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Thieves & Beggers Ho Chi Minh City
25 Reviews HO CHI MIN CITY (SAIGON) When just visiting or travelling through the country of Vietnam BEWARE of bagsnatchers and pickpockets. This is a tourist "ripp off" Mecca..Seems as economies do it hard...
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Traffic Ho Chi Minh City
32 Reviews Well, yes, in our short visit to this city we couldn't encounter any threats or danger here with the exception of the very crowded crazy traffic. But well, those are in every large city and also here...
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Clothes & Accessories Ho Chi Minh City
4 Reviews Be wary of the high prices some stuffs are being sold at the famous Ben Tanh market. For most parts they try to sell it at first call 50 +% higher than the original price. Try to haggle and bargain at...
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Katoeys - so called Girls Ho Chi Minh City
3 Reviews Watch out for the Bar Girls and Prostitutes. They will steal your money as quick as look at you. Make sure that you hide it well, if you are sleeping with them hide it under the matress of the bed you...
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There are a lot of leeches in proportion with rainings. I meet a lot of them in Cat Tien (not so big as in the picture). I use calf protection and only one very little leech (1 cm) bite me on foot. You can kill them with a cigarette fire (the only useful action of smoke!).
Although there are warnings to keep an eye out for cyclist who may grab your camera or other belongings, I never felt threatened while traveling from Hanoi to Saigon .Keep your money in your front pocket, but that was learned right here in the USA.
Vietnam is a shopper's paradise but sometime you get what you paid for. If you are buying clothes for gifts, the sizes are much smaller. I was buying some Polo shirt at a stall and I tried on a button up shirt in my normal US size and could not button up. Ask for the next size up.Also, sometime the size on the label of the clothes are not correct. It's best to ask.Shoes are in European size, so those of you from the US, come with European shoes sizes if you're buying gifts. Otherwise, try them on to make sure they fit.
Have you every played "Frogger"? It takes that kind of skills to cross the streets of Saigon.I could have gotten killed. Just go with the flow. Don't try to run across. The motobikes will go around you. It's not as bad in Hue or Hanoi.
Myself and a friend decided to take a motorbike taxi each from the Pham Ngu Lao area in Saigon, to the 'Apocalypse Now' bar. Our drivers took us straight there, only then to inform us that the bar was closed. Then rather than take us back as requested, the drivers rode around for a while until they arrived at a brothel. We realised the drivers had known the bar would be closed when they picked us up, but they hoped to get a 'cut' if we went into their (brother/cousin/uncle's etc) brothel. Needless to say, we didn't want to go to a brothel, but then they were trying to charge us extra for riding around to find their brothel! It was only after much heated arguing that we got them to return us home for the agreed price. I think perhaps late at night it is better to catch a metered taxi, and be very clear on your destination.
Alot of guys tried to sell me drugs. They would not take "no" for an answer. While considered very rude, I just told them "di di mao". Which means go go quickly.I actually kindof like the kids on the photo. They harrassed me my entire time in Nha Trang. Always trying to get in my pockets or day pack.
After only a few hours in Ho Chi Minh city, I had decided to check out the area. But I was soon to learn that there are actually no such thing as rules when it comes to traffic. Trying to cross a 4 lane road (one-way) I experienced first hand, that one way doesnt mean one way... And got hit by a scooter going in the wrong direction... But I survived and love the city! But watch out for the traffic!!!
Most guidebooks alert you to avoid tap water, ice cubes, and unpeeled fruits and vegetables. Even Richard Sterling, in his bragging macho book World Food Vietnam (Lonely Planet, ISBN 186450028X), warns you against tap water. However, he points out that the ice is usually factory-made from purified water, so that the CDC and most guidebooks are being too alarmist on this account. Vietnam, in fact, has almost-Western standards of hygiene, and few travelers suffer from anything more than an ordinary indigestion. Of course, everything depends upon your own immune system, so if you’re a feeble person, be a little more cautious.
Chemical profylaxis .These are the pills you will have to take before, during, and after your visit. The infectious mosquitos in Vietnam are chloroquine resistant, so you should follow profylaxis with mefloquine. If you’re worried about mefloquine’s side-effects, maybe you should relax a little by reading the thorough and independent information at Infomed Online. However, don’t take it without a prescription, and always speak to your doctor about possible interactions. Carry the mefloquine pills along with you and don’t forget to take them. After your return, carry on with the treatment according to the instructions.
Clothing insect repellent. If you really want to feel safe, take some insecticide based on permethrin with you, to apply on the mosquito nets and on your clothing. According to Insecticide Treated Nets in the 21st Century (the report of the 2nd International Conference on Insecticide Treated Nets, held in late 1999), published online by the WHO, “since it was established in 1991, the National Malaria Control Programme in Vietnam has achieved impressive results […] through active promotion of nets treated with the insecticide permethrin …”. That may be correct, but, in fact, you won’t find commercial permethrin (Aventis’ Permanone® or any other brand) in Vietnam, period. You should buy it before you go.
Park Hyatt Saigon Ho Chi Minh City
5 Reviews and 438 Opinions All rooms offer pool of City views with full luxury amenities. As true sense 5- Star hotel, it is...
Hanoi Elegance 2 Hanoi
5 Reviews and 712 Opinions I booked our family sized room for 2 adults and our teenage daughter direct with the hotel from...
Victoria Hoi An Resort Hoi An
4 Reviews and 444 Opinions It's worth the money to stay and enjoy the beach like in Victoria Hoi An. Price from 150$++ public...
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Q: could someone please help? where can i buy ao dai (preferably well made and silk) for my grand-daughters, they are only 2-3...
A: Loads of places in both cities to buy Ao Dai either already made or to measure. For the small extra cost, have them made to measure and take the mesurements before going...
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