Travel Tips for HCMC

Essential information and practical advice for your Ho Chi Minh City adventure

💰 Money & Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). As of July 2025, typical exchange rates are approximately:

  • 1 USD = 26,000 VND
  • 1 EUR = 30,000 VND
  • 1 KRW = 19 VND
  • 1 JPY = 177 VND
  • 1 CNY = 3,600 VND
  • 1 TWD = 900 VND

Payment Methods

  • Cash: Still widely used, especially at street vendors and small shops
  • Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers
  • Mobile Payments: Grab Pay, Moca, ZaloPay popular locally
  • USD: Sometimes accepted at hotels and tourist areas

ATMs & Money Exchange

  • ATMs are widely available throughout the city
  • Daily withdrawal limits: 3,000,000-5,000,000 VND
  • Gold shops and banks offer currency exchange
  • Avoid street money changers

Vietnamese Banknotes & Coins

Current Banknotes:

  • Polymer Notes: 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000 VND
  • Cotton Notes: 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000 VND (older versions)
  • Colors: Each denomination has distinct colors for easy identification

Coins: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 VND (rarely used in daily transactions)

Security Features: Watermarks, security threads, and transparent windows on polymer notes

Tipping Culture

  • Not mandatory but appreciated for good service
  • Restaurants: 5-10% if no service charge
  • Taxis: Round up to nearest 10,000 VND
  • Hotels: 20,000-50,000 VND for housekeeping

Practical Money Tips

  • Small Bills: Keep 10,000 and 20,000 VND notes for street vendors
  • Large Bills: 500,000 VND notes can be difficult to break at small shops
  • Bank Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
  • Weekend ATMs: Available 24/7 at most locations
  • Transaction Fees: International ATM fees typically 55,000-110,000 VND

🔌 Electricity & Plugs

Power Specifications

  • Voltage: 220V
  • Frequency: 50Hz
  • Plug Types: Type A (two flat pins), Type C (two round pins), Type D (three round pins)

What You Need

  • Universal adapter recommended for multiple plug types
  • Voltage converter if your devices don't support 220V
  • Most modern electronics (phones, laptops) work with 220V

Where to Buy Adapters

  • Electronics stores on Nguyen Hue Street
  • Convenience stores (Circle K, 7-Eleven)
  • Hotels often provide adapters
  • Airport shops (more expensive)

Power Reliability

  • Generally reliable in central areas
  • Occasional outages during storms
  • Most hotels have backup generators

📱 SIM Card & Internet

Major Mobile Operators

  • Viettel: Best coverage, fastest speeds
  • Vinaphone: Good network, competitive prices
  • Mobifone: Wide coverage, reliable

Tourist SIM Cards

  • Available at airport, convenience stores, and mobile shops
  • Prepaid options: 7-day, 15-day, 30-day packages
  • Data plans: 3GB-30GB options available
  • Price range: 100,000-500,000 VND depending on data

eSIM Options

  • Airalo, Holafly, and other international eSIM providers
  • Can be activated before arrival
  • Usually more expensive than local SIMs

WiFi Availability

  • Free WiFi at most hotels, cafes, and restaurants
  • Shopping malls and airports have free WiFi
  • Many public spaces offer free internet
  • Coffee shops are great for working with laptops

Internet Speeds

  • 4G LTE widely available in urban areas
  • 5G network expanding in central districts
  • Average speeds: 20-50 Mbps on mobile
  • Fiber internet common in hotels and businesses

🤝 Local Etiquette

Greetings & Interactions

  • Slight bow or nod when greeting
  • Handshakes are common in business settings
  • Address older people with respect
  • Use both hands when giving/receiving business cards

Dining Etiquette

  • Wait for the oldest person to start eating
  • Don't point chopsticks at people
  • It's polite to try everything offered
  • Sharing food is common and appreciated
  • Slurping noodles is acceptable

Temple & Religious Sites

  • Remove shoes before entering temples
  • Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees)
  • Don't point feet toward Buddha statues
  • Speak quietly and respectfully
  • Ask permission before taking photos

Cultural Sensitivity

  • Avoid public displays of affection
  • Don't touch someone's head
  • Show respect for elders
  • Be patient with language barriers
  • Don't photograph people without permission

💬 Language & Communication

Essential Vietnamese Phrases

  • Hello: Xin chào (sin chow)
  • Thank you: Cám ơn (gahm un)
  • Excuse me: Xin lỗi (sin loy)
  • How much?: Bao nhiêu? (bow nyew?)
  • I don't understand: Tôi không hiểu (toy kong hew)
  • Where is...?: ...ở đâu? (uh dow?)

English Proficiency

  • Young people often speak some English
  • Tourist areas have English-speaking staff
  • Hotels and restaurants usually have English menus
  • Download translation apps for complex communication

Translation Apps

  • Google Translate (offline Vietnamese available)
  • Microsoft Translator
  • Papago (good for Asian languages)
  • Camera translation feature useful for menus

🏥 Health & Safety

Food & Water Safety

  • Drink bottled or filtered water
  • Avoid ice in drinks unless from reputable places
  • Eat at busy, popular street food stalls
  • Wash hands frequently
  • Avoid raw vegetables at street vendors

Common Health Issues

  • Traveler's diarrhea (bring anti-diarrheal medicine)
  • Heat exhaustion (stay hydrated)
  • Mosquito-borne diseases (use repellent)
  • Air pollution (consider masks on high-pollution days)

Medical Facilities

  • International hospitals: Columbia Asia, FV Hospital
  • 24/7 pharmacies available
  • Travel insurance recommended
  • Emergency number: 115

Personal Safety

  • HCMC is generally safe for tourists
  • Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas
  • Keep valuables in hotel safe
  • Use reputable taxi companies or Grab
  • Avoid walking alone late at night

🌤️ Weather & Clothing

Climate Overview

  • Tropical climate with two seasons
  • Dry season: November-April (best time to visit)
  • Wet season: May-October (daily afternoon rain)
  • Temperature: 26-32°C (79-90°F) year-round
  • High humidity (70-80%)

What to Pack

  • Light, breathable clothing
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sandals for casual wear
  • Light rain jacket or umbrella
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Modest clothing for temples

Rainy Season Tips

  • Rain typically lasts 1-2 hours in afternoon
  • Carry a small umbrella
  • Waterproof bag for electronics
  • Quick-dry clothing recommended

🛍️ Shopping & Bargaining

Where to Shop

  • Fixed prices: Malls, supermarkets, branded stores
  • Bargaining expected: Markets, street vendors, tourist shops
  • Best markets: Ben Thanh, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue

Bargaining Tips

  • Start at 30-50% of asking price
  • Be polite and smile
  • Walk away if price too high - sellers often call you back
  • Buy multiple items for better deals
  • Have small bills ready

What to Buy

  • Vietnamese coffee
  • Traditional áo dài clothing
  • Lacquerware and handicrafts
  • Conical hats (nón lá)
  • Silk products

Avoid

  • Counterfeit goods (illegal)
  • Ivory or endangered species products
  • Extremely cheap electronics
  • Overpriced "tourist" items

🚗 Transportation Tips

Getting Around

  • Grab: Most reliable for taxis and motorbikes
  • Traditional taxis: Mai Linh, Vinasun (use meter)
  • Motorbike taxi: Xe om (negotiate price first)
  • Bus: Cheap but crowded, limited English

Traffic Safety

  • Traffic is chaotic - be very careful crossing streets
  • Cross slowly and steadily, let motorbikes go around you
  • Always wear helmet on motorbikes
  • Avoid riding motorbikes if inexperienced

Airport Transport

  • Tan Son Nhat Airport to city center: 30-45 minutes
  • Taxi: 150,000-200,000 VND
  • Grab: Usually cheaper than taxi
  • Airport bus: 20,000 VND (bus #152)

⏰ Time & Business Hours

Time Zone

  • UTC+7 (Indochina Time)
  • No daylight saving time
  • Same time as Bangkok, Jakarta

Business Hours

  • Shops: 9:00-21:00
  • Restaurants: 6:00-22:00 (some 24/7)
  • Banks: 8:00-16:30 (Mon-Fri)
  • Museums: 8:00-17:00 (closed Mondays)
  • Markets: 6:00-18:00

Public Holidays

  • Tet (Vietnamese New Year): January/February
  • National Day: September 2
  • Liberation Day: April 30
  • International Workers' Day: May 1