World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Public transport within the city is very undeveloped, as most people either have their own transport in the form of a bicycle or motorbike or rely on cyclos (see Cyclos below) and taxis. There is one private bus company operating routes within the city, Saigon Star Bus Company (tel: (08) 864 2762). There are four bus routes. Buses to Binh Tay Market or Mien Tay Bus Station start from Me Linh and pass through Ben Thanh Market. The buses to An Nhon/Thanh Loc or An Suong leave from Ben Thanh Market, right at the heart of the city. The Binh Tay bus operates every 6-10 minutes 0500-1920; the Mien Tay bus every 13 minutes 0430-1940; the An Nhon/Thanh Loc bus every 7-10 minutes 0430-2000; and the An Suong bus every 8-10 minutes 0500-1930. Fares cost the same on all routes and tickets are purchased on the bus.

Taxis
There are several taxi companies operating within the city and they are usually metered. Restaurants, bars and hotels are quite happy to summon a taxi, otherwise vehicles can be hailed on the street. Visitors are advised to check that the meter is turned on. There are some taxis that are unmetered, where the fare must be agreed upon before departure. However, the price of these is no cheaper. Tipping is not necessarily expected but always welcome. Reputable taxi companies are Ben Thanh Taxi (tel: (08) 842 2422); Mai Linh Taxi (tel: (08) 822 6666); Saigon Taxi (tel: (08) 842 4242) and Vinataxi (tel: (08) 811 1111).

Cyclos
These are a fun way to travel around the city, although rather nerve-wracking. The cyclo is like a rickshaw but the driver sits behind the passenger instead of in front. This means that you are pedalled rather dramatically into the oncoming traffic, which consists of fairly lawless cars, buses, motorbikes, bicycles and other cyclos constantly careering across your path. The authorities are slowly banning cyclos from the city and now many central streets are out of bounds to them. However, they generally hang around outside hotels or cruise along the street soliciting business from pedestrians. A rate should always be negotiated before setting off and a short journey should not cost more than US$1. Visitors should also keep a tight hold of bags and cameras and hide necklaces, as opportunist thieves have been known to snatch them as they pass by on a motorbike.

Driving in the City
Most visitors to Ho Chi Minh City are quite traumatised when they encounter the traffic for the first time. The streets are crammed with bicycles and motorbikes, which dart between the vastly outnumbered cars. Bikes regularly travel the wrong way along a one-way street and appear out of side roads without even a cursory glance in the direction of the oncoming traffic. Motorbike riders remove their wing mirrors allowing them to squeeze through the smallest gaps. Happily, visitors are only allowed to hire cars with drivers. Long-term residents are allowed to drive, however, although very few do. Those that do drive their own car will find little provision for secure parking but will always find somebody willing to keep an eye on their car for a tip. Visitors should be aware that police are likely to target foreign drivers for ‘on-the-spot’ fines so steady and defensive driving is advised.

Car Hire
It is not possible to hire a car without a driver but cars with English-speaking drivers can be arranged through travel companies. The following companies can arrange a car with a driver for the day: Exotissimo (tel: (08) 825 1723; website: www.exotissimo.com); Saigontourist Car Rental (tel: (08) 829 8914; website: www.saigontourist.net) and Vidotour (tel: (08) 933 0457; website: www.vidotourtravel.com). Rates cost US$26-30 per day for travel within the city, with additional charges for evening use.

Bicycle & Motorbike Hire
A popular place for this is the area around Pham Ngu Lao, which is the backpacker hangout. Every other building advertises bicycles and motorbikes for hire and daily charges can be expected of around US$1 for bicycles and US$5-15 for motorbikes, depending on the size of the bike. Clients have to leave their passport as a deposit. Checks should be made to ensure that the motorbike is roadworthy. An International Driving Permit endorsed for motorbikes is required for vehicles over 50cc. Bicycles and motorbikes should always be parked in the areas set aside for them (gui xe), otherwise they are likely to disappear and visitors will be liable for buying a replacement. It is always worth taking a padlock for additional security.