Compare prices from major travel agencies and airlines to get the best flight deals. Through this trap door on the first floor is an underground bunker housing a cache of old weapons and uniforms. They set all sorts of unnoticeable deadly traps within the tunnels or around its vicinity. I do receive a small amount of money by allowing advertisements on the site and any purchases made through those links. Youll also see parts of the Vietnamese countryside that are normally inaccessible to tourists. Already have an account?Click The U.S. Consulate General encourages U.S. citizens to communicate with their employers, landlords, neighbors, and other local contacts to determinewhat new restrictions, if any, will come into effectin their area. The lower the price gets, the harder the berth and less privacy. When you disembark, make a dash for the left-hand line at the VOA office ASAP. This is the cheapest way to get to downtown Saigon from the airport. Ho Chi Minh City also sees a steady stream of train travellers. First of all, you need to check whether your visa can be extended or not. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Theyre both leading travel medical insurance providers often used by many digital nomads. Info for travelers on Covid-19 in Vietnam | Vietnam Tourism Did you bring USD and had it changed to Dong? Upcoming Events for the Public at the American Center Hanoi. Vietnam Visa Requirements | Vietnam Tourism And the private motorbike tour Saigon Unseen was great fun. For more on Ho Chi Minh Citys weather, check out these climate graphs from holiday-weather.com. The cheapest but slowest option is Bus 152 which will get you into the city in about an hour for just VND 5,000. However, once the groups leave, you get to catch a glimpse of its history and enjoy walking around the alleys with little to no people. In addition, those infected with COVID-19 and have certificates that they have recovered from the virus within six months would also have their quarantine period reduced. For me, the most interesting place in Ho Chi Minh City is the Museum of War Remnants. Enroll in ourSmart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive security updates. Purchase medical/travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum coverage: $10,000. Find the cheapest month or even day to fly to Vietnam. Its a beautiful space that serves cakes, coffee, lassis, and smoothies. I use it often in Saigon. i hc Duy Tn - i hc T thc u tin & ln nht Min Trung - i hc Ngoi cng lp u tin o to Tin s. Things to do. DISCLAIMERWe try to update this website as often as possible but we can't guarantee that all the information is always accurate. who wish to enter Vietnam should refer to the website of the Vietnam Embassy in Singapore It covers many interesting dishes from bun cha in Hanoi to cao lau in Hoi An to com tam in Saigon. Top-rated hotels in Dictrict 1, the most convenient area to stay for people on their first trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Ill provide targeted links under each description but you can book accommodations in Saigon through Booking.com or Agoda. It depends on where were going, how long well be staying, and what well be doing. Were constantly monitoring and adapting to the latest travel information and restrictions, and we remain dedicated to getting you where you need to be. Ive tried both in Ho Chi Minh City and I got excellent rates both times. Check out some of the top-rated hotels in District 1. visa / temporary residence card / permanent residence card / 5-year visa exemption certificate / entry permit) Vietnam International Travel Information Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage in connection with the use of this website. COVID-19-Related Quarantine Requirements and Travel Restrictions travel requirements Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S. that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Ho Chi Minh City Do check out the full guide for more pictures and information. Thank you! Starting February 2017, there is now a new eVISA available for citizens of 40 81 countries. Vietnam is already an affordable country, but you can save a bit more money with these tips: Joshua Berida is a writer who loves to travel. its about half the price of Vespa tours and so fun. Note: VISA ON ARRIVAL is available at 8 international airports and selected land borders and sea ports. Minimum cover USD10,000 (Link to info). Ask around where the stop is and board Bus 1 this costs around VND30,000. Visitors to Vietnam, U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call: Hanoi: (024) 3850-5000 - Ho Chi Minh City: (028) 3520-4200 or (028) 3520-4600, Outside of Office Hours, contact: - Hanoi: (024) 3850-5000 - Ho Chi Minh City: (028) 3520-4200 or (028) 3520-4600, Outside of Vietnam: - Hanoi: +8424-3850-5000 - Ho Chi Minh City: +8428-3520-4200 or +8428-3520-4600. If you like Buddhist temples and Chinese street food, then this may be an interesting area for you to stay. The second phase would begin in January 2022 with further locations added to the list with a full reopening expected sometime in June or July 2022. If something is quoted in VND, then pay for it in VND. You can also book hotels and homestays in Ho Chi Minh City using the handy map below. However, this is a cheaper option than the flight, and the right bus company takes you directly to Hoi An. Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Kankaria Estates. If you like seafood, particularly snails, then youre going to love Oc Oanh. Blog, youve got it all covered! Estimated Time to Stay: Around 30 mins 1 hr. Check the difference in price of your Ho Chi Minh City-Havana ticket when travelling in Economy, Premium economy, Inside this partially abandoned building are some of the most interesting cafes, teahouses, bars, and boutiques I visited in Ho Chi Minh City. Like banh mi, pho is a national dish and one of the most popular Vietnamese foods. Admission: VND 200,000 per personEstimated Time to Stay: Around 30 mins 1 hr. From $671, select. Saigon Oi is located inside the Cafe Apartments, the most famous cafe apartment block in Saigon. Tourists on packaged tours have arrived at the aforementioned locations since November 20. receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and obtain a QR code through the mandated health apps for movement within the city. Of the ten coffeehouses listed in our Saigon coffee guide, these three are my favorites. Several Vietnamese businesses, residential complexes, and restaurants have installed their own preventative measures to keep customers safe. Compare and book travel insurance for your next trip. The delta is home to thousands of animal species, making it one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. But be sure to click through to the complete guide for more pictures and information. Tickets are bookable online, through hotels, or you can head over to Pham Ngu Lao Street in the backpacker district of Ho Chi Minh City, where you will find the whole street filled with tour operators. All rights reserved. In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on: +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas They also used it as living quarters where they stored food, medicines, ammunition, and other items needed for warfare. Bun thit nuong is one of our favorite Vietnamese dishes. I went straight to the Mekong Delta area after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City so the woman selling tickets at the bus stop advised me to take Bus 119. Vietnams government has approved the resumption of international flights between Vietnam and nine destinations from January 1, 2022. Find the latest travel requirements for Vietnam and get updates if things change. Bowls of pho may vary from place to place but at its core, its made with clear stock, rice noodles, meat (typically beef or chicken), and herbs. Assistance during your journey, specific needs | Qantas You can check Bookaway to find route options available to you. Local vendors sell their food or wares to tourists. Do a quick search on your go-to flight aggregator like Skyscanner or others. It stays warm throughout the year with an average temperature of about 28C (82F). Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). I have included a link below. You can click on the link or use the widget below. Travelling between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will allow you to try each cities specialities and experience the different cultures. Simply put, you need a good wifi connection when you travel. Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An: What you need to know on This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam. Vietnam Tourist Visa Requirements - Ho Chi Minh City Highlights If you do decide to visit Saigon, then you may want to seriously consider getting travel insurance with COVID coverage. This time, Tr could travel on a drivable highway with regular fueling stops, a vast change from the days when the Ho Chi Minh trail was a dangerous mountain trek. If you think the 35-hour-long journey is too much, you can make stops somewhere in Central Vietnam, ideally in Da Nang, another major city. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from officesacross the world, including inHanoi,Ho Chi Minh City, andDa Nang. With an open bus ticket, you can get off at any major stop, spend a few days exploring the area, then head to the next city on the route. Already have Rappler+? Alerts and Messages for U.S. Vietnam Visa Go on a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. All have Vietnamese Embassys and most travel agents in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Vientianeand Luang Prabang can arrange it for you in a couple of days for a small fee or even fasterif you pay an express fee. Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome time in Ho Chi Mnh City! What do i need when i got to Ho chi minh by Feb : Get Ho Chi Minh City travel advice on Tripadvisor's Ho Chi Minh City travel forum. Government of Vietnam regulations regarding business operations, quarantine, movement, and travel restrictions in all parts of Vietnam can change with little notice. The tunnels were made for the size of the Vietnamese soldiers. Keep them with your Visa approval letter, your stamping fee and two passport photos and put them somewhere you can access easily when you land. Youll be carrying huge denominations of cash here since the Philippine peso is stronger than the Vietnamese dong (VND). You can exchange currency at some hotels as well but the rates generally arent good or they charge you an additional fee for the service. A tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels is the most popular day tour you can make from Ho Chi Minh City. DISCLOSURE: Some of our articles may contain affiliate links or sponsorships (disclosed at the bottom). On August 18, Ho Chi Minh City announced that it will categorize all individuals who recently returned from Hanoi, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Quang Its often mistaken for the countrys capital but it isnt. We tried it a couple of times and it really does seem to work. A 1-3 The train doesnt take you to Hoi An directly but goes to Da Nang instead. The photos are drastic but it's worth seeing them. The city has been inhabited since 3000 BC and offers must-try dishes such as ph and bn ch. If you have many products or ads, create your own online store (e-commerce shop) and conveniently group all your classified ads in your shop! A 4x6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses. See below. Grab is also available in the city and is a recommended option to avoid opportunistic taxi drivers. Step 2: Click this link or access https://immigration.gov.vn/ and go to 'E-visa Issuance' then click on the link for 'Outside Vietnam foreigners'. Pho Le has two outlets in Ho Chi Minh City, one in District 3 and another in District 5. Approach the Right-hand window and youll be asked to pay your stamping fee (in USD ONLY) and will receive your passport back with the Visa attached. Still you dont want to take chances. Check out our Saigon cafe guide for more information. Requirements and fees may vary depending on what passport you carry, so you can visit iVisa.com for more information and to apply. Weve had bun thit nuong at three different places in Saigon and this street food stall near the Cafe Apartments in District 1 was by far the best. If you arriving by land or sea check that a VOA is possible before you apply. Trang thng tin in t chnh thc ca Tng cc Du lch phc v cng tc qun l nh nc v du lch Thanks for sharing! The measure had earlier been imposed for travelers coming from countries that had detected the Omicron variant. The owner of the shop built this frying machine that pours hot oil from the top down onto poached chicken wings and thighs. Ill be using both terms interchangeably in this guide. Most promise to have it within 2 working days and that has been our experience to date. I mean, we survived right? You can book a day tour to Can Gio on Klook or Get Your Guide. This typically costs about USD 40. Its the citys green lung and makes for a nice nature escape from Saigon. You can also use Grab to book a ride to Hoi An. All three are vestiges of the 19th century French-colonial style. Every cafe, every bar, every boutique looked so quirky and unique. Travellers can arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by bus, train or plane. The open bus ticket will cost you about $50. I buy travel-related vouchers from a few websites but my favorites are Klook and Get Your Guide. Travel Requirements; Flying you to and from Dubai; Skywards tier status extension; Travel safety during COVID-19; Plan your travel with confidence; Vietnam Flights to Ho Chi Minh City History & Culture - Backpacking - Nature & Scenery. Ho Chi Minh | Aircalin It is warm all year around with long sun light time. Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism. We also maintain offices or have alliance partners assisting foreign investors inIndonesia,India,Singapore,The Philippines,Malaysia,Thailand,Italy,Germany, and theUnited States,in addition to practices inBangladeshandRussia. Hed hide weapons and artillery and provide refuge to soldiers wanted by the US army. To stay beyond this number of days, you may apply for a visa extension upon your arrival in Vietnam. Motorbike traffic in Saigon is crazy. We havent done it in Saigon but weve taken a cooking class in Hoi An and we loved it. Ho Chi Minh City Movement Restrictions Dezan Shira & Associates brochure offers a comprehensive overview of the services provided by the firm. For example, its about a 15-minute walk to Ben Thanh Market from M2C+ Cafe and 30 minutes from Babylon D3. Whisfee Cafe is one of about thirty establishments at 14 Ton That Dam. Theyre Vietnams biggest cities located at opposite ends of the country. Vietnam War Deputy Chief of Mission Melissa A. Bishop, Federal Assistance and Scholarship Programs, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm Visits Vietnam and Meets with Government of Vietnam Partners, First Peace Corps Volunteers Arrive in Vietnam, Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program 2023, Partnership with Google in Indonesia and Vietnam, Pilots Media Literacy and Google Startup Academy Programs at American Spaces, EducationUSA Fall Fair Ho Chi Minh City 2022, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Kerrys Travel to Vietnam, Vietnamese Blue-covered Passports must be Endorsed with Place of Birth, USAID, MARD Launch New Project to Combat Wildlife Trafficking, Agree to Partner on Addressing Climate Change in the Mekong Delta, U.S., Vietnam Officials Kick Off Installation of New Liquid Oxygen System at Bach Mai Hospital. Most travel agents use Visa processing Agencies to process visas for their clients. If you want to see the beach, follow this route: Ho Chi Minh City Mi N Nha Trang Qui Nhn Quang Ngai Hoi An Da Nang Hu Phong Nha Ninh Binh Hanoi. Ive probably eaten at close to thirty banh mi shops throughout Vietnam and the sandwiches at Huynh Hoa are by far the most loaded. Listed below are some of the most convenient areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, along with a color-coded map to help you better understand where each of these areas are. Glad it helped you plan your first trip home. In any case, this will matter less with the opening of the Saigon metro. Help us help other travelers by sharing it! The price varies depending on the tour agency you booked them through. You can use Grab Bike to get around on your own or you can book a guided tour. But the coffee isnt why you should visit Ca Phe Do Phu. Only passengers from very high-risk localities or locked-down areas would have to provide test results within 72 hours. Admission: VND 40,000 per personEstimated Time to Stay: Around 1-2 hrs. Follow these links for a complete list of Saigon deals on Klook and Get Your Guide. If youd prefer a quieter stay in Ho Chi Minh City, then perhaps District 2 would be better. Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest airline and government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, pre-departure COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry. Its Saigons commercial hub and home to a wide range of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you do not qualify for an eVisa or want to stay more than one month, THE MOST CONVENIENT WAYto obtain your Vietnam Tourist Visais stillOn Arrival. Ha Long will open to an unlimited number of vaccinated tourists, who will be able to travel without quarantine requirements. Located in the southern region of the country, Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest city in Vietnam by population. Its the area directly northwest of District 1. This includes Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Americans and many BUT NOT all Europeans. There are many affordable countries where you can live and workmaybe even while travelingwhile getting much more bang for your buck. classified ads If youre up for tackling winding roads along the mountains, try this option: Ho Chi Minh City Dalat Buon Ma Thuot Pleiku Kon Tum Hoi An Da Nang Hu Phong Nha Ninh Binh Hanoi. If youll be arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport and need to exchange currency, then change a small amount there, just enough to get you into the city, and change the rest at a bank or gold shop. // Tng cc Du lch From Hanoi, travellers can easily access other provinces in the north, making the city an ideal base to explore northern Vietnams mountains and valleys. Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub; Cover nose and mouth with tissues or inside of elbow when coughing or sneezing; Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms; Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals. Citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian Federation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Belarus entering Vietnam for a sojourn of 15 days, counting from the date of entry, regardless of their passport types and entry purposes, provided they meet all the conditions prescribed by Vietnams law.In addition, the policy on entry visa exemption for citizens of the above-mentioned countries shall be implemented for 3 years from March 15, 2022 to the end of March 14, 2025, and will be considered for an extension in accordance with Vietnams law. Travellers who are going the distance should spend some extra money and book a bunk. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, our 348 tastefully appointed, non-smoking rooms and suites ensure a comfortable stay just 10 minutes from Tan Son Nhat Some of the links in this Saigon travel guide are affiliate links, meaning well get a small commission if you make a purchase at no added cost to you. here to sign in, By clicking submit, you agree to our Privacy PolicyandTerms of Use, Forgot password?Click Tourists entering Vietnam should also have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of US$10,000. Dont leave home without it! If you get hungry after exploring the market, then you may want to grab bite to eat at Ben Thanh Street Food Market which is a trendy food hall about a block away. After the trip, spend the rest of the day hanging out in the city, eating banh mi (a local sandwich), drinking coffee (or egg coffee), and looking for souvenirs in the many markets. One 4x6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses. You can also refer to this excellent article on how to get to downtown Saigon from Tan Son Nhat Airport. I overheard tourists talking on the bus and one woman made the mistake of paying for a VND 50,000 can of Coca-Cola with a similarly red VND 200,000 bill. Foreign employees will be allowed to quarantine at the companys factory, the company headquarters, or at a designated hotel/facility. While Hanoi is the birthplace of many national dishes, Ho Chi Minh City features a variety of international dishes with local influences. This takes into account your hotel room, meals, transportation, tours, entrance fees, and pocket wifi rental. One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page. It will cost you a little less than a $100. The government is yet to provide further details and date for implementation. Most of the attractions of interest to tourists are within walking distance from each other, so I just walked most of the time. While private rooms are already cheap (you can find one for less than P1,000 a night), you can save more money by staying in a hostels dorm room. Flight tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Havana - skyscanner.co.in DRY SEASON: Ho Chi Minh Citys dry season is from December to April. The most expensive ticket is the comfiest berth. The sidewalks are more congested, places of interest are farther apart, streets are wider, and there are a lot more motorbikes. The lines at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa can get pretty long but not to worry, they do move fairly quickly. This Ho Chi Minh City travel guide is long and detailed. Thank you for writing this article, it was very interesting and had a lot of helpful points and information.