hanx

Hello, we are planning a trip to Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon in march and are looking for things to do / see / places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City off the beaten track. A search at google leads to the classic touristic sites / things to do and see, and i.e. Lonely Planet only provides you with "traveller info" for backpackers...

But after our first visit last year we want to get to know the city a little better apart from the classic touristic programme.

Every advice is appreciated, and thank you in advance for your input!

Regards

hanx

angels

Slasher would be your man, although he's rarely around nowadays.

Since you've been before, trust you took the run up to Cu Chi?

hanx

Yes we've been to Cu Chi, it was a kind of frightening experience, especially because our guide was a little bit nervous near the shooting range. Some month before he was eyewitness when a japanese guy bought 20 shots and commited suicide in front of the tourists...

I went into the tunnels (the ones widened for westerners), but got an claustrophobic attack and had to leave after 20 meters.

Unbelievable that people lived there for months or even longer....

angels

20 shots? By heck, assuming he was using an AK he could have saved himself $19! If he wanted to be sure, a three shot burst would have meant a $17 saving. Oh well.

Anyway, assume also you checked out the less touristy bits of Cholon. Otherwise, what about a potter down the river to Vung Tau?

Phil Space

Hanx,
Not sure what you want to see if you have done the tourist things before.
I guess by that you have done the former presidential palace etc

My advice would be to skip Saigon and try Hanoi and Halong Bay.
PM me for more info. They do a nice junk boat cruise over 3 days around Halong.

hanx

Thanks for your replies and ideas! Cholon is on our list, because we only visited the big market (don't remember the name) and one of the numerous pagodas, but we didn't have the opportunity just to stroll around...

Last year we did a roundtrip and enjoyed Hanoi for three days, very nice and totally different to Saigon. But because of the roundtrip we decided that this year we wanted to stay in the south, and we already made a trip through the halong Bay - but not in the weather conditions like on the photo (it was rainy, january is not the best time for the north). Mekong Delta was also included in our trip.

What we want to see: bars / restaurants not crowded because the are mentioned in some travel guides; interesting museums; markets; just places which may be interesting but not on the list if you stay only two or three days in one place.

I know my question sounds a little bit difficult, and thanks again for your input!

Regards

hanx

PS: we created an photoalbum after our trip last year, if someone is interested (the explanations are written in german only, sorry):

http://www.arcor.de/palb/thumbs_publ...lbumID=3901388

china

The Sheraton hotel has a fantastic restaurant. When I was there (2 years ago) it was $25 dollars a head with as much wine as you could drink.

There is also a nice bar upstairs but i can't remember alot about it.

I found it the best place to eat in HCM City.

cathaychap

Temple Club is a great place to eat, as is Camargue. A quick Google search will tell you where to find them. For drinking, Saigon Saigon - in the Caravelle - is bearable (up to a point), but a better place is Q Bar, very close by - opposite the Park Hyatt.

hanx

We just left Saigon and enjoying beach days in Mui Ne at the moment, and i wanted to say thanks to china!! We've been to the Sheraton Hotel, not for dinner but for some drinks in the rooftop bar ("Level 23"). Reasonable prices, great drinks and a breathtaking view on Saigon by night!!!!

Regards

hanx

Phil Space

How is the weather?
It's starting to get pretty hot here in Thailand and Laos.

ZFT

Phil,

It's unseasonably cool and wet in BKK at present.

Mr Mac

Looking for good classy bars in Hanoi / Saigon any recomendations, we will be there 4 days in each city, thanks .

hanx

Don't know if it's too late, but here are my recommendations for Saigon

western style:
Level 23 - Sheraton Saigon Towers Rooftop Bar (Dong Khoi)
Palace Hotel Rooftop Bar - they even have a pool (Boulevard Nguyen Hue)
Q Bar opposite Caravelle Hotel

vietnamese style:
the bar and restaurant (don't remember the name) in the Sunwah Tower on Nguyen Hue, for rich and young vietnamese people the place to be, very interesting!

and the famous and much recommended bar in Hotel Rex is a rip-off!