Business Hours
Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday; 08:30 to 11:30 Saturdays
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday
Government Departments: 08:30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:30 to 21:30 daily; many shops close on Sundays
Cautions
The roads cause the most problems regards safety in Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic is horrendous and regard for pedestrians scant at best. Motorbikes cause the most accidents and you should look both ways when crossing roads, even when on a one-way street.
Scams and rip-off artists are another big problem in Ho Chi Minh City and drive-by thievery is common here. Don’t advertise that you have money. Leave extra cash in a hotel safe and carry a debit card for your cash requirements. ATMs are now everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City.
You should also refrain from wandering around wearing flashy watches and jewellery and be especially careful of your belongings in busy tourist areas and at bus and train stations. Motorcycle taxi drivers can be a pain and tend to harass tourists to take a ride. A firm ‘no’ is the best retort.
Health
Ho Chi Minh City has the best health facilities in Vietnam and pharmacies stocked with most generic medicines can be found on city streets. If you do fall ill, contacting one of the emergency international clinics in Ho Chi Minh is the best bet, as both foreign and Vietnamese specialists are on hand. Having travel insurance is a must, should you fall ill and need to be repatriated.
If you plan on travelling around the Mekong Delta area or farther afield into the mountains, be aware that bird flu (avian influenza) is present and that dengue fever and malaria are also prevalent. Wearing good insect repellent in these areas and staying away from birds is a must for tourists.
The other main health issues when visiting Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City are the heat, food and drink. The heat and humidity in the summer can be overwhelming and drinking lots of water and staying in air-conditioned accommodation is recommended. Diarrhoea can also be an issue for many, due in large part to spicy food and undercooked meat. Make sure your food is well cooked and always drink bottled water. Using tap water to brush your teeth is fine.
International SOS: +84 8 829 8424
Language
Vietnamese is the main tongue; a hard-to-learn language with five distinctive tones. The Roman alphabet is used for Vietnamese, however, which means street signs are easy to read. English is spoken in all the touristy areas and at main hotels, shops and restaurants, so getting by with English within Ho Chi Minh City is easy. Learning basic civilities in Vietnamese is well worth it to show respect for the culture you are in.
Currency
The currency of Vietnam is the dong, and notes come in denominations of VND500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000; and 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 coins. US dollars are widely accepted in the larger shops and restaurants, but make sure you have clean dollar bills or they may be refused.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange is available at the airport, although stiff commission rates will ensure you get an unfavourable deal. The banks tend to offer better buying rates and Vietcombank is one of the more foreigner-friendly in Ho Chi Minh.
If you are going to be spending most of your time in Ho Chi Minh City, it may be an idea to pick up some US dollars before arriving in Vietnam, as they are widely accepted and exchange rates are often good. Vietnamese dong is hard to get hold of outside of Vietnam.
The best way to pick up foreign currency is to use your debit or credit card at an ATM. Ho Chi Minh City has a burgeoning supply of ATMs, and Maestro and Cirrus systems are in use. Although Vietnamese banks have a habit of charging for ATM withdrawals, along with your local bank charge, the commercial exchange rate will ensure you don’t lose out much.
Traveller’s cheques are accepted at Ho Chi Minh banks, major hotels and restaurants, although having some dong, US dollars and a foreign debit card to access your account via ATM is recommended while visiting Vietnam.
Customs
Limits on duty-free items when entering Vietnam are: 200 cigarettes, two litres of alcohol, and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. You may also bring in electronic gear, such as laptops, PDAs, cameras and mobile phones, without declaring them as long as they are for personal use and will be leaving with you. In addition, anything over US$3,000 cash per person must be declared
You will be given a yellow entry/exit slip on arrival in Vietnam, which must be presented to immigration on exit from the country. Expect to be fined if you fail to produce this piece of paper.
Etiquette
The Southern Vietnamese, and especially those in Ho Chi Minh, are very tolerant of visitors. The Vietnamese place importance on dress. Wearing beach attire around the city streets or wandering around bare-chested is considered disrespectful. Topless bathing is also not accepted.
Wearing slacks with a light cotton shirt and smart shoes or sandals is recommended. A pair of smart shorts past the knees is also okay. Ladies should refrain from showing too much skin, covering up shoulders and legs above the knees. Conservative dress when entering temples, shrines and pagodas is a must.
Ho Chi Minh folk often express their friendship through physical contact and there’s nothing to worry about if you become friends with the locals and they exhibit this trait.
You don’t need to be self-conscious whether you are doing the right thing or not in a Ho Chi Minh restaurant, as eating is a sociable and laid-back affair in Vietnam. Food is either eaten with a fork and spoon or chopsticks, and it will be obvious which to use when the food is presented to you. In fact, many dishes require the use of a spoon and chopsticks, or you could do as the locals do and simply shovel the food in your mouth with the chopsticks alone.
Good dining etiquette comes into play after your meal and when cleaning up. Don’t pick at your teeth with your fingers; teeth should be cleaned with a toothpick discreetly as with elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
You won’t need to tip in Ho Chi Minh City, although waiters in eateries in touristed areas may expect one. If you want to reward for good quality and service, then by all means round-up the bill, but don’t feel obliged to percentage tip. In addition, tipping at high-end restaurants that have a service charge included in the bill is not a requirement.
Visa and Passports
Those coming from the UK, USA and most countries in Europe will need to apply for a Vietnamese tourist visa from outside of Vietnam. The 30-day visa will then be issued on arrival in Ho Chi Minh City airport. Visitors from other Southeast Asian countries, as well as those from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, which have a bilateral agreement with Vietnam, don’t need a tourist visa. A non-extendable 30-day limit applies to these citizens.
Visit this website for further information about Vietnam Visa.
You should always check your passport before travelling to make sure that it has at least six months validity beyond the end of your stay. Vietnamese Immigration have been known to be particularly strict on this requirement and may refuse entry to people whose passport validity is less than six month, even when they have a visa.
Tourist Information Offices
The main tourist information office in Ho Chi Minh City is the Tourist Information Center on Le Loi St, District 1. It is located right in the heart of the city and offers free maps and information. Phone: +84 8 822 6033.
