I loved Ho Chi Minh City! And to cap my posts on our short but sweet vacation, I’m sharing my random thoughts on the city!
Things TD and I noticed:
- I felt safe walking around Ho Chi Minh City during the day and night.
- Pickpockets are rampant so keep you bag close to your body (Preferably a sturdy bag you can tuck under your arms like this)
- Because walking is so common, always bring an umbrella or rain coat if the weather prediction is rainy
- It wasn’t as scary as expected crossing the streets, motor cycle drivers here go at a very steady and relaxed speed (unlike the super fast motorcyle drivers in Jakarta)
- The roads are quite wide so there is plenty of space for motorcycles to go around (to avoid) you while you cross streets with no stop lights.
- It is a walkable city with wide sidewalks that also serve as parking for motorcycles.
- Because of #5, pedestrians must still be cautious on sidewalks because motorcycle use them too! It can be startling for us tourists.
- Just like the Blue Bird Taxis in Jakarta, taking cabs in HCMC are also very convenient with Vinasun and Mai Linh cabs. BUT be wary of fake ones! We almost got into a Mai Ling cab which looked exactly like the original, except the spelling was minus the H at the end.
- HCMC offers historical and cultural sites, as well as many restaurants. We were amazed at how much cheaper food is in HCMC than in Jakarta.
- It was a little hard to communicate because the people don’t speak much English, just like Jakarta, and they couldn’t understand us because we were saying words with the wrong accents. However I was impressed because in the touristy spots like the Ben Than Market, the people there spoke English better than our hotel staff. Very cool.
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