Your own personal tour guide
by tiedemann
In the park across the street from Pham Ngu Lao you may be approached by a friendly man with a little book offering to show you around. These independant entrepreneurs offer a great way to see the city and it's surrounding sites without the limitations of a group tour. They generally charge more for their services than group tours, but their fees are flexible, reasonable, and worth it. So thumb through the testimonials in his little book, and give him a try. You won't be disappointed.
Here are two of these guides that I met in HCMC:
Mr. Tung : n_thanhtung@hotmail.com
Mr. Tho : dinhtho59@yahoo.com
Send a message, meet up, and decide for yourself. I think you'll have a great time!
Vietnamese Food
by machomikemd
Vietnamese food varies from region to region. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded! Rice and noodles are staple foods (especially the PHO Noodle), served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are nema rán (spring rolls), bún thang (noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp), shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crab meat, lobster and oysters.
Many (but not all) Vietnamese...
by paulmacn
Some (but not all) Vietnamese people you meet in the tourist district are persistent in making offers to you whether it be transportation, bars, etc. Quite a lot of patience is required if you stay in those districts. Be open but be careful.
Cu Chi Tunnels
by call_me_rhia
Located in the district of Cu Chi, about 1.30 from Ho Chi Min, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of a network of tunnels stretching as far as the Cambodian border and used by NLF guerrillas to hide from the French Army first and then from the American Army.
There was everything in the tunnels: homes with kitchen, hospitals, weapons, food... and each tunnel entrance was well concieved and protected by a rudimental deadly trap, thanks to its poisonous spikes. Tunnels were built on three levels, with direct underground access to a river, and two generations of Vietnamese people have lived in these tunnels.
The tunnels were longer than 200 kilometres and air vents were needed... as you walk around, look for the termite mounds: they used to disguise the air vents. Of course the American Army did know of the tunnels, and a clear sign is the bombs dropped on the site (you can see them) and the presence of destroyed US Army tanks... still, the tunnel system could not be won. Only small upper parts were destroyed, but people moved down the lower levels and tunnels still continued to exist.
Some short stretches of tunnels are possible to visit, although they have been restored and made somewhat larger to accomodate foreign tourists... and yet, they are still hot, in pitch darkness annd extremely narrow and claustrophobic.
As there is no public transportation to the tunnels, the cheapest way is to visit them on an organized day trip, or else you can rent a taxi for half a day. Entrance (2007) was 55000 dongs.
The best shopping in town
by muratkorman about Saigon Square
Saigon Square consists of many small stalls selling mainly clothes, shoes and music/movie CD/DVD. You can find the best prices in town and you can still bargain for some more. It is always crowded and a little hot as every stall is not air-conditioned. T-shirts, winter jackets, CD/DVD 35 USD for ski/snow board jackets
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Saigon Motorbikes
South China Sea
Traffic in Saigon
the sign
