Saigon Travel Tips

The most important tip for Saigon. Walk at a slow, steady pace and traffic (mostly motorbikes) will flow around you. Do NOT stop, run, or make sudden movements. You are a rock in a stream. Start with small streets and build confidence. Cars and buses do NOT stop — wait for them to pass. This technique feels terrifying at first but works perfectly once you trust it.

Tipping is not part of Vietnamese culture and is not expected in most situations. At nice restaurants, 5-10% is appreciated but not required. Tour guides: 50,000-100,000 VND. Spa therapists: 50,000-100,000 VND. Grab drivers: no tip expected. Hotel staff: 20,000-50,000 VND for exceptional service. Street food stalls and local restaurants: no tip needed.

Cash (VND) is essential. Street food, markets, most restaurants, xe om, and small shops are cash-only. Cards work at hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants. Grab accepts cards via the app. Carry 1,000,000-2,000,000 VND in cash daily. Use Vietcombank or BIDV ATMs (lowest fees). Always decline "dynamic currency conversion" — it adds a hidden markup. Large notes (500,000 VND) can be hard to break at small stalls.

Shoe shine scam: strangers "accidentally" get polish on your shoes then demand payment. Cyclo (rickshaw) overcharging: agree a price BEFORE riding — some demand $50+ after. Fake taxis: only use Vinasun or Mai Linh, or use Grab. "Friendly" strangers leading to expensive bars. Motorbike "helpers" at tourist spots who demand money. Overcharging at Ben Thanh Market. Always agree prices before any service.

Saigon has two seasons: dry (Dec-Apr) and rainy (May-Nov). During rainy season, heavy afternoon downpours are daily occurrences lasting 1-2 hours. Always carry a compact umbrella or light rain jacket. Plan outdoor activities for the morning. The rain usually clears by evening. Temperature is consistently warm (27-35C) year-round. The humidity can be intense — stay hydrated.

Light, breathable clothing is essential in Saigon's tropical climate. Cotton and linen work best. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting pagodas and temples (carry a light scarf). Comfortable walking shoes — avoid flip-flops on motorbikes. Bring sunscreen (expensive locally), a hat, and sunglasses. In rainy season, quick-dry fabrics are helpful. Air conditioning in malls and restaurants can be intense — carry a light layer.

Bargaining is expected at Ben Thanh Market, tourist shops, and with xe om drivers. Start at 30-40% of the asking price and negotiate up. Be friendly and smile — it is a social interaction, not a confrontation. Walk away if the price is not right — the vendor often calls you back. Fixed-price shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and Grab do not involve bargaining. Do not bargain aggressively for food at street stalls.

Saigon is one of the safest cities in Southeast Asia. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risks: bag snatching by motorbike (carry bags on the building side, not road side), phone snatching while walking, and petty scams. Use Grab instead of unmarked taxis. Keep valuables in a cross-body bag in front of you. The backpacker area (Bui Vien) is safe but stay alert late at night.

Get a local SIM card — you need data for Grab, Google Maps, and Google Translate. Buy at a Viettel or Mobifone shop in the city (70,000-100,000 VND for 30 days with data) or at the airport for more (150,000-300,000 VND). Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Bring your passport — it is needed for SIM registration. Download Vietnamese on Google Translate for offline use.

Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Fire: 114. International hospitals with English-speaking staff: FV Hospital (District 7), Vinmec International Hospital (multiple locations), and Columbia Asia (District 1). These are modern, well-equipped hospitals that accept international insurance. Pharmacies are common — look for "nha thuoc" signs. Many medications available over the counter that require prescriptions elsewhere.

Key phrases: "Xin chao" (hello — "sin chow"), "Cam on" (thank you — "gam un"), "Bao nhieu?" (how much? — "bow nyew"), "Khong" (no — "kohm"), "Vang" (yes — "vahng"), "Xin loi" (sorry/excuse me — "sin loy"), "Mot, hai, ba" (1, 2, 3 — used for cheers when drinking). Any attempt to speak Vietnamese is met with delighted smiles and genuine appreciation.

Download Grab before arriving in Vietnam and set up card payment. Grab Bike is the cheapest and fastest transport option (15,000-50,000 VND). Grab Car provides air-conditioned comfort (50,000-200,000 VND). GrabFood delivers meals. The app eliminates language barriers, prevents overcharging, and provides GPS tracking. It is the single most useful tool for navigating Saigon.

Do NOT drink tap water in Saigon. Always use bottled water (5,000-10,000 VND from convenience stores). Ice in tourist restaurants and cafes is generally safe (made from purified water) but avoid ice from street carts if concerned. Carry a reusable bottle and refill from large water jugs at hostels or 5-liter bottles from convenience stores to reduce plastic waste.

When visiting pagodas and temples, cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering prayer halls (look for shoes at the entrance as a cue). Keep noise to a minimum. Ask before photographing worshippers. Do not point your feet toward Buddha statues. Small donations (10,000-20,000 VND) in the offering box are appreciated. Pagodas are active places of worship — visit respectfully.

Hotels charge 2-3x markup on tours. Book Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta trips directly through operators or your hostel for better prices. Compare prices on Klook and GetYourGuide with local operators. Group tours are cheaper than private tours. The War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, and Notre-Dame Cathedral are all self-guided — no tour needed. Buy tickets at the door.