Practical tips: Ho Chi Minh City & the south

What I wish I'd known before my first trip.

Visas and entry

Vietnam offers visa-free entry for citizens of a number of countries for limited stays, and an e-visa for most other nationalities, typically valid for up to 90 days. Apply only through the official government portal, and check the current rules for your passport before you travel, as they change. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat airport is about seven kilometres from District 1, a twenty to forty-minute ride depending on traffic.

Money

The currency is the Vietnamese dong. Notes run into the hundreds of thousands, and it is easy to mix up the 10,000 and 100,000 notes, or the 20,000 and 500,000, which look similar. Cards are accepted in many hotels, cafés and shops in the centre, and QR payments are everywhere, but street food, markets and the delta still run on cash. ATMs are common in cities but scarce on Con Dao and in rural areas.

Getting around Saigon

Grab and other ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get around, by car or motorbike, with fixed prices. The first metro line runs east from Ben Thanh, and city buses are cheap but slower. Walking is pleasant in the centre in the early morning and evening. For long journeys to the delta and coast, buses leave from the Mien Tay and Mien Dong bus stations, and limousine vans offer door-to-door service.

Seasons and weather

The south has two seasons. The dry season, roughly from December to April, is sunny and hot, with March and April the hottest months. The rainy season, from May to November, brings heavy afternoon downpours that usually pass in an hour or two. The Mekong Delta floods from about August to November, transforming the landscape. Temperatures stay warm all year, typically 25–35°C.

Health

Drink bottled or filtered water. Use strong sun protection and stay hydrated; heat exhaustion is common among visitors. Dengue fever is present, especially in the rainy season, so use insect repellent day and night. Travel insurance is essential; private international hospitals in Saigon are good but expensive. Pharmacies are everywhere, and pharmacists can help with minor complaints.

Etiquette

Dress modestly when visiting pagodas, temples, churches and museums: shoulders and knees covered. Take off your shoes when entering homes and some temples. Don’t touch people’s heads or point your feet at altars. A friendly smile and patience go a long way; raising your voice is seen as losing face. When eating with locals, wait for the eldest to start.

Safety

Saigon is generally safe, but bag and phone snatching by thieves on motorbikes is the most common problem, especially in District 1. Keep phones away from the kerb and bags across your body. Traffic is the biggest daily danger: cross slowly and steadily, without sudden moves. Only rent a motorbike if you are experienced and properly licensed, and always wear a helmet.

Scams

Agree prices before getting into cyclos or taxis outside the apps, and before ordering seafood sold by weight. Be cautious with people offering shoe repairs, photos with a fruit-seller’s shoulder pole or unexpected help, which may end in a request for money. Use official money changers or banks. Book tours through reputable agencies or your hotel.

SIM cards and connectivity

Buy a local SIM card or eSIM at the airport or in mobile phone shops in the city; you’ll need your passport for registration. Data is cheap and coverage is good, even in much of the delta. Wi-Fi is available in almost every café, hotel and restaurant. Download offline maps and a translation app, as English is limited outside tourist areas.

Language

Vietnamese is tonal, and the southern accent is softer than the northern one. A few words help: xin chào for hello, cảm ơn for thank you, bao nhiêu for how much, and không cay for not spicy. Younger people in the city often speak some English, but in markets and the countryside, a smile, gestures and a translation app go a long way.