Read this before going to ho chi minh city! 🇻🇳
𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐚𝐦
I lived in HCMC for about 10 months (6 months poly intern + 4 months uni intern) & go back pretty often (my bf’s parents stay there). I love hcmc & the people, the food, the vibe, everything!!!!!! Here is my ultimate guide to my fav city!!!
✶ 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲
HCMC is divided into 24 districts. I recommend you to stay in D1 or D3!
D1: heart of saigon (all the tourist attractions are here)
D3: very close to D1, but cheaper
D2: expat area (cute cafes, western vibe)
Binh Thanh: where landmark 81 is
D4: super local area, come here for street food
D7: korea town, but very residential. I stay here usually (bf’s parents’s house) but everything here exists in D1 so not much point coming here
D5: chinatown! lots of chinese food
phu nhuan: very local place, accoms are cheap here but a bit further away from the center
✶ 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲
3-4 days is perfect for a trip to hcmc! It’s a great long weekend holiday!! A short trip is enough to see all the landmarks, cafe hop & enjoy the shopping haven!
✶ 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝
I use my youtrip card for everything! I usually change about $100 at a gold shop near Ben Thanh Market (you will see it when u get there!!), the rate there is the best! I use cash only for places that don’t accept cards, like Ben Thanh Market or other street stores. But most places accept card!
✶ 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Grab is ur best friend!! Grab rides are extremely cheap, usually my car rides are 20k - 50k VND ($1-$3 SGD) 😳 Grab bikes are half the price. However biking around hcmc gives me anxiety. Some drivers go against traffic flows or squeeze in between cars. But I would say try grab bike at least once for the experience, and the rest you can relax in a grab car 🤭 If u split w friends it’s so so cheap.
✶ 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬
pho bo - Phở Minh
bun cha ha noi - Quan Nem Restaurant
banh mi - Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa
com tam - Cơm Tấm Bụi Sài Gòn
bun bo hue - Bún Bò Huế SONG ANH
bun rieu - Bún riêu Gánh
✶ 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬
It’s good to learn some phrases before you go! Most of the young people there can speak English so just speak slowly & articulate clearly! If they don’t understand you, just use google translate!
✶ 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
Vietnamese traffic is so chaotic. Crossing the roads can be scary because cars and bikes are coming from all directions. If there’s no traffic lights, u just have to cross. The bikes will go around u & cars will wait for u to cross. If u don’t cross u will never be able to go!! My phone got snatched before when i was in hcmc. Be careful of your belongings & always keep it close to u or in ur bag!
It’s generally very safe & I recommend hcmc for solo travelling too! When I lived here alone I didn’t feel unsafe.
✶ 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
I love street food but I always get food poisoning from it 💀 Try to make ur own judgement of whether the store is clean or not. Look at how they prepare their food too. Just be careful of raw food (eg seafood). Always have it at restaurants!
If u unfortunately get food poisoning, u can go to the local pharmacy to ask for some pills or go and see a doctor. I usually go to Raffles Medical bc they have a Singaporean doctor! If ur food poisoning is very bad, u can ask for an IV drip. If not, they will just prescribe stomach pills & antibiotics. Their fees are expensive but u can always claim from insurance. ‼️ always remember to get travel insurance!
🔔 Save this post if you are planning to travel to hcmc!
#TravelGuide #lemon8travel #hcmcguide #hochiminh #hochiminhcity #Vietnam #vietnamtravel #MyVibe #MyLemon8Diary #MyPOV
When planning your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, it's useful to understand each district's unique vibe to make the most of your visit. District 3 stands out for its vibrant street food scene; it's a perfect blend of local authenticity and accessibility, making it a food lover's paradise. Maps focused on District 3’s eateries can really help you navigate and try signature dishes like pho and banh mi efficiently. Beyond enjoying the incredible food, familiarizing yourself with the city’s layout via Ho Chi Minh city district maps pays off. District 1 is the bustling heart of Saigon, housing most tourist attractions, offering an exciting base but at a higher cost. District 2 appeals more to expats, with a more relaxed cafe culture and green spaces, great for longer stays and immersion. To navigate easily, mobile app taxis like Grab are indispensable, particularly for short trips across districts. Prices are surprisingly low, and the option between bikes and cars lets you choose comfort or adventure. For safety and convenience, avoid biking if you are anxious about the fast-moving traffic, especially crossing streets where traffic is chaotic but trusting local flow makes crossing manageable. Language can be a barrier, but learning basic Vietnamese phrases or using apps like Google Translate enriches your experience and interactions. Locals appreciate the effort and usually speak some English, particularly in tourist areas. Food safety is crucial, especially with street vendors. You can rate cleanliness visually and stick to places where food is cooked in front of you, avoiding raw seafood or underprepared dishes to prevent food poisoning. If you do get sick, there are reputable clinics like Raffles Medical where you can get quick treatment and recover comfortably. This guide enriched with district-specific maps and local insights ensures you enjoy a hassle-free and immersive trip to Ho Chi Minh City, balancing exploration, comfort, and safety.
I agreed that the rate at those gold shops is very good. Recently changed mine in Dalat. For youtrip card, not very useful for me as mostly dont accept cards except big malls/shops/hotels. In the end I withdraw all the money using local atm. Now, i just bring cash, can give tips & bal can be used for next trip 😉