Living in The Philippines > Travel: Countries to Visit from the Philippines
Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon), Vietnam
bigrod:
The 13-20 Sept 2015 my asawa and I visited Saigon. The last time I left Saigon was 14 Mar 1968, and had made myself a promise that I would comeback and stay at the Continental Hotel Saigon. Well I have kept that promise since we stayed there 7 night, in room 214, which was the room Graham Greene the author of "The Quit American" stayed in. The room had a balcony overlooking the Opera House. Hotel was built in the late 1800s but is maintained well and been upgraded. Fantastic location within walking distance of many landmarks, restaurants, shops and 3 upscale malls. Having been there before almost 50 years ago we took no tours but did our own thing. Used a taxi for some locations, but the charge was minimal. Had great German, Italian and Spanish meals all the restaurants within a 5 minute walk from the hotel. The hotel has a great buffet breakfast every morning that is included in the room price. Being US citizen you will need a visa, which you can get online for about $18. Your Pinay spouse/GF does not need a visa. Got my BB stamp on the return to the Philippines.
Chuck
Lee2:
How did you feel safety wise walking around there, would you say it is at least as safe as the Philippines, or safer, or not safe at all?
bigrod:
Lee2,
Felt safer than in Manila, but there are pickpockets, etc., there like anywhere. Crime rate overall is pretty low. City was a big change from 1968, very clean and a lot of new building completed and in progress. Putting an underground Metro in the city. The old motorized cyclos are gone, but scooters/motorcycles are rampant, they even drive on the sidewalks if traffic backs up.
You are an instant millionaire when you arrive. $1=22445 VN Dong while we where there. Food prices were very reasonable in the local restaurants. Great lunches were around $15-20 including alcoholic beverages. San Miguel beer is readily available there. We bought beers, sodas, snacks, etc., at the 7-11 for about 1/3/ to 1/2 what it cost in the hotel fridge. Also the $18 in my OP is for the VISA on arrival letter, you pay an additional $45 at the airport for the Visa sticker.
Chuck
Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am:
Chuck,
Looks like a pretty grand old hotel! It's on my "Bucket List"!
http://continentalsaigon.com/
http://tinyurl.com/ox8exvs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z94de_KwPsw
bigrod:
Art,
It is a grand old hotel. Next door is a Hyatt, across the square is the Caravelle, and down one block on Dong Khoi(old Tudo Street) is a Sheraton. If you do stay there spring for the Junior Suite(45 sqm) with balcony and view of the Opera House. Can normally find on most sites or their site for less than $100 a night including taxes, well worth it. Art in the images on tinyurl.com our room(the 2 windows) was above the HOT in Hotel Continental Saigon.
Chuck
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