Touring Saigon for the first time
 

I will be in Saigon with my sister and a friend on 21 to 25 Feb. I am eyeing Liberty 4 hotel as a place to stay. I hope the website comments are reliable.

However, I would like to know:
1. Most important attractions in Saigon, things that I should not miss?
2. Best shopping place for silk and hand paintings and art crafts?
3. Would you recommend me to hire a driver? Should I just get from the hotel?
4. What to do in Saigon Airport? should I come early before my departure flight and do some more shopping there?
5. Aside from the "Pho" and noodles, what are the other delicacies that I should not miss?

thanks! I know some of you have posted reports on VN, i have read some of them but i would love to hear your thoughts on the above. thanks, experts!

1. Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Main Post Office, War Remnants Museum, Cholon Market (I think Ben Thanh market isn't worth a visit), shopping on Dong Khoi street, drink at the 9th floor Saigon Saigon bar at the Caravelle, Cyclo ride around District 1, Cu Chi Tunnels/Cao Dai Temple, foot massage at 37 Ham Nghi street.
2. Dong Khoi street has a very large selection of shops, but they won't be the least expensive. Ask your hotel for some advice on local shops.
3. I don't think you need a driver unless you plan on going to the Cu Chi Tunnels/Cao Dai Temple.
4. Nothing to do at the airport. Lounge is nice if you have access, but that's about it.
5. I rarely eat VN food, so can't help you there.

Have fun!

Bisbee I am headed to Saigon this weekend...you have been helpful to me with planning this trip. Can you elaborate as to why you think Ben Thanh is not worth a(nother) visit? I spent some time at both BT and Cholon markets on my first trip and liked both..I felt that Bt was much easier to navigate and was great for shopping (this was in 2000)..has it changed much?

Ben Thanh to me is very touristy ( and a lot of hassle if you start in the shirt section). I haven't been there in almost 2 years. Cholon is more of an authentic market if that's what you're looking for. If you want to find touristy things and cheap knock offs, BT is fine. Just not my thing. Night time though does have some good food stalls for those looking for good VN street food. And some cheap shops are along the alley ways there as well.

Hi Ryss,
I am not a soup lover,so I dont like Pho.
My favorite dishes were crab meat on a stick and those grilled marinated small pieces of beef. Dont ask me for the names in Vietnamese!
Have a nice time in HCMC and dont be shocked of the traffic there.

thanks much, Bisbee and wolfmisc!

with your description of BT, I think I'll visit it, it is my thing - touristy thingies and cheap stuffs. I'll go to Cholon too for the authentic stuffs. I extended my stay for another day so I have plenty of time.

I will visit Cu chi and Cao Dai since this is my first time to be in Saigon.

traffic is no problem. lived in Manila for a long time and I am so used to traffic especially during peak hours. I hope HCMC is not worse.

Thanks!!!!

Thanks, Bisbee. One more question for you as I get ready for my arrival tomorrow...

when I was in Saigon 8 years ago there was an alley lined with antiques shops where I bought some very inexpensive ceramics and other things..really good stuff. The street had a name as was well know to locals..maybe with a "C"?? I am thinking it might have been somewhere in the area of Ben Thanh market. The shops were just dusty stalls, nothing fancy...can you give me an update??

Also, how is the weather in Saigon now??? Sunny? We are drowning up here in Hue/Hoi An!!!

Many thanks!!

Sorry to say I'm not aware of this street. Ask at your hotel. I'm sure they will know. And if you find out the name, let us know.

I've been in China for the last 4 days, so can't help on the current HCMC weather. I heard they had a big rain on Thursday, but it's been dry since.

Bisbee thanks....I will do some investigating, although I suspect that those antiques I saw last time have found their way to NYC, Bangkok, Beijing and parts far afield by now...

Thanks for all the help...I cannot wait to get to the sun after all this rain and dampness in central VN..

Hi ekscrunchy, please let me know how did your trip go... I'm thinking that 6 days in SGN is too long but cant get any other flights...

I am thinking of crossing to Phnom Penh as well. I dunno if by bus or by boat (if available). Do you think it is worth? Would I still have time to reach Siem Reap. Or should I just to plan another trip Travel period is only 6 days and can't extend anymore.

You can get from Saigon to Phnom Penh by either boat or bus. If you have only six days you do NOT have time to add Siem Reap (reachable by bus from PP) which requires at least three days on its own. I enjoy PP, which has enough to see to keep you occupied for a couple of days (palace, museum, markets, Khmer Rouge era sights). However, from Saigon you could also consider visiting the Mekong delta area, or the beach at Mui Ne, or possibly Dalat.

Cao Dai temple and cu chi temples are by far the most interesting sights.
If you lived through the vietnam war, have drinks at the Rex. If the place where the american embassy stood is still there (it was in the 90s when I went) go and remember the airlift.

You might want to take a day trip or an overnight to the Mekong delta.

Thanks thanks!

So here's what im going to do:
Day 1: Arrive to Saigon, hotel check-in (Liberty 4, most probably) and then scout around the area for restaurants and shops and travel agency. Or if more time, visit Ben Thanh and/or Cholon
Day 2: Cao Dai and Cu Chi, night shopping
Day 3: Leave for PP (dunno travel time, can somebody help me here?), hotel check-in (no idea yet, which hotel help pls)
Day 4: Silver Pagoda? and Museums
Day 5: Have to go back to Saigon... hotel checkin, do addl touristy stuffs - shopping any more museums, walk around etc...
Day 6: Early morning flight out Saigon

do you think this is fine?

Well, that's a lot of travel time for not much destination time, but it's your trip. From info on talesofasia.com it looks like the bus trip is running around 6-7 hours currently. Not sure how long a direct boat takes, I did a mini-tour with an overnight. Suggest taking a look at the latest Lonely Planet guide.

Yeah i agree that this is quite a lot of travel time... I hope it is not a waste.

I will ask a local travel agent on any other excursions apart from cu chi and cao dai if PP will not be worth the pain!

So it is 6-7 hours, is it safe? i mean are bus drivers good? I have done a 6 hour luxury bus ride from SG to KL but I know there's no "luxury" bus line from SGN to PP or is there? thanks!

"i mean are bus drivers good? " - I went by boat, but see 2006 report at http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-...vn-reports.htm
Also suggest asking at Lonely Planet's thorntree. And check whether you need a visa in advance, or can get one at the border. I'd be inclined to stay in Vietnam with such a short trip, although Saigon is not my favorite place there (Hanoi is). See www.sinhcafevn.com for travel within Vietnam, and www.deltaadventuretours.com/English/Default.aspx for delta trips.

Thanks! I have emailed SinhCafe regarding the day trips. It is nice that I can buy online but I prefer getting in touch with them first. I am yet to see Delta Adventures.

I will reserve Siem Reap for my next trip.

Bisbee the street lined with antiques shops is Le Cong Kieu; I apolgize for spelling errors.. It is near the BT market and having been yesterday I would agree that for actual shopping, it is not essential..

Thanks for the info. Can't remember if I've ever been down that street or not.

Hi Ryss,
Phnom Penh is a kind of 2nd home for me and so I am coming in again.
For budget accommodation I always use the LuckyRo hotel on street 110.
Very convenient, just 2 blocks or so from Riverside.
No lift as all small hotels. And some rooms dont have a window, so you have to ask in advance for a window room. But A/C, TV, fridge and warm water for just 10 or 12 USD. And there are dozens of small hotels and guesthouses in the range of 10 to 20 USD.
Have been to Cambodia and Vietnam so many times. But I didnt know that there is now a boat covering Saigon and Pnom Penh. Anyway, since the road in Cambodia is newly made, the bus should be more suitable.

Last time I was in PP I stayed at the Riverside, which was great because I had a riverfront room during the river races. I see that it's getting somewhat poor reviews on tripadvisor, but I thought it was fine - big, clean room, helpful staff. Maybe a bit worn.

I meant to say that I agree that the BT market is not essential for shopping, at least for arts and crafts-type things. But good, perhaps, for coffee, and cheap clothing..(I did not buy either, although I am now sorry I did not take home some coffee!)

Le Cong Kieu is great for old/antique things, although there are no bargains there anymore..when I was there in 2000 I bought a great "shipwrecked" urn for $20US; first asking for these are now well over $100... (These are pottery items that have been retrieved from a shipwreck off the VN coast; many VN "antique" shops sell various shapes and sizes...) Le Cong Kieu is across the big traffic circle from the BT market front entrance..ceramics and pottery are much in evidence..it is one street with a few dozen shops..apparently well trafficked by antique dealers from other parts of Asia and beyond..

Hi wolf, thanks! I am now discussing this to my friend on what to do. Cu chi/Cao dai and mekong delta are most necessary. on shopping: would visit recommended places above.

will let you know how it goes...

cheers

One more Q... Any one who can recommend a restaurant in District 1 near Pham Ngu Lao St?

Not too far, close to the Reunification Palace, Quon An Ngon was the site of the best meal I ate in Vietnam. You do not need any other restaurant addresses if you want local, non-street, food in Saigon. Reserve ahead for dinner.

..oh, and try the Tamarind Crab!

Thanks, Eks! i have noted the restaurant name (literally).

cheers!

Thanks, All! I am back from my trip.

Stayed at the Liberty 4 and had my first full vietnamese meal at Quon An Ngon (which was also recommended by my hotel)... The other days, we tried Italian Cafes and the Pho shops around....

Sinh Cafe was very very busy but we managed to secure trips to Cu Chi and Cao Dai and Mekong Delta (Ben Tre).. It is very good that this has been recommended as the travel agency is just on the next corner from our hotel. We did the city tour on our own. Ben Thanh Market was exciting! I went home with 7 hand bags and a handful of souvenirs from shirt to key chains and ref magnets. My sister and friend had Ao Dais tailored for them while i had a skirt with hand made embroidery made for me. I decided to reserve Cambodia to another trip.

I also sent post cards from the Main Post office to my friends.

I learned so much from this trip esp during the time of the VN war!!! I didnt know the intensity of the war until the trip. I was born in the 80's and read about the war only thru history books.

And yes, I bought copied books they were selling on the streets! haha

Thanks all! the recommendations had been very very helpful!!!