Girlboss's Treasure Map
If you have a thing for street food, history and city life (oh! and budgeted travel bugs!) don't skip Ho Chi Minh City when you are in South East Asia. More than 80% of tourist attractions and famous restos/hotels are in District 1, which is approx. 40 minutes drive from the airport. (Blame the traffic haha) Within District 1, everything is in walking distance.
To be honest with you, I would only stop in Ho Chi Minh City for a couple of days only. 2-3 nights if more than enough. I definitely only saw the skin of the city but I can say that if you are asking whether you could do Ho Chi Minh iCity n 2-3 days, the answer is YES YOU CAN. (and more than enough.)
To be honest with you, I would only stop in Ho Chi Minh City for a couple of days only. 2-3 nights if more than enough. I definitely only saw the skin of the city but I can say that if you are asking whether you could do Ho Chi Minh iCity n 2-3 days, the answer is YES YOU CAN. (and more than enough.)
House Keeping...
wish sweating fat could be a thing
Triple the google map time estimate just to be safe.
7.9% of interest rate for saving here in Vietnam?
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Fun fact:
Voltage in Vietnam: Same plug in as in Taiwan/Canada. But instead 110, it's 220 here. Money Exchange n Ho Chi Minh City: Bring USD/CAD/EURO/here. Exchange them at the airport. Make sure that they have the exchange rate printed on a piece of paper first!!! Weather in Ho Chi Minh City: HOT and humid in the summer for sure. Roughly 35c. Language in Ho Chi Minh City? Not everyone speaks English here but you should be able to get around just fine. Is it safe in Ho Chi Minh City? Rating 1-10(super safe.) I say 5. Let me explain...
Wifi and cell services in Ho Chi Minh City: Grab a sim card at the Airport. For 120GB (4GB per day and for 30 days) is less than CAD $10. I only chose the package with Internet and no minutes for calling or texting. AND before you leave the shops, please please please go on your web browser yourself to make sure it works!!!!!! (mine didn't work and they had to change 3 different SIM card!!) Transportation in Ho Chi Minh City Driver is on the left ride. 左駕 If you don't wanna get rip off, download Grab. It saves you tons of money and energy.
*BARGAIN Softly or Harsh?* When you are shopping on the street, make sure you bargain. But keep in mind that Vietnamese and Balinese bargain quite differently. I'd say Vietnamese is a bit harsh. So you gotta have a balance here =) |
What to do in Ho Chi Minh :
Saigon Sport Club
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Củ Chi Tunnel
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Cafe Apartment
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Food Tour
A good place to meet some foreigners living in Ho Chi Minh City, travelers, and a few local. A lot of people asked, "how did you find those restos?" Most of the time, I found those amazing spots in these workout communities =)
Massage
- Bến Thành Street Food Market
All the hotels, hostels, and even on Airbnb Experience offers various tours which include street food tours. You can even tour with a motorbike or just bike. I went to the market myself. But if you are looking into a more in-depth experience, check the tours out! - Cafe Apartment
- War Remnants Museum
We call it Vietnam war and here they call it American Invasion. This really shows me the different side of the story. Very sad and shocking stories and pictures. Whichever the history you read before, this museum will provide you with a different perspective. At the end of the day, the truth is, the war did happen for 10 years and human (like you and me) were bombed every day. - Củ Chi Tunnel
Our guide shared some Vietnamese history with us. And here is the interesting things he mentioned: "nothing is original." "Don't believe everything you see here in Vietnam. Propaganda." However, when first time in HCMC, this is a must half day tour you should definitely join. - Central Post Office & Notre Dame Saigon
- Independent Palace
- Fine Art Musem
A good place to meet some foreigners living in Ho Chi Minh City, travelers, and a few local. A lot of people asked, "how did you find those restos?" Most of the time, I found those amazing spots in these workout communities =)
- Saigon Sport Club $$-$$$
If you've searched, you prob found out that there ain't many workout studios in Ho Chi Minh City. Saigon Sports Club located 30 minutes from District 1 by taxi. The price is on the higher end in Vietnam. 500,000 per day. It's prob even more expansive than back home in Canada. However, it's a sport "club" as it says in its name. There are TONS of classes throughout the day. From boxing to CrossFit to HIT and many more. There's also an outdoor swimming pool and an indoor AC gym. (You may notice that a lot of studios here don't have AC in South East Asia.) You are paying for a day pass here! I'd suggest you look up their class schedule on Instagram before heading down there and pick a morning session, enjoy the facilities and explore the city in the afternoon! I tried my very first Crossfit here and I have to say, I'd recommend you to try it out! The coach was very friendly and patient. He personalized the workout for me so I could get familiar with the movement and definitely had built my confidence in it.
Massage
- Ask your hotel/host, you can book a massage and do it in your room! Start with a 90 minutes Balinese full body massage. Time really flies. Then go with 120 minutes the second time! Balinese massage is not harsh, so don't worry if you are nervous!
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
C Central Hotel
This hotel is located just on the Bui Vien Walking Street, District one. I stayed here for 3 nights. A super convenient place for all the attractions. They also offer excellence tours. Pro: good breakfast selection included, excellent location, nice staff. Con: since it is located on the busiest nightlife street, you could hear the music of the bar at night. If you are looking for a quiet night, this hotel would not suit you.
This hotel is located just on the Bui Vien Walking Street, District one. I stayed here for 3 nights. A super convenient place for all the attractions. They also offer excellence tours. Pro: good breakfast selection included, excellent location, nice staff. Con: since it is located on the busiest nightlife street, you could hear the music of the bar at night. If you are looking for a quiet night, this hotel would not suit you.
Must Eat in Ho Chi Minh City
Lunch in Ho Chi Minh City
Bến Thành Street Food Market
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Bến Thành Street Food Market
#Lunch #Market #StreetFood #Pho Address: 26-28-30 Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000 What to order: Pho (pronounce as Pher) of course? But there's tons of choices! OK, OK, OK. I mean you really gotta try street food for experience in Vietnam. Terrified of getting stomachache here? Well, you ain't alone. Try the street food in the market, it looks a bit (and I mean a bit) better than the street ones. The market will turn into a night outdoor market after sunset as well. Personally, I prefer the food in other places than in the market since it's a bit touristy and the broth was quite sweet but it's worth the experience. |
Bep Me In
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Bep Me In
#Lunch #Snack #Dinner #Local #Vietnamese Address: What to order: Pork and Shrimp Egg Pancake. It's actually just in the ally right across to the Bến Thành Street Food Market. The egg pancake is phenomenal. The sauce came with the dish brings the flavors altogether into one good summer appetizer. Dip into the soy sauce and chili for a different taste. This resto has all the local food you need to try in Saigon. Go with a group of people so you can have a bit of everything! |
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Pho Hung
#Pho #Localfood Address: 241-243 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam What to order: Tai Vien (Eye of round steak with beef ball), Tai 1 Hot Ga Chen (Bowl of chicken egg with fresh meet no noodle.) I like this Pho place a lot since the broth is not sweet at all. And there is more than 30 pho selection. Don't worry about the portion! Order a small one if you plan to eat other stuff later on. Even better, they have multiple locations across the city. I went to the older location. |
Coffee/Snack Time in Ho Chi Minh City
Phuc Long Coffee and Tea
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Phuc Long Coffee and Tea
#cafe #tea #breaktime Address: Various location throughout Ho Chi Minh What to order: Ice Traditional Vietnamese Coffee with Heavy Milk It's like the Vietnamese Starbucks. Usually quite packed. But don't worry, the line goes fast. Do order the transitional Vietnamese coffee with heavy milk. I usually REALLY hate my coffee sweet but interestingly, I ordered this drink two days in a row! Stop by on your way to your next stop! |
Bánh mì 37 nguyễn trãi
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Bánh mì 37 nguyễn trãi
#Vietnamesesub #BBQ #streetfood #authentic Address: 37 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh What to order: The only option, the BBQ Vietnamese Sub! The vendor is hidden in the ally. They only open 4pm - 9pm! It doesn't look legit but OMG, you'd miss out big time if you don't try one. The portion is not big. It's a good size for an afternoon snack. P.S if you don't eat spicy, make sure tell them first so they don't put any chilli for you. Btw, it's Super cheap $20,000 (CAD $1.2) |
Dinner in Ho Chi Minh City
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Secret Garden Restaurant
#dinner #rooftop #VietnameseFood #musteat Address: 158 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh What to order: Fried Sticky Rice with pork, Grilled Lemongrass Pork, Papaya with Shrimp, Saigon Beer DO NOT LEAVE SAIGON WITHOUT GOING TO SECRET GARDEN. Seriously. This resto is hidden in the ally, located on the rooftop of the residential apartment. If you are traveling with companies, better make a reservation first. If you can't, still go around 8 pm or later and before they close at 10 pm. Still out of luck? Go in the lunchtime. Price is a bit higher than most of the resto in Vietnam but it ain't that bad tbh. Roughly CAD $20 for everything in the picture. DO GO. |
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
First of all, try the Saigon Special beer. And yes, do not doubt. They put ice cube in the glass for you with beer. (I quiet like it tho...? maybe it's an Asian thing LOL).
Bui Vien Walking Street
Attention backpackers, youngsters, party animals!! This is the place you would wanna visit while your time in HCMC. You will not disappoint. During the day, it's relatively quiet. However, at night, you can hear the club beats along the street, DJs playing at the bars. Definitely showcase the busy nightlife in HCMC.
Broma Not A Bar
Address: 41 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Bui Vien Walking Street
Attention backpackers, youngsters, party animals!! This is the place you would wanna visit while your time in HCMC. You will not disappoint. During the day, it's relatively quiet. However, at night, you can hear the club beats along the street, DJs playing at the bars. Definitely showcase the busy nightlife in HCMC.
Broma Not A Bar
Address: 41 Nguyễn Huệ, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
