First time in Saigon
 

I'm off to Saigon later this month, from Singapore, with my girlfriend. This is our first time there. We don't know where to stay, with price not being an issue, or really what to do. Any advice would be fantastic.

Cheers!

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Take the road less travelled...but only if it means more miles.

Great place .. been there several times. Have a bit of a summary on some things to do and see at
www.GlenStephens.com/travel.html

and CHEAP as anything!

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 06-29-2000).]

I just remembered .. don't forget to fire off some captured AK-47 and M-16s near Saigon! And crawl thru those tiny Cu Chi tunnels .. SCARY!

See here for a colour photo of this writer doing JUST that, with a Russian AK47!! Ear muffs and all!
www.GlenStephens.com/whois.html

OzStamps,
Thanks...I'll remember that. By the way, where should I stay? How is the Omni? and where is the best shopping?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Take the road less travelled...but only if it means more miles.

Hmmm...I'm still stumped on where to stay when I 'm in Saigon. Is there anyone who can help me on a nice place to stay?

Thanks!

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Take the road less travelled...but only if it means more miles.

I have stayed at the Rex hotel. It is central and historic. A friend who travel to Saigon often recommended the Caravelle because they have very good service. The New World hotel is newer but a little farther away from the central of the city. The price for these hotels is around $60 per night.

I've never stayed there but how 'bout the Renaissance Riverside in District 1 ?

How things change. This decision was made for us in the early 70's.

Best shopping? Your best bet is to buy traditional Vietnamese handicraft. Don't buy clothings or things that you can get in US because the quality is not as nice. In my opinion, Vietnamese make the best lacquer painting with inlay mother of pearl. Price is not going to be problem but look for quality. The painting should be smooth, i.e. the mother of pearl should be inlay and not just glue on top of the lacquer. Other posibilities are hand painted silk, hand made clothes, traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.

Rex Hotel is nice. Rooftop outside bar that really is a hoot on a nice night!

Another weirdo souvenir item is carved lions and stuff made out of black COAL. Sounds weird, but they are about 8" high typically, and polished so you can see your face in them. A few bucks each. Hard to believe they are made from Coal. Great talking point back here.

Food outside hotels in insanely cheap. For literally a few bucks you can eat more than you can cope with, all with 4 or 5 local beers! Food in Vietnam is best in Asia IMHO.

Any current ideas?

Saigon...
 

I'm in Saigon 2-3 times a year and always stay at the Majestic. It's old school with a terrific staff. If you book a standard room at rack rate you will almost always be upgraded. The location is great and you'll never confuse the place with the upscale chains that have taken most of the business away from places like the Majestic and the Continental. There is a large and very interesting ex-pat community that drifts in and out of Q-Bar. Chatting up the regulars will get you some great tips on eating and shopping.

I really liked the laquerware, top quality but remember negotiation is part of the fun! Also, get one of those cheesy cone hats just for fun. Went in 1998 on a school trip and it was our badge of honour at the end of our trip :)

The Caravelle: My favorite. Get a room overlooking Dong Khoi (sp?). You can spend hours staring out the window at the motorbikes. Hit the rooftop Saigon Saigon bar for good views and an entertaining cover band or two during the evening hours.

Park Hyatt Saigon: Now up and running, I believe. My my ... how things change.

The Sheraton is behind The Caravelle and a good choice as well.

Things to do:

Cu Chi Tunnels
Mekong Delta
Ben Thanh Market / Cholon
War Rememberance/Remnants Museum (or whatever they're calling it now).
Reunification Palace

If you're into late night shenanigans, the backpacker district has some entertaining bars: Allez Boo, Lost in Saigon, amongst others. They're all within stumbling distance of one another. If you're into something a little more upscale, Q Bar opposite the Caravelle can be good.

I would just take in the city. I think that there's not something that you absolutely must see in Saigon, but just walk around the city. There are a lot of actually cool museums, cafes and pleasant streets. The food was amazing, try Pho 24, a chain that sells nothing but Pho, a traditional soup.

Going to Saigon in October for the first time. After much research we decided to stay on the club level of the Renaissance Riverside Hotel on the club level overlooking the river. After a long flight from the US it seemed like comfort was important for the first couple of days plus it seemed like a good location.

Another to-do outside Saigon is the main template of the Cao Dai sect of Buddhism. Very unusual.

Was at the Omni last time there, decent hotel with large rooms. Unfortunately as with most hotels there catering to Western businessmen you can't assume that your phone calls are private. An associate of mine who is responsible for a lot of the local phone systems insists that the management (not the government surprisingly) routinely listens in to try and get whatever juicy tips they can.

I can attest that my luggage was rifled through after I had checked into the room. Nothing was missing but things were definately in the wrong places.

On the upside, some of the Australian satellite TV is pretty funny.

What is the best way to get to and from the Airport to town like to the Majestic or the new Hyattt?

May I ask is there an economic way to aand FROM SIN to SGN? How are you doing it?

SGN arport trans
 

Ciao, Best!
There are a few options for getting into town. You can have your hotel arrange a pick-up (around $12 US). You can do a share van for $6 or take a meter taxi (it says meter on the top) for $4-5. I've done them all and they all work fine.

Saigon
 

The Rex is old (it used to be the Bachelor's Officers Quarters and temporary home of Colin Powell) but it is well located in the heart of things and as was mentioned elsewhere the roof bar is good fun. Go to the Central Market and if you are coffee drinkers, definitely buy Viet coffee - imho some of the best in the World.

Money being no object (your comment) it would be terrific to get up to Hanoi which is a much more pleasant city. Great French food, vibrant art community and the people are very hospitible. I very much prefer Hanoi to HCM city.

If you do stay in Saigon - do be alert for pick-pockets, purse snatchers, etc.
The old motor scooter snatch trick is very common. 2 on a scooter, 1 drives and the other snatches.

Enjoy, bb