Left Hoi An at 9.00 am by private hire car to Da Nang Airport about a 30 klm trip. Cost was just $17.00. Got a Jetstar flight to HCMC and was there in one hour, $100 for the two of us. We were going to do the journey by train a 22 hour trip, but one trip on a Vietnamese train was definitely enough for the Wombats (See video on this page)
So Saigon here we are…. We met an Aussie couple at Da Nang airport on the same flight so shared a cab from the airport to our hotels in HCMC. Cost 250,000 dong which we shared. ($6.00 each).
After getting to our hotel the Hong Vina we found we were on the fourth floor and the lift had broken down !!!!! “It will be fixed in 5 mins” we were told. So we went out, found restaurant had two whole icy cold coconuts with straws some lemon grass and chilli chicken and pork in sesame seeds with rice. Cost for lunch 124,000 dong or $6.24 ….. We like this place already 🙂
All posts from Saigon.. Ho Chi Minh City
The hotel and the streets …. Click here
China Town Saigon …. Click here
Trips around Saigon …. Click here
A lacquer ware workshop. Click here
Ben Thanh market Saigon. Click here
Wombats comments on Saigon.
1 = bad 10 =good
Based on a stay at Hong Vina Hotel
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Accommodation where we stayed: 9 out of 10
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Ease of using local transport: 6 out of 10. Taxis and local bus only
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Atmosphere of Shanghai: 7 out of 10
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General cleanliness: 8 out of 10
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Locals friendliness: 9 out of 10
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Ability to be understood by locals: 5 out of 10 (poor)
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Foods varieties: 8 out of 10
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Restaurants and eateries: 7 out of 10
Comments: A large busy city that when it starts in the morning goes flat out until midnight. Plenty of cheap taxis, buses run everywhere, just get on and see the sights. Crossing the eight lane main streets and indeed the side streets takes a skill that you learn in a day or so. Look at the traffic and WALK slowly, do not show fear they wont run into you (if you are lucky) we were told the bikes (8 million) will swerve around you because if they hit you they are likely to lose their bike and license and cop a fine. Overall: We would recommend a visit.
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Ho Chi Min City .. Saigon
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 |  Hong Vina Hotel Calmette Street SaigonClose to markets and bus depot. This market closes at 6pm when the night market outside takes over.Calmette, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
 | Reunification Palace, Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamReunification Palace, Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
 | Ben Thanh market, Lê Lợi, Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamBen Thanh market, Lê Lợi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
