7 Things to Know Before You Go To Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam is an incredible country to visit, full of rich history, wonderful food and reasonable prices. Free-wheeling Ho Chi Minh City is typically the jumping off point for many travelers starting in the south and heading up through Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi or Ha Long Bay, or the grand finale city if you're doing it the other way around. Here are seven things you should consider before you head there.
1. Use the New eVisa Option
Vietnam has always had an interesting visa process, but it seems to be getting simpler now, thanks to the new eVisa option, which is valid whether you're flying into the country, crossing over land borders or arriving by sea. It costs $25 and is available within three working days so gone are the days of sketchy invitations that would allow a visa on arrival and carving out time to send your passport to the embassy or consulate ahead of time. If you'd prefer to have someone else handle it for you, consider using Allied Passport & Visa to help with the process — mention The Points Guy on your order form to get a $5 discount just for TPG readers.
2. Don't Skip the Mekong Delta
A four-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City lies the Mekong Delta, home to floating markets and unique cuisine that can be found in this part of the country. Many local tour companies offer two to three day trips to the region or if you're a more independent traveler, there are plenty of ways to see it yourself. Don't miss the dinnertime street food tour I stumbled upon in Can Tho — it was delicious.
3. It's a City of Two Names
Vietnam's former capital is known by two names: Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City, but which is correct? Officially, it's now referred to as Ho Chi Minh City and has been since 1976 — the name change essentially dates back to the end of the Vietnam War, when Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province — but that doesn't mean you won't hear locals and other visitors still calling it by it's former name, Saigon.
4. Escape From the Heat in Da Lat
Summer in Vietnam can be insanely hot and while it's the best time to visit if you want to get away from the crowds and have the best selection of fresh fruit, you're also going to need a break from the heat. When the time comes, do as the locals do and head to mountainous Da Lat — hop a 50-minute flight from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) to Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) — located 4,900 feet above sea level and worlds away from the summertime sauna back in Saigon.
5. Don't Drink the Tap Water
As with other countries in Southeast Asia, you don't want to drink the tap water while you're traveling through Vietnam. There are plenty of vendors selling water bottles on the streets — just make sure they're sealed — while most hotels and guest houses will usually provide some sort of safe drinking water, either for free or for purchase. For a more environmentally friendly option, consider purchasing a LifeStraw Go filtration system water bottle before your trip.
6. Use Uber or Ubermoto for Scam-Free Taxi Rides
You've probably used Uber before, but what about UberMOTO? Think of it as a more convenient and affordable alternative to locating a car on the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City — it's also available in Hanoi — though the company does offer its normal services here as well. Not only will you get to ride around town like the locals do, you also won't have to worry about being scammed by taxi drivers since the prices are set as soon as you order a ride, just like they are back at home.
7. Bring Enough Cash With You
Don't plan on swiping your credit card here except at the fanciest of places. Vietnam as a whole thrives on a cash economy, so you'll want to either bring enough with you to change into Vietnam Dong — the currency isn't easily available outside Vietnam — to cover your expenses during your trip or bring along a card that allows you to withdraw from ATMs with low or no fees. I personally can vouch for how awesome Charles Schwab's High Yield Investor Checking Account is but there are a ton of other options out there, too.
Have you ever been to Ho Chi Minh City? Tell us about your experience, below.
Featured image by Phung Huynh Vu Qui / Getty Images.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.