Top tips for getting around Ho Chi Minh City easily

Ho Chi Minh, the biggest and most dynamic city in Vietnam which attracts millions of local people and foreigners each year. How is it possible to get around Ho Chi Minh City comfortably and economically?

From Tan Son Nhat airport to downtown

After landing at Tan Son Nhat, international airport in Ho Chi Minh city, you can choose one of the following transports:

Taxi:

Some reliable traditional taxi companies such as: Mai Linh and Vinasun taxi that are available anytime at airport. It may cost from $7 - $9 to get District 1 within around 35 minutes, or a bit longer in rush hours.

Also, you can use Grab or Bee apps to book a car conveniently with the cheaper price. The price to get downtown is just around $4, which is more bargain than that of regular taxi. You just need to download Grab, Bee apps and use free airport wifi to book a car to anywhere you want.

Bus:

This is the most economical option to get into the city. There are several bus you can choose including bus 109, bus 49 and bus 152. All buses are equipped air conditioners and space for your luggage. It costs over 20.000 VND ($1) to reach the downtown. These buses depart every 20 minutes so that you will not spend much time to get it.

Get around Ho Chi Minh City

In Sai Gon, District 1 to 5 are home of highest number of famous attractions, shopping avenues, nightclubs, bars and superb restaurants.

Taxi:

This is regarded as the easiest way to navigate through the city. You can easily find some of taxies parked outside restaurants, bars or hotels with 8000 – 10.000 VND per km. Please note that there are a couple of taxi scams in Sai Gon so that you just should use trusted companies such as: Mai Linh taxi, Vina taxi, Vinasun taxi and SaiGon air taxi.

You can also book a taxi through app (Grab and Bee) conveniently with the cheaper charge.

Motorcycle taxi (Xe Om):

This interesting way to get around definitely brings you amazing experience. Bike booking apps are widely used thank to its convenience and cheap price. It costs normally 5000 VND/km and you will be supplied a helmet. However, almost of drivers cannot speak English.

Bus:

Buses are great way to discover around the city on a tight budget. There are many routes everyday going to central points in the city with around 7000 VND per route.

Cyclo:

You can find this vehicle in the famous tourist destinations in the city like temples, restaurants and landmarks. With 20,000 VND per hour, many visitors choose this way to discover popular spots around the city. This is really new and interesting experience for foreigners.

Motorcycle and bicycle rentals

If you are used to chaotic traffic there, you can hire a bike or motorbike to discover the city on your own style and interest. The price for renting a full-day bicycle and motorbike will cost appropriately 30,000 VND and 120,000 respectively.

Travel to other places

Bus:

Bus station is just opposite Ben Thanh market in District No.1, you can take bus to visit the Mekong Delta from Mien Tay or Mien Dong bus stations. Even if you go to other destinations of the country, you can take bus from Mien Dong station.

What’s more, bus to Tay Ninh can be caught at Ben Thanh bus station. Popular bus numbers in Ben Thanh bus station:

• Cho Lon station: Bus #1, 56

• Mien Dong station: Bus#26

• Mien Tay station: Bus#2

• Tay Ninh: Bus#702

They also have the sleeper buses with two levels of bunk beds stacked neatly in three rows.

For more information about departure from bus station from Mien Dong, please check www.benxemiendong.com.vn and http://bxmt.com.vn from Mien Tay bus station. You even can take the tourist bus between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh which is just 6 hours.

Flights:

Airfare is relatively cheap and there are many routes from Ho Chi Minh to other destinations both domestic and international. Such familiar carriers are: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Jetstar. During Tet holiday the rates are higher. Be sure to triple check your baggage weight.