I will be Saigon after the new year. I speak only English and I'm a bit concerned on how I will be received. I'm very American looking and I will be traveling alone. Is it easy to get around and what about the safty of tourist. Any info on places to stay would be great also. thanks <BR>

You need to purchase two or more guidebooks and do some reading. You really shouldn't rely on just Fodor's for such basic questions.

hey paul, <BR> i was in saigon (ho chi minh city) this August visiting relatives. there are very few people who speak english so you're going to face some language barriers. the city is relatively safe and there is very little violent crimes. however, be aware of purse snatchers and pickpockets. also expect to pay more as a tourist. even though i look like them and i speak the language, the people there consider me a tourist just like you and if it hadn't been for my relatives, i would have been charged the tourist rate. i really would suggest hiring a guide. in a city like saigon, it can be relatively inexpensive. i have no suggestions as to where you can stay because i stayed with my relatives. there are several nice hotels downtown like the new world. if you want to learn more about my experience, just e-mail me.

You gonna love Saigon. I have been to <BR>Vietnam 2 times(4 months together),and <BR>i`m going back in April.Saigon is a very <BR>hot and facinating city, and there is no <BR>problem to travel alone, 99% of the people are nice and friendly.When you <BR>land i Saigon, take a taxi to Kim Cafe <BR>(dist1)(It cost about 8 to 10 us dollar. <BR>There are plenty of good hotels in the <BR>dist. around Kim Cafe, and they have a <BR>very helpful and nice staff.Its no problem that you are an american, the <BR>south vitnamese have always loved you. <BR>There are plenty of things you should see while you`re there.My favorits are: <BR>1 The former us emb <BR>2 cu chi tunnels <BR>3 The former presidet palace <BR>4 The war remnants museum <BR>5 Take a cyclo trip around the town with <BR>one driver who can speak english,and you <BR>will have a great time. <BR>If you need more info, just send me a mail and i will try to help you. <BR>Have a nice trip.

Hi. I traveled all through Vietnam last year by myself and didn't have any problems except for a stolen guidebook. Vietnam is a very popular travel destination now and there are a lot of tourists there. Unless you go off the beaten path, you really won't stand out. <BR> <BR>I have a hotel suggestion for Saigon. Its called the Bong Sen and is located right on the old Rue Catinat (sp.?). Right in the center of everything. It has the amenities of a very nice hotel -- big clean rooms, t.v., breakfast buffet, nice lobby, etc., but was very inexpensive. I can't remember exactly how much it was, but I remember being very surprised that it was so cheap. <BR> <BR>Unless you are a young backpacker or otherwise on a tight budget, I wouldn't recommend the area around Kim's Cafe. You will definitely want to go to that area, however, in order to book day or multiday trips out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, etc. It is possible to book such trips from the more expensive hotels, but you will get a much better deal in the area around Kim's Cafe. <BR> <BR>Language will be a problem, even in Saigon. I discovered that a lot of people actually know some English, but because their system of pronunciation is so different than ours, and because they haven't had much oral practice, they find it difficult to converse. I found it much easier to communicate if I wrote stuff down. <BR> <BR>One final tip: If you are a coffee drinker, bring packets of coffee bags with you.

Hey, <BR> Susan's message reminded me about napkins. There aren't any. At the table of most restaurants, you are given a cold, sealed packet with a small towel inside. This serves as your napkin. Sometimes you will get scraps of colored paper with the coarseness of construction paper. It's probably a good idea to bring towelettes if you are concerned otherwise just dive in to the local practice.

Saigon is pretty safe now. However, you may want to use a money pouch in stead of your regular wallet, just to be sure. American looking is no problem. It's only attract merchants or cyclo drivers etc... Food price varries from 1/10 to the same as it is here, depend on where you go to. If you travel alone, go to Sinh's Cafe or Kim's Cafe in SG. They both operate tours through out VN, very well organized. I think they both have their own scheduled busses. You will meet and travel with a whole bunch of people from all over the world. Their fare is very reasonable. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

Tony at [email protected] for any information. Tony grew up in the US and therefore speaks English fluently. Great help......