You're 4 steps away from a Vietnam visa on arrival. No documents to send off. No need to stand in line at the consulate. Fill out the secure online application form You are required to enter the exact personal information of the applicant (s) Full name - The same as in passport Date of birth Nationality Passport number Date of arrival Type of Visa Date: November 2012. Photographer: Anh Bui. University Affiliation: Graduate Student. Home Country: Vietnam. Category: People. Award: Honorable Mention. "I took this photo during the trip to Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon). It was a sunny & vibrant early morning when I realize many parents are rushing their kids to school on motorbikes. Trang left Vietnam in 2005 for Malaysia, where she worked as a bar manager and met Hanh in 2014. The pair devised a plan to recruit young Vietnamese girls to work as prostitutes in Malaysian bars. Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City Tour. The Buu Long Pagoda, a tranquil Buddhist temple in the city. This morning you'll go on a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City's highlights with an expert local guide. Visit the bustling Cho Lon Market, discover a hidden Chinese pagoda, and marvel at the Notre Dame Cathedral built by French colonists. Ho Chi Minh City Warnings and Dangers. Ho Chi Minh City, still known to many tourists by its former name of Saigon, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Vietnam. This tour operated by Vietnam local tour agency will take us from stately Hanoi, the World Heritage site Halong Bay to the ethnic minority tribes in Sapa, explore the cultural Hue city, the enchant Hoi An Ancient Town, the city never sleeps - Ho Chi Minh City, and the floating world in Mekong Delta. The tour lets us witness the most stunning UXdK7. Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon, though all the locals still call it that is the largest and most chaotic city in Vietnam. Motorbikes, bicycles, cars, and rickshaws go wherever they please, and lots of street stands and markets spill into the traffic lanes. It’s a city with a billion things happening at once. It’s also one of the most popular destinations in the country and has recently evolved into a hotspot for digital nomads thanks to its cheap cost of living. The city has a lot to offer wonderful shops, fantastic nightlife, delicious food, and plenty of historic sites. Additionally, you’ll find some interesting and propaganda-heavy museums like the War Remnants Museum as well as the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, secret tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. It’s my second favorite city in Vietnam after Hoi An and worth spending a few days visiting. This travel guide to Ho Chi Minh can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this hectic metropolis! Table of Contents Things to See and Do Typical Costs Suggested Budget Money-Saving Tips Where to Stay How to Get Around When to Go How to Stay Safe Best Places to Book Your Trip Related Blogs on Ho Chi Minh Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ho Chi Minh City 1. Admire the Notre Dame Cathedral The Notre Dame Cathedral is an imposing red brick building built between 1877 and 1883 by the French. At nearly 58 meters 190 feet, the two towers in the front of the cathedral rise above visitors and the neon-lit statue of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral still functions as a religious site and a major tourist destination, especially after gaining international recognition for a supposed sighting of a teardrop falling from the Virgin Mary statue in 2005. Note The Notre Dame Cathedral is temporarily closed for renovations until 2023. 2. See the Cao Dai Holy See Temple The Cao Dai religion known as Caodaism is relatively new it’s less than 100 years old. It combines the teachings of several religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. This Cao Dai temple is the main temple for the religion and is hugely ornate and colorful, with a giant globe behind the main altar displaying the religion’s “divine eye” symbol. Entrance is free but there are a few rules to follow when visiting. You will need to enter through the side door instead of the main door and be sure to keep your shoes outside. Men will need to use the door on the right side and women on the left. Most people combine a trip to the temple with the Cu Chi Tunnels excursion. 3. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels Here you can crawl through the extensive network of narrow tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the 1960s to fight American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a walk-through of the tunnels over 100 meters of tunnels are open to visitors which give you a sense of how the Vietnamese were able to defend their country for so long against a stronger force. It’s a sobering experience and not one for anyone claustrophobic. Tours cost around 350,000 VND. 4. Ascend the Saigon Skydeck For a 360-degree panorama of the city, head to the Saigon Skydeck, one of the tallest buildings in the country. The observation deck is on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower and offers amazing views. Admission costs 200,000 VND and includes a bottle of water. Just check the weather forecast ahead of time. You can also go at night to see the city lit up. Open daily from 930am-930pm. 5. Take a food tour To best learn about the local cuisine, take a tour through Ho Chi Minh’s best foodie neighborhoods. With Street Food Adventure Tours you can safely try lots of street food, including everything from rice vermicelli with BBQ pork to coconut juice and Vietnamese coffee and more!. There are vegan and vegetarian food tours as well. Most of the tours are done via motorbike although there are a few walking tours listed on their website. Tours are typically around 820,000 VND. Just be sure to bring an appetite! Other Things to See and Do in Ho Chi Minh City 1. Get lost in Chinatown Chinatown is a hive of activity and a maze of temples, restaurants, jade ornaments, and medicine shops. Aside from the sprawling Binh Tay Market, you’ll find some fascinating temples in the area including the Chinese Chua Quan Am Temple and Cha Tam, a Catholic cathedral. It’s the biggest Chinatown in the country there are around 500,000 Chinese people living in the city alone. 2. Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum At one point or another, this city museum has been a Governor’s Palace, a committee building, and a Revolutionary Museum. Today, you’ll find a collection of weaponry and memorabilia from the country’s revolutionary struggle as well as captured fighter planes and tanks from the Vietnam War. Located in the former Gia Long Palace, there are some permanent exhibitions along with special exhibitions that rotate on a regular basis check the website for details; it has an English version. Admission costs 30,000 VND plus 20,000 VND if you want to take photos. 3. See the Emperor Jade Pagoda This temple was built in 1909 to honor the supreme Taoist god, Emperor Jade. It’s one of the most impressive pagodas in Vietnam. It’s also referred to as the Tortoise Pagoda and the pond on site is filled with turtles. The building is filled with intricate woodcarvings and statues of divinities and heroes, including Emperor Jade himself. The roof is also covered in detailed tile work showing characters from Buddhist and Taoist legends. 4. Shop at the Ben Thanh Market Though this market in District 1 is crowded and rife with pickpockets, it is the ideal place to pick up some handicrafts, bargain souvenirs, and try some traditional and inexpensive Vietnamese food. It’s the largest market in Vietnam, so get lost in the chaos and enjoy it all. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price since you will be given the “tourist price” on items here. Just keep your wallet secure and out of reach as you wander. 5. Escape to Can Gio Island Also known as Monkey Island, Can Gio Island is popular with tourists and locals looking to escape the chaos of the city. The beaches here aren’t mind-blowing like they are in Thailand, but it’s a cool place to relax and is one of Vietnam’s better islands. The Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve which is where the island is located is a recognized UNESCO site and the island’s monkey sanctuary and mangroves are perfect for wildlife fans. It’s about a two-hour drive to get here and you can take the 75 bus from 23/9 Park. If you don’t feel like navigating the island by yourself, there are tours available for purchase in District 1 that provide transportation. Prices range from 590,000-1,170,000 VND for full-day tours. 6. Unwind in Twenty-Three September Park Formerly the location of the Saigon Railway Station, this park was built in its place after the station was demolished. In the early morning and just after the work day is done, this park is packed with people exercising and playing games. Watch a Tai Chi class, play a game of badminton, or chat with one of the many students who hang out in the area. There is a large underground entertainment complex just below the park and plenty to do nearby. Bring a book and a snack and enjoy the local pace of life. 7. Visit Ba Thien Hau Temple Located in Chinatown, the Ba Thien Hau Temple is a Buddhist temple that was built in 1706 for the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. It’s believed she flies around on a cloud or a mat, rescuing people at sea. The outside of the temple doesn’t look like much but the inside is filled with porcelain figures and the roof is covered in colorful dioramas. On March 23rd of the lunar calendar, you can expect to see celebrations in the form of parades and dancing honoring Lady Thien Hau’s birthday Mazu. 8. Tour the War Remnants Museum This museum has a very “pro-communist, down-with-the-capitalists” bend to it but is nevertheless very interesting. Focused on the Vietnam War, which killed between 1,500,000-3,500,000 people, the museum’s best exhibit is the collection of bombs, tanks, planes, and war machinery, including an American F-5A fighter jet at the front entrance. The entrance fee is 40,000 VND. 9. Take a cooking class For the best souvenir, take a cooking class. It’s a great way to learn new skills, try new dishes, and explore the country’s food culture and history. You can usually combine your cooking class with a market tour as well, allowing you to shop for your own, fresh ingredients before you cook. Tours vary but a quality tour with a local chef usually starts around 800,000 VND. 10. Catch a show at the Opera House The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best-preserved examples of French colonial architecture in the country Vietnam was annexed by France and under French control for the better part of a century. It was built in 1897 for the opera but now hosts lots of different performances, including ballet, a bamboo circus performance, and Vietnamese traditional dances and plays. Check the website or stop by the front gate to see what’s on during your visit. Ho Chi Minh Travel Costs Hostel prices – Hostels start from 90,000 VND for a room with 8-10 people and 140,000 VND for a bed in a smaller dorm with 4-6 beds. Most hostels offer free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Private rooms start at around 375,000 VND for a double room, but they average closer to 470,000 VND. Budget hotel prices – Two-star budget hotel starts at around 170,000 VND, but for something a little nicer and less bare bones, 300,000-650,000 VND per night is the average. Expect standard amenities like free Wi-Fi, AC, and TV. Airbnb is also available, with private rooms starting from about 350,000 VND. An entire home/apartment starts at around 800,000 VND. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early. Food – Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and uses a lot of herbs and vegetables. Rice and noodle dishes are common, as are various soups such as the iconic pho a beef noodle soup. Wonton soup, meat curry, fresh French bread known as bahn me, and grilled fish are just some of the popular dishes you’ll encounter. Standard ingredients include fish sauce, lemongrass, chili, lime, Thai basil, and mint. You get street food for around 25,000 VND or less. Sit-down restaurants are also inexpensive at around 90,000 VND per meal. The backpacker area, Pham Ngu Lao, has a wide range of restaurants worth checking out for good eats. For fast food, expect to pay around 100,000 VND for a combo meal while a large pizza is around 150,000-250,000 VND. If you want to splash out, a three-course meal with a drink costs around 300,000 VND. Beer costs around 24,000 VND while a latte or cappuccino is 50,000 VND. Bottled water is around 7,000 VND. I don’t recommend cooking your meals here since there is plenty of delicious street food to eat at very cheap prices. You won’t make it as good as they do and the food is too delicious to miss. It really won’t be much cheaper either! Backpacking Ho Chi Minh City Suggested Budgets On a backpacker budget of 515,000 VND per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat street food for all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do mostly cheap activities like museum visits. If you plan on drinking, add another 25,000-50,000 VND to your daily budget. On a mid-range budget of 1,125,000 VND per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out at some restaurants, drink more, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels. On a “luxury” budget of 2,350,000 VND or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, hire a private guide or driver, drink as much as you want, and do whatever tours you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit! You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less you might spend less every day. We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in VND. Accommodation Food Transportation Attractions Average Daily Cost Backpacker 125,000 150,000 120,000 120,000 515,000 Mid-Range 350,000 275,000 250,000 250,000 1,125,000 Luxury 900,000 700,000 350,000 400,000 2,350,000 Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide Money-Saving Tips You don’t need to do much to save money in Ho Chi Minh City as it’s super inexpensive to visit. If you stick to local cuisine, cheap guesthouses, and public transportation, you’ll be hard pressed to spend a lot of money. Nevertheless, here are some additional ways you can cut down your costs Only take metered taxis – Make sure the taxi drivers turn on their meters, otherwise, drivers can rip you off. Better yet, skip them and walk or take the bus as taxi prices add up fast! Ask your hostel staff – Before you leave the hostel, ask them to estimate how much what you want to do should cost. How much should a ride to the museum cost? How much should you pay to have a custom dress or suit made? They will be able to give you bargaining guidelines so you don’t get ripped off. Eat street food – Street food in Ho Chi Minh City is inexpensive and delicious. Be sure to try a banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich popular in the south. You can find many different kinds of noodle soup at small street stalls for just a couple bucks a day. Enjoy happy hour – The bars in the Pham Ngu Lao area have plenty of Happy Hours, including half-price drinks, cheap cocktails, and buy one get two free! Save money on rideshares – Grab is the Uber equivalent in Asia and is way cheaper than taxis. It’s the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours are one of the best ways to get oriented in a new city. I recommend Saigon Free Day Tours. Just remember to tip your guide at the end! Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean. How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City Public transportation – Ho Chi Minh City has over 100 different bus routes, and you can reach all major tourist destinations this way. They’re safe and affordable, costing between 3,500-10,000 VND depending on the distance. You’ll pay the driver in cash as you get on the bus. However, if you’re going a short distance, this isn’t the most practical way to travel, as traffic is really bad here so it’s slow to get around. Bicycle – A common way to get around the city is by bicycle, which you can ride easily since the city is so flat. You can rent a bike for about 130,000 VND per day. Some good companies to rent from include Mr. Biker Saigon Saigon Bike Shop The Bike Coffee Cafe Just a note of caution traffic in Ho Chi Minh can be intense, so if you’re not an experienced cyclist, you may want to skip this option. Taxis – Taxis start at around 12,000 VND for the first kilometer and 10,000 VND per kilometer thereafter. Grabbing a taxi from the airport to the center of the city should take about 30-minutes and costs about 200,000-330,000 VND. Do not take unmetered taxis! You can also catch rides from motorcycle taxis for about 10,000 VND per kilometer or about 30,000 VND per short ride. Remember to set the price beforehand and always wear a helmet. Motorcycle taxis get you places the quickest, as they’re able to weave in and out of heavy traffic. Cyclo – Cyclos are like tuk-tuks, except they run completely on man-power. Because cyclos are slow-moving and often a nuisance in traffic, many roads in Ho Chi Minh City are entirely closed off to them. If you choose to go this route, your driver may have to navigate around prohibited roads and may not be able to drop you off right at your address. Because of this, I do not recommend cyclos. Ridesharing – Grab is Asia’s answer to Uber. It works the same way you hire a local to take you somewhere via the app, and you can pay via the app or in cash. It’s often more affordable than a regular taxi too. Car rental – I don’t recommend driving here as the traffic here is hectic and the rules of the road don’t exist. When to Go to Ho Chi Minh City The driest months in Ho Chi Minh City are from December to March, making it one of the most popular times to visit. The temperatures are warm during this time, ranging between 21-34°C 70-93°F. If you can, come during the Tet Festival Vietnamese New Year around the end of January or the beginning of February to enjoy the colorful celebrations. Prices are jacked up during this time, however, the city is lively and there are tons of parties and activities. April and May are the hottest months of the year with highs reaching 37°C 99°F. The humidity can make it feel a lot hotter, though. The rainy season lasts from May to September, but as in other parts of Southeast Asia, the downpour doesn’t tend to last long. The days are sunny and warm otherwise. Another thing to note about the monsoon season there are several public holidays during this time that may affect your visit. The most important ones are Vietnam Reunification Day on April 30th, May Day on May 1st, and Vietnam National Day on September 2nd. Shops and restaurants may be closed and public transit is unreliable. How to Stay Safe in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is a very busy city, but it’s a safe place to visit. Violent crime against travelers is very rare, but petty crime and theft are not. In crowded places, keep your purse/wallet close and be mindful of the activity around you. Don’t keep your cell phone or money in your hand as you’re walking around. Additionally, don’t leave your bags unattended when eating out. Always secure them so someone can’t grab them and run. Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. The standard precautions apply as they do everywhere. For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web that go into more detail. Traffic can be hard to navigate here. Motorbikes are everywhere, and as a pedestrian, crossing the street can be scary. Wait for a break in the traffic before crossing the road, but then don’t slow down or adjust your gait. Just make a beeline to the other side so the drivers can weave around you. Be on the alert for scams. Most are really just cheap attempts to try to nickel and dime you so you’ll need to be vigilant. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here. If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance. Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide The Best Booking ResourcesThese are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals. Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start. Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability. Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia. – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites. Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more! SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road. LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe. Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing. Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide Related Articles Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Vietnam travel and continue planning your trip March 15, 2023 - 11952 views Going out on a short day trip is always a great idea for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle. Contrary to the vibrant city, there are many peaceful tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh for you to admire. Here are our top picks of the best places to visit near Ho Chi Minh City. Table of Contents1. Cu Chi Tunnels2. Vung Tau3. Dalat4. Dong Nai5. Ben Tre6. Tien Giang7. Can Tho8. Bac Lieu9. Tay Ninh10. Phu Quoc Island11. Con Dao Island12. Mui Ne Phan Thiet 1. Cu Chi Tunnels When talking about Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon, people frequently think of it as Vietnam’s most contemporary and dynamic city, yet it’s also bearing its own historical marks. Not too far from Ho Chi Minh City centre which is only 57km away, there is a fascinating underground network called Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels spanned over 220km and played an important role in Vietnam's extensive struggle for freedom during the Vietnam War. When you visit, you will get the opportunity to explore an underground village, including a school, hospital, and working offices. You can also see fighting bunkers and perilous booby traps, experience shooting with an AK47, M16, or machine gun, and sample local specialities like steamed tapioca and hot tea, which were the major foods during the conflict. Keep in mind that if you have even a mild case of claustrophobia, you should consider not going down to the tunnels as the space is very tight in some areas. Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the most popular places to visit near Ho Chi Minh City that you should not miss, so get ready to drive through the countryside and learn about Vietnam's history and culture by joining our Cu Chi Tunnels Tours. Hidden in Cu Chi Tunnel 2. Vung Tau Vung Tau is an excellent choice for a weekend getaway because it is geographically close, only two hours away by bus or shuttle, offers a variety of activities, and has an abundance of good seafood. Vung Tau, as a seaside city, is mainly known as a beach destination, but it also has a city core. Because the city is located on a peninsula, it has multiple beaches, the most accessible and popular of which are Font Beach and Back Beach. With a long stretch of shoreline, the rear beach Back Beach is regarded as the best of the beaches here. Font Beach, on the other hand, is directly in the city centre, making it easier to get there, but anticipate it to be busier as a result. Vung Tau at night 3. Dalat Similar to Vung Tau, Dalat is also a famous option for a weekend escape for Saigonese and a trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat is very easy to do. The city has a lot of fascinating landmarks. Its lakes and waterfalls have always been major tourist attractions, as have Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace and Buddhist pagodas. The French Quarter, located not far from the city centre, has a considerable number of well-preserved French homes and chalets. Not only a beautiful city, but Dalat also offers travellers some thrilling activities which you can only find here such as Dalat Canyoning, Dalat white water rafting,... 4. Dong Nai Dong Nai is a place to visit near Ho Chi Minh City with beautiful waterfalls and streams that captivate visitors with a uniquely poetic and romantic panorama of Vietnam's Southeast. As a rich land with over 300 formed and developed by the Dong Nai river, it brings fertile alluvial soil, making it's a perfect home to a diverse ecosystem, now preserved in Nam Cat Tien National Park. Many ups and downs in history have developed a distinct national identity for this sub-cultural region. Dong Nai has a rich folklore legacy because it is home to several ethnic groups, the majority of which are Vietnamese. There are also Chinese, Xieng, Cho Ro, Cham... 5. Ben Tre Ben Tre, the Mekong Delta's coconut capital, is a 20-minute boat journey from My Tho and then a 10-minute xe om ride. Many Mekong Delta day tours from Ho Chi Minh City stop in Ben Tre, which offers a number of intriguing waterways and river islands to visit, as well as various coconut candy factories. The town is famed for its coconut candy, and you can tour the companies that create it as well as the farms where the coconuts are collected. Furthermore, it is simple to schedule a sampan ride along with the Mekong's lush river canopies, as seen in every vacation brochure about the Mekong. Boat trip in Ben Tre 6. Tien Giang Because the Mekong Delta produces two-thirds of the fruit consumed in Vietnam, tasting the fruits should be done when being here. Fruit orchards, which may be found across the region, are ideal for this. Cai Be Fruit Orchard in Tien is the largest fruit orchard in the delta, and it serves a variety of tropical fruits. During your visit to the orchard, you can select ripe fruit directly off the trees and enjoy it. 7. Can Tho Can Tho be 197km from Ho Chi Minh City, which is considered the capital of Vietnam's Mekong Delta region, one of its largest cities, and the location of the Cái Răng floating market? Here, you'll witness hundreds of boats loaded with more fruit kinds than you could ever imagine. Despite being a huge, relatively industrialized city, Cn Th also functions as a cultural hub for the neighbouring rural areas. The good thing about this city is that you may have the best of both worlds excellent accommodations in the city centre, as well as convenient day, trips to explore the charming farming settlements. It takes about four hours to go to Can Tho from Ho Chi Minh by bus. Cai Rang Floating market in Can tho 8. Bac Lieu A huge bird sanctuary, about 5 km 3 miles from the township of Bac Lieu, is home to 46 kinds of birds, including the endangered painted stork and little king cormorant. Within a 951-acre mangrove habitat, an estimated 40,000 birds live. The greatest time to visit is during the rainy season, which lasts from May through October. Visit around the morning or dusk hours, when thousands of birds take to the skies. 9. Tay Ninh Tay Ninh is situated to the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, 95 kilometres away from the city centre and home to one of Vietnam’s most intriguing indigenous religions, Cao Daism. Caodaism, which was founded in 1926, is a monotheistic religion in which Cao Dai is revered as the creator of the cosmos. The temple at My Tho is a smaller branch of the larger Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh also known as the Holy See Temple that was established in the early 1970s. The brightly coloured tower, which is decked out in every colour of the rainbow and then some, features stunning wooden sculptures of deities, finely painted iron grillwork, and attractive tiles. Such a riot of colour and design needs to be seen to be believed. 10. Phu Quoc Island Phu Quoc island is one of the most attractive places to visit near Ho Chi Minh City, especially for beach lovers. The island has picturesque beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen woods, and a tranquil ambience, making it a perfect vacation location for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The northern section of the island is relatively unspoiled due to its position as a UNESCO-listed national park, but there are plenty of opulent resorts, quirky bars, and quaint cafes along the southern coastline. It is located 45 kilometres west of Ha Tien in the far south of Vietnam. Besides lounging at the beach, reclining in the sun and sipping delicious cocktails, and eating fresh fish, you can also want to keep yourself a little more active with such activities as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, or spend the entire day at the Vinpearl Land amusement park in Phu Quoc. Phu Quoc Island 11. Con Dao Island Con Dao island is a peaceful paradise on Vietnam's southern coast, featuring white sand beaches, rich flora, unusual wildlife, and some of the best scuba diving in the region. Con Dao is a group of 16 archipelagos located on the mainland, 80 kilometres from the Mekong Delta region, and 230km from Ho Chi Minh City. Because of its isolation and history as a penal colony, the island has stayed unusually pure; as a result, 80% of the island is still forested. Island hopping and diving are popular activities on the Con Dao Islands, where you may explore most of the uninhabited islets and see stingrays, barracudas, moray eels, and dugongs. Because it is a national park, you should make arrangements with the Con Dao National Park Headquarters 29 Vo Thi Sau, Con Dao District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province. Hon Bay Canh Island is well-known for its turtle breeding grounds, so if you visit between June and September, you might even get to see turtles laying eggs. Con Dao Beach 12. Mui Ne Phan Thiet Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are located about 200 km North of Ho Chi Minh City. These traditional fishing communities, when combined, are quickly becoming popular leisure destinations. Although resort-style complexes have been built along the coastline, the lives of the fishing towns have remained unaffected, and Mui Ne's long beach is quiet and serene, ideal for walks, running, and watching the stunning sunsets. Not to mention, the beach here is also the premier destination in Southeast Asia for kitesurfing and a variety of water sports. Coming to Mui Ne, you absolutely can not miss the Sahara-alike-sand dune which is Red Sand Dune and White San Dune. Whether you jump, slide or simply run through the dunes, it is exceptionally difficult to not let their beauty overwhelm you. Mui Ne beach In summary, with the convenience of transportation, you can easily get to these places to visit near Ho Chi Minh City, whether a day trip or several days, it's all worth it. Visit BestPrice Travel and join our Ho Chi Minh tours as we will take you to the best surroundings area as well as the best experiences you can get. Minah Trinh Image Souce Internet Nick and I have had “Live Abroad as an Expat” on our bucket list for several years now. We’ve dreamed about being immersed in another culture – learning the language, eating the food, and making local friends. We originally thought we’d move to Bangkok but after our trip to Vietnam in 2018, we quickly changed our minds. During this trip, we fell in love with the quaint neighborhoods of Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon. The winding alleyways take you past Vietnamese families with their doors wide open and welcoming. We found the cuisine to be spectacular and endless. And we found the locals to be warm, friendly, and always happy to meet new foreigners Even after visiting many of Vietnam’s most popular destinations, Saigon was our favorite. And so we settled here in September of 2019. We signed a lease on an apartment and even gave birth to a healthy baby boy in Saigon. As much as we love living in Vietnam, at times it’s been a struggle to figure out the ins and outs of being an ex-pat in Saigon. We thought it would be helpful to pass along everything we’ve learned over the last 9 months living in Saigon. We hope this helps you to settle into your own ex-pat life in Vietnam! Disclaimer This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you. Neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 24 districts. It’s a massive metropolis that encompasses almost 800 square miles and has a population of over 10 million! Luckily, most of the city’s main attractions and best neighborhoods are concentrated in a handful of centrally located districts District 1 The District 1 D1 is the downtown area – it’s where many of Ho Chi Minh City’s major tourist attractions are located, including Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace, Historic Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Bitexco Financial Tower. District 1 is home to most foreign consulates and corporate headquarters for foreign companies. If you plan on working in finance, real estate, or for a foreign business, there is a high likelihood that your office will be in this district. If you’re just visiting, this is also where you’ll find Saigon’s best hotels. There are also loads of amazing restaurants, lively bars, and great shops. Plus, D1 has several malls with popular Western shops like H&M, Zara, and Pull & Bear but you can also expect Western prices. Da Kao is a hip neighborhood in District 1 with popular eating and dining establishments. Te Te Taphouse and The Vintage Emporium are a few that keep us coming back to Da Kao. If you choose to live in Da Kao, you’ll be right near the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden so you’ll have access to green space for walking or just enjoying the outdoors. District 2 District 2 specifically the Thao Dien neighborhood is where most ex-pats living in Saigon tend to end up, especially families. Thao Dien has some great international schools. It also has a ton of restaurants, cute cafes, boutique shops, bars, and nightclubs. There are also lots of high-rise apartment buildings. You can rent an expensive spot complete with a gym and rooftop pool. For us, D2 feels a bit insulated from the rest of Ho Chi Minh City due to the high volume of foreigners living there. District 3 District 3 D3 is northwest of District 1 and is another popular place to live in Ho Chi Minh due to its proximity to Downtown. One of the things that made us fall in love with Saigon and ultimately decide to move here was one of the cute little areas in D3. It encompasses the alleyway leading to Acoustic Bar and the surrounding neighborhood. Here you’ll find fun bars and restaurants filled with young, hip Vietnamese locals! District 4 District 4 D4 is the area where we chose to live in Vietnam. In the past, it was one of the poorest areas of Ho Chi Minh City. It was run by a crime boss – Nam Cam, the “Godfather of Saigon”. The neighborhood was full of brothels and people gambled illegally behind closed doors. If you parked your motorbike wrong in D4 you could get yourself stabbed. But thankfully he was arrested so the area is now an up-and-coming place for ex-pats, tourists, and locals alike. There are several large apartment buildings in District 4 where you can get a long-term, furnished rental, or just an Airbnb. The buildings are the Saigon Royal, the Tresor, the Icon, the Millenium, and Rivergate Residences. All of these are newer buildings with a gym and a pool. And since D4 is just across the canal from District 1, it’s easy to walk Downtown to eat or to shop. We love that the area isn’t overrun by ex-pats or drug lords. District 7 District 7 D7 is another popular area for ex-pats to live. The area around Crescent Park seems to be far less chaotic than the rest of Vietnam. Motorbikes aren’t as prevalent and actually stop pedestrians from crossing the street. And ex-pats love the access to green space as well as the conveniently located Crescent Mall and French Vietnamese hospital. District 10 District 10 D10 is popular with some foreigners, especially those that teach English. It also offers many of the same amenities as District 3 but with much cheaper rent. Plus, it’s very local so you’ll immerse yourself in the Vietnamese way of life. Binh Thanh Binh Thanh is an area not included in the 24 districts. It sits right in between District 1 and District 2 so you’ll have easy access to both. Binh Thanh is home to Landmark 81 the tallest building in Southeast Asia. There are lots of apartment buildings clustered nearby. We have friends that live in City Garden. It is a lovely building with lots of green space, a beautiful pool, and cute shops and cafes in the common areas. The other districts aren’t nearly as popular for ex-pats to live in Vietnam. And they certainly aren’t popular places to stay if you’re just visiting. Vietnam Visas for Expats Vietnam has a variety of visa options for foreigners but every visitor must apply in advance – even the visa-on-arrival requires a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agency. Most tourists on vacation opt for the single entry 30-day e-visa but there are also options for longer-term multiple-entry tourist visas. Americans even have the option of a one-year, multiple-entry visa which is what we chose. Unfortunately, each entry stamp is only good for 90 days so we still have to leave Vietnam every 3 months to get stamped out and stamped back in. Luckily several tourist agencies can assist in obtaining your initial visa, as well as extending the visa or making border runs. We outlined the process for obtaining your initial tourist visa in our article on Vietnam travel tips. And for visa renewal assistance, we recommend Jane Snvi or Viet Dream Travel. Most ex-pats living in Vietnam get a work permit through their employer. That’s the easiest way to have a hassle-free stay in Vietnam because you don’t have to worry about exiting the country every few months. There’s also an under-the-table way to get a work permit where a company “sponsors” you but you don’t actually work there. It will cost you anywhere from $300 – $1,000 USD depending on what service you utilize. It’s unlikely that this method is totally legal but it appears to work for people who take that route. Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh The cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City can vary wildly depending on your budget and preference. You can find simple apartments as inexpensive as $300 USD per month, or you can live in the lap of luxury for $1,000. If you’re looking for a nice apartment with some amenities, you’ll probably want to set a budget of $600 – 800 USD per month for rent. We chose to live in a furnished apartment on the 32nd floor of a new-ish building that has a gym and a pool. Our monthly rent is $900 USD and we are responsible for paying for water which is usually only $5-7/month and electricity which is quite expensive – usually $80-160/month. The cost of food varies widely in Ho Chi Minh City as well. You can find Vietnamese classics like banh mi or a bowl of pho for $1-2 USD. Or you can go to fancy Western-style brunch spots and spend $10 on an eggs benedict. We generally try to do both – we eat at local Vietnamese restaurants often although many don’t have air conditioning which can make eating a hot bowl of soup unpleasant and splurge on fancier restaurants every now and again. Transportation costs in Ho Chi Minh City are also quite low. Grab is like the Uber of SE Asia but at a fraction of the price. If you opt for a Grab Bike where you ride on the back of a motorbike, with a helmet of course you’re unlikely to spend more than a dollar or two to get anywhere in the city. But unfortunately, public transportation in HCMC is not widely available currently. How to Find an Apartment in Ho Chi Minh Finding an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City is actually much easier than you might imagine. There are quite a few Facebook groups dedicated to finding apartments and real estate in Saigon. All you need to do is post in each of these groups stating your desired living space for example “2-bedroom furnished apartment with pool and gym in District 2“ and your monthly budget. You’ll almost certainly be bombarded by rental agents offering to show you dozens of apartments. The rental agents will typically send you photos of each apartment with a few details regarding the building amenities and associated costs. Just choose the apartment listings you are interested in and set up a time to see them in person. Most of the rental agents speak English so they can answer any questions you may have along the way. And you don’t have to stick to just one rental agent – you can meet with as many as you’d like. Once you choose an apartment, they will help you negotiate the rental terms with the apartment owner and draw up the contract. Monthly rent is often negotiable in Vietnam so be sure to ask for a discount before agreeing to a price. And you’ll likely be expected to pay the first and last month’s rent plus a deposit. Of course, the rental agency receives a commission from the landlord for helping them rent the property, but it’s nice to have a 3rd party drawing up the contract. We have heard horror stories of shady business dealings with landlords in Vietnam. As such, we liked having a real estate agent to act as a buffer. If you prefer you can reach out to our rental agent directly – Andee Nguyen – or post on one of the Facebook groups listed below Housing/Apartments for Rent in Saigon Apartment for Rent in Ho Chi Minh City Apartment for Rent Saigon Real Estate Forum for Expats NOTE Landlords in Vietnam are required to register any new tenants with the local police. They’ll need to take your passport to the police station and pay a small fee. You may need proof of this registration in the future so make sure that it gets done correctly! Furnishing Your Apartment When we first moved to Ho Chi Minh City, we had a hell of a time figuring out where to buy odds and ends for our apartment. We wanted to invest in some quality towels and linens to make our stay more comfortable, as well as some kitchen accouterments like a toaster, plates, and a cutting board. Unfortunately, Amazon does not deliver to Vietnam and Ikea is not here yet. We checked the various Facebook groups for recommendations and were sent to JYSK for home goods, Minh Ha Bedding for linens, Linh’s Furniture for decor, and MM Mega Market for everything else. Other than Mega Market, all of those options are outrageously expensive, even by US standards. So unless you’re planning on investing in items that you’ll keep for a long time, they simply aren’t great options. We ended up buying our towels at Minigood, our comforter and cover at MM Mega Market, our dishes at VinMart and Ben Thanh Market, our baby stuff at Shop Em Be, and everything else on Lazada. Lazada Shopping online in Vietnam Lazada is Vietnam’s frustrating and bizarre online shopping platform. The shipping dates are poorly estimated and the photos are often not at all accurate. Because Lazada does not provide a specific delivery time and date, you’ll just get a call out of the blue from the delivery driver asking you to come downstairs and pick up your package. If you’re not at home and you don’t have a front desk willing to accept your packages, you’re just out of luck. Sometimes they will agree to re-deliver the next day, other times they just cancel the order and send the item back. The good thing is that Lazada allows you to pay for your items “cash on arrival” so if you’re not available to pick up your package and it just gets canceled there is no cost to you! How to Find a Job in Ho Chi Minh Many ex-pats that move to Ho Chi Minh City end up teaching English. So many people that we’ve met have either moved here specifically to teach English in Vietnam or have simply ended up teaching English after not having any luck with finding other job opportunities. You’ll have more luck getting a job teaching English in HCMC if you have completed your TEFL certification. Other ex-pats have had success in opening restaurants or coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City. We rarely encounter foreigners working as servers at restaurants or as sales associates at stores. My assumption is that because the average wages are quite low in Vietnam 100,000 VND/hour or approximately $4 USD, it just doesn’t pay well enough to justify living here. English teaching jobs pay substantially better which makes them much more attractive. Foreigners are often in demand for modeling jobs in HCMC so if you don’t mind relying on infrequent gigs, check out the Saigon Casting Foreigner Facebook group page for opportunities. And Jobs in Saigon for Foreigners is another Facebook group that could help with your search. Other resources for finding a job in Ho Chi Minh City include Vietnam Teaching Jobs CareerJet Vietnam Works CareerBuilder Indeed Opportunities at the US Consulate Internet and Cell Service Cell service and data plans are incredibly accessible and affordable in Vietnam. All you need is an unlocked cell phone. You can easily buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive, or at several establishments around HCMC. Then you load a monthly plan on your phone for 300,000 VND ~$13 USD for 2GB of high-speed data per day for 30 days. There are 3 major mobile carriers in Vietnam – Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobiFone. We recommend Viettel because they have the best coverage. For more info, we wrote a detailed post about Vietnamese SIM cards! How to Open a Bank Account in Vietnam We’re more comfortable continuing our banking in the US. The only problem is that ATMs in HCMC rarely dispense more than 2,000,000 VND at a time, which is just about $80 USD. So paying our $900 rent each month takes lots of ATM transactions thankfully we have the Charles Schwab debit card that refunds all of our international and domestic ATM fees. If you do choose to open up a bank account in Saigon, we’ve heard that Timo is the best choice for foreigners. The documentation to open a Timo account is as follows a valid passport and one of the following valid documents issued for at least 12 months a Vietnam visa or temporary resident card or permanent resident card. Apply for a Charles Schwab Debit Card Safety in HCMC Overall Ho Chi Minh City is an incredibly safe city and we’ve never felt remotely unsafe during our time here. The only crime that we ever hear about is petty theft through purses and cell phones getting swiped by motorbike drivers. We’d advise against having your phone out while riding on the back of a motorbike, no matter how tempting it is to take a video. Wear a crossbody bag and keep it in front of you. Also, leave large amounts of cash and your passport at home. Late at night, you’re better off catching a Grab home rather than walking, just in case. Vietnamese Laws to be Aware of The Vietnamese law that will likely affect ex-pats the most is the compulsory helmet law. All drivers and passengers over the age of 6 must wear a helmet on a motorbike. Why kids are exempt from the law is beyond us. Theoretically, foreigners are also required to have a Vietnamese driver’s license or an international driver’s permit. Although, if your country is not a signatory to the 1968 convention on road traffic, your permit will not apply for example, the USA, UK, and Canada are all countries whose international driver permits are not accepted in Vietnam. A few other laws that might apply to you as an ex-pat include Foreigners are required to register with the local police once they move into a residence in Vietnam. Generally, your landlord or real estate agent will do this on your behalf. It is illegal for foreigners to work on a tourist visa and must obtain a work permit. This is usually handled by the company that hires you. Gambling is illegal unless it takes place in a government-licensed casino Possession of pornography is illegal Possession of drugs is illegal and comes with a hefty sentence Online Resources for Expats We have found Facebook groups to be an absolute lifesaver in Ho Chi Minh City! They can provide a wealth of information regarding where to buy specific items or what new restaurants to try. They can help you find friends, find a job, or help you to furnish a new apartment. Here are a few of the groups that we’ve found helpful during our time at HCMC Fexpats – specifically for female ex-pats Foodies in Saigon – endless food recommendations both Vietnamese and international cuisine Vegetarians and Vegans in Saigon – pretty self-explanatory Vietnam Creative Circle – for creatives living in Vietnam Empty Your Closet HCMC – for buying and selling clothing and accessories HCMC Buy Sell Swap – for buying and selling any and all preloved items Buy and Sell Cheap Things in Saigon – for buying and selling secondhand goods Expats in HCMC – this is for anything and everything under the sun and tends to attract some negative Nellies Saigon International Families – for parenting discussions and to buy and sell kid stuff Saigon Casting Foreigner – for ex-pat modeling and acting gigs Vietnam Legal Group – for any questions related to Vietnam law Health Services in HCMC Hospitals and Medical Clinics Vietnam has excellent hospitals, dentists, medical clinics, and plastic surgeons. You’ll find that the services offered are on par with those you can get in the US or Europe. However, the price is significantly lower, even without insurance. As I mentioned earlier, we actually had a baby in Saigon. We went to FV Hospital French Vietnamese Hospital for all of our prenatal appointments and the delivery of our baby boy. He was 4 weeks early and delivered via c-section so he spent a few days in the NICU and we spent a total of 5 days in the hospital. The total cost for his birth was about $3,300 even without us having health insurance. We felt very well taken care of and were quite pleased with the care we received. If you choose to live in District 2, you’ll probably want to choose Hanh Phuc as your hospital of choice as they have a conveniently located medical center. American International Hospital AIH is another popular choice for ex-pats. We’ve chosen to see Dr. Orly at Raffles Medical Clinic for our baby’s pediatric care as we’ve found her to be an excellent communicator who takes her time to answer any and all of our questions. A Note on Insurance Since giving birth to Humphrey, we decided to be responsible parents and now carry travel medical insurance through SafetyWing. It was perfect for us because, unlike many other travel insurance options, you can sign up for SafetyWing even if you have already started your trip. You also don’t have to pre-determine an end date for your time abroad – you just pay the premium every month while you’re on the road and your travel medical insurance policy extends for another 30 days. An additional reason we chose SafetyWing is that coverage is included for one child under 10 years old for each adult on the policy. So we get insurance for Humphrey at no additional cost! SafetyWing provides coverage in 180 countries around the world including Vietnam. It definitely gives us more peace of mind while living in Saigon with little baby Humphrey! Dentists There are dentists of varying price points all over Ho Chi Minh City but the one that we trust above the rest is Westcoast International Dental Clinic. It’s incredibly clean and the dentists are friendly and knowledgable. Most everyone on staff speaks English which is a huge plus in terms of understanding your care assuming you aren’t yet fluent in Vietnamese. Plus, they have multiple convenient locations in District 1 and District 2. Skin Care If you have sensitive skin as I do, you’ll want to be careful when using the laundry services in Ho Chi Minh City. Most laundry ladies in the city wash clothes with OMO soap which is inexpensive but not the best for sensitive skin. After breaking out in a horrible rash, I had to go on the hunt for a dermatologist. Grace Skincare Clinic is popular for ex-pats who are experiencing unexplained rashes, or those who are just looking to rejuvenate their skin. There are a variety of packages to help you feel and look your best and the clinic is conveniently located near Bui Vien Street in District 1. If you’re looking for cosmetic procedures like botox or tattoo removal, Sian Skincare Laser Clinic is a great choice. You’ll pay a bit more here, but it will still be less than what you’d pay in the US and you can trust them with your skin. Beauty Services in Ho Chi Minh City Hair Salons Finding a hair salon that specialized in blonde highlights was a priority for me when I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. And I found two that I have trusted with my finicky hair and they have done a great job – Concept Coiffure and Ace London Hair. Concept Coiffure in District 2 is a salon that caters almost exclusively to foreigners. In fact, I’ve only ever seen ex-pats getting their hair done here. The prices here are much higher than you’d expect for Vietnam, but still slightly lower than you’d pay for the same service in the US. I especially love that they utilize multiple stylists for coloring and blow-drying, and the luxuriously long hair wash with a head massage. Ace London Hair in District 1 has been my most recent go-to as it is closer to my apartment and also slightly cheaper than Concept Coiffure depending n the stylist that you choose. Their service is reasonably priced, efficient, and professional. Even if you choose one of the less-expensive stylists, you can trust that you’ll leave feeling beautiful! Nail Salons The price that you’ll pay to get your nails done in Ho Chi Minh City can also vary wildly. But after trying several places with questionable hygiene practices, and getting our cuticles sliced to the point of bleeding, we’ve found our favorite spot. The Nail Garden has a cute interior with comfy chairs and super friendly nail technicians. The prices are a bit on the higher side but it’s worth it for the quality of their products and care. Plus, the price includes the tip! Massage Therapists The cost of a massage in Ho Chi Minh City is higher than those in Thailand, but still significantly lower than you’ll pay in the states. And as with the other services listed here, you can find incredibly cheap massages or you can pay significantly more by going to a fancy spa. If you’re looking for a cheap, no-frills massage where they’ll really dig into your back and butt, then check out Quynh Nhu 137. You can get a massage in a large room around others we had a funny experience next to a loud snorer once or pay a bit more for a private room. Keep in mind that you should tip 50-100% of the price of your massage here because the employees make very little. For more of a high-end experience, check out Moc Huong Spa. They have multiple locations around Ho Chi Minh City although the one in District 2 is the fanciest. When I was pregnant I scheduled weekly 90-minute pregnancy massages and it was absolute heaven! I tipped my masseuse 120k VND ~$5 USD every time. Now that I have a baby at home, I absolutely love Yok Home Massage! It’s super easy to book an appointment through their Facebook page and they’ll come to your house or apartment and massage you right on your bed. They bring relaxing music and oil, you just need to supply two towels. The prices are really inexpensive so I always tip well. Be sure to request Lieu! And finally, if you want to enjoy a relaxing foot massage, check out Saigon Heritage Spa. They have skilled massage therapists and calming space. It includes a tip in the price of your massage of course you can always give more if you wish. Eyebrow and Lash Maintenance One service that is most certainly worth getting in Vietnam is eyebrow microblading as it is significantly cheaper here than in the US. Michelle Truong is well known among the Fexpat women for providing a professional service in the comfort of her home. Her Facebook page is covered in recommendations and before and after photos of her happy clients. NP Brows and Lashes also come highly recommended for microblading, permanent makeup, and eyelash extensions. Where to Purchase Beauty Supplies The two beauty supply stores that I’ve frequented during my time living in Ho Chi Minh City are Guardian and Watson’s. They are both chains and have multiple locations all over the city. Here you’ll find brands that you love like Olay, Revlon, Palmers, Cetaphil, and Vaseline. Prices are relatively comparable to what you’d find in the US except for certain higher-end brands like Eucerine which are quite a bit more expensive here. Both Guardian and Watson’s have imported products and Vietnamese-brand products. And they stock all kinds of products ranging from skin and hair care, dental care, vitamins, make-up, and more. Don’t be surprised that the sales attendants like to follow you around the store – they don’t think you’re shoplifting, this is a common occurrence in Vietnam. Learning to Speak Vietnamese While there are literally thousands of ex-pats living in Ho Chi Minh City who can’t speak a lick of Vietnamese, it will certainly enrich your experience if you at least try. Granted you definitely don’t need to know the language, most people working in the establishments that you’ll be frequenting have a solid grasp of the English language. But we found that it was really nice to be able to attempt to communicate with the locals. And everyone got a good laugh out of hearing us try. It’s an extremely difficult language to master as there are 6 different tones that can give the same word 6 different meanings. For instance, “va” can mean “and”, “patch”, or “rushed”. And “ga” can mean “chicken”, “jaw”, or “the guy” depending on what tone you use. We took twice-weekly Vietnamese lessons from Kim Kim which we found to be extremely helpful in perfecting our pronunciation. She is very patient and takes her time to make sure that you are speaking clearly and correctly. She gives group lessons at a coffee shop in District 2 and we found it helpful to have other people in our class. If you’d rather watch YouTube videos on your own time and then be able to practice casually with others, there are often language exchange meet-ups around HCMC. This allows Vietnamese people to practice their English with you, and you to practice your Vietnamese with them. These Facebook groups can help you to find events near you Language and Culture Exchange – HCMC Swaps Language Exchange Ho Chi Minh Exchange Languages in Ho Chi Minh City Tipping for Services Tipping in Vietnam is one question that I’ve never gotten sufficiently answered during my time living in Ho Chi Minh City. It appears that most locals do not tip at restaurants or bars but tip quite generously for massages. And some restaurants that cater to foreigners will add an automatic gratuity to your bill but it’s much lower than what most Americans are used to tipping. Here are the general tipping guidelines that I follow in HCMC No tip or just small change at the local Vietnamese restaurants 10% tip at Western-style restaurants that cater to ex-pats and tourists unless a “service charge” has already been added to the bill 100,000 – 150,000 VND ~$4 – $6 USD tip for a cut and color at the hair salons that I mentioned above 100,000 – 120,000 VND ~$4 – $5 USD for a 60-90 minute massage even if a small tip is included in the price, I tip more on top 10 – 20% for nail technicians unless the tip is included in the price Where Expats Love to Eat and Drink in HCMC Best Coffee Shops Since we work from home and often get sick and tired of working from home, we’ve explored many of the coffee shops around town. We wrote an entire blog post about our favorite coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City as well as listed a few of the best options here The Workshop – for fancy pour-over coffee and quality beans Okkio Caffe – a hip little coffee shop just beside Binh Thanh market Cong Ca Phe – for a huge cup of coconut coffee The Loft Cafe – for daily coffee + dessert specials Hidden Elephant Books and Coffee – for some peace and quiet to work or read Padma de Fleur – for a beautiful setting full of fresh flowers Goc Ha Noi – the cutest little cafe with the best egg coffee in Saigon Best Brunch Spots Brunch was one of the things that we missed the most about living outside of the United States. It took us a few months to learn that Saigon actually has an amazing brunch scene! We made it our mission to find the best brunch spots in Ho Chi Minh City so we could indulge our tastebuds every weekend! You’ll definitely want to check out Godmother Bake and Brunch – for the cutest Instagramable ambiance Cafe Marcel – for the best Croque Monsieur in town The Vintage Emporium – for unique latte concoctions L’Usine – for free-flow bubbles on the weekends Best Restaurants for Dinner Bep Me In – for delicious and reasonably priced Vietnamese classics The Wagon Wheel – for amazing southern comfort food Baozi – for the best chicken ramen in HCMC House of Chay Vegetarian delivery only – for decadent non-cheesy mac n cheese La Fiesta – for bubbling hot chili and tasty fish tacos Gringo Tacos – for warm, cheesy wet burritos Pizza 4P’s – for the best pizza in all of Vietnam Secret Garden – for a lovely ambiance and upscale Vietnamese cuisine Thai Street – for amazing khao soi gai and great lunch specials Thao Dien, District 2 Best Spot for a Cocktail at Sunset Vo Roof Garden – for a low-key drinking and dining experience The Deck Saigon – for upscale food and views of the river Thao Dien, District 2 Saigon Social Club – for a swanky night out on the town Pasteur Street Brewing Co. – Our favorite place for craft beer in Saigon Best Bakeries Another treat from home that I initially missed terribly when we first moved to Ho Chi Minh City was baked goods! I would dream about bagels smothered in cream cheese and warm banana bread slathered with butter. But turns out that Saigon has a bustling baked goods scene as well! Greta’s Cakes – for banana bread, apple crumble muffins, and salted caramel shortbread – yum! Harvest Baking – for cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting Saigon Bagel – for delicious bagels in a variety of flavors Au Parc – for buttery, flaky croissants Best Desserts Maison Marou – for drinking chocolate, chocolate bars, and the best brownie you’ve ever eaten Rawberry – for vegan, gluten-free decadent treats Villa Royale Downtown Antiques and Tea Room – for tea time and yummy cakes Teaspoon Coffee and Tea Room – for the cutest tea sets and a delicious dessert case Food Delivery Services Food delivery is incredibly cheap in Ho Chi Minh City. You can get a delivery of a delicious meal in 30-45 minutes for under a dollar. Several food delivery services operate in Saigon but the two that we found to be the most punctual and reliable are Grab Food and Vietnammm. Grab actually allows you to track your delivery driver’s progress, whereas Vietnammm just gives you a time estimate. Both apps are easy and free to use! Where to Shop in Vietnam There are plenty of huge malls in Vietnam where you can find your favorite brands like H&M, Zara, Pull & Bear, MAC, Nike, Adidas, and more. But we’ve found that the prices at these stores are higher than they are in the US! My favorite MAC cosmetics cost about 1/3 more than what I’d pay back home which is why I make an order with anyone coming for a visit. You’ll have better luck shopping for factory overruns or Vietnamese brands if you want to find good deals. Virion is absolutely my favorite shop in Ho Chi Minh City because they have actual brands like Forever 21 and Mango at just a fraction of the price. Plus, you can shop on their Facebook page and have the clothes delivered to your door! Ombre is similar to Virion but the store is an absolute mess. Which is pretty fun if you have time to dig around for hidden treasures. And if you’re looking for an affordable Vietnamese clothing brand, Libé Workshop is the best I’ve found to date. For custom-made bras, I absolutely love Nhái và Bông Lingerie! You can order directly through their Facebook page after browsing various design and fabric options. Just provide your cup size and rib cage measurement and they’ll have your bra made in about a week. They’ll even deliver it to your apartment so you can try it on and then do any alterations – free of charge! Check out my complete, detailed post about the best places to shop in Ho Chi Minh City and what to buy! Making Friends with Other Ex-pats There are countless opportunities to make friends with both locals and ex-pats while living in Ho Chi Minh City. Many of the Facebook groups mentioned above have meetups, especially the Fexpats group which is only for females. Women can also join the Ladies Get Social group or Network Girls HCMC and participate in the regular get-togethers. The Hive and L’Usine often have events like “Paint and Sip” parties or you can peruse the goods at the regular flea market at Saigon Outcast. You can meet people through your Vietnamese lessons, help Saigon’s homeless population, play pick-up soccer, join a photo walk, or just chat someone up in one of the coffee shops listed above. So many people here are in the same boat and looking to connect with other ex-pats in the city. Other Miscellaneous Services Below is a list of a few resources that didn’t fit into the categories above but that we’ve found useful during our time living in Ho Chi Minh City. MyStorage – if you need to store any belongings in Ho Chi Minh City US Mart – for inexpensive bottles of imported wine Annam Gourmet – for luxury gourmet imported grocery items Phuong Ha – for imported groceries at reasonable prices We hope you have an amazing time living in Vietnam! Planning to move to Vietnam? Check out our favorite travel guides and resources! SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST After moving abroad in July 2014, I started compiling monthly roundup posts about life as an expat in Asia and all the nitty gritty that goes on behind the scenes here at Travel Lush. You can check out my previous monthly roundup posts August, September/October and November. This expat life of mine is a weird one. One minute I’m living and working in Beijing and the next I’m schlepping all of my worldly possessions into my new apartment in Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon. And just like that, I’m living in Vietnam. It’s a big transition, moving from China to Vietnam. Or at least it feels like it should be. But the odd thing is this move feels pretty natural to me. I realize it’s only been a week, but I think I can get used to living in Ho Chi Minh City. Perhaps it’s because I’ve spent so much of the last four years living and traveling in Southeast Asia. Or maybe it’s because this time last year I was just kicking off a 3-month stint living and working in Vietnam’s beachside city of Nha Trang. I guess all of this plays a role in the fact that this move doesn’t feel super shocking. I’m sure the weight of it will hit me at some point. But right now, at this moment, I’m feeling really good about this move. But this is a monthly roundup post… so let me rewind a little bit. Here’s what I got up to during the month of December Prepping to move to Vietnam… If you read last month’s roundup post you’ll know that I found out that I was for sure moving to Ho Chi Minh City on November 30. So basically the first couple weeks of December were spent wrapping my mind around the fact that I was actually leaving Beijing and getting ready for my big move. Aside from googling all sorts of things about what it’s like to live in Ho Chi Minh City, most of the month was spent like any other I worked… a lot. Actually, I was so busy working and commuting to work that I hardly had any time to explore the areas of Beijing I’d neglected to visit during the two years I lived there. I suppose when you’re only given a little over three weeks’ notice that you’re moving, time just kind of goes a little too quickly. I was also busy thinking about all the soup I was going to eat in Vietnam… Oh well, I did get to go to a few really cool bars and restaurants before I left, and I had some really good times. I’ll take it! Saying goodbye to my Beijing life… My final week in Beijing was a bittersweet one. On the one hand I was absurdly excited to finally get to Ho Chi Minh City, a place I hadn’t visited in basically a decade and one that I really don’t know all that much about. On the other hand, I was really sad to say goodbye to my exceptionally rad coworkers and the small group of friends I’ve made during my time in Beijing. Aaron and I hanging out and freezing! in the hutongs one last time. Beijing is the first place I’ve lived abroad where I’ve actually made good friends. I had an actual crew there and we’d hang out every Thursday night at our only local bar. We had so many good times at our weekly hangouts. We had one final session before Aaron and I took off… and that was that. Yes, we even had a uniform… Part of me knows that I might not see some of these people again. But I do hope that our paths will cross in the future. I do have grand plans to convince each and every one of them to visit us in Vietnam. And hey, one of our friends will be visiting in just two weeks! So that’s pretty cool. One last hurrah, just before Christmas. I’m realizing just how amazing it was to have friends in Beijing and how important having a community is when you live so far from home. So saying goodbye to these people was exponentially more difficult than I thought it would be. So yeah, my final week was full of goodbyes and see you laters. And on Christmas Eve, Aaron and I stuffed all our of possessions into 10 suitcases, lugged them to the airport and hopped on a red eye to Ho Chi Minh City, where we arrived bleary-eyed and exhausted at 5am on Christmas Day. Oh, hello Saigon. We beelined it to an outdoor airport café and ordered our first and much-needed Vietnamese iced coffee basically the best thing ever. We sat there watching the sun come up and the world come alive in our new city. We had officially arrived. Living in Ho Chi Minh City… We’ve now been in Ho Chi Minh city for a little over a week. In that time we’ve moved into our month-long rental. We love our neighborhood and cozy little apartment. We don’t love the massive construction site that sits 15 feet away and goes 24 hours sad face. Nor do we love our insanely loud neighbors out back. Sleep has been a bit tough to come by since we moved here. But hey, this is Vietnam. We knew what we were getting in to. After all, this is one of the loudest cities on earth. Plus, we will be moving into a more permanent place in the next few weeks, so this is only temporary. Fingers crossed that we can find a great apartment. After living in hellish apartments in Jakarta, Phnom Penh and Beijing, Aaron and I could really use a lucky break. Living situation aside, we spent our first few days in Ho Chi Minh City walking around, checking out tourist attractions and different neighborhoods, and stuffing our faces with vegetarian noodle soups, mock meat dishes, veggie banh mi and so much more. Have I mentioned I love the food in Vietnam? Because I do! Travel Because we have a couple weeks before Aaron starts his new job we decided to book a last-minute flight to the Con Dao Islands. The islands are located in Southern Vietnam, about an hour-long flight from Ho Chi Minh City. I really knew next to nothing about them except they are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and that they are wild, remote and relatively untouristed. We had read that December isn’t the most optimal time to visit because of the vicious winds that batter the island, but we decided to go for it anyway. It turns out the winds are no joke. The 30 mph gusts did lash us, but man that place is stunning. The town itself is tiny, so tiny there were only three restaurants we could eat at. Being a vegetarian in Vietnam is challenging at times. We stayed in a local guesthouse that had beautiful mountain views and only cost $17 a night. We spent our time motorbiking along the windswept cliffs, marveling at the turquoise sea and the rugged islets that surround the main island of Con Son, and exploring the old colonial structures that the island is infamously known for. The infamous Tiger Cages’ of Con Son. The dreary whether didn’t really bother us, since we’d anticipated it. But we were thrilled when the sun came out one day, so we could actually have a beach day. We shared a beautiful stretch of beach with a handful of other people, we floated in the calm ocean, and we got some much-needed sun on our bodies. We also rang in the New Year on Con Son. Given that the island closes down at about 10pm, our night was calm and relaxed. It was great, actually. It’s true that December wasn’t the best time to visit the islands, but I am definitely going back there this spring. I swear that place is paradise on earth and I’ll be writing a couple posts about it very soon. Not only did I love my time there but the whole experience got me so jazzed about being able to live in Vietnam and explore more of this absurdly beautiful country. Seriously, I’m just so happy to be here. It feels really good to feel so excited about a place! Instagram My most popular posts from December were taken in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City… Man, it’s so weird I don’t live in Beijing anymore. Where to stay If you’re looking for a splurge or just a nice place to stay for a night, the Pullman is comfortable and has a great breakfast, rooftop bar and pool. It’s within walking distance to pretty much everything and basically right next to the “backpacker street.” How did your December shape up? Where in the world did you spend New Year’s?

she to ho chi minh city last year