refined but expensive
by ricwoo2008
April 4th to 11th 2008 in Saigon City and environs; stayed at Madam Cuc 64, District 1; had a big room at the front for $25 night which included breakfast and a dinner time noodle snack, also tea, coffee and bananas all day long! The smallest rooms were $16 night. It was noisy at night [wear ear plugs to get to sleep] but that meant it was very central and the happening place to be. The receptionist introduced us to two great local motor bike taxi drivers and they showed all the sights and more in 2 days. They took us to great restaurants too. Had a hydrofoil to Vung Tau = recommend that as a day trip. Had a tour to the Mekong Delta with a local travel company = waste of time, 12 hours on assorted boats going no where; other trips could have been better? After that we didn’t try any others… I’d say they need to get their act together on tourism. Beware of over charging especially in taxis which will go the least direct route to push up the fare. Beggars were a real nuisance in the evenings around the local bars, restaurants – mother pushing your kids to get money were especially annoying. Went to lemongrass restaurant and although the food was good the atmosphere was nothing – at very high prices this wasn’t worth the money.
All in all a very enjoyable 6 days, the people are more refined than in Thailand and there was plenty to do; we bought lots of lacquer ware at a very reasonable price. The main surprise was the cost = same a Thailand not cheap any longer after 3-4 years of 20% per annum inflation. We won’t be going again but were glad to have had the experience.
Phuong Trang Tourist tour agency
by yukisanto
We went to Pham Ngu Lao St on Sat to look for a travel agency to book a day tour on Mon to Mekong River. The agency we chose was Phuong Trang Tourist (PTRATOUR). It has 2 branches, one in the side road, and the other one facing the main road across a park (where we booked). The buses are parked at the main office (the side road office).
The staff are friendly and speaks good English. The Mekong tour we booked had 15 ppl (Heard it's the average no of ppl going for the daily tour). The mini bus was clean and new, the trip consists of visiting the islands and their farms and includes boat and lunch etc. It was a good trip for USD 7. The only money we had to fork out in addition was the tip for the longboat ride we had (Paid about 5,000D per person) at one of the islands. No tips to the tour guide who came with the tour. By the way, althoguh the price is in USD, they prefer you to pay in Dong, unless it's a huge amount. We paid in dong for our Mekong tour
Would certainly go back to this agency should I visit HCM again. Their Cu Chi - Cao Dai one day tour retails for USD5.
Phone: (84-8) 9204737 / 9077965
Address: 317 Pham Ngu Lao St, Dist 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: www.ptratour.com
Other Contact: phuongtrangtourist@yahoo.com
Colonialism returns in a new form
by cochinjew
As you are leaving Saigon, you pass through a suburb built specially for wealthy foreigners. Mainly Koreans and Japanese with full service hospital and Korean, Japanese and French schools . well manicured streets.
This french school in vietnam teaches nothing about VN culture! Viet/Mixed race children who go to school here grow up liek those viet/native children sent up to colonial schoools of the french and the british who thought the native culture and the native people as inferior
Packing List
by KhanhLy
Travel light - arrive with little luggage. If you need additional luggage, you can buy them in Vietnam for less than $10. comfortable walking shoes - Naturalizer soft leather sandals. I used a digital camera, but bring a large memory card or extra ones. If possible, have all your pictures developed in Vietnam. It's much cheaper!
Slums
by xuessium
My cyclo driver took me here. This is the part of HCMC that the Vietnamese government does not want you to see. Hidden away at the local quarters, the Black River (and it is REALLY black) slums are a depressing sight to behold. This is a first for me, coming so close to one, and I must say, I am a little taken aback by the living conditions. People are actually living on those boats in those brackish smelly waters. This is real culture shock and really makes you appreciate the comforts you have. I took a reality check.
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Modern building
Saigon Port
Taxi
Cyclo driver waiting outside our hotel.
