Travel tips · Ho Chi Minh City · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Saigon has always been a trading city, more openly commercial and outward-looking than Hanoi, with Buddhist, Catholic, Cao Đài, Hindu and Chinese communities living side by side. Southern Vietnamese are known for directness and hospitality, and life is lived outdoors on pavements, in cafés and on motorbikes.
Key facts
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- VND
- Plugs
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is…
- Emergency
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
Things to know
- Most residents call the city Saigon in everyday speech; both names are fine to use.
- Cover shoulders and knees at pagodas and temples, and remove shoes where others do.
- Give and receive money, business cards and gifts with both hands.
- Bargain in markets with good humour, but not in malls and shops with marked prices.
- Avoid touching people's heads and do not point at people with your finger.
- Stay calm in disagreements; raising your voice tends to make things worse.
- Street food, cơm tấm and bánh mì stalls give excellent meals for a few dollars.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditionally expected but is appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a service charge; tip tour guides and drivers, spa staff and hotel porters, and round up for good service elsewhere.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Xin chào | Hello |
| Cảm ơn | Thank you |
| Bao nhiêu tiền? | How much is it? |
| Không cay | Not spicy |
| Tính tiền | The bill, please |
| Chay | Vegetarian |
| Dô! | Cheers! |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothes all year, a compact umbrella or rain poncho from May to November, and a shawl or long trousers for temples.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made.
- Emergency number
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
- Phone and internet
- Local SIMs and eSIMs with large data allowances are inexpensive at the airport and in the city, and Wi-Fi is available in most cafés and hotels.
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho Chi Minh
Bag and phone snatching by thieves on passing motorbikes is the most common problem, especially in District 1 and around Bùi Viện. Traffic is the main physical hazard, and overcharging by unofficial taxis and some bars happens. During the rainy season, streets can flood briefly after storms and at high tide.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Vietnam's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Ho Chi Minh City?
Tipping is not traditionally expected but is appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a service charge; tip tour guides and drivers, spa staff and hotel porters, and round up for good service elsewhere.
+Can you drink the tap water in Ho Chi Minh City?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made.
+What plugs are used in Ho Chi Minh City?
Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnamese.