Buzz
Insider tips for traveling to Saigon (photo collection)
When to Visit Saigon?
Unlike Hanoi, Saigon has only two seasons - the rainy season and the dry season. The weather is sunny throughout the year, but tourists can rest assured as the sun here is not as intense as in Hanoi, making it very convenient for sightseeing. Therefore, you can visit Saigon at any time of the year.
However, if you want to participate in the largest festival in the Chinatown, which is the Lantern Festival after the Lunar New Year, you should come around February or March in the Gregorian calendar.
How to Get Around?
Being a major cultural and economic hub of the country, Saigon boasts a convenient transportation system. You can move around using various modes of transportation such as airplanes, trains, buses, or personal vehicles.
For flights, there are numerous airlines like Jetstar or Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines, with a flight time of 1 hour and 30 minutes from Noi Bai Airport. If you want to save costs, it's advisable to choose Jetstar or Vietjet as they offer the most budget-friendly fares. Booking your ticket 1-2 months in advance can also get you a better deal.
If you prefer the train, travelers can opt for the Thong Nhat train from Hanoi station. The fastest travel time is approximately 30 hours from Hanoi to Saigon, and the ticket price depends on the type of seat and train compartment you choose.
Buses are a popular choice for many travelers visiting the city named after Uncle Ho. Some bus companies like Mai Linh, Hoang Long, provide excellent services with affordable fares, spacious beds, ensuring a comfortable journey for long distances. Travel time by bus is around 30-40 hours, and ticket prices vary around 500k/person.
Alternatively, you can also travel using personal vehicles such as cars or motorcycles. It's essential to carry all necessary documents, adhere to traffic laws, and remember to bring a map or use Google Maps to avoid getting lost!
Saigon Travel Tips – Beautiful and Quality Hotels
Hotels in Saigon are diverse, with costs ranging from a few hundred to several million dong, depending on preferences and financial capabilities. A tip when booking a room in Saigon is to choose accommodation near tourist attractions or bus stations. During peak seasons, it's advisable to book in advance to avoid high prices or unavailability.
Exploring Saigon's Mekong Delta (Photo collection)
Some excellent hotels when in Saigon:
InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel: Located on Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. This hotel comes with a relatively high cost, with room prices starting at $155. However, the service here is top-notch, meeting 5-star standards. Its central location is close to commercial areas and tourist attractions such as Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and Diamond Plaza.
Rex Hotel Saigon: Situated at 141 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe, Ho Chi Minh City. This is also a 5-star hotel with classic architecture. Room prices start at a minimum of $125.
Alagon D’antique Hotel & Spa: Located at 301 – 303 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1. Room prices start at a minimum of $76.
The Luxe Hotel: Situated at 261 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Room prices start at a minimum of $38.
Ngoc Ha Hotel Saigon: Located at 53 Le Anh Xuan, Ben Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City. Room prices start at a minimum of $22. A 2-star standard with 45 rooms.
Saigon Tourist Destinations
1. Suoi Tien Tourist Area
Suoi Tien Tourist Area (photo collection)
This is a famous amusement park in Saigon, offering beautiful scenery and exciting attractions such as high-speed roller coasters, the magic house, and the Pearl Fairy Sea. It's a must-visit destination.
2. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market (photo collection)
Ben Thanh Market has long been a symbol of Saigon. Both day and night, the market bustles with buyers and sellers. Here, tourists can find everything from daily necessities, decorations to luxurious and expensive items.
Adjacent to that, the fresh food stalls and food vendors intertwine, contributing to the market's reputation. When shopping here, be bold in bargaining to get the best deals!
3. Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street
Visiting Saigon without strolling along the pedestrian street would be a missed opportunity. It's a lively spot for the youth and Saigonese in the evenings and on weekends. Walking on the pedestrian street, tourists immerse themselves in the vibrant and youthful atmosphere of Saigon, enjoying the dazzling lights, and exploring cafes and fast food stalls along the way.
Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street has become a familiar destination in Saigon (photo collection)
Additionally, Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street is an ideal spot for capturing fantastic photos. If you have the chance to visit, make sure to strike a few poses to showcase on your social media!
4. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is the largest and most beautiful cathedral in Saigon. It is also one of the four cathedrals conferred the title 'basilica' in Vietnam. The notable architectural features include a design with pink terracotta tiles and five bells representing the notes do, re, mi, fa, sol—some of the largest bells in the world. The cathedral's surroundings are also stunning, offering plenty of opportunities for beautiful photos.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon - an icon of Saigon (photo collection)
Exploring around Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, you can indulge in sidewalk coffee - a distinctive cultural feature of Saigon. This area is filled with numerous sidewalk cafes attracting many visitors each day. Additionally, there are famous street foods around the cathedral: grilled rice paper, shaking mango, mixed rice paper salad, and more.
5. Independence Palace
Independence Palace served as the workplace of the former government of the Republic of Vietnam and has now become a popular tourist destination. The architecture, with its modern Eastern style, captivates tourists. Here, you can also admire various items crafted from old materials and witness traces of the Independence Day on April 30, 1975.
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Experience - Delicious Local Cuisine
Mixed rice paper salad: A long-time favorite in Saigon. For around 10k, you get a colorful bag of mixed rice paper salad with shredded mango, dried squid, roasted peanuts, dried beef, quail eggs, and more.
Mixed Rice Paper Salad - A famous dish in Saigon (photo collection)
Grilled rice paper: Made on the spot when someone asks to buy. A sheet of rice paper on a pan with shrimp, green onions, and spices, enjoying it while blowing ensures you won't stop at just one piece.
Beef Bung (photo collection)
Beef Bung: A dish favored by many students after each school day. Each roll of beef bung usually costs from 5,000 to 10,000 VND, consisting of rice paper, vermicelli, Chinese sausage, steamed peeled shrimp, pork, vegetables, and dipping with savory fish sauce.
Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Ribs: A familiar breakfast dish for Saigonese. Broken rice is found everywhere from humble alleyways to luxurious restaurants. It's just rice with grilled pork, drizzled with a bit of fish sauce, but it's a dish you can't miss when in Saigon.
If you are still hesitating about whether to visit Saigon or not, make a decision right away. This is a destination that no one should miss! Hopefully, these solo travel experiences in Saigon will be helpful for you!
