is the business capital of Vietnam. All forms of business are dynamically developing in this noisy metropolis, leading banks and companies of the world have their offices here. Ho Chi Minh City is very attractive to foreign investors due to the assistance of international business projects from the authorities, the cheapness of labor and the stable political situation in the country. Potential investors from abroad are not even afraid of Vietnam's not too high business rating, as foreigners are provided with concessions when opening a new company.
The most profitable investments in Ho Chi Minh City are considered to be investments in the construction of modern tourist facilities and commercial real estate.
Real estate
Ho Chi Minh City is two times ahead of the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, in terms of population, while active development is underway in the city. Both modern high-rise residential complexes and cozy condominiums are being built.
Demand for residential real estate in Ho Chi Minh City remains, first of all, among Vietnamese emigrants who live in other countries and wish to start their own business in their historical homeland. For most Vietnamese, housing in Ho Chi Minh City is unaffordable due to the high cost (Ho Chi Minh City is one of the ten most expensive cities in Asia): for an ordinary Vietnamese family, even budget one-room apartments for $ 15,000-20,000 are too expensive. In addition, despite the active construction, demand here exceeds supply, which further fuels prices. The trend is unlikely to change in the near future, so investments in the construction of both residential and commercial real estate in Ho Chi Minh City promise high returns.
To date, the most expensive apartments in Vietnam are located on Diamond Island, which is a 10 minute drive from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. In total there are more than 1,000 apartments in the price range from $300,000 to $3,000,000.
Guests of Ho Chi Minh City are waiting for a friendly attitude from the local population. The idyll can only be broken by the violation of certain prohibitions by foreigners themselves. Remember that walking in beachwear around the city will be regarded as an insult to others. Particular attention should also be paid to the wardrobe when going to the temple: clothes should cover the shoulders and knees, and this applies to both sexes. You can’t enter Buddhist temples with shoes on, and when leaving, in no case turn your back to the temple.
Do not worry if you notice that the inhabitants of the city are trying to touch you. According to local beliefs, it brings good luck. Especially a lot of "fans" from full tourists. By the way, in return, you can ask permission to take pictures of the townspeople: usually the Vietnamese try to make money on this, but for “luck” they can agree to a free photo shoot.
As for tips, in state institutions they are generally included in the bill immediately (about 5% of the order amount). In private hotels and restaurants, you can reward employees as you see fit.
Gambling is allowed only to foreigners and only in specialized establishments. Do not try to tempt the Vietnamese to join you - for you it may end up in criminal prosecution.