Time Zone: GMT +7
Language: Vietnamese
Visas:
Visa on arrival (VOA) is available, although the queue can be long. From now till 30 June 2016, holders of British, German, French, Spanish, Belarus and Italian passports will not require a visa for stays of up to 15 days. It is not yet known whether that exemption will extend beyond June 2016. You will need to apply for a visa pre-approval letter before entering Vietnam, and there are many online websites that provide pre-approval letter services.
Local transportation:
Taxi (beware of scam taxis that look like the big companies (Mai Linh Taxi and Vinasun Taxi) from the outside, but with minor differences), bus, xe om (motorbike taxi). Uber is also available in HCMC.
Where to buy a SIM card:
Viettel and Vinaphone have booths at Tan Son Nhat airport (right before you exit to the public area). Throughout the city you’ll also find cell phone stores; a high concentration is found at the beginning of CMT8 and Pham Ngu Lao. You can also purchase your SIM card at the Saigon Central Post Office.
Popular areas:
Pham Ngu Lao, CMT8, Dong Khoi, Le Loi, Central Saigon, Cholon
Popular food:
Bánh mì (baguette sandwich), Phở (noodle soup), Bún riêu cua (meat rice vermicelli soup), Bánh cuốn (steamed rice roll with meat), Banh Xeo (pancake)
Things not to do:
Don't place your bag on the floor or a chair back when in a restaurant as there are snatch thieves. While walking down the street, don't keep your purse hanging on the side facing the street as motorbike snatch thieves are common. Don't hesitate while crossing the road - it may appear scary, but walk across slowly and confidently while the motorbikes go past around you. Don't forget to look your bills over twice before handing them off - the 10,000 dong looks a lot like 100,000 dong, and 50,000 dong looks a lot like 500,000 dong.