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Xe om (motorbike taxis, pronounced ‘‘see ohm’’).
Xe om refer to the motorbike taxis that are available on most street corners. They are usually men sitting on or near their motorbikes which are parked on the street corner as advertisement of their availability. They are usually watching for customers so it is easy to get their attention with a little hand wave. "Om" means to hug and you may do this if it makes you feel safer but you will probably surprise the driver if you do. Negotiate fare in advance: rides within 2 - 3 km should be about VND5,000. They have the advantage of being able to enter all streets off limits to cyclos as well as many of the narrow alleys cars cannot access. They are sometimes called "Honda om" because of the ubiquitous Honda motorbikes.
they are available everywhere! Theme: Motorcycle
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Undoubtely the best way to move around the city. There are, in fact, little cars in Saigon, but the motorbikes are enough to make huge traffic jams in a noisy atmosphere.
You don?t have to rent one to experience this way of transport: many locals will offer you a ride in their own bikes as you walk by the city. They are not oficial taxis or so, just people who want to eran some extra money.Bargain first, and don?t pay more than 1 USD for any ride! Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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For many first arrivals to HCMC, crossing the streets in HCMC is a most daunting frightening task as the flow of motorbikes never seems to stop....and they really never do (as nobody really cares about traffic rules). The trick is, WALK ACROSS SLOW AND WITH CONFIDENCE. Most of the drivers do not really bike fast, so they will steer clear of you. Traffic will just part aside around you. There's a mutual understanding between pedestrian and motor-bikers. Don't let the avalanche of motorbikes scare you. Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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The traffic in Saigon(HCMC) is nothing I've ever seen before in my life! As I watched locals hurrily make their way through countless busy intersections and congested roads and streets, I watched in awe. The rule of the road is fairly simple in Saigon: if there's room, then you proceed; Yes, even if it means claiming the sidewalks...hahaha....My point being...If you think you can handle the kind of traffic with people recklessly maneuvering their way around you. Then by all means purchase or rent a motor scooter (usually 125cc) and take the traffic head on. I'm not sure about renting motor scooters in this city, but a new and decent scooter (Chinese made model, Japanese made model is a lot more) is about 5.2 Million VND which equates to roughly $300-350 USD. Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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Frankly, Saigon traffic scares me. However, after a while, you'll get used to it. Eventually I got up the nerves to ride a motorbike around, and it was actually kinda fun.
Crossing the streets here requires a leap of faith. You just have to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and lunge forward (I'm exaggagerating a little, but not much). You're like an island, and traffic sort of flows around you.
You probably can just walk if you're staying in the city center, where most landmarks are within walking distance. You can always hail a cab. We typically spent around VND50000 (around USD3.5) to go from the suburbs to the city center.
An alternate mode of transportation is riding on the back of someone's motorbike. Many of them stand at street corners offering rides. A ride is typically 3 times cheaper than what taxis cost, and you get to feel like a local. However, they don't wear helmets (though new laws may change this), so make sure you're comfortable with the idea. With motorbikes, you should discuss the price before hopping on.
Most of the drivers only need to be told where to go and they'll take you there. Unless you mispronounce badly. Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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Xe Om or Honda Om is the fastest growing form of transportation of choice. Om translates to ‘hug’. The concept is, you allow the rider to double you to your destination. Again, negotiate the price before agreeing to ride. An idea of costs, starting at the backpacker’s district, Pham Ngu Lao.
To the Notre Dame Cathedral - 3-5000
An Dong Market, Chinatown – 5-10,000
To Dam Sen Park – 15-20,000
Tan Son Nhat Airport – 20-30,000
Try to avoid Xe Oms at night for there have been stories of riders taking their customers into dark alleys and stripping them of their possessions, that goes for the cyclo as well. Usually, the drivers will initiate conversation or make hand gestures to state he is for hire. If not, try looking for someone sitting on their bike at a street corner or in front of markets, shopping complexes and major department stores. Make a “1” with your hand to ensure he is a driver and not a local waiting to pick his daughter up from school. Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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I hired a motorcycle taxi for the day (9 - 3pm) could have been longer, but I had seen enough.
I was taken to Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Zoo & Botanical Gardens, City hall, Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Saigon river waterfront, Antiques street. There wasn't anything else that I wished to see. He stopped for me to take photos and told and pointed out different sights. I was very happy with what I saw. The bus city tour went to places that I didn't want to visit.
The price of the tour was 150,000dong, plus admission fees, these were small amounts. Theme: Motorcycle
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If you do rent a bike in Saigon, and if you've never riden one I don't reccomend to learn here, remember a few tips here;
1. Traffic will come from all directions, no matter what side of the street your on
2. Red lights don't always mean stop here, so keep you eyes peeled when you go through a green one and don't try going through an orange one
3. Large truck often don't have brakes
4. Watch out for the boy racer coming towards you, he will likely swerve all over the place to impress mates or the poor girlfriend on the back.
5. Be careful when driving along side busses, especially mini busses, as vietnamese are notoriously car sick and a face full of vomit is not pleasant
6. I advise wearing one anywhere but on Highways you must where a helmet
7. As a foreigner in an accident it is more than likely, no matter what happened, you will be in the wrong. If it's not your fault get the hell out of there as quickly as you can. If you do stop make sure you remove your keys and put them in your pocket.
8. Puddles in the road often hide very deap holes, don't drive through them
Safe driving Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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General advice on these guys; on the whole they are reliable and safe, I always look for the oldest bike mainly because with foreigner on the back they can't go fast. Late at night is not a good time to use them, especially around Phan Ngu Lao, there are lots of reports of dodgy dealings so either use one you know (used before) or get a taxi.
BTW: Xe means motorbike and Om is cuddle, cuddle bike because you have to hold on for dear life, also check for BO before you get on. Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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Though it looks insane, once you try it you'll realize that motorcycles are the best way around town. For US$1 or 2 an hour, you have your own personal tour guide and translator who will take you to all of the major sights and even wait while you walk through museums or take photos. Our driver took us to some great restaurants outside of the tourist area.
I'm not sure if there is really any other smart way to travel... Leave a Comment Theme: Motorcycle
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