Changing Your Dongs
by Aidy_p
It's pretty hard to get VND outside of Vietnam as it's a controlled currency. The locals in Vietnam accepts USD. So if you are from US, you're definitely the fortunate ones. As for the rest, do change some VND and also bring along smaller USD note. i.e. USD 1 or 5, as small shops and taxis will not return you in USD if change is required.
Also, there's no need to change large amount at the airport as those at the shopping malls offer better rates. Just change enough for your trip to town and a little bit more to spare just in case of any emergencies. About 200,000 VND should be good enough.
Dong Khoi
by Unknownsu
A street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City also known as Saigon, District 1. A souvenir haven for people who want to get a little something for a loved one back home. The Street starts at the Notre Dame Cathedral and ends at the Saigon River bank with shops selling antique watches, conical hats, snake wine, traditional attire, musical instruments, etc. A great place to people watch while enjoying a coffee or beer in one of the many restaurants catering to the foreign taste bud. Sitting outside a friend's shop while seeing hordes of different nationalities chatting, shopping, drinking and bargaining without a care in the world....
Please, if you are interested in antique watches (I guarantee he sells no fakes), make sure you drop in my friend's shop at 151 Dong Khoi. He speaks fluent English and is more than happy to assist anything you might want to know about Ho Chi Minh. His shop also holds traditonal instruments and a whole bunch of little wonders.
Chinese Bakeries
by SirRichard
Since I first arrived to HCMC, I felt curious of those chinese bakeries, with all those red boxes in the windows, and all those pastry things with strange names...
So 1 day I decided to try. I bought one of those mysterious red boxes, and see what came out!! (see pic), a cutty little pig, with eyes and mouth!!
I first thought of keeping it as a souvenir, but too difficult to carry, and I was hungry too... so I had to "sacrify" it... delicious, try it if U have the chance ;-)) Kind of sweet marzipan...
Eye protection...
by Fondest_Memories
I would recommend anyone heading to Saigon (HCMC) to bring a pair of sunglasses. The city is very dusty and it's a good idea to have some sort of eye protection. You can even bring your chemistry lab googles for all I care...hahaha....Just bring something to protect your eyes from the dust. If you are planning to ride scooters around, then it's a must. Besides, it'll make you look cool....hahaha ;)
Eye Eye Sir!
by Aidy_p
Going down the Mekong river, we came across a boat with "eyes" on the front of the boat. It is believed that the "eyes" will help to get the boat and it's pessengers to their destination safely. This "eyes" on the boats is also practiced by bum boat drivers in Singapore.
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Food Spread
Wonderful trees in the streets
War Remnants Museum
Ellen Clothing Manufacturer
