Transformation of Saigon (1)-General information

Today's Ho Chi Minh City, has not the DURAS's Kung even Miss Saigon Saigon was that age.

As the largest city in Viet Nam, it is to the Viet Nam, as Shanghai or Guangzhou to China (actually it and Shanghai and Guangzhou are sister cities), and now looks like the beginning of reform and opening up of Guangzhou, Shanghai: the new building began to stand up, the old city has been considered to remain prosperous, a large number of foreigners, especially Westerners adventures like influx of Western culture, the economy as pervasive as Cola, local people also began to split out specifically for Westerners, the "services" in this place you can see from the ordinary to the promotional AIDS advertising can be seen.

Viet Nam has not, as in the past I think so "red".

Although the Ho Chi Minh's portrait in this to his name to rename the city (it is interesting, but not in China with his leader's name to any city name) can be seen everywhere, but in addition to the street wearing the "uniformed regardless of" uniform police, has fresh little military atmosphere (or at least for Western military atmosphere).

Viet Nam people seem to really like I've seen a lot of Hunan people no much difference at the colour is the tropical sun more black that also work with the country's people almost all day.

Viet Nam words sounded tone like Thai, soft; France invented by "NA man" letters look like French, but read between the lines, basic similar to Hanyu Pinyin, but is a single word to spell Viet Nam words on paper rather than in terms of the ideographic Chinese text is reproduced in the past.

Ho Chi Minh City area only 300 square kilometers, there are over 10 million population, and up to six million motor Scooter (Taiwan called "little sheep," China will probably be called "light").

In addition to the commercial area of the trunk, the streets of traffic facilities essentially "let it be", many junctions with traffic lights are lacking, not to mention in Singapore at the service of the pedestrian traffic lights are out. Pedestrians and vehicles was averted in short you get I get on the list, and then it has caused a major traffic jam, as well as the resulting pollution.

Street side of hawking from fruit, snacks, souvenirs until shoes, tissue of various goods, or has a Bureau to combat it.

Hawker to carry forward the glorious tradition of guerrilla warfare, with China almost. However, in the year 30 degrees, very not recommended "try" the roadside food stalls.

How to get to?

Ho Chi Minh City from Singapore fly one-way approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, a new route, Viet Nam, as well as cheap airline aviation Tiger Airways (Tiger airlines) and JetStar (Quixtar).

Because most of the short voyage, from fuel surcharges are overhead and airport tax (up $ 200), so it is not recommended by our routes (mostly flight time is not good). I bought a new aerial flexi fare is also at the level of 454 SGD, provide complete meals, flight time or day of the four hours of free choice.

How to get there?

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 24 "County" (Viet Nam Wen Quan for "," English translation for "District"), of which the first County to twelfth Shire to digital number (1 to 12 Quan Quan, English for District 1 and District 12), and another 12 named County.

The most prosperous and the most central spots is the first County, taxi from Airport (about an hour because of traffic jams ... ), 10 million rupiah (approximately equivalent to $ or $ 6/9). City taxi usually playing table log, the first county from head to tail probably just 3 million guilders. The street often have human tricycle soliciting, according to official said this kind of zaike badly, don't try. There is also a "friction" is confusing. If you belong to the old bird level, you can rent a Scooter, a prerequisite is that you travel to Ho Chi Minh City's traffic conditions have full understanding and superb driving skill. The first County in the center of attraction, you can walk, stop to visit at any time easily, take pictures.

Ho Chi Minh City taxi drivers generally English not Emmanuel, remember to bring a large scale of the map, so any time that you want to go to places; Viet Nam Wen address of the hotel are also making a best carry it in.

How do you live?

Ho Chi Minh City hotels, 5 star has 11, normal twin room per night charges from 200 to 500 SGD.

I live in Liberty 4 Hotel belongs to a chain of hotels, 3 stars, one night at around $ 100, have fairly good, standard, toilet taste particularly good reception service, (I've just arrived, carrying luggage station across the road watching waves like a wave after wave of motorcycle trance, immediately a Concierge come and help me carrying luggage took me across the street ... ）。 But this hotel very Humanized is that every day to each guest's name written in the lobby of a "welcome card", a very cozy feeling.

The hotel chain's website, however their own www.libertyhotels.com.vn announced price is high, it is recommended to find other online agents compare prices (I set at Zuji, than they released the official price of 15% or so).

Meanwhile I residence hotel is located in Pham Ngu Lao Street (pronounced similar to the "fat Nordström, Lao"), here is a backpackers paradise, a passerby who feel alien ratio Viet Nam.

This 3 star hotel with many of the following, travel agency, restaurant, pub, money changer, souvenir shops one after one, really very convenient.

How do you spend?

Airport, hotel, and the money changer's exchange rates are the same, the most recent average price is 1 dollar 16000 Viet Nam shield (VND Dong, abbreviated or VD), Sun is 1 11600.

I am in Singapore airport-for-money, badly. Recommended dollar or SGDTo change the ad. In some places (such as airport shops) in US dollars, Singapore dollars payment paid than Viet Nam shield also cheap.

How to wear?

Sultry weather year round Ho Chi Minh City, especially in the afternoon.

And air penetration rate is not high, it is recommended that you wear cool, breathable clothes. Sunny, good sunscreen, umbrella and secure, you can prevent the afternoon showers. Wear suitable walking shoes and not afraid of water, because after the rain there will be some street pool.