Country code: +84
Currency: Vietnam Dong (10,000VND = PHP28.08/US$0.59)
TRIVIA The city used to be called "the Pearl of the East" and the "Paris in the Orient" because of its classic, French colonial style architecture. France occupied Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
TOUCHDOWN Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 30 minutes to District 1. A taxi ride costs VND80,000 (PHP225.09). Hire a motorbike driver for VND20,000 (PHP56.27)
BY DAY Beat the heat at Dam Sen Water Park with its attractions like the Drifting and Crazy Rivers, the Massage Pool and Space Spiral Slide. 03 Hoa Binh, Ward 3, District 11
BY NIGHT Sip your favorite cocktail at Level 23 restaurant while taking in live entertainment and amazing city views. Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers, 88 Dong Khoi Street, District 1
SLEEP On a budget? Try Hotel Bong Sen 2 (Bong Sen Annex). Its Economy and Run of the House rooms are clean and comfortable. 61-63 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1
LOCAL LIFE
Angel Tanchoco
regional account manager
Best breakfast
Try banh mi thit, which is sort of like a sub sandwich. They sell it along the streets
Best night out
Dine at any of the local restaurants and then go bar hopping. Just follow the Filipinos
Best dinner
At Quan Nuong restaurant, you man the grill. Try the beef with cheese and chili squid
Best buys
They serve really good coffee in this city, and beautiful embroidered bags
Best souvenirs
Shirts that say “same same but different”. The phrase captures the quirks of Vietnam
Must-do experience
Quan An Ngon for dinner and then La Fenetre Soleil for Vietnamese iced coffee with milk
Must learn…
“Xin loi” (pronounced as “sin loy”) means “Excuse me” or “Sorry”
Insider’s tip
Find a local to help you. They sometimes charge a Westerner double
Bookmark This Post
