7 days in Ho Chi Minh City

Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:38 PM
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7 days in Ho Chi Minh City

I am planning to make a tour of Ho Chi Minh city for 7 days in the late November. Is the weather ok? Much rain? Perhaps I intend book a hotel in District 1. How's the price? Can you suggest places to visit, eat and play, please? I know that with 7 days, I can visit other places near HCMC. I think about Mekong Delta. Any interesting things to see here? Maybe I will take a tour if having difficulties planning an itinerary. Any suggestions? I am open to suggestions for any other places?
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Old Oct 23rd, 2016, 11:59 PM
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The weather should be pretty good as the south moves into summer with lower temps, generally blue skies and lower humidity. A great time to visit.

Lots to see both in Saigon and around. With seven days, my advice is to not spread your time too thinly by trying to pack in too many places. You basically have a choice of Saigon plus the delta or maybe Saigon plus a beach - Phu Quoc would be my choice. Get a guide book and sort out what interests YOU. We all have different interests.

There are many tour operators in the city, most are not particularly great so choose wisely and get recommendations if possible.

For costs of accommodation I generally use www.booking.com which will provide accurate information on all levels of hotel. My favourite place to stay in Saigon is M/Yang's Homestay - a great location in District 3 within walking distance of many of the major sights.
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 07:59 PM
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As the last month of rainy season, the weather in November is more pleasant than it in some previous months with less rain amount and lower humidity. The cool weather at night is ideal condition for enjoying dinner cruise along Saigon River and appreciating the city’s beauty by night. For hotel, you can check out Tripadvisor to know more information
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Old Oct 24th, 2016, 08:54 PM
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In Mekong Delta, there are many places to enjoy; especially you will have an occasion to take part in floating markets in early morning. If you don't know much about travelling in Mekong Delta, you can take a tour in order not to miss fascinating places, typical features and specialities here.
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Old Oct 25th, 2016, 07:19 AM
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What is your hotel budget? I stayed at the Intercontinental (District 1, about a block from the Post Office) and one of the things that impressed me most about the hotel was their collection of contemporary Vietnamese art. The concierge is happy to arrange a tour of the better art galleries for guests of the hotel.
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Old Oct 25th, 2016, 06:39 PM
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@crellston & @Christina272: Thanks for useful information about the weather.
@WeisserTee: 35 or 40 USD/night is enough for a decent hotel in district 1?
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Old Oct 25th, 2016, 06:47 PM
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Hotels in district 1 are usually a bit expensive. As I know, the price for 3-star hotels is around 1 million VND (50 USD), the 2-star hotel is about 500,000 VND (25 USD). However, if staying at hotels in district 1, it will be convenient for you to visit popupar destinations like Nguyen Hue flower garden, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh market. Hotels on the outskirts are much cheaper; some lie in Binh Thanh district, district 8. In HCMC, you also can visit Dam Sen, Saigon night market, Central Post Office, etc.
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Old Oct 28th, 2016, 01:35 AM
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Actually, there are many tours of Mekong Delta but the price is quite different. It depends on your budget. But I think you completely can travel without tour guide if you already had travel experience. I find it's quite easy to travel around Vietnam.
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Old Oct 28th, 2016, 06:22 PM
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@delbertlynd & @crellston Do you know any particular travel agency? How to contact them? I need a decent tour. The service is not too luxury and the price is reasonable. Any tour covers HCMC, Cu Chi tunnel and Mekong Delta? Thank in advance.
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Old Oct 28th, 2016, 08:38 PM
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I can't help much with travel agencies as I rarely use them, except to say, do check them out carefully, as Vietnamese agencies do not have the greatest of reputations. It is worth seeking out a reliable agent either by recommendation from you hotel ( who have a vested interest In ensuring you get a good deal - they will get commission) when you get there or on TripAdvisor. They do vary tremendously from the cheap & cheerful aimed at backpackers who will cram people into a bus and whizz you around the delta on a whistle stop tour to a lux private tour in your own car.

We have spent a lot of time in the delta travelling by bus or boat and it is pretty straight forward. Here is a link to our blog from our trip last year which covers places like Cai Rang, Ben Tre, Chau Doc. https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/
Lots of photos and delatáis on the various sights.

If you just want a day there, many choose Cai Rang floating market which entails getting a bus to Can Tho, staying overnight to explore the city and getting up at 5.00 to get a boat to the market at dawn. Ben Tre could also be done in a day and is all about the smaller canals and industrial activites of the delta I.e. Coconut processing etc.

My Tho can be done as a day trip and is usually combined with a visit to the Cai Dai church and Cu Chi tunnels - a huge tourist trap these days!
Hope this helps
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