Things You Need to Know Before Heading to Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh is definitely one of the best places in the world for you to visit. It was not long ago since the country has seen the worst of a war, but it took no time for them to get back on their feet and become one of the biggest tourist destinations in Asia.

Just like any other place for a trip, Ho Chi Minh is not perfect. You will encounter some problems along the way. This does not mean you have to cancel your trip since you are certainly missing a lot. There are just a few things you need to take note of before heading to the city.

Choose the right dates

Ho Chi Minh is really prone to flooding. June is a rainy season and there could be heavy downpour during this time. The kind of storm they get might be something you have not yet experienced before especially if you come from a place where there is no heavy storm.

You can either choose a different month to visit the city or be prepared for the worst during your trip. Unfortunately, several establishments will be closed during the storm season so you can’t see the best the city has to offer.

Be careful in choosing transportation

Transportation is quite a problem in the city. Bicycle taxis are common and so are actual taxis. Either way, you might end up spending a lot of money. The good thing about bicycle taxis though is that you can agree about the price in advance before you get in. You need to know how much the average cost is so you can say no if you think it is way too high than what you expect.

Vietnamese dong is also confusing. All of them look the same. Even the color does not help you. This makes it easy for you to be scammed. When you have paid, you will be told that you didn’t give the right amount. Therefore, you have to count the money in front of the driver before leaving the taxi.

From the airport to the hotel, it is best if you are asking your hotel to send you a pickup service. It won’t be that expensive. It also saves you from the chances of getting ripped off. You might end up with a driver who will take a longer route just so you end up paying more.

Another option is to walk near the exit where there is a queue for taxi service. You can just tell them the place where you are heading and they will tell you how much you have to pay. You will pay in advance and regardless of the route the taxi takes, you won’t have to pay extra.

Get a massage

Vietnam is not a popular place for massage and spas. However, if you are there and you are tired walking around, you can just head to a small massage place and feel relaxed. The price is just around $10 which is not bad considering the price for massages in many other countries. You are also getting quality service which makes your payment worth it.

Be careful in choosing a hotel

There are several old hotels in Ho Chi Minh being a historical city. It is a nice experience staying in those hotels. The only problem is that some of them don’t have a lift. If you are not comfortable carrying your bags to your room or taking the stairs all the time, look for another hotel. Otherwise, choose a lower floor.

With all these tips, you are now fully prepared for your trip to Ho Chi Minh. Also, don’t forget to have fun!

Photo Attribution:

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2^nd image from http://www.vietnam-guide.com/ho-chi-minh-city/top10/top10-ho-chi-minh-hotels-romantic.htm