
Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon, is the biggest city of
Vietnam. It is the major industrial, commercial and communciation center for domestic and
international services.
Airport Information
- Name of airport: Tan Son Nhat (Saigon) International Airport
- Distance to town: 7km (4.5 miles)
- Airport tax:
- Domestic flight: VCD15,000 (Approx. USD1.5)
- International flight: USD8
- Children under 2 are exempt.
Flying hours from Hong Kong on direct flights
- 1 1/2 hours
Visa
- Required for both HK passport and HKCI holders
- Click here for
more details
Customs
- Customs allowance
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
- Liquor: 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages or 3 litres of beer
Arrival Immigration and customs declaration forms, which are usually
handed out on the plane before landing, must be completed on arrival. The white and yellow
duplicate customs form requires visitors to declare quantities and makes of cameras, video
and camcorders, tape recorders and all other electronic equipment being taken into
Vietnam. Foreign currency exceeding USD5,000 must also be declared. The customs form must
be kept.
The white immigration card is stamped on arrival and must also be
kept with your passport. Hotels, guest houses and private hosts are required to register
your presence with the local police, and this card is essential for that purpose.
- Click here for more details
Currency
- Vietnamese Dong (VCD)
- Approximately: HK$1=VCD1,250; USD1=VCD10,000
- Currency Exchange: The US dollar is most favoured forereign currency.
It is therefore advised to carry US dollars. British, Australian, Japanese, French,
German, Belgian, Dutch, Singapore and Thai currency can usually be changed in larger
cities (such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Danang, Hai Phong). About 2% exchange fee is charged.
- Click here for restrictions
Embassies and Consulates
- Please click here
Time Zone
- GMT: +7
- Difference from Hong Kong: -1 hour
Transportation
- Bus
- Taxi
- Minibus
- Cyclo
- Train
Tourist Attraction
- Museums
- Fine Arts Museum
- History Museum
- Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Military Museum
- Reunification Hall
- Revolutionary Museum
- War Remnants Museum
- Thien Hau Temple
- Former President Palace
- Lacquer workshop
- The Lucuriant Lai Thieu Orchards
- Nha Rong Wharf - from where President Ho Chi Minh sailed
abroad to search for a way for the country's salvation
- Cu Chi tunnels- a 200 km-long guerilla tunnel netwrok,
Throughout the 20-year war with the Americans, these tunnels and underground villages were
built to provide a safe haven for the people of Cu Chi.
- Cholon Chinatown
Shopping Guide
- Ben Thanh Market
- Le Thanh Ton Street
- Dong Khoi Street
- Le Cong Kieu
Weather
- Jan - Mar: average temp. 28 C, average rainfall 10mm
- Apr - Jun: average temp. 29 C, average rainfall 198mm
- Jul - Sep: avergae temp. 27 C, average rainfall 306mm, typhoons are
frequent
- Oct - Dec: average temp. 27 C, average rainfall 146mm
- Temperature
- Five Day City Forcast
- Precipitation
- Five Day City Forcast
Language
- Official Languages: Vietnamese
- Language of Business and Administration: French, Russian, English,
German, Spanish and Chinese
Electricity
- usually 220 volts (in some areas 110)AC, 50 Hz
Emergency and Useful Tel. No.
- S.O.S. Worldwide Alarm Centres: Please click here
- 24 hours Emergency Center:
- Tel 8292071, 8292711
- USD7-10 / visit
- English and French - speaking doctors
Tourism Organizations
- Vietnams Online
Public Holidays
- Jan 1: Tet Nguyen Dan, Lunar New Year (three days)
- Feb 3: Founding of the Communist Party
- Mar 8: Women's Day
- Mar 26: Youth Day
- Apr 30: Liberation of Saigon
- May 1: International Labour Day
- May 19: Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
- Jun 1: Children's Day
- Jul 27: Memorial Day for war martyrs
- Aug 19: August Revolution of 1945
- Sept 2: Day of the Nation; Ho Chi Minh's declaration of
freedom for Vietnam; Ho Chi Minh Memorial Day
- Nov 20: Teacher's Day
- Dec 22Army Day
|