Saigon Prince Hotel Ho Chi Minh

Advantages: Plenty to see
Disadvantages: Weather unpredictable - can ground you

...My boyfriend and I took a three week holiday in Vietnam December 1999. A reasonably priced fare with Lauda Air (£458 inc) Heathrow - Vienna - Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh. We planned to make our own travel arrangements through the countryside as far north as Nha Trang. We arrived unaware that a cyclone was hitting hard from the Phillipines. Flooding up and down the country led to a state of emergency being declared throughout the country. Tourists were being shunted back to major towns and cities as fast as possible. So this situation put paid to our plans for a three week travelling trip. We faced up to the fact that it was going to be Saigon and very little else for the duration. It was disappointing that we couldn't control our own proceedings and missed out on the beautiful countryside, sand sea and local village life that we... Read review

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Advantages: Untouched rural beauty,breathtaking senery, cheap cost of living, friendly warm people,very little crime
Disadvantages: culture shock, hygiene not up to western standards

...Arriving in Ho Chi Minh Airport, the first thing that really struck me was the huge anti-aircraft guns sitting next to the runway, a very harsh reminder that this is a country just recovering from more than 30 years of war. This having been said, It has now been at peace with itself and it's neighbours for close to ten years. Certainly any reservations you initially had would be swepted away in the fast moving and neon lit lights of Saigon Proper. And after the inevitably long flight over you would think that all you would want to do is catch up on some well-deserved sleep. But instead you find yourself woken up and alert, as this wondrous and enchanting city breathes the life back into you. In fact if there is one thing this city has, It is an abundance of life and frantic hustle and bustle. Everywhere you look there is some facet... Read review

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Advantages: Modern Vietnam With One Eye Carefully Trained On The Past.
Disadvantages: The Scam Merchants Will Have Your Eye Out If You're Not Careful.

...As much as those in authority try to change Saigon to Ho Chi Minh the more the locals hold onto Saigon. You see despite the passage of time and outwardly friendly gesturing between North and South Vietnam there is still much distrust between the two. So holding onto a historical name is one way of showing the other how they really feel. Saigon is a wonderful capital that is clogged morning, noon and night with motorbikes, bicycles, pedicabs and the occasional 4 wheeled vehicle. It has much to offer and despite the constant stories of robberies and muggings it is a safe city to visit. Pollution isn't on the scale of Bangkok but when you compare it to Hanoi some work clearly needs to be done to clear the air. Saigon sprawls over 16 districts but the main attractions and most of the accommodation are housed within district one... Read review

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