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How to get there

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Getting There

Ho Chi Minh City is the main junction for trains, roads, water, and air transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign destination.

- Upon arrival: The 7km ride into central Ho Chi Minh City from Tan Son Nhat airport takes 25-minutes and cost $4 by taxi. If you don't have much luggage you can also take one of the motorcycle taxis for around $3. You can pay the taxi fare in Dollars if you don't want to change money at the airport.

- Roads: Ho Chi Minh City is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot. The City has National Highway 13 which connects Vietnam with the rest of Indochina.

- Train: Thong Nhat express train connects Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, vie many provinces in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City's train station is located at Nguyen Thong in District 3. Trains from Hanoi and the north run from here. Visit the website for more information: www.vr.com.vn

- Air: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 7km from center of city, is the biggest airport with many domestic and international routes. There are flights from Hanoi and Danang to Ho Chi Minh City and between the City to many regions as well a lot of countries on over the world. Visit the website for more information: www.vietnamairlines.com

By Bus
Cholon bus station is the place to catch buses to Mytho and the towns in the Mekong Delta. Mien Tay station is about 10km west of the city centre is another place to catch buses to the Delta area and Ca Mau, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Long Xuyen and Rach Gia. For destinations north of Ho Chi Minh City you need to go to Mien Dong bus station in Binh Thahn District about 5km from the city centre.

Getting Around
Ho Chi Minh City is a large sprawling place so walking is not very practical except around District 1. For most trips you will need to take a taxi, cyclo or motorcycle taxi.

Cyclos
Cyclos are banned from 51 streets in central Ho Chi Minh City so you cannot always get to the exact address. However, most cyclo drivers will manage to get you close enough by using the side streets. Most trips will cost from 50c to $2 or you can hire a cyclo for about $1 to $1.50 per hour.

Honda Om
Motorcycle taxis are the quickest and cheapest means of inner-city transport, but can be a little hair-raising at times. Honda om can be found almost anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City.

Taxis
Taxis wait outside the upmarket hotels and cruise around the city centre. Your hotel will be able to give you the telephone number of taxis services. Prices are metered in Dong, the meter reads in thousands so 25.00 on the meter means 25,000 Dong. Expect to pay $2 to $6 per trip.

Bicycle, Motorcycle and Car Rental
A bicycle is a fun way to get around the city as well as being very practical if a little slow. Expect to pay around $1 per day, less for longer-term rentals. When leaving your bike on the street use one of the supervised bike parks.
Self-drive motorcycles are definitely worth considering if you are an experienced rider and will be going outside the city. You can rent one through hotels or the travelers' cafes and the small tour agencies. Rental cost is around $6 to $8 per day.
All tour agencies will arrange car rental for day trips outside Ho Chi Minh City. Prices average around $30 per day which includes the cost of the driver.

Boat
If you want to see the city from Saigon river boats can be hired from $7 to $20 per hour depending on the size.

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