Places to Stay/Things to Do in HCMC

[hdkane]

Hello,

 

I need to be in HCMC for a few days next month.  Can anyone suggest a decent guesthouse/hotel that is near attractions or convenient to transportation?  Also, what 5 things would you definitely do while there?  Anything worth a day trip?   This is my first time there, and will be staying for 3 days.  Any suggestions for enjoying the trip are also appreciated.  For example, I would tell first time visitors to Thailand to take a tuk tuk ride one time just for the experience, and then never again.  Are there similar suggestions for Vietnam?  Thank you all in advance.

[tutsiwarrior]

I useta stay at the Ho Sen hotel on Thi Sac St, <USD40 per night...near the center of town (walkable with a supermarket/liquor shop in the corner shopping mall by the main roundabout near the Opera House), convenient for 'entertainment' (the world famous Apocalypse Now bar is 50 meters down Thi Sac)...plenty of other bars& restaurants in the area...I bought a shwarma takeaway up around the corner once...

 

and, 5 years ago they didn't charge for an extra room for an overnight 'guest'...and there's plenty of that activity in that area...

 

I always stay there when I'm in town...

[LongTimeLurker]

The cathederal and the old Presidential building, and a few military museums are the main tourist attractions in HCMC, not that exciting really

 

If you have time for a day trip go to Chu Chi Tunnels.

[tutsiwarrior]

there's also the Ben Thanh market which is interesting during the day and there useta be a night market just outside offa Le Thanh Ton St which is also worth a look...food stalls, etc...

 

but watch yerself as they love to rip off tourists...when I first arrived I was paying USD10 equiv. for a bottle of Vodka Hanoi that I found later at USD3 in the supermarket...but it's good local atmosphere...

 

from the cathedral have a look at the main post office close by which is marvelous architecture and then wander north on Le Duan St where there is another shopping district and some restaurants...there is also a nice park to the south on Le Duan...

 

I useta live on Mac Dinh Chi offa Le Duan and that first block has some good bars and restaurants...

 

 

Edited October 29, 2016 by tutsiwarrior