Saigon: the capital of motorcycles and air conditioning

If you decide to go on an unusual trip, Vietnam is definitely what you need. At the moment, it is not as “busy” with tourists as Thailand or China, although there are many restaurants with Russian menus in the coastal towns. A convenient flight from Moscow will take you to Saigon in just 10 hours, and noisy, stuffy Asia will be quite friendly and smiling.

Huge bustling Saigon, now renamed Ho Chi Minh, meets the stuffy moist air. Thousands of motorcycles fly through the streets, making a loud hum. Here, as nowhere does the proverb “Pedestrians are of two types: either fast or dead” make sense – the road must be crossed at the maximum speed and without stopping, directly through the flow of cars and bikes that bypass you themselves – traffic lights are available only on the main highways.

Many hotels and hotels for every taste make Saigon extremely popular among visitors. Here you will find both luxury suites for Arab sheikhs at $15,000 per night, as well as middle-class hotels and even “backpacker Eria”, where tourists stop with one backpack, a night in which will cost from three to five dollars. Only air conditioners save from the terrible Asian heat, of which there are a million. They are literally everywhere, and choosing a hotel, it is better to immediately make sure of their availability, otherwise you will just go crazy from the exhausting heat.

Here is the famous night market of Saigon, where the aroma of street Vietnamese food and sun-baked clothes dominate. In the heart of the city there are four huge malls: Saigon Center, Diamond Plaza and two Vincom Center, where you can find shops for every taste and color. Many different restaurants will satisfy the needs of any gourmet. I suggest you try the wonderful Italian frozen yogurt at IYO, located in the Vincom Center. There are also restaurants of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as European, Japanese and any you want.

An absolutely wonderful place is the restaurant Ndyc, which is located on the square, opposite the Catholic Church. The insides are decorated in New York style, there is an excellent collection of paintings on the walls, the atmosphere is absolutely cozy. A must visit must be the Hard Rock Café. This is an amazing place with excellent cuisine and delicious cocktails. Local musicians entertain guests with legendary rock songs every evening. A pleasant atmosphere of relaxed fun reigns here until midnight, and nightclubs are open for lovers of nightlife. The Saigon Saigon Club is open on Fridays and Saturdays and the 309 Club is open every night. And many lounge bars will not let you get bored.

However, be careful and careful: this city is trying to deceive you. Even taxi drivers charge higher prices, especially if you are Russian. So it is worth checking the bills carefully and using only taxis equipped with meters. In general, the Vietnamese are very intrusive and meticulous. It is better not to argue with them, but firmly insist on your own, making it clear that you will not be fooled. Saigon is worth seeing, but its heat, heat, and humidity will not allow you to stay here for more than a couple of days. Excellent shopping and a variety of restaurants will leave good memories for a long time. If you are flying through Ho Chi Minh to some resort towns, you should linger and get acquainted with its culture.

Yana Malyugina