We’ve recently done a few posts on common Vietnamese scams from Hanoi; one about avoiding general scams in Hanoi and the other about avoiding taxi scams. Saigon has many of the same problems, but here are some things to look out for that are specific to the city. The most common place to be scammed … read the full post

Sitting in the middle of Saigon’s backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, Stella, or the New Stellar depending on which sign you’re reading, is a standout restaurant serving Italian and Vietnamese cuisine on a street where there is no shortage of competition. Like most of its neighbouring restaurants, Stella has a laidback atmosphere. Seating is … read the full post

Seeing a movie at a Saigon theatre is a cheap and easy way to spend a few hours and, since they play both Hollywood blockbusters and Vietnamese movies, you don’t have to understand Vietnamese to enjoy them. Movie theatres can be found in several easy-to-find locations, with two chains dominating Saigon. Galaxy Cinema, with several … read the full post

In the middle of a tight Pham Ngu Lao alley in the centre of Saigon’s backpacker district, the Thien Hong Hotel has found one of the few quiet spots in the area and offers great family-style service, with better rooms the higher up the hotel you trek. About 50 metres off the main road, the … read the full post

A short walk down an alley off of Bui Vien, in the middle of Saigon’s Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area, few spots in the city could offer a more convenient location than what you’ll find at Ngoc Phan Guesthouse, a six-room flashpacker operation with great friendly service. Saying a guesthouse is down an alley in … read the full post

Contrary to what it may seem, Saigon does actually have some traffic laws. If you plan on using a motorbike yourself to get around the city, we suggest brushing up on these laws as well as how to deal with Saigon’s police. One of the most important laws to abide by is HCMC’s helmet law. … read the full post

Art is sold almost everywhere in Saigon, but much of what you will find is paint-by-the-number reproductions. If you want to see quality original pieces by local artists, there are a few places to go besides the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum; to see the latest and greatest in local art, take a … read the full post

Just few blocks from the entrance to the Reunification Palace, Saigon’s War Remnants Museum offers an alternative narrative of the war. Opened in late 1975 and located on Vo Van Tan in District 3 in the former US Information Service Building, the museum was originally called The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism … read the full post

Saigon and Siem Reap are relatively close; as the plane flies only a little more than 400 kilometres separate the two cities. But looks can be deceiving, and travelling between the two cities can be complicated, expensive and time consuming. Here are your options. The simplest way to get to Siem Reap is by plane. … read the full post

The centrepiece of the Link at the Kumho Asian Plaza, Restaurant Bobby Chinn is the Saigon version of celebrity chef Bobby Chinn’s popular Hanoi restaurant. Trying to help fill the void of luxury dining in Saigon, the restaurant does its best to impress without seeming overly stuffy. Inside the mood is relaxed, the lights are … read the full post