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Useful tips, Ho Chi Minh City
See all Ho Chi Minh City General Tips
Motorbikes everywhere - Ho Chi Minh City
Motorbikes everywhere
by namidub
Ho Chi Minh City General Tips: Travel tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ho Chi Minh City locals.
Useful tips
• 34 Photos
• 55 Reviews
Ho Chi Minh City Useful tips ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 55  
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Useful tips: The Real Sinh Cafe
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  • By JonnyVN on August 20, 2006
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  • The poor chaps at Sinh Cafe must be well miffed about the number, and it's a huge number, of people using their name. So for once and for all this is the contacts for the REAL Sinh Cafe:
    Sinh Cafe
    246-248 De Tham, D1, HCMC. Tel: 836 7338,
    http://www.sinhcafevn.com

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    Useful tips: Vietnamse
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  • By yuet29 on November 11, 2004
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  • Some useful Vietnamese word..

    Kam En (thank you)
    Sin Loik (sorry)
    Baun Nyiur (how much)
    Dat (expensive)
    Kuah (very)
    dat kuah = very expensive
    kong (no)
    tam biet (bye bye)
    Ao Yai (vietnamese costume"ao dai")

    Cho Lon in HCMC is pronounce as 'ja len'. Cho means market and lon means new. Cho Lon = new market.

    Cu Chi Tunnel pronouce as "die dao gou ti"

    Vietnamese is very unique and sounds nice to me.. they use nose to pronouce most of the word.. very interesting

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    Useful tips: Bring US Dollars
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  • By TravelChick67 on May 23, 2004
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  • Too bad it wasn't $20,000 US! - Ho Chi Minh City
    Too bad it wasn't $20,000
    US!
    by TravelChick67
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    Most of the vendors we ran across really like you to pay in US dollars. It appears that US dollars are in fact, the underground currency around Vietnam. I would be careful about exchanging too much cash for Vietnamese Dong as it is useless (and worthless) outside of Vietnam.

    Now, that doesn't mean it isn't fun to get some. How often do you get to hold 20,000 of any kind of money! LOL

    But, make your exchanges in small amounts so if you get stuck with a few dong, it won't be more than a few dollars worth.

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    Useful tips: ATMs Everywhere
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  • Updated By neurochic on March 29, 2006
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  • Before I went to Saigon, I was worried about carrying large amounts of money on myself. No need to worry, ATMs are everywhere. All you need is an ATM card. When I was shopping in the Ben Thanh market I had no cash on me one day, but no need to worry, the lady selling the clothes directed me to the nearest ATM which was a block down. There are many banks available as well and many are even open on Saturdays. I had no trouble cashing in my travelers cheques either. If the bank is closed, you can also cash your cheques either at your hotel front desk or at the Sinh Cafe. I do advise however that before you come that you have a stash of $1 US bills. They are a good means to bargain and tip people. You will find that if you carry large US bills people will all of a sudden have no change for you. Deal in small US currency whenever possible.

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    Useful tips: Tropical Fruit #2
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  • Updated By muddybok on March 21, 2006
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  • Pink guava - Ho Chi Minh City
    Pink guava
    by muddybok
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    This is pink guava that normally sold by Kgs. It has very high vitamins C (almost 20x of Oranges) in the single red guava.

    I’m not going to introduce tropical fruits one by one. Just try your hand on strange fruits that you don’t normally see in your country. I promise that you’ll be very satisfied and tasting fruits itself will worth your trip to Vietnam.

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    Useful tips: Changing Your Dongs
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  • By Aidy_p on April 24, 2007
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  • Check out the Rates - Ho Chi Minh City
    Check out the Rates
    by Aidy_p
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    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.


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    Useful tips: Gone are the Airport Tax
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  • Updated By Aidy_p on April 26, 2007
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  • Spend that Airport Tax! - Ho Chi Minh City
    Spend that Airport Tax!
    by Aidy_p
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    I'd kept USD 24 in my little pouch for the longest time. You see, I was told that we needed to pay USD 12 per person for the Airport tax. I stinged on food and drink to make sure that I do not spend this last bit of money and end up becoming an illegal immigrant in Vietnam.

    Just kidding!!!.

    But the truth of the matter is that...THERE IS NO NEED TO PAY AIRPORT TAX ANYMORE!!!! It's true. I didn't believe it myself. I was about to board my taxi to the airport and was asking if the hotel counter could help break my USD 50 note into smaller denominations...and the lady seemed a little astonished as she mentioned "Don't need to pay airport tax". Woohoo!

    More spending money...just that by that time, I was already at the airport!


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    Useful tips: Airport Tax
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  • By Unknownsu on May 7, 2003
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  • Actual Receipt - Ho Chi Minh City
    Actual Receipt
    by Unknownsu
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    There is a 12Usd service charge or airport improvement fee, for all international flights leaving Ho Chi Minh City. This can also be payable in Vietnamese dong which is the equivalent to 200,000. Avoid only having Canadian dollars with you, they will charge $25.

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    Useful tips: Plastic Savior
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  • Updated By Unknownsu on May 20, 2003
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  • Hot Toc - Ho Chi Minh City
    Hot Toc
    by Unknownsu
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    Most major credit cards are accepted in Vietnam, such as Visa and Master cad, being the most popular. American Express can also be used but fewer places know of this card. Diner's Club is almost unheard of. There have been credit cards scams in the past but that is the past. I have used mine many times and never once have I been charged for something I did not purchase. For security reasons and reassurance, make sure you call your credit card company and tell them you are planning a trip and the locations in which you intend to visit.

    Though I highly doubt the barber on the streets will accept it, it doesn't hurt to ask. ^_^

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    Useful tips: Beers
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  • By muddybok on September 25, 2004
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  • BGI Beer - Ho Chi Minh City
    BGI Beer
    by muddybok
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    Beers are so inexpensive in Vietnam. You can easily enjoy you chilled bottle of beer at the price of VND10.000 (local beers) and VND15.000 for imported brands (Tiger, Heineken).

    I was resolved to drink only beer to regulate my body temperature (40-degree temperature daily) and hydrate.

    Most big cities will have their own breweries such as Saigon Beer, Hanoi Beer & etc.

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    More Ho Chi Minh City Tips
    Overview
         		General Tips
    Tips: 169 - Photos: 109
    Restaurants
    Tips: 512 - Photos: 371    		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 321 - Photos: 202
    Things To Do
    Tips: 845 - Photos: 747    		Nightlife
    Tips: 139 - Photos: 87
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 109 - Photos: 104    		Tourist Traps
    Tips: 56 - Photos: 26
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 97 - Photos: 43    		Transportation
    Tips: 146 - Photos: 92
    Local Customs
    Tips: 113 - Photos: 77    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 24
    Shopping
    Tips: 168 - Photos: 120    		Sports Travel
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 6
    Flights
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 13

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