Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( T 08 38376766, W sinhbalo.com); and Handspan, 7th
floor, Titan Building, 18 nam Quoc Cang, District 1 ( T 08
39257605, W handspan.com).
CRIME IN HCMC
HCMC has more than its fair share of
people for whom progress hasn't yet
translated into food, lodgings and
employment, so begging, stealing and
prostitution are all facts of life here. Petty
crime is a fairly regular occurrence and
drive-by bag snatching can occur. Keep a
tight grip on your belongings while
walking the streets, or travelling on cyclos
and motorbikes - especially after dark and
around tourist nightspots.
ACCOMMODATION
HCMC's budget enclave centres are Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien
and De Tham, 1km west of the city centre. The charming
alleyways between Co Giang and Co Bac offer excellent
family-run budget options a 10min walk away. The most
pleasant (though pricey) area to stay in is around Dong
Khoi. Staying in Cho Lon leaves you marooned in the bustle
of the city's Chinatown, but there are a few bargains.
DE THAM AND AROUND
Bizu Hotel 183 De Tham T 08 39208986, W bizuhotel
.com; map p.899. Spotless, spacious, tiled rooms with crisp
sheets in a fantastic central loca tion. The receptionists are
particularly helpful. Double $32
Eco Backpackers 264 De Tham W hostelworld.com; map
p.899. We're not sure where the “eco” bit comes in, but the
individual pods in the dorms give some measure of privacy,
the location is as central as can be and t he private room s,
though dark, are clean and spacious. Dorm $6 , double $20
Hong Han Hotel 238 Bui Vien T 08 38361927,
W honghanhotelhcm.com; map p.899. Huge, well-
furnished rooms, a great central location, helpful staff and
good view of the city from the top floor are all pros. On the
downside, there's no lift, so woe be tide you if you're on the
top floor and out of shape. Double $25
Kim Ngan Guesthouse 217/29 De Tham T 08
38368801, E hotel97buivien@yahoo.com; map p.899. The
staff are on the ball here, the fan rooms are spacious and
clean with quirky chequered floor tiles, there's a homey,
relaxed vibe and an extra $4 will get you a /c. Singles ($13)
are a boon for solo travellers. Double $18
Lan Anh 252 De Tham T 08 38365197; map p.899.
A popular budget option run by a congenial family, with
bright a/c and f an ro oms, and friendly hosts; breakfast
included. Double $22
Luan Vu 35/2 Bui Vien T 08 38377185, W luanvuhotel
.com; map p.899. Located down an alley away from the
tra c, this hotel has pleasantly furn ished rooms, free
breakfast and helpful staff. Double $22
Madam Cuc 64 Bui Vien T 08 38365073; 127 Cong Quynh
T 08 38368761; 184 Cong Quynh T 08 38361679;
W madamcuchotels.com; map p.899. Hugely popular, this
trio of guesthouses offers a range of comfortable rooms,
some sleeping up to four ($35), with satellite TV and
fridges, plus free breakfast and airport transfers. Staff can
be less than polite. Double $20
Ngoc Thao Hotel 241/4 Pham Ngu Lao T 08 38370273,
E ngocthaohotel@yahoo.com; map p.899. Family-run
hotel, offering quiet and smart double, triple and family
rooms with all the amenities. The owner, Mr Tuan, runs
you to or from District 1 for around 40,000VND (10min); a
taxi is about 60,000VND. Always book train tickets as far
ahead as possible, through a travel agent or in person at
counters no. 9-16 on the first floor of the train station
(daily 7am-9pm).
Destinations
11
Da Nang (5 daily; 15-20hr); Hanoi (5 daily;
30-41hr); Hue (5 daily; 18-24hr); Nha Trang (5 daily; 6hr
20min-8hr 30min).
GETTING AROUND
Cyclo Cyclos are nowhere as plentiful as they once were
and are banned from many streets, having to take
circuitous routes as a result. Some drivers were South
Vietnamese soldiers and speak fluent English as a result.
You should always agree a price before setting off, writing
down numbers or holding up the exact number of bills to
avoid frequent “misunderstandings”. Short hops coast
around 20,000-30,000VND; cyclos can also be rented per
hour (around 55,000VND).
Xe om Motorbike taxis ( xe om ) are ubiquitous, with drivers
hanging around street corners. Agree on a price before
setting off; short hops are around 30,000VND. Keep a close
grip on your bag.
Taxis Get your lodgings to call Mai Linh taxis ( T 08
38383838) or Vinasun taxis ( T 08 38272727) to avoid
dodgy taxis with rigged super-fast meters. Rates should be
approximately 15,000VND/km.
Bike and motorbike Most rental places are around Pham
Ngu Lao; prices per day average around $3-4 for a bicycle
and $7-12 for a moped or medium-sized motorbike. Tra c
in HCMC is chaotic and road accidents are common.
INFORMATION AND TOURS
The best sources of information are hotels, tour agencies
and travellers' cafés, which also offer open-tour buses,
motorbike and car rental, guide services and day-trips;
some also do longer tours and visa services.
Tour agencies Recommended agencies include: Sinh
Tourist, 246-248 De Tham ( T 08 38389593,
W thesinhtourist.vn); Sinhbalo, 283/20 Pham Ngu Lao
 
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