| Ho Chi Minh City | |
.jpg/210px-Independence_Palace_or_Reunification_Palace_(12110625233).jpg) | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 096,56 km² |
| Population | 10 380 000 hab. () |
| Density | 4 950,97 inhab./km² |
| Postal code | 700000–769999 |
| Spindle | Indochina time |
| Location | |
 10 ° 49 ′ 0 ″ N 106 ° 38 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
Ho Chi Minh City (in Vietnamese Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), named Saigon until 1975, is the largest city in Vietnam, in front of the capital Hanoi.
The city is located in the south of the country, on the banks of the Saigon River, near the Mekong Delta.
Understand
To go
Visa
If you are arriving from abroad, you will need a tourist visa. You can go through your local tourist agency or directly through the Vietnamese Embassy in your country. Another simpler and less expensive solution is to have a visa issued on the spot. To do this, simply contact a tourist agency in Vietnam who will send you by email a scanned invitation letter authorizing you to take your visa on arrival. 48 h and 5 working days).
If you are French, it is sometimes more interesting to go to the Geneva consulate in Switzerland rather than in Paris. Visas are issued there much more quickly (the same day as a rule), the prices are a little lower and they can be contacted by phone.
Visa exemption
At 1er January 2020, passport holders from 24 countries whose France do not need a visa for stays of up to 15 days[1]. For more than 15 days, you should always apply for a visa before your arrival, which you can apply for at the Vietnamese embassy in your country.
By plane
Arrival is via Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located at 7 km north of the city, allow between 20 minutes and 1 h to reach the city center by taxi, depending on the time of day and therefore traffic jams: the end of the afternoon is the worst time. A taxi to the city center costs around 4 €.
By train
By car
By bus
Circulate
By taxi
Getting around by taxi is simple and inexpensive. From the airport to the city center (district 10 count between 4-6 $ Canadian. On the other hand, once there, I suggest taxi-rickshaws (bicycles with a seat in front). They're inexpensive, weave their way into motorcycle traffic and it's quite an experience. However, most drivers do not speak English and will not understand your destination: ask for a printed map at your hotel and clearly indicate to the driver using the card where you want to go and ESPECIALLY, fix the price before departure .
Carry small bills with you because some drivers will take advantage of a large bill to tell you that they have no change or will try to swindle you a few thousand dongs on the change. It is practically a constant in Vietnam: vigilance is essential when it comes to money. There are small motorcycles with driver (motobike) practically on every street corner. It's faster than the rickshaw and the drivers know how to squeeze through the most congested streets. Again negotiate the race before and be made clear that the race includes the outward and return trip if necessary.
By bus
Getting around the city center by bus is a funny experience!
You should know that each bus works on its own account: that is to say that the driver and his "teammate" who takes care of the ascent and descent of travelers are paid according to the number of passengers passing through. every day in their bus.
So there is no time to waste, passengers are kindly requested to get on the bus QUICKLY, and buy a ticket from the "teammate". For one way it takes around 3000 dong. It should also be noted that it is customary to take a seat or stand at a bar (hang in there, it's pitching!) And prepare your change: it is the "teammate" who will come to you to sell you the ticket.
NB: it is customary for men to give way to women and children.
To go down the "stop" button is never used, the custom is that we ask the "teammate" in advance to stop at a specific stop, or to warn him of a stop in advance.
Tickets are therefore bought piecemeal when you get on the bus, but you also have the possibility of buying booklets of 30 tickets (the prices are decreasing) at the bus station in front of the southern door of the Ben market. Thanh (the big market where you can find almost everything including souvenirs etc ...)
By ferry
See
In the city center:
- The war remnants museum
- The Reunification Palace
- The central post office
- The Notre-Dame cathedral
- City Hall
- The Cholon district inhabited by the Chinese
Make
Spa
The Apothecary, 63 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 & 64A, Truong Dinh, District 3; telephone 84-8-822 1218 Spa and retirement home at their 2nd address. It is a very relaxing place, using only natural products. The place belongs to two French women. Frequented by a lot of expatriates and tourists. They also sell natural herbal and herbal soaps and beauty products. Reservations required but they also take walk-ins. Ideal just before leaving for the airport to relax from the stress of the city and enjoy a much needed pedicure after long hours spent on the not always clean sidewalks !! Prices are exclusive of tax.
Learn
To work
In District 1, near Notre-Dame Church, the Metropolitan Building was built, a huge building housing dozens of national and multinational firms.
This can be a lead for your job search on site.
Eat
Avoid the Ben Thanh market, guaranteed rip-off. In general, avoid dishes whose prices are not displayed. Get up and find an honest establishment.
Also discover the restaurants on the top floor of Parkson, located at the intersection of Le Thanh Ton and Dong Khoi. Delicious and clean food.
In a mini complex of 3 floors - an ancient Chinese temple, belonging to French people, you will find on the ground floor a delicious dairy called Fanny, which offers an "open ice cream" on the first Friday of each month on the same principle. than the open bar. On the 2nd floor, there is the Temple Club: an excellent typical Vietnamese restaurant mainly frequented by a clientele of expatriates, discerning tourists and celebrities (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ate there recently). Count around 40 $ for 2 with beers. On the 3rd floor and on the terrace, less chic but just as good, the BBQ: each table has its integrated burner. You choose your meat or seafood, the sides are included. Count 30 $ for 2 with beers.
29 Ton That Thiep St Location District 1, Around Town Phone 08 / 829-9244
There are a lot of delicious dishes to discover:
- the national "pho": a soup of rice noodles with slices and / or meatballs, soya and aromatic plants. Around 12,000 dong in the city center.
- the "banh xeo": a sort of savory crêpe garnished (like Breton crêpes but very different) with bean sprouts, pork and shrimps
- "chè" desserts: there are dozens of variations, each better than the last. The glass is between 2000 and 4000 dong.
Trendy cafes also offer something to eat for around 2 € the dish. Accompanied by an exotic fruit juice (sinh to), it's a great way to start the day. These cafes are air conditioned, very clean, and offer syrupy Vietnamese pop or techno galore. Go to Windows 3 (rue Nguyen Dinh Chieu), Windows 4 (rue Alexandre de Rhodes), MTV (rue Vo Van Tan) or Café Sao (Ho con rua).
Have a drink / Go out
Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers - 88Dong Khoi Street
The 23rd floor of the Sheraton Hotel offers a terrace bar offering a beautiful view of the city, as well as a rather posh nightclub.
Underground Saigon - basement Lucky Plaza - Dong Khoi Street
Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar (Chill Skybar) on the 25th floor of the New World building
Bièrre Hoi on Pham Ngu Lao Street, backpacker district
Dinner on a Saigon River Cruise
Drink and dance in Lush Nightclub, Ho Chi Minh's premier nightclub
Apocalypse Now, a legendary nightclub which is very popular with backpackers, expats and a lot of Vietnamese ladies too.
Drink and eat at the Ben Thanh Night Market (Ben Thanh Night Market)
Housing
Cheap
- Honghoa Hotel 185/28 Pham Ngu Lao Street,
84 8 836 19 14 – Guest house located in Saigon, in the heart of the city. Rooms with bathroom, mini-bar, air conditioning, satellite TV. The establishment has an internet center with ADSL, free for customers. In this district there are a multitude of hotels and guest houses at backpacker prices between 5 and 20 US $ (depending on the price are included air conditioning, fridge, internet, and sometimes breakfast).
Average price
- Best Western Chancery Saigon All Suite Hotel, 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3, 84 8 9304088 – Old but very clean, well located facing a large park. Very complete breakfast included, WIFI throughout the hotel.
- Bat Dat Hotel 238/244 rue Tran Hung Dao, 5th district, 84 8 855 16 62, fax : 84 8 855 58 17 – Located in the middle of Saigon Chinatown, the Bat Dat Hotel has 84 rooms elegantly decorated according to international standards, and all equipped with: direct connection for international telephone lines, reception of satellite TV channels, mini fridge furnished, hairdryer, individual air conditioning system and high standard furniture. Restaurant, meeting rooms, sauna, jacuzzi, relaxation room, beauty salon, massages.
- The Sofitel Plaza Saigon hotel, 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, 84 8 8241555 – In the heart of the business district and located not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral and Parkson shopping center. Find international, French and Mediterranean specialties at the restaurant.
Luxury
- Hotel Arc En Ciel 52-56 Tan Da St, District 5, 84 8 855 44 35, fax : 84 8 855 24 24 – Located in "Chinatown", Arc En Ciel has four restaurants, Thien Hong message therapy center and other services. The hotel, built on 9 floors, has 86 well furnished rooms and suites, with individual air conditioning, color television, mini fridge, bathroom with tub and shower. Several restaurants and bars, sauna, massage, relaxation room, beauty salon, meeting rooms.
- Hyatt Park, 2 Lam Son Square, District 1 – A 5 star luxury hotel located at Lam Son Square in central Ho Chi Minh City. Not far from the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and other main tourist attractions of Saigon
- Caravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, District 1 – Since 1959, the Caravelle Saigon Hotel is still one of the 5-star luxury hotels in the heart of the central business district, commercial activities of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, – Located in downtown Saigon, the Rex Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel dating from the beginning of the XXe century. For over 80 years, as a landmark, as well as a witness to the ups and downs of the city's history, the Rex Hotel has been rebuilt to become one of the most notable addresses in the city. city.
To stay in contact
Manage the day-to-day
Health
Collective gymnastics, badminton, etc ... in the parks early in the morning or at the end of the day.
Some addresses where French doctors work:
- 1 The International Medical Center (CMI) 1, Han Thuyen, 1st district (on the cathedral square just in front of the central post office.), 84 8 827 23 66, 84 8 827 23 67, fax : 84 8 827 23 65, email: [email protected] – A French medical center in the heart of the tourist and business district.
- Franco-Vietnamese hospital in district 7
- European Medical Center (EMC) 508 NGo Gia Tu - Phuong 9 - Q5 (Hospital district), 84 8 6264 6701, 84 90 96 10 759 (cellphone), fax : 84 8 6264 6703, email: [email protected] – French medical center specializing in Cardiology and Metabolic Diseases - French Cardiologist and Pharmacist - Home sampling service - Laboratory of biological analyzes.
Around
It is worth going to the Mekong Delta even if you are only there for a few days. The tourist office 274 Cong Quynh St., 1st District, tel. (84-8) 9253200 will sell you trips between 1/2 day and 3 days at more than reasonable prices. You can ask for a private guide in order to escape the big groups of tourists. Count 100 $ Canadians for a full day with transport by car, boat, tour, full lunch, various tastings of local products and guide.
- ↑Vietnam Visa Exemption, accessed January 8, 2020.