Saigon, Vietnam

Visas: The visa requirements for Vietnam are complicated and constantly changing, so it is highly advised to verify the latest regulations. The e-visa program was introduced in 2017 and can be obtained via the Vietnam Immigration Department. The e-visas are valid for non-extendable 30 days single entry at the cost of $25 USD, with the process taking three to five days.

Weather: February and March have low precipitation, with March with increasing humidity. December is cooler than all other months and comparatively dry.
​
Cost: Dong (d)

• Hotel room: $45-55 USD
• Local food vendor: $1-5 USD
• ​One hour massage: $15-20 USD

Tipping:
Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, although it is appreciated.

• Taxi - option to round the taxi fare change
• Upscale restaurants - approximately 10% service charge included on the total bill
• Bars - around 50,000 VND
• Luxury spas - service charge of 5-10% may be included within the price

Health: Avoid drinking tap water and purchase bottled water for hydration. The locals will drink boiled or filtered water at home. Bottle water are offered a local restaurants and hotels.

Getting Around:

• Bus: The local buses serve more than 130 routes around the city, which makes them readily available and cheap.
• Motorbike: A 100cc motorbike can be rented for $10-15 USD per day, with helmet included. Be cautious of the traffic, as the city traffic can be quite unruly.
• Taxi: Taxi service is estimated to be around 25,000 ($1 USD) per kilometer. It is advised to pay attention to the meter, as some are cheated to increase logging speed.

#love #saigon #vietnam #singtamlee