Nationalism surged, and in August of that year Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence, sparking a general uprising. By the end of 1946, the Viet Minh were at war with France. Breakfast on the pavement in the streets of Saigon. Photo by: Vinh Dao Days begin early in Vietnam. The sun isn't up yet, but already the alley is buzzing. Kristin - now known by her maiden name, Brockschmidt, after she and Thomas divorced - says the size of their family was created as much by "blind luck" as any firm philosophy or plan. "It's a Anh holds an MA in Political Science and Economics from Philipps University of Marburg, Germany and a postgraduate degree in International Project and Event Management from Vienna University of Business & Economics (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien), Austria. He has been appointed Honorary Consul of Mexico in Ho Chi Minh City since December 2017. Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City Speak with a travel designer to create your custom itinerary now! 1300 363 055 REQUEST A QUOTE View the Terms & Conditions Other Tours You Might Like from $819* Dalat & Nha Trang - Hills & Beaches 5 Days / 4 Nights Explore spectacular islands, beaches, and gorgeous countryside in Vietnam. from $2859* Only the nicest apartments are listed here at good price value for expats and tenants looking to rent in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.\r\n. Hotline: +84 911 50 2121 Whatsapp/Viber: +84 911 50 2121; Home; (1 Year) Better Rates; Short Term Rent Top 50 Rental Places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. D1. Vinhomes Golden River; The One Saigon; New HO CHI MINH CITY (NYTimes via The Straits Times/ANN): Miss Thu Trang travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in 2019, ecstatic to get a job at a factory. She worked eight-hour shifts and was guaranteed overtime pay, and the wages were nearly triple what she had made as a farmer back home. Must-try dishes include pad thai, khao niao mamuang and tom yum goong. As for third place, the accolade went to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam which also won points thanks to its cheap dishes with an Led by a Communist named Ho Chi Minh, the revolutionists fought against the Japanese, and when they were gone held a spectacular celebration in Hanoi in late 1945, with a million people in the streets, and issued a Declaration of Independence. from the end of last year, to the beginning of this year . . . more than two million of our fellow Dịch Vụ Hỗ Trợ Vay Tiền Nhanh 1s. “People don’t realise what they’ve lost,” says Candy Nguyen as she peers through the locked gates of what was until recently the historic Ba Son shipyard. “Many don’t even know what was here before.”Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and most important maritime heritage site is hidden from the street by high blue hoardings peppered with slogans such as “Never still” and “Redefine the skylines”.It is currently the largest development project in the city’s central District 1 neighbourhood, with a cluster of partly constructed 50-storey apartment blocks jutting above the fence. Volunteers for the Saigon Heritage Observatory, such as Nguyen, have not been allowed in since building work began. All believe the shipyard – founded in the 18th century by Gia Long, who would go on to become emperor – and its unique industrial architecture have been completely for what will replace it show rows of upmarket townhouses between the tall glass and steel towers, as well as a yachting marina on the Saigon River luxury living for the few.“It used to be so beautiful,” says Nguyen as we walk the Ba Son perimeter, a constant stream of scooters flowing around us. “I cried when I first heard we had lost the trees. My mother used to take me this way to school and the trees used to give shade and oxygen. People used to collect tamarind and sell it … until last year when they cut the trees down.”Q&AWhere are the next 15 megacities?ShowBy 2035 another 15 cities will have populations above 10 million, according to the latest United Nations projections, taking the total number of megacities to Cities is exploring these newcomers at a crucial period in their development from car-centric Tehran to the harsh inequalities of Luanda; from the film industry of Hyderabad to the demolition of historic buildings in Ho Chi Minh also be in Chengdu, Dar es Salaam, Nanjing, Ahmedabad, Surat, Baghdad, Kuala Lumpur, Xi'an, Seoul, Wuhan and more from the next 15 megacities series Van MeadHo Chi Minh City known as Saigon until reunification in 1976 has long had a reputation for being international and cosmopolitan – particularly compared with the one-party state’s political capital, Hanoi, in the north. As the economic capital of communist Vietnam it has always been the place to make money, but with a population of million – set to rise above 10 million by 2026, according to the latest UN estimates – the pace of change in this dynamic city has accelerated. Gone, gone, gone, going …? Clockwise from top left the Charner store, the art deco 213 Dong Khoi apartments, the navy exchange and a colonial-era government building. Photographs Historic Vietnam/Tom Hricko Heritage experts say virtually no historic buildings are safe from the wrecking ball. Ba Son is being transformed into Golden River, an upmarket development marketed as a “city within a city”. It is a project from Vinhomes – part of the huge and ubiquitous Vingroup conglomerate, which has fingers in everything from real estate to retail and hospitality to health care. The chairman, Pham Nhat Vuong, who founded the company as an instant noodle producer in Ukraine in the 1990s, was Vietnam’s first billionaire. He remains its richest the villas, golden fences and palms of one nearly completed section of Golden River, a billboard promises a new branch of Vinschool and signs announce Vinmart convenience stores. All that is left of the former shipyard is a pair of barnacled anchors, a cannon and some planks of aged timber – now decorating the upmarket Myst hotel. “Ba Son had a rich history but they have destroyed all of it,” says Nguyen. “We are losing the character of the city.”A mile to the north-east lies another Vingroup development, Central Park, with the Landmark 81 skyscraper at its heart, surrounded by 17 apartment towers. This so-called supertall became the highest building in Vietnam, and 14th highest in the world, when it completed last year. The Central Park development, with the Landmark 81 skyscraper at its centre. Photograph JethuynhCan/Getty Images Shoppers entering the Vincom Center mall at its base are greeted by a blast of air-con and a glitzy showroom featuring a bright yellow Lamborghini Huracán supercar and three different models of Bentley. There is a Vinmec hospital, a Vinpro electronics store and a Vinsmart phone dealer. Vinmarts are located in the base of every Central Park was largely built on reclaimed land and vacant lots, anything built in the centre is likely to lead to the demolition of a historic official public records are kept, but it is estimated that more than a third of the city’s historic buildings have been destroyed over the past 20 1993 the Centre for Prospective and Urban Studies, a Franco-Vietnamese urban research agency, classified 377 buildings in the central districts 1 and 3 as heritage sites. By 2014, 207 of those had been demolished or altered beyond recognition. “For the past four years it has been continuing for sure,” says one urban planner involved in the original inventory, who did not want to be People’s Committee, which runs the city, is currently dividing around 1,000 historic buildings into three classifications class 1, which is protected; class 2, where the owner can build on the lot but cannot destroy the old building; and class 3, which can be demolished.“It is sad, but the owners of class 3 are seen as the winners,” says the planner. “Generally they are after immediate profit and people want modernity, cleanliness, air-conditioning … they’re not interested in preserving old tiles. They see that the owner next door demolished to build a 32-storey office with restaurant and luxury flats and they think, why can’t I?” Before and after Another historic building bites the dust left and the park and building destroyed to make way for the Vincom Center right. Photographs Historic Vietnam A stroll down the elegant Dong Khoi street illustrates the scale of change. The art deco and modernist buildings of the early 20th century fell into decline during the Vietnam war, but the area has undergone a revival of late with stores by Gucci, Dior and Louis however, is never far away. The once-prestigious art deco apartment building at 213 Dong Khoi mentioned in Graham Greene’s The Quiet American was demolished for a new government office. One block west, the 1924 Charner department store latterly the Tax Trade Centre was knocked down to make way for the city’s long-delayed metro. Assurances were given that its grand Moroccan-style staircase and intricate tiles were to be removed and preserved, but heritage groups believe them to have been door to the 19th-century Hotel Continental, where Greene used to drink and write, the six-storey Eden Building used as a media centre during the Vietnam war featured the distinctive curved corner style particular to modernist buildings along Dong Khoi, and housed a colonial-era cinema and arcade – until it was demolished in 2009 for a Vincom shopping mall. Only one art deco apartment block survives on Dong Khoi, currently inhabited by a warren of small retailers and workshops, its shaky old elevator caked in dust. It, too, is slated for city’s modernist heritage may be next, says the architectural historian Mel Schenck. The skyline from an apartment in the Golden River complex. What remains of the historic Ba Son shipyard can be seen at the bottom right of the image. Photograph Tan Le/Getty Schenck estimates that 70-80% of the city is built in modernist style, much of it by noted Vietnamese architects such as Ngo Viet Thu, who designed the Independence Palace. If you pick a classic “shophouse” street at random and look up, the majority of the top floors are modernist. “There is so much of it that it’s become ordinary and people don’t even think about it,” he says. “When I see awnings and junk around a house, that’s good, because that means the building is being well used and isn’t in as much danger of being demolished. If the house is cleaned up, it’s not a good sign.”Even being designed by Ngo Viet Thu himself is no protection. A villa of his in District 3 is currently vacant apart from a live-in caretaker. “It’s on a hot street,” says Schenck. “There’s lots of land. It’s going to go.”Ngo Viet Thu’s son, Ngo Viet Nam Son, is also an architect, and lives and works between Ho Chi Minh City, the US and Canada. He believes his hometown must learn from the mistakes made by other fast-growing Asian cities before it is too late.“We’re not the only city to experience this growth, and we should learn from these experiences,” he says. “But this city hasn’t taken that lesson yet. In Ba Son, they could have made a very nice area, a cultural and green space for the city – something like Pier 59 in New York, or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco – but instead they destroyed it.“Developers don’t realise that when they destroy historic buildings they are losing a potential economic gain, and if you consider tourism, then people want to see the old city to get a sense of place. Preservation can contribute to economic value.” Critics say the historic centre is increasingly filled with generic architecture which could be anywhere in Asia. Photographs laranik/Alamy/Rwp Uk/Getty/Ngoc Nguyen Quang/Getty/EyeEm He looks to Shanghai, which shares similar geography – a historic centre facing what was mostly vacant land across the river – and political conditions. There, the historic centre is largely protected, with the Pudong marshland east of the river has been developed as the financial district.“We should preserve District 1 as our old downtown – some new building, but the priority should be to preserve,” he says. “Then Thu Thiem in District 2 over the river can be the international financial district.”Instead, Ho Chi Minh City has two separate masterplans, with the one for the historic west foreseeing a wall of skyscrapers marching down the river. The new developments are often built on raised land to protect them from flooding, while ironically blocking rainwater from flowing freely into the river and so causing more floods also do not provide much in the way of public space. A new green space in the Central Park development, also built on land reclaimed from the river, is watched over by security guards who ask if users are residents. There is a ban on unaccompanied children under 12 and pets, and signs warn people to safeguard “etiquette, order, safety and aesthetics”.Amid all the concrete and glass, there appears to be a belated appreciation of heritage among the city’s younger people. “Vintage” cafes are popular, even if they are often located inside modern air-conditioned buildings, as are vintage dresses and fashions.“Heritage is trendy now, but I worry it is just a bubble,” says Nguyen. “It may be popular for a year but then I don’t know who will be with us after that.“Ultimately I am optimistic that more people will learn and become interested and get involved – but I do feel frustrated that sometimes people just don’t care.”Follow Guardian Cities on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to join the discussion, and explore our archive here The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is during dry season from December to March when weather is the most pleasant. Unsurprisingly, these months are also the busiest time to travel in Ho Chi Minh City. Expect heavy rainfall during monsoon season from May to October. Unlike in Hanoi, you’ll never be chilly when visiting Ho Chi Minh City unless air conditioning is to blame. The tropical temperatures rarely drop below the mid 70s F. Instead, they are most often hovering between 80 and 90 degrees F. The Tet Festival in Vietnam Tet, the Lunar New Year celebration in January or February, is by far the busiest time to be in Ho Chi Minh City—or anywhere in Vietnam. Don’t get caught by surprise! The Tet celebration usually coincides with the dates for Chinese New Year and causes accommodation prices to skyrocket. Flights and ground transportation book up quickly as Vietnamese people move about the country; the number of Chinese tourists surges. Although enjoying the “usual” things to do in Ho Chi Minh City may be more challenging, the Tet festival is Vietnam’s most exciting. With some patience and planning, you can enjoy the cultural shows, fireworks, and lion dances. Typhoon Season in Vietnam Vietnam’s location makes it susceptible to destructive weather events such as typhoons and tropical cyclones. Typhoon season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. The biggest weather events most often occur between September and November. Large storms can disrupt flights and trigger flooding that halts ground transportation between Ho Chi Minh City and northern destinations. Keep a flexible itinerary when traveling in the fall months. Weather in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City really only experiences two seasons wet and dry. Along with much of Asia, the weather in Ho Chi Minh City is influenced by the southwest monsoon May to September and the northeast monsoon November to March. The annual northeast monsoon causes dry season to run from around November to April each year. Monsoon season begins with increasing rainfall in May that lasts until October. Of course, only Mother Nature knows when the annual monsoon rains will arrive; they can be earlier or later than anticipated on any given year. Based on weather averages for Ho Chi Minh City The driest month is rainiest month is hottest month is coolest months are December and January. January January is one of the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City, but it’s also one of the busiest. Travelers who finished Christmas holidays elsewhere come to enjoy the pleasant weather. The nightly lows around 70 degrees F feel refreshing after the daily highs near 90 degrees F. Events to check out Tet, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year festival, sometimes occurs in January—be ready! Although Tet traditions go on longer, the first week of the festival is the loudest and most exciting. February February is arguably the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Humidity and rainfall are at their lowest levels for the year, while temperatures haven’t yet reached their hottest. The average high temperature in February is 91 degrees F, but humidity hovers around 70 percent—relatively low for Ho Chi Minh City. Events to check out Depending on the Vietnamese lunisolar calendar, Tet is often observed in February. March Although March certainly is hot average high temperatures are in the mid 90s F, only occasional afternoon showers pop up here and there. By the time March is over, people are ready for some rain in April to freshen up the dusty, polluted air. April April is a “shoulder” month at the end of dry season when fewer visitors are competing for hotel rooms. If you can deal with the hottest temperatures of the year highs can reach 100 degrees F and sporadic rain showers, you’ll have more room when walking along Pham Ngu Lao. Events to check out Although tourists will hardly notice, Book Day is celebrated on April 21. Bookstores hold special events, contests, and displays in parks. Check out Duong Nguyen Van Binh, “Book Street,” during this time. Reunification Day on April 30 is celebrated as the day that North and South Vietnam were reunited in 1975 following the fall of Saigon. Public performances, flag waving, and parades take place throughout Vietnam. May As the shoulder month of April winds down, monsoon season becomes “serious” in May. More than half the days in May are typically rainy; although, you’ll still see plenty of sunshine. Temperatures dip slightly, but humidity raises significantly as wet streets sizzle in afternoon heat. Events to check out Immediately following Reunification Day, Vietnam celebrates May 1 as International Labor Day with fireworks and demonstrations. The consecutive holidays prompt many locals to travel domestically and enjoy time away from work. Prices for hotels and flights increase. June The rain in June is intense, and some flooding is common. High temperatures stay stubbornly around 90 degrees F while humidity keeps building. With the heavy rain and standing water, the mosquito population booms. Protect yourself, especially when going out in the evenings. Events to check out The Southern Fruit Festival usually begins in June to celebrate, you guessed it, fruit! Check out Suoi Tien Park in District 9 for colorful displays and plenty of juicy samples. July Rain remains heavy in July; around 23 days will have precipitation. Torrential downpours pop up quickly—even when the sun is shining! Be prepared with a way to waterproof your valuables if caught away from the hotel. August August averages 11 inches of rain spread over 22 days. Daily temperatures range from 76 – 89 degrees F. Rainy season doesn’t mean that life comes to a standstill. There are still many hours of sunshine, and you can duck inside some of Ho Chi Minh City’s many museums and monuments when the rain returns. Events to check out The Hungry Ghosts Festival Tết Trung Nguyên is a tradition observed in late August or early September. Temples and street shrines stay busy with patrons burning joss incense and fake money to appease the spirits. September Ho Chi Minh City is especially prone to flooding because of its location at the confluence of the Saigon and Dong Nai rivers. With an average of 23 rainy days, September is frequently the wettest month. Heavy rain causes the mighty rivers to escape their banks. Events to check out National Day on September 2 is a public holiday in Vietnam. Some businesses may be closed, and you’ll see celebrations in public parks. October October is frequently the worst month for typhoons in Vietnam. Pay attention to severe weather systems in the region, and know what to do if a typhoon is approaching. Even when these massive storms don’t make landfall in Vietnam, their tentacles lash out with heavy rain that can disrupt itineraries. Events to check out Vietnam celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncake Festival every September or October. Be on the lookout for the dense-but-delicious mooncakes for sale. The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month per the lunar calendar. November More than half the days in November are dry as monsoon season slowly gives way to increasing sunshine. November is considered a shoulder month between seasons. With some luck, you can enjoy ample sunshine and hotel upgrades before tourist arrivals surge in December! December The occasional rain showers in December don’t last long. With a mean temperature of around 79 degrees F, December is exceptionally pleasant and marks the start of dry season. Ho Chi Minh City is the best place to spend Christmas in Vietnam, both for meteorological and cultural reasons. Events to check out Quite a few of the Western expats living in Ho Chi Minh City observe Christmas. Shopping malls and some restaurants give a secular nod to Christmas with decorations, music, and New Year’s Eve on December 31 is celebrated with a surprising amount of noise and gusto. Enjoy the parties, nightlife, and city fireworks at midnight. Hotel bars and rooftop bars hold special events that night. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City? The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is during the dry season from December to March. Temperatures are relatively mild and the frequent rainstorms of the monsoon season haven't arrived yet. What is the monsoon season in Ho Chi Minh City? The monsoon season lasts from about May to November. During these months, frequent downpours are common and can even cause flooding. What is the peak season to visit Ho Chi Minh City? Most travelers visit in the dry season of December to March. Tet, which is the Lunar New Year in Vietnam and falls in late January or early February, is one of the busiest times for travel across the country. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. We are deeply troubled by the detention of prominent environmental human rights defender Hoang Thi Minh Hong in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, on Wednesday this week. According to credible sources, Hoang and several colleagues were detained for questioning by the Police Division for Economic Crimes on Wednesday. While others were subsequently released and asked to return to the police station for further questioning, she was presented with a temporary detention order with charges of tax evasion. Hoang is the fifth prominent environmental human rights defenders arrested in Viet Nam for alleged tax evasion in the last two years. Dang Dinh Bach, arrested last year on the same charge, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence. Following the arrests of other human rights defenders, Hoang had closed her environmental organization, CHANGE VN, saying that she feared she would also be prosecuted. The chilling effect of such cases brought under tax laws is palpable among civil society in Viet Nam, and risks stifling debate on issues of importance to society as a whole. Arrests of environmental human rights defenders are taking place amid Viet Nam’s stated commitments to a just and sustainable energy transition. To achieve this goal, human rights defenders and environmental organizations must be able to participate freely and actively in shaping climate and environmental policies and decision-making. We are also deeply concerned about the broader trend of arrests, arbitrary detention, and disproportionate sentencing of journalists, bloggers, Facebook users, social activists, land rights defenders, human rights defenders and leaders of civil society organizations. We have reports that at least 20 such individuals have been arrested so far this year, although the real figure may be higher. Over the past few years, UN human rights mechanisms have addressed the application of restrictive legislation, including vague anti-State propaganda charges against human rights defenders or victims, including those who engage with the UN. There are also serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary, the right to fair trial, standards of treatment in detention, and the severity of sentences imposed on those prosecuted for exercising their fundamental rights, in particular the freedom of expression. We call on the Government of Viet Nam to review relevant laws to ensure their full compliance with international human rights standards. We also urge the authorities to promptly release all those arbitrarily detained, and to ensure that environmental advocates and other human rights defenders are protected and can participate meaningfully in decision-making, without being subjected to intimidation or legal harassment. This is a call that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has particularly emphasized to all States, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year. Nick and I have had “Live Abroad as an Expat” on our bucket list for several years now. We’ve dreamed about being immersed in another culture – learning the language, eating the food, and making local friends. We originally thought we’d move to Bangkok but after our trip to Vietnam in 2018, we quickly changed our minds. During this trip, we fell in love with the quaint neighborhoods of Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon. The winding alleyways take you past Vietnamese families with their doors wide open and welcoming. We found the cuisine to be spectacular and endless. And we found the locals to be warm, friendly, and always happy to meet new foreigners Even after visiting many of Vietnam’s most popular destinations, Saigon was our favorite. And so we settled here in September of 2019. We signed a lease on an apartment and even gave birth to a healthy baby boy in Saigon. As much as we love living in Vietnam, at times it’s been a struggle to figure out the ins and outs of being an ex-pat in Saigon. We thought it would be helpful to pass along everything we’ve learned over the last 9 months living in Saigon. We hope this helps you to settle into your own ex-pat life in Vietnam! Disclaimer This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you. Neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 24 districts. It’s a massive metropolis that encompasses almost 800 square miles and has a population of over 10 million! Luckily, most of the city’s main attractions and best neighborhoods are concentrated in a handful of centrally located districts District 1 The District 1 D1 is the downtown area – it’s where many of Ho Chi Minh City’s major tourist attractions are located, including Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace, Historic Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Bitexco Financial Tower. District 1 is home to most foreign consulates and corporate headquarters for foreign companies. If you plan on working in finance, real estate, or for a foreign business, there is a high likelihood that your office will be in this district. If you’re just visiting, this is also where you’ll find Saigon’s best hotels. There are also loads of amazing restaurants, lively bars, and great shops. Plus, D1 has several malls with popular Western shops like H&M, Zara, and Pull & Bear but you can also expect Western prices. Da Kao is a hip neighborhood in District 1 with popular eating and dining establishments. Te Te Taphouse and The Vintage Emporium are a few that keep us coming back to Da Kao. If you choose to live in Da Kao, you’ll be right near the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden so you’ll have access to green space for walking or just enjoying the outdoors. District 2 District 2 specifically the Thao Dien neighborhood is where most ex-pats living in Saigon tend to end up, especially families. Thao Dien has some great international schools. It also has a ton of restaurants, cute cafes, boutique shops, bars, and nightclubs. There are also lots of high-rise apartment buildings. You can rent an expensive spot complete with a gym and rooftop pool. For us, D2 feels a bit insulated from the rest of Ho Chi Minh City due to the high volume of foreigners living there. District 3 District 3 D3 is northwest of District 1 and is another popular place to live in Ho Chi Minh due to its proximity to Downtown. One of the things that made us fall in love with Saigon and ultimately decide to move here was one of the cute little areas in D3. It encompasses the alleyway leading to Acoustic Bar and the surrounding neighborhood. Here you’ll find fun bars and restaurants filled with young, hip Vietnamese locals! District 4 District 4 D4 is the area where we chose to live in Vietnam. In the past, it was one of the poorest areas of Ho Chi Minh City. It was run by a crime boss – Nam Cam, the “Godfather of Saigon”. The neighborhood was full of brothels and people gambled illegally behind closed doors. If you parked your motorbike wrong in D4 you could get yourself stabbed. But thankfully he was arrested so the area is now an up-and-coming place for ex-pats, tourists, and locals alike. There are several large apartment buildings in District 4 where you can get a long-term, furnished rental, or just an Airbnb. The buildings are the Saigon Royal, the Tresor, the Icon, the Millenium, and Rivergate Residences. All of these are newer buildings with a gym and a pool. And since D4 is just across the canal from District 1, it’s easy to walk Downtown to eat or to shop. We love that the area isn’t overrun by ex-pats or drug lords. District 7 District 7 D7 is another popular area for ex-pats to live. The area around Crescent Park seems to be far less chaotic than the rest of Vietnam. Motorbikes aren’t as prevalent and actually stop pedestrians from crossing the street. And ex-pats love the access to green space as well as the conveniently located Crescent Mall and French Vietnamese hospital. District 10 District 10 D10 is popular with some foreigners, especially those that teach English. It also offers many of the same amenities as District 3 but with much cheaper rent. Plus, it’s very local so you’ll immerse yourself in the Vietnamese way of life. Binh Thanh Binh Thanh is an area not included in the 24 districts. It sits right in between District 1 and District 2 so you’ll have easy access to both. Binh Thanh is home to Landmark 81 the tallest building in Southeast Asia. There are lots of apartment buildings clustered nearby. We have friends that live in City Garden. It is a lovely building with lots of green space, a beautiful pool, and cute shops and cafes in the common areas. The other districts aren’t nearly as popular for ex-pats to live in Vietnam. And they certainly aren’t popular places to stay if you’re just visiting. Vietnam Visas for Expats Vietnam has a variety of visa options for foreigners but every visitor must apply in advance – even the visa-on-arrival requires a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agency. Most tourists on vacation opt for the single entry 30-day e-visa but there are also options for longer-term multiple-entry tourist visas. Americans even have the option of a one-year, multiple-entry visa which is what we chose. Unfortunately, each entry stamp is only good for 90 days so we still have to leave Vietnam every 3 months to get stamped out and stamped back in. Luckily several tourist agencies can assist in obtaining your initial visa, as well as extending the visa or making border runs. We outlined the process for obtaining your initial tourist visa in our article on Vietnam travel tips. And for visa renewal assistance, we recommend Jane Snvi or Viet Dream Travel. Most ex-pats living in Vietnam get a work permit through their employer. That’s the easiest way to have a hassle-free stay in Vietnam because you don’t have to worry about exiting the country every few months. There’s also an under-the-table way to get a work permit where a company “sponsors” you but you don’t actually work there. It will cost you anywhere from $300 – $1,000 USD depending on what service you utilize. It’s unlikely that this method is totally legal but it appears to work for people who take that route. Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh The cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City can vary wildly depending on your budget and preference. You can find simple apartments as inexpensive as $300 USD per month, or you can live in the lap of luxury for $1,000. If you’re looking for a nice apartment with some amenities, you’ll probably want to set a budget of $600 – 800 USD per month for rent. We chose to live in a furnished apartment on the 32nd floor of a new-ish building that has a gym and a pool. Our monthly rent is $900 USD and we are responsible for paying for water which is usually only $5-7/month and electricity which is quite expensive – usually $80-160/month. The cost of food varies widely in Ho Chi Minh City as well. You can find Vietnamese classics like banh mi or a bowl of pho for $1-2 USD. Or you can go to fancy Western-style brunch spots and spend $10 on an eggs benedict. We generally try to do both – we eat at local Vietnamese restaurants often although many don’t have air conditioning which can make eating a hot bowl of soup unpleasant and splurge on fancier restaurants every now and again. Transportation costs in Ho Chi Minh City are also quite low. Grab is like the Uber of SE Asia but at a fraction of the price. If you opt for a Grab Bike where you ride on the back of a motorbike, with a helmet of course you’re unlikely to spend more than a dollar or two to get anywhere in the city. But unfortunately, public transportation in HCMC is not widely available currently. How to Find an Apartment in Ho Chi Minh Finding an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City is actually much easier than you might imagine. There are quite a few Facebook groups dedicated to finding apartments and real estate in Saigon. All you need to do is post in each of these groups stating your desired living space for example “2-bedroom furnished apartment with pool and gym in District 2“ and your monthly budget. You’ll almost certainly be bombarded by rental agents offering to show you dozens of apartments. The rental agents will typically send you photos of each apartment with a few details regarding the building amenities and associated costs. Just choose the apartment listings you are interested in and set up a time to see them in person. Most of the rental agents speak English so they can answer any questions you may have along the way. And you don’t have to stick to just one rental agent – you can meet with as many as you’d like. Once you choose an apartment, they will help you negotiate the rental terms with the apartment owner and draw up the contract. Monthly rent is often negotiable in Vietnam so be sure to ask for a discount before agreeing to a price. And you’ll likely be expected to pay the first and last month’s rent plus a deposit. Of course, the rental agency receives a commission from the landlord for helping them rent the property, but it’s nice to have a 3rd party drawing up the contract. We have heard horror stories of shady business dealings with landlords in Vietnam. As such, we liked having a real estate agent to act as a buffer. If you prefer you can reach out to our rental agent directly – Andee Nguyen – or post on one of the Facebook groups listed below Housing/Apartments for Rent in Saigon Apartment for Rent in Ho Chi Minh City Apartment for Rent Saigon Real Estate Forum for Expats NOTE Landlords in Vietnam are required to register any new tenants with the local police. They’ll need to take your passport to the police station and pay a small fee. You may need proof of this registration in the future so make sure that it gets done correctly! Furnishing Your Apartment When we first moved to Ho Chi Minh City, we had a hell of a time figuring out where to buy odds and ends for our apartment. We wanted to invest in some quality towels and linens to make our stay more comfortable, as well as some kitchen accouterments like a toaster, plates, and a cutting board. Unfortunately, Amazon does not deliver to Vietnam and Ikea is not here yet. We checked the various Facebook groups for recommendations and were sent to JYSK for home goods, Minh Ha Bedding for linens, Linh’s Furniture for decor, and MM Mega Market for everything else. Other than Mega Market, all of those options are outrageously expensive, even by US standards. So unless you’re planning on investing in items that you’ll keep for a long time, they simply aren’t great options. We ended up buying our towels at Minigood, our comforter and cover at MM Mega Market, our dishes at VinMart and Ben Thanh Market, our baby stuff at Shop Em Be, and everything else on Lazada. Lazada Shopping online in Vietnam Lazada is Vietnam’s frustrating and bizarre online shopping platform. The shipping dates are poorly estimated and the photos are often not at all accurate. Because Lazada does not provide a specific delivery time and date, you’ll just get a call out of the blue from the delivery driver asking you to come downstairs and pick up your package. If you’re not at home and you don’t have a front desk willing to accept your packages, you’re just out of luck. Sometimes they will agree to re-deliver the next day, other times they just cancel the order and send the item back. The good thing is that Lazada allows you to pay for your items “cash on arrival” so if you’re not available to pick up your package and it just gets canceled there is no cost to you! How to Find a Job in Ho Chi Minh Many ex-pats that move to Ho Chi Minh City end up teaching English. So many people that we’ve met have either moved here specifically to teach English in Vietnam or have simply ended up teaching English after not having any luck with finding other job opportunities. You’ll have more luck getting a job teaching English in HCMC if you have completed your TEFL certification. Other ex-pats have had success in opening restaurants or coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City. We rarely encounter foreigners working as servers at restaurants or as sales associates at stores. My assumption is that because the average wages are quite low in Vietnam 100,000 VND/hour or approximately $4 USD, it just doesn’t pay well enough to justify living here. English teaching jobs pay substantially better which makes them much more attractive. Foreigners are often in demand for modeling jobs in HCMC so if you don’t mind relying on infrequent gigs, check out the Saigon Casting Foreigner Facebook group page for opportunities. And Jobs in Saigon for Foreigners is another Facebook group that could help with your search. Other resources for finding a job in Ho Chi Minh City include Vietnam Teaching Jobs CareerJet Vietnam Works CareerBuilder Indeed Opportunities at the US Consulate Internet and Cell Service Cell service and data plans are incredibly accessible and affordable in Vietnam. All you need is an unlocked cell phone. You can easily buy a SIM card at the airport when you arrive, or at several establishments around HCMC. Then you load a monthly plan on your phone for 300,000 VND ~$13 USD for 2GB of high-speed data per day for 30 days. There are 3 major mobile carriers in Vietnam – Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobiFone. We recommend Viettel because they have the best coverage. For more info, we wrote a detailed post about Vietnamese SIM cards! How to Open a Bank Account in Vietnam We’re more comfortable continuing our banking in the US. The only problem is that ATMs in HCMC rarely dispense more than 2,000,000 VND at a time, which is just about $80 USD. So paying our $900 rent each month takes lots of ATM transactions thankfully we have the Charles Schwab debit card that refunds all of our international and domestic ATM fees. If you do choose to open up a bank account in Saigon, we’ve heard that Timo is the best choice for foreigners. The documentation to open a Timo account is as follows a valid passport and one of the following valid documents issued for at least 12 months a Vietnam visa or temporary resident card or permanent resident card. Apply for a Charles Schwab Debit Card Safety in HCMC Overall Ho Chi Minh City is an incredibly safe city and we’ve never felt remotely unsafe during our time here. The only crime that we ever hear about is petty theft through purses and cell phones getting swiped by motorbike drivers. We’d advise against having your phone out while riding on the back of a motorbike, no matter how tempting it is to take a video. Wear a crossbody bag and keep it in front of you. Also, leave large amounts of cash and your passport at home. Late at night, you’re better off catching a Grab home rather than walking, just in case. Vietnamese Laws to be Aware of The Vietnamese law that will likely affect ex-pats the most is the compulsory helmet law. All drivers and passengers over the age of 6 must wear a helmet on a motorbike. Why kids are exempt from the law is beyond us. Theoretically, foreigners are also required to have a Vietnamese driver’s license or an international driver’s permit. Although, if your country is not a signatory to the 1968 convention on road traffic, your permit will not apply for example, the USA, UK, and Canada are all countries whose international driver permits are not accepted in Vietnam. A few other laws that might apply to you as an ex-pat include Foreigners are required to register with the local police once they move into a residence in Vietnam. Generally, your landlord or real estate agent will do this on your behalf. It is illegal for foreigners to work on a tourist visa and must obtain a work permit. This is usually handled by the company that hires you. Gambling is illegal unless it takes place in a government-licensed casino Possession of pornography is illegal Possession of drugs is illegal and comes with a hefty sentence Online Resources for Expats We have found Facebook groups to be an absolute lifesaver in Ho Chi Minh City! They can provide a wealth of information regarding where to buy specific items or what new restaurants to try. They can help you find friends, find a job, or help you to furnish a new apartment. Here are a few of the groups that we’ve found helpful during our time at HCMC Fexpats – specifically for female ex-pats Foodies in Saigon – endless food recommendations both Vietnamese and international cuisine Vegetarians and Vegans in Saigon – pretty self-explanatory Vietnam Creative Circle – for creatives living in Vietnam Empty Your Closet HCMC – for buying and selling clothing and accessories HCMC Buy Sell Swap – for buying and selling any and all preloved items Buy and Sell Cheap Things in Saigon – for buying and selling secondhand goods Expats in HCMC – this is for anything and everything under the sun and tends to attract some negative Nellies Saigon International Families – for parenting discussions and to buy and sell kid stuff Saigon Casting Foreigner – for ex-pat modeling and acting gigs Vietnam Legal Group – for any questions related to Vietnam law Health Services in HCMC Hospitals and Medical Clinics Vietnam has excellent hospitals, dentists, medical clinics, and plastic surgeons. You’ll find that the services offered are on par with those you can get in the US or Europe. However, the price is significantly lower, even without insurance. As I mentioned earlier, we actually had a baby in Saigon. We went to FV Hospital French Vietnamese Hospital for all of our prenatal appointments and the delivery of our baby boy. He was 4 weeks early and delivered via c-section so he spent a few days in the NICU and we spent a total of 5 days in the hospital. The total cost for his birth was about $3,300 even without us having health insurance. We felt very well taken care of and were quite pleased with the care we received. If you choose to live in District 2, you’ll probably want to choose Hanh Phuc as your hospital of choice as they have a conveniently located medical center. American International Hospital AIH is another popular choice for ex-pats. We’ve chosen to see Dr. Orly at Raffles Medical Clinic for our baby’s pediatric care as we’ve found her to be an excellent communicator who takes her time to answer any and all of our questions. A Note on Insurance Since giving birth to Humphrey, we decided to be responsible parents and now carry travel medical insurance through SafetyWing. It was perfect for us because, unlike many other travel insurance options, you can sign up for SafetyWing even if you have already started your trip. You also don’t have to pre-determine an end date for your time abroad – you just pay the premium every month while you’re on the road and your travel medical insurance policy extends for another 30 days. An additional reason we chose SafetyWing is that coverage is included for one child under 10 years old for each adult on the policy. So we get insurance for Humphrey at no additional cost! SafetyWing provides coverage in 180 countries around the world including Vietnam. It definitely gives us more peace of mind while living in Saigon with little baby Humphrey! Dentists There are dentists of varying price points all over Ho Chi Minh City but the one that we trust above the rest is Westcoast International Dental Clinic. It’s incredibly clean and the dentists are friendly and knowledgable. Most everyone on staff speaks English which is a huge plus in terms of understanding your care assuming you aren’t yet fluent in Vietnamese. Plus, they have multiple convenient locations in District 1 and District 2. Skin Care If you have sensitive skin as I do, you’ll want to be careful when using the laundry services in Ho Chi Minh City. Most laundry ladies in the city wash clothes with OMO soap which is inexpensive but not the best for sensitive skin. After breaking out in a horrible rash, I had to go on the hunt for a dermatologist. Grace Skincare Clinic is popular for ex-pats who are experiencing unexplained rashes, or those who are just looking to rejuvenate their skin. There are a variety of packages to help you feel and look your best and the clinic is conveniently located near Bui Vien Street in District 1. If you’re looking for cosmetic procedures like botox or tattoo removal, Sian Skincare Laser Clinic is a great choice. You’ll pay a bit more here, but it will still be less than what you’d pay in the US and you can trust them with your skin. Beauty Services in Ho Chi Minh City Hair Salons Finding a hair salon that specialized in blonde highlights was a priority for me when I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. And I found two that I have trusted with my finicky hair and they have done a great job – Concept Coiffure and Ace London Hair. Concept Coiffure in District 2 is a salon that caters almost exclusively to foreigners. In fact, I’ve only ever seen ex-pats getting their hair done here. The prices here are much higher than you’d expect for Vietnam, but still slightly lower than you’d pay for the same service in the US. I especially love that they utilize multiple stylists for coloring and blow-drying, and the luxuriously long hair wash with a head massage. Ace London Hair in District 1 has been my most recent go-to as it is closer to my apartment and also slightly cheaper than Concept Coiffure depending n the stylist that you choose. Their service is reasonably priced, efficient, and professional. Even if you choose one of the less-expensive stylists, you can trust that you’ll leave feeling beautiful! Nail Salons The price that you’ll pay to get your nails done in Ho Chi Minh City can also vary wildly. But after trying several places with questionable hygiene practices, and getting our cuticles sliced to the point of bleeding, we’ve found our favorite spot. The Nail Garden has a cute interior with comfy chairs and super friendly nail technicians. The prices are a bit on the higher side but it’s worth it for the quality of their products and care. Plus, the price includes the tip! Massage Therapists The cost of a massage in Ho Chi Minh City is higher than those in Thailand, but still significantly lower than you’ll pay in the states. And as with the other services listed here, you can find incredibly cheap massages or you can pay significantly more by going to a fancy spa. If you’re looking for a cheap, no-frills massage where they’ll really dig into your back and butt, then check out Quynh Nhu 137. You can get a massage in a large room around others we had a funny experience next to a loud snorer once or pay a bit more for a private room. Keep in mind that you should tip 50-100% of the price of your massage here because the employees make very little. For more of a high-end experience, check out Moc Huong Spa. They have multiple locations around Ho Chi Minh City although the one in District 2 is the fanciest. When I was pregnant I scheduled weekly 90-minute pregnancy massages and it was absolute heaven! I tipped my masseuse 120k VND ~$5 USD every time. Now that I have a baby at home, I absolutely love Yok Home Massage! It’s super easy to book an appointment through their Facebook page and they’ll come to your house or apartment and massage you right on your bed. They bring relaxing music and oil, you just need to supply two towels. The prices are really inexpensive so I always tip well. Be sure to request Lieu! And finally, if you want to enjoy a relaxing foot massage, check out Saigon Heritage Spa. They have skilled massage therapists and calming space. It includes a tip in the price of your massage of course you can always give more if you wish. Eyebrow and Lash Maintenance One service that is most certainly worth getting in Vietnam is eyebrow microblading as it is significantly cheaper here than in the US. Michelle Truong is well known among the Fexpat women for providing a professional service in the comfort of her home. Her Facebook page is covered in recommendations and before and after photos of her happy clients. NP Brows and Lashes also come highly recommended for microblading, permanent makeup, and eyelash extensions. Where to Purchase Beauty Supplies The two beauty supply stores that I’ve frequented during my time living in Ho Chi Minh City are Guardian and Watson’s. They are both chains and have multiple locations all over the city. Here you’ll find brands that you love like Olay, Revlon, Palmers, Cetaphil, and Vaseline. Prices are relatively comparable to what you’d find in the US except for certain higher-end brands like Eucerine which are quite a bit more expensive here. Both Guardian and Watson’s have imported products and Vietnamese-brand products. And they stock all kinds of products ranging from skin and hair care, dental care, vitamins, make-up, and more. Don’t be surprised that the sales attendants like to follow you around the store – they don’t think you’re shoplifting, this is a common occurrence in Vietnam. Learning to Speak Vietnamese While there are literally thousands of ex-pats living in Ho Chi Minh City who can’t speak a lick of Vietnamese, it will certainly enrich your experience if you at least try. Granted you definitely don’t need to know the language, most people working in the establishments that you’ll be frequenting have a solid grasp of the English language. But we found that it was really nice to be able to attempt to communicate with the locals. And everyone got a good laugh out of hearing us try. It’s an extremely difficult language to master as there are 6 different tones that can give the same word 6 different meanings. For instance, “va” can mean “and”, “patch”, or “rushed”. And “ga” can mean “chicken”, “jaw”, or “the guy” depending on what tone you use. We took twice-weekly Vietnamese lessons from Kim Kim which we found to be extremely helpful in perfecting our pronunciation. She is very patient and takes her time to make sure that you are speaking clearly and correctly. She gives group lessons at a coffee shop in District 2 and we found it helpful to have other people in our class. If you’d rather watch YouTube videos on your own time and then be able to practice casually with others, there are often language exchange meet-ups around HCMC. This allows Vietnamese people to practice their English with you, and you to practice your Vietnamese with them. These Facebook groups can help you to find events near you Language and Culture Exchange – HCMC Swaps Language Exchange Ho Chi Minh Exchange Languages in Ho Chi Minh City Tipping for Services Tipping in Vietnam is one question that I’ve never gotten sufficiently answered during my time living in Ho Chi Minh City. It appears that most locals do not tip at restaurants or bars but tip quite generously for massages. And some restaurants that cater to foreigners will add an automatic gratuity to your bill but it’s much lower than what most Americans are used to tipping. Here are the general tipping guidelines that I follow in HCMC No tip or just small change at the local Vietnamese restaurants 10% tip at Western-style restaurants that cater to ex-pats and tourists unless a “service charge” has already been added to the bill 100,000 – 150,000 VND ~$4 – $6 USD tip for a cut and color at the hair salons that I mentioned above 100,000 – 120,000 VND ~$4 – $5 USD for a 60-90 minute massage even if a small tip is included in the price, I tip more on top 10 – 20% for nail technicians unless the tip is included in the price Where Expats Love to Eat and Drink in HCMC Best Coffee Shops Since we work from home and often get sick and tired of working from home, we’ve explored many of the coffee shops around town. We wrote an entire blog post about our favorite coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City as well as listed a few of the best options here The Workshop – for fancy pour-over coffee and quality beans Okkio Caffe – a hip little coffee shop just beside Binh Thanh market Cong Ca Phe – for a huge cup of coconut coffee The Loft Cafe – for daily coffee + dessert specials Hidden Elephant Books and Coffee – for some peace and quiet to work or read Padma de Fleur – for a beautiful setting full of fresh flowers Goc Ha Noi – the cutest little cafe with the best egg coffee in Saigon Best Brunch Spots Brunch was one of the things that we missed the most about living outside of the United States. It took us a few months to learn that Saigon actually has an amazing brunch scene! We made it our mission to find the best brunch spots in Ho Chi Minh City so we could indulge our tastebuds every weekend! You’ll definitely want to check out Godmother Bake and Brunch – for the cutest Instagramable ambiance Cafe Marcel – for the best Croque Monsieur in town The Vintage Emporium – for unique latte concoctions L’Usine – for free-flow bubbles on the weekends Best Restaurants for Dinner Bep Me In – for delicious and reasonably priced Vietnamese classics The Wagon Wheel – for amazing southern comfort food Baozi – for the best chicken ramen in HCMC House of Chay Vegetarian delivery only – for decadent non-cheesy mac n cheese La Fiesta – for bubbling hot chili and tasty fish tacos Gringo Tacos – for warm, cheesy wet burritos Pizza 4P’s – for the best pizza in all of Vietnam Secret Garden – for a lovely ambiance and upscale Vietnamese cuisine Thai Street – for amazing khao soi gai and great lunch specials Thao Dien, District 2 Best Spot for a Cocktail at Sunset Vo Roof Garden – for a low-key drinking and dining experience The Deck Saigon – for upscale food and views of the river Thao Dien, District 2 Saigon Social Club – for a swanky night out on the town Pasteur Street Brewing Co. – Our favorite place for craft beer in Saigon Best Bakeries Another treat from home that I initially missed terribly when we first moved to Ho Chi Minh City was baked goods! I would dream about bagels smothered in cream cheese and warm banana bread slathered with butter. But turns out that Saigon has a bustling baked goods scene as well! Greta’s Cakes – for banana bread, apple crumble muffins, and salted caramel shortbread – yum! Harvest Baking – for cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting Saigon Bagel – for delicious bagels in a variety of flavors Au Parc – for buttery, flaky croissants Best Desserts Maison Marou – for drinking chocolate, chocolate bars, and the best brownie you’ve ever eaten Rawberry – for vegan, gluten-free decadent treats Villa Royale Downtown Antiques and Tea Room – for tea time and yummy cakes Teaspoon Coffee and Tea Room – for the cutest tea sets and a delicious dessert case Food Delivery Services Food delivery is incredibly cheap in Ho Chi Minh City. You can get a delivery of a delicious meal in 30-45 minutes for under a dollar. Several food delivery services operate in Saigon but the two that we found to be the most punctual and reliable are Grab Food and Vietnammm. Grab actually allows you to track your delivery driver’s progress, whereas Vietnammm just gives you a time estimate. Both apps are easy and free to use! Where to Shop in Vietnam There are plenty of huge malls in Vietnam where you can find your favorite brands like H&M, Zara, Pull & Bear, MAC, Nike, Adidas, and more. But we’ve found that the prices at these stores are higher than they are in the US! My favorite MAC cosmetics cost about 1/3 more than what I’d pay back home which is why I make an order with anyone coming for a visit. You’ll have better luck shopping for factory overruns or Vietnamese brands if you want to find good deals. Virion is absolutely my favorite shop in Ho Chi Minh City because they have actual brands like Forever 21 and Mango at just a fraction of the price. Plus, you can shop on their Facebook page and have the clothes delivered to your door! Ombre is similar to Virion but the store is an absolute mess. Which is pretty fun if you have time to dig around for hidden treasures. And if you’re looking for an affordable Vietnamese clothing brand, Libé Workshop is the best I’ve found to date. For custom-made bras, I absolutely love Nhái và Bông Lingerie! You can order directly through their Facebook page after browsing various design and fabric options. Just provide your cup size and rib cage measurement and they’ll have your bra made in about a week. They’ll even deliver it to your apartment so you can try it on and then do any alterations – free of charge! Check out my complete, detailed post about the best places to shop in Ho Chi Minh City and what to buy! Making Friends with Other Ex-pats There are countless opportunities to make friends with both locals and ex-pats while living in Ho Chi Minh City. Many of the Facebook groups mentioned above have meetups, especially the Fexpats group which is only for females. Women can also join the Ladies Get Social group or Network Girls HCMC and participate in the regular get-togethers. The Hive and L’Usine often have events like “Paint and Sip” parties or you can peruse the goods at the regular flea market at Saigon Outcast. You can meet people through your Vietnamese lessons, help Saigon’s homeless population, play pick-up soccer, join a photo walk, or just chat someone up in one of the coffee shops listed above. So many people here are in the same boat and looking to connect with other ex-pats in the city. Other Miscellaneous Services Below is a list of a few resources that didn’t fit into the categories above but that we’ve found useful during our time living in Ho Chi Minh City. MyStorage – if you need to store any belongings in Ho Chi Minh City US Mart – for inexpensive bottles of imported wine Annam Gourmet – for luxury gourmet imported grocery items Phuong Ha – for imported groceries at reasonable prices We hope you have an amazing time living in Vietnam! Planning to move to Vietnam? Check out our favorite travel guides and resources! SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST TravelThis sumptuous colorful city mesmerizes everyone from foodies to architecture July 1, 20184 min readHo Chi Minh City's claim as Vietnam's economic hub is responsible for the city's energetic atmosphere as well as its continuously evolving cityscape. While cranes and property developments are sprouting up on either side of the wide and lazy Saigon river, at street level the city has managed to preserve its charming café's and small family to GoHo Chi Minh City is at its finest during dry season, between November and March. Lunar New Year called Tết in Vietnam, which lands between the end of January and mid-February is a unique time. The city empties out, as everyone travels to home for the holiday, and as a result travelers might be limited by shorter opening hours at shops and restaurants. However, it is a quiet time of year married with magnificent the days before Tết, flower traders sail their loaded long boats down river and settle in Binh Dong, District 8, to offload their wares before the holiday. The result is a fragrant frenzy, as traders hustle to sell their delicate apricot blossoms, plump, potted kumquats and fat marigolds as quickly as possible. Walking through the throng you can admire the physics of balancing two to three kumquat trees on the back of a single to EatPho and summer rolls may be the darlings of traveling TV chefs but Bun Thit Ngong a rice noodle dish topped with grilled pork, fried spring rolls, fresh herbs and fish sauce deserves as much love as either. And for vegetarians there's no beating the humble Banh Mi Oopla; a baguette with fried eggs, soy sauce, herbs and lightly pickled to Take HomeTake a walk down Le Cong Kieu, nicknamed Antique Street in District 1 and pick up a pair of vintage glasses, brass sculptures or other strange tchotchkes. Old, hand-painted propaganda posters from Dogma on Ton That Thiep make for lightweight souvenirs that are both beautiful to look at and provide a context for wartime Vietnamese Travel TipIf ever there needed to be an excuse to eat chocolate, why not for the sake of sustainability? Marou Chocolate is an ethical and single-origin Vietnamese chocolate company that sources cacao directly from nearby farms and pays double cacao's commodity rates to encourage growers to produce high-quality cacao through sustainable practices. The Marou Café on Rue Calmette is well worth a stop and don't be surprised if you leave with several bars for the trip home. In the name of sustainability, of Geo ExpeditionsBook your next trip with Peace of MindInstagram-Worthy ViewThe Reunification Palace may not be air conditioned, but as photo opportunities go, it's hard to beat. From the ageing military tanks and war planes scattered on the plush grounds to the kitsch 1960's architecture and deserted interiors, it is both glamourous and eerie.

she to ho chi minh city last year