Top 10 Must Do's in Saigon, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)

7:30:00 PM Pinoy Boy Journals 4 Comments

For those of you who're wondering what is there to do in Saigon "Ho Chi Minh City", Vietnam, I've made a list of the top 10 things that you can easily do when you fly out to this metropolis.

Of course, apart from the usual Mekong river trip, Cu Chi Tunnels and trekking towards hills and tribes, here's a few more to add to your list.

1. Watch the City.

This may sound vague but to capture the essence of Vietnamese life, take a look around at the people: the faces, the smiles, the gestures. There's so much to see than your guide book. Take a walk. Breathe fresh air. Buy fruits. Sit with the locals in cafes and try to mingle. It's always a great joy for me when i talk to the locals. It makes me feel more at home.

2. Drink "Saigon Beer".

Its brewed taste. Its intoxication after. The effect when you're talking to beautiful Vietnamese. The joy of sharing a beer with your friends. Talking. Laughing. Sharing stories. I don't know about you, but i love happy hour. Late afternoon drinking rocks! Cool and Chill. Cheers!

3. Go to GO2 Bar.

GO2bar is a really cool place to hang out when you're in Saigon. Beers aren't cheap here, but you're paying for the ambiance. Right stuck in the middle of the busy intersection, is the best party place in town. You can watch as the day turns into night, people walking around, plus you can meet a lot of people here, too.

A happy crowd. A happy night.

Upstairs, there's a club that plays house and pop tunes so you can party the night away like i did as soon as i touched down in Saigon. Beers are sold for about $2. There's cool music on the second floor. A few floors up is the rooftop, where there's chill out deck drinking sessions. It's an awesome place to hang out with fellow travelers.

4. Become a Snake Charmer or Ride the Speedboat.

I think one of the wildest things i did here was putting on a giant snake around my neck. Only in Vietnam, my friend. My friend drank snake wine. I was taking care of my stomach. This is for free so you can do this essential experience when you get to your first stop during the Mekong River Tour.

Speedboat cruise. Take photos! Ask someone to take your photo while cruising the Mekong river on speed.

5. Cross the street.

There's a particular trick that i follow. Walk just right, not too slow or motorbikes will honk on you, not too fast or you'll be hit. And never, ever stop. That's when accidents happen, actually.

6. Talk to the police.

After going to the Pagoda we decided to walk around. Lo and behold, we got lost. We were walking on the streets were lingerie is everywhere and we're starving. My friend Cara went up to the police and asked "Where am i?" And the police answered... "You're at the mall!" It's funnier when i tell you the story in person. How can you beat that.

7. Spend your Vietnamese Dong.

With a couple of five hundred thousands and fifty thousands, buddy, when you're in Vietnam, you're a millionaire. Ask for a beer, ask how much? Roughly 80,000 dong!

8. Don't eat raw meat.

Raw meat is what you find in the market like this. Literally and figuratively. A lot of Vietnamese girls are out during the night, dressed up, fully made up, waiting to service you, for the lack of a better and more appropriate term. Massages, the likes. It's up to you to do what you want. Been asked many times so i have prior experience.

9. Never mess with the Cyclo man.

A cycle is a living history. But let's get real, it takes way too long. And don't even think about taking a photo. Just a photo opportunity with the cyclo man, you may be charged $5. WTF.

10. And of course, be friendly.