HCMC is a busy, crowded, polluted city. There is not that much that redeems the city other than the Vietnam War exhibits and historical aspect.
As is true in most of Vietnam, pedestrians must dodge the never-ending motorcycles and cars as pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain. You learn quickly how to dodge though and somehow it works. Actually the traffic might be one of the most amazing things about the city. Service in most restaurants and elsewhere is confusing. Service staff seems indifferent but actually, I think it is a cultural thing - they wait for your cue - so don't be shy, call out to your wait person when you need them. Vendors on the other hand are just the opposite. They pay attention to you....too much. I have traveled to many places and although I certainly didn't hate HCMC, it was not a favorite. If you are visiting Vietnam, you would do yourself a favor to get out of HCMC and go visit some of the smaller cities/villages in the middle and north of the country.
Most major attractions can be covered in a day. However if you want to explore in detail, then you will need many days.
City is safe. Most attractions can be reached on foot. Taxis are fairly cheap. However, certain parts of the city is dirty. There is a lot of pollution. In the dry hot weather of the city, need to drink a lot of water.
This is the cleanest city I have been in in years! Shopping for souvenirs here is the best prices by far.
Shopping was so fun in this city. We walked around the city feeling very safe and relaxed. The locals here are honest and friendly unlike some northern cities that we experienced.
A very lively city but everything is expensive around ho chi minh city. I like ho chi minh city a lot but the locals here charge us foreigner more than what they sold to their own kind.
Great City,amiable people,good scenary, the airport is very small and crowded, some of the customs officials are corrupt
ho chi minh is one of the best district after hanoi in vietnam. some of the people are very welcoming but some are not.
but the people here is very hard working and they don't even seeking for money from people but they are selling something even a bundle of wet tissues to make a living. They dont rely on the government and very hard working people. the ho chi minh ciy is very large but should improve in term of entertainment such as theme park. but the market and the shopping mall is quite good.
The city is crazy busy, and the air quality is poor. So get a face mask to help yourself. Don't be afraid of walking/riding around town.
There is lots to do and lots to see. Prices are very reasonable especially if you know where to shop. Don't carry so much on you as you walk around. Don't act too much like a tourist (especially if you're a solo traveler), but more of an foreigner that knows their way around "because you live there". So do some research before heading out. Get a feel of your area through maps and landmarks before going out.
Stayed in District 1 in a fantastic location from here went on to the water park to entertain a 5 year old who absolutely loved the place and didn't want to leave.
Visited a spa and had pampering and had an extensive shopping experience where everything was on hand from cheap products to up-market goods. Also ticked Cu Chi Tunnels off the bucket list, this was a very inexpensive but well worthwhile experience.
HCMC is one of the best cities i have visited in the world. I have been here many times with and without my family and it never disapoints me.
A must see city.
Ho Chi Minh City is in perpetual motion. The ever-present flow of motorbikes on all the roads all the time is like blood in the veins pumping round without cease.
Sidewalk pedestrian traffic is un noticeable compared with the energy of the families on the motorbikes. I have not seen as much productive bustle in SEA as I have on the roads of HCMC. The attractions in the city are eclectic, Temples, Museums including the challenging imagery of the War Remnants Museum, Churches, public buildings and churches, Opera House etc. The City is 3 hours drive from the fertile and exciting Mekong Delta. Combining The City and the Delta is a 3 to 5 day opportunity that should be grabbed before the fast pace of progress makes it impossible.
First time but definitely not my last. What a great place! Really enjoyed to the food here, friendly people and the shopping.
Had a massage with hot rocks in my hotel and have never been so relaxed. planning my return trip now.
Ho Chi Minh city is developing fast but it still has some communist charm. We surprisedly enjoyed our time in this city, walking around and visiting the plazas, Notre Dame, Ben Thanh market and walking along the smelly Saigon River.
It is a bustling city with lots of good food.
Lots of people, lots of bike, interesting how the find their way in their mess by bikes overall nice city if you understand were you are
11 million people-4 million motor bikes.Crossing the road is daunting-cross with a local for reassurance.
A communist government with a free market attitude to small businesses.Start ups on pavements.Markets are cheap but be prepared for constant requests to buy.Mc Donalds next to red stars.
Be aware of being charged an unfair amount just for the fact of begin foreigner. Still a lot of places where you will pay exactly what a rich local will pay but in many cases they will try hard to extract as much as they can from you.
There is a level of overprice that you have to accept to pay in countries like this, but sometimes you will observe that they go overboard. I paid US$40 for an entry to a flower festival arranged via a tour operator, when the entry fee was US$1.5. Be critical when you feel that this is happening to you.
Everything is cheap in Ho Chi Minh City for tourists coming from countries with strong currencies, it makes everything valuable.
But something to watch out for is everywhere, the sellers including taxi might anyhow quote you unreasonable price because everything seemed so cheap we might not know we are paying more than the usual rate/market price. Check out some standard pricing of the items including taxi rides so you wont get ripped off. There are lots street sellers, if u refuse to buy from them, they will give you a sullen face and scold u in Vietnamese. That is not appropriate. Overall, Vietnamese are very friendly to the tourists, especially Caucasians. Most viet just want to earn you money. Generally safe but once I almost got rob of my handphone on the street. Just be careful
Finely tuned chaos is the best way of describing HCMC. For an incite into real life here, walk the back streets of district 1.
All manner of amazing sights appear in the ordinary everyday life of the vietnamese
Take only the 2 branded taxis, the rest will take you for a good ride and frisk you off, speak to any Vietnamese and you will hear that everyone has encountered crimes or criminals.
This city is all a terrible mess and badly requires a make over.
I found Independence Palace - especially the presidential war room down in the basement bunker fascinating.
Being able to walk in the footsteps of history was amazing. To be able to see the gates where the Viet Cong tanks crashed through, stand on the balcony where the Viet Cong waved their flags and see where the president lived was fabulous. Make the trip to Cu Chi to see the famous Viet Cong tunnels and it will really put the war into perspective for you. Also I highly recommend catching the hydrofoil from Ho Chi Minh City (District 4) for the 90 minute trip up the Mekong River to beachside Vung Tau.
Despite the quantity of motorbikes, is well organized within the population. We can survive easily with this amazing traffic.
It is a very boring place. All historical sites can be seen in one day and there is nothing more to do.
Compared to Thailand, there are almost no religious buildings for their architecture, shopping is pretty limited, no large supermarkets in the center, no night life, banks and money exchanges close early. It is, after all, a communist country. The best thing to do is to spend one day in the city and two days on a Mekong Delta trip. One day trip is not recommended as most of the time will be spent on the bus and a two day trip offers much more activities.
Ho Chi Minh City is fast becoming a vibrant metropolis with up-and-coming modern infrastructure like the rail transport system that is being constructed.
Malaysians, especially Muslim women, thoroughly enjoy the shopping for fine and delicate Muslim fashion apparels which cost a fraction of the price they would pay at home, such as hijab, dresses etc. Other things worth looking out for is fruits and nuts and some say coffee, but personally I found the Vietnamese brew to bit a tad too strong for my taste.
HCM is transitioning fast to a modern city. Do come early before all the charm is gone. The Times Square is a wonderful place to hangout with a large area for pedestrians to hangout surrounded by 2 busy roads.
My kids say they are playing a real life 'Crossy Road' overtime we need to cross the roads. Traffic is chaotic but it is part of the charm of the city. Make sure you are visible before proceeding to calm cross the road at a constant pace. The vehicles will notice you and adjust accordingly
A laidback city. Cheap buys around the markets. But felt unsafe. Plenty of roadside snatch theft happening in broad daylight.
Locals did nothing to help.
prices are not expensive here. You can pamper yourself with massage, spa. spend time in travelling and know vietnamese war history.
Relatively safe but exercise caution. Not expensive but a bit touristy. Lots of things to do and many districts.
Taking a taxi (Mahlinh/Vinasun) during non peak hours is reasonable (but have a knowledge of how far you are going). Ben Thanh market is a favorite but take note there are fixed and non-fixed priced (bargainable) shops. Also quality of goods can differ from one place to the other (especially lacquer-ware).
Rollicking city that still retains all the character of Saigon (which is what most of the locals call it).
Make sure to fix prices everywhere they are not listed or prepared for a bad tempered exchange when it comes to delivery. Stay polite, cool, and keep your wits about you and you will enjoy Saigon, although the traffic is something else - much worse than Bangkok, similar to Jakarta.
Rollicking town - very vibrant nightlife. Locals friendly, but with surprisingly aggressive capitalist instincts for a communist country.
No shame in pitching the opening price of anything at double what it would cost the Vietnamese.
Not receommend for the old people or tourist with small children, the walkway along the shop have uneven surface, hardly to push the wheelchair or pushchair.
Very busy city with huge population. Several shopping areas. Communication is a challenge as most locals speak little English.