Dad and I recently traveled to Southeast Asia together, including 3 nights in Saigon. Using 50,000 Alaska Airlines miles each, we flew Cathay Pacific business class from New York to Hong Kong and continued on to Saigon – it’s a killer redemption from the US to Asia. It was my first time visiting Vietnam, and I truly enjoyed taking in all that Saigon had to offer.
Once we landed, I purchased a SIM card to use during my stay for $10. Though the phone companies at the airport advertise 4G/LTE speeds, you’re really only getting 3G, realistically; however, it’s silly to complain, considering you can get 30 days of unlimited mobile data usage for just $10.
We hopped in a taxi and were soon our way to the Park Hyatt Saigon. Just a word of caution about taxis in Saigon – there are so many taxi scams and even fake taxis at the airport.
As seasoned travelers already know, do not agree to take a ride for a flat-fee or believe it when the driver says the meter is “broken”. Counterfeit taxis in Vietnam are not necessarily dangerous, but they can be annoying to deal with, so it’s best to be prepared and do a little homework beforehand. I recommend you only use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis- the two biggest taxi companies in Saigon.
As we headed to the Park Hyatt Saigon, I enjoyed all of the sights and sounds of the city, especially the morning “rush hour commute” on motorbikes.
Allow me to share some of my favorite highlights from our trip:
Stay at Park Hyatt Saigon
Aside from this hotel being a mini oasis within the center of the city, the Park Hyatt Saigon is one of the few gems on the Hyatt award chart, and offers an even better value if you have top-tier status.
The Park Hyatt Saigon and the Andaz Papagayo take the top spot as my favorite category 4 properties. I used 2Â annual category 1-4 free night certificates from the Hyatt Visa for the first two nights here, and then redeemed 15,000 points for the last night. Our room was really nice and the service was impeccable. There’s not a single thing I could even think to improve about our stay.
At the time, I was a Hyatt Diamond (now Globalist), so we were able to enjoy an amazing breakfast each morning in the main restaurant. Everything is cooked from scratch on premises (the croissants were to die for), and it truly was one of the most impressive spreads I’ve ever experienced at a hotel- with fresh exotic fruits and juices, coconuts, hot foods, and beautiful pasties made hours before.
For Diamond members, in addition to the buffet, you can order any of the ala carte items from the extensive menu without limits. All of the local Vietnamese dishes on the menu were phenomenal, especially the pho!
Take a Day Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels
As an American visiting Vietnam, I was really interested taking in as much history as possible. In my opinion, there’s no better way to get an understanding about the world we live in than by visiting and experiencing the history with your own eyes; that’s why I always argue that traveling is the best investment in education you can give yourself [and kids].
I really don’t recall much of what I was text-book taught about the Vietnam War in school, so it was an incredible experience to get what felt like years worth of history lessons in just one day from a local guide.
Dad and I booked a 5 and half hour tour of the Cu Chi tunnels from Viator for $39 each that included a 7:30am pick up from Central Post Office and a drop-off right at our hotel afterwards.
Taking the tour allowed us to experience “the world of the Cu Chi freedom fighters first-hand with a visit to their famous underground tunnel system”, as described in the tour description. You are even allowed to go into the tunnels, and they get narrower and narrower the further you go. I am a tiny person and I felt like I barely fit!
Even at 5’2″ and 95 lbs, I barely fit!
Even if you’re not a history buff, I highly recommend this tour.
Visit the War Remnants Museum
For more history, I highly recommend a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Maybe it was an exceptionally hormonal day for me, but I truly could not finish all of the exhibits. There was a point where I had no choice but to sit down a bit and let my dad finish on his own. It was especially intense for me, and I felt somber for the rest of the day, quite honestly (there were times where I legitimately fought back tears).
While not getting political, the museum shows the war from a different set of eyes than what see/hear/learn in America. If you can handle uncensored and heart-wrenching stories and images and are interested in expanding your mind about the history surrounding the Vietnam War, a visit here is unquestionably worth it. It’s walkable from the heart of Saigon and most attractions, and you can take in as little or as much as you want at your own pace.
Saigon on Bikes Street Food Night Tour
Switching to more positive gears now, let’s talk about the ULTIMATE highlight of our trip! I’m about to share one of the most fun paid-excursions I’ve ever done with a local. Saigon has long been regarded as one of the best cities for [unique] street food in the world. What better way to sample it all than by hopping around the city for a few hours with a local who can introduce you to foods that as a foreigner, you probably would never have an idea about other wise?
We booked our Saigon on Bikes night food tour at the last-minute and were super lucky that there just happened to be 2-spots available; but our situation was not the norm- booking in advance is highly recommended, as these tours fill up quickly. For $59 per person and starting at 6 pm with a pick-up from your hotel, you’ll honestly be sampling and eating insane amounts of food (unlimited beer and other local non-achololic drinks included) at a total of 5 spots, including one for dessert. I’ll say that the places our guides too us were truly local, and out of the touristy areas (some were even in hidden alleyways).
When you book your spot on the tour , you will have to email a copy of your passport because $5,000 worth of accident insurance is also included in the price, but don’t worry too much about safety – the guides, like most locals in Saigon, know how to expertly drive these motorbikes.
Aside from all of the delicious food, the best part is being part of all the action on the back of a motorbike, zipping around all off the attractions and learning anything you want to know about the city from an insider’s point of view. The university-student guides are truly knowledgeable and so passionate about their city. It was truly thrilling. In the beggining, I felt like I was holding on to dear life as we weaved through hundreds of motorbikes and crossed huge intersections, but after say… stop 3, I was riding like a local – with a beer in hand ;).
Get a Massage / Have a Spa Day
As a woman, I knew there was no way I’d be spending time in South East Asia, where spa services are so affordable, and not dedicating a good chunk of time towards pampering. To help with the jet lag after a long flight from the US, I treated myself to two massages, a facial, and nail services- all for a fraction of the price that’d I’d pay for a massage that isn’t nearly as good in the States.
There are tons of massage and spa places all over Saigon, and the services were phenomenal and affordable, so it was a guilt-less splurge for me!
Bottom Line
Saigon is currently my favorite city in Southeast Asia that I’ve traveled too, and I really see a bright future for the city- it’s truly emerging. I found the city to be very walkable and easy to get around, but I’m excited that in a few years there will be an underground metro in place, making Saigon more accessible overall.
Aside from continued development with high-rise buildings and luxury living, there is also a major direct highway connecting Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam in the works. I predict Saigon being the next “Bangkok” before we know it, but for now it is so nice to appreciate the city and it’s authenticity as it remains presently.
I’d go back in a heart beat.
Have you traveled to Saigon recently? What were some highlights from your trip?
Vietnam is by far my favorite country in SE Asia. I spent 30 days in the country when I was at Business School and I can say it was an amazing experience. There is way more to see in the country then Saigon. Hanoi is also a great place and a boat tour at Halong Bay is breathtaking.
“Cu Chi freedom fighters” ????? Really??? Too many Jane Fonda movies for you.
Lol no Jane Fonda movies for me. That language was taken from how Viator markets the excursion. Apologies if a tour description rubbed you the wrong way
You say “that’s why I always argue that traveling is the best investment in education you can give yourself [and kids].”
But you don’t take your kids – am I missing something?
I do take my kids on many trips abroad. This trip in particular was fast-paced and only with my Dad and brother. I only spent 5 days away while they continued traveling together for many days afterwards. Putting two toddlers through a trip halfway around the world for only 5 days didn’t seem sensible to me or fair to them with that amount of travel and jetlag they’d endure. I have a 3-week family trip back to Vietnam again planned in the fall where we can all fully enjoy the experience under less stressful circumstances :) Thank you for being so interested in the decisions I make for my family.
Uber is half cheaper and is the trend now in Vietnam . I travel back home for work and visit 6x a year from Midwest . Next time you go back , ditch the tour company and DIY tours. You can even rent your own motor bikes and get lost in the city and not worry . Plus you can get away from the high price food in Q1 or tourist district and eat better and cheaper food . Got to stretch that dollars.
Unfortunately most of the information given is for the traveler staying a few days at a high end hotel or for the backpacker crowd. For someone staying in Asia for a few months, older crowd, budget traveler but not staying in Hostels, getting to really know the people, sights, etc. very little accurate information exsists. In three days you can’t even come close, like comparing Disneyland to the real US. Oh, and Ho Chi Minh is not even close to the best food in Southeast Asia.
Paul. thanks for your comment. I would imagine staying in HCMC or Asia for a few months might yield and entirely different experience; however, I only had 3 days in Saigon and its was my first time visiting Vietnam, so I did what I could in the time that I had. I truly enjoyed my experience and can’t wait to go back… for much longer. There’s still so much to see and do!
We’re SIN bound in the fall, and will nest a trip to Vietnam. Going to have 7 – 8 full days. After a ‘little’ research ;) , I’m feeling the love for Hanoi and Halong Bay. If Dad, Angelina, or anyone else has been up north, I’d love to hear your thoughts. There’s an overwhelming amount of information on Flyertalk.
I would trust valuable input from readers here.
Dan
@Dan I have not been to Hanoi an Halong bay..That being said, I was able to snag the $325 rt to Singapore fare on Jal for Nov of this year.my plan is to use my Marriott 7 night certificate at Phu hoc category 5, and revisit Vietnam, Hanoi and Halong bay and hopefully the Philippines or China. Sorry I could not help.
Maybe we’ll be on the same flight. ;)
If you add aol to my name here, you can send me your dates of travel; or we can do it through a trusted 3rd party. ;)
@dhammer small world,the trusted 3rd party spilled the beans…I will be there two days before u..If we can work our dates, maybe we can plan Hanoi and Halong bay..I will send my research,and itinerary later on this year.
Dad,
Hopefully we can meet in one of these locations, where ever it may be.
Dan
Good recommendations on the taxi but we also found also that the city was very accessible by foot)
You’ve gotten all the way to Ho Chi Minh City and only one hour away is another pearl of SE Asia, Cambodia. You’ve got to try to get there, so much to see and some great food too.