What to Know

1. Where to Stay?

We suggest tourists to stay as close to the Central/ District 1 as possible. Although Ho Chi Minh city is a relatively small metropolitan, you would save a lot of time and efforts to avoid traffic and crazy drivers. 

The best area we recommend is from Ben Thanh Station to An Phu Station. Anything beyond is too far for travel, with no points of tourist attraction and neighborhood might be unfriendly to tourists. 

Trusted website to book reservations online would be: 

• Booking.com

• Airbnb

• Tripadvisor

2. How to get around?

Obviously the best mean of transportation is the Metro. Its cheap, clean, new, and convenient for tourists. It hits all the touristy spots and relatively reliable. 

Otherwise, a popular choice of transport is Grab (similar to Uber). Grab is relatively cheap with plenty discount codes, convenient, and private. Most importantly, Grab is transparent. All prices are reflected on the app, no hidden fee and charges, no matter what anyone tell you otherwise. However, at rush hour, Grab will likely slow you down in the central city. 

Please avoid buses and taxis at all costs. Buses are regularly late, improper, and known for pick pockets. Taxis will charge you double or triple if you ever let out that you are tourists. I've known horror stories of even Asian tourists getting charged 3 times as much when speaking to each other in a foreign language on taxis. 

Of course, the daredevil in you might whisper for a ride on the motorbike/ scooter. It's cheap (150k - 250k/ day plus gas), convenient, and fashionable. However, keep in mind there are crazy drivers on the street, reckless car/ bus drivers as well, and there is always the risk of bike thieves.  

3. Payment/ Tipping

Most supermarkets and convenient stores accept major credit cards and cash. Some credit cards such as HSBC, American Express, etc. might be accepted some places but not others. It's generally safer to carry cash anywhere you go. 

There are ATM machines but some are rundowns/ not reliable. It's better to find bank branch to withdraw funds from there. 

Tipping is not expected unless you're at fine-dining restaurants. You might tip 20,000 VND - 50,000 VND to taxi drivers/ grabs/ waiters/ other services just to be nice, but it's not by all mean expected. 

4. WHAT CAN I BRING ON THE METRO?

• Foldable Bikes/ Scooter/ Skateboard

• Regretfully NOT pet (Yes we are sad too)

• (to be updated)

5. WHERE CAN I PARK TO RIDE THE METRO?

There are 5 official Metro parking lots near the following stations: Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai. Otherwise, there are 10 motorbike garages underneath overpass stations. 

We would suggest find parking at a commercial center like Vincom to take advantage of reasonable rates.