Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon - hotel and what to do

[Adam B]

Hi

Have a stopover in this city, fly in at 3.30pm and fly out 10pm the following day.

Any recommendations for a hotel with character ( with gf so needs to have some luxury too), and what should we do with our limited tourist time?

Thanks

[brissleboy]

We stayed at the Rex for a couple of nights last year, great hotel, very historical and central to everything you need! Pretty reasonable if I remember too...

Park Hyatt is the best I believe but lots of ££££.

Message me if you need any other advice.

Cheers

[cjs]

+1 for the Rex, has a nice roof top restaurant/bar. It's very central so you can walk around easily. In the short time you have just get out on foot and explore, eat some local food, buy some fake gear and enjoy!

[Shay HTFC]

Yeah I'd just spend a day walking around / eating local food / seeing the Lonely Planet stuff / getting obligatory video crossing the street.
To be honest, there's not much there that is must see beyond just walking around and taking in all in.

If you are up for a bit of an experience though, have a ride on a xe om (motorbike taxi). Being on a bike on those streets in something a bit special.

[Adam B]

Ok sounds like Bangkok but xe om replacing tuk tuks

What is this obligatory video crossing the street?

[Shay HTFC]

Its getting your girlfriend to film you crossing something like this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1AOVc3yf3c

Edited by Shay HTFC on Sunday 15th April 13:22

[phumy]

And if you have any interest, the War museum is a good visit, however be prepared to be a little humbled and also shocked at the atrocities that happened.....on both sides. Its not far from the Rex and its a good two or three hours to look around but in my opinion well worth the 50p-odd to get in.

[SammyW]

phumy said:

And if you have any interest, the War museum is a good visit, however be prepared to be a little humbled and also shocked at the atrocities that happened.....on both sides. Its not far from the Rex and its a good two or three hours to look around but in my opinion well worth the 50p-odd to get in.

The War Remnants Museum is a must do in my opinion. Reunification Palace is also an interesting place to have a wander around, and Ben Thanh market is also worth a look. And if you're feeling brave enough hire a scooter for an hour or two, great fun and you soon get used to working your way through the crazy traffic!

[brissleboy]

+1 for the war museum, a very sobering place indeed. As has already been said, just wander, get lost, eat some local food and drink some cold Biere Larue - enjoy!

[havoc]

War Remnants Museum very disturbing but worth going to.

Cu Chi tunnels also a good half-day trip.

Hotel - we stayed at the Renaissance Riverside in 07 and thought it was rather good and in a decent location...although the rather attractive lady Adam's apple that tried to chat me up on the walk back to the hotel was a little disturbing!