Dec Trip

Address: 106 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Open daily: from 8am to 11am and 1pm to 4pm.
Entry: VND15,000

Address: Cong xa Paris Square, Dong Khoi

Address : 28 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel : (84-8) 829 0325
Open daily : from 8am to 11:45am and 1.30pm to 4:45pm
Entry : VND10,000

Used to be called the War Crimes Museum when I went there. Quite unashamidly anti- American in the way it's put together, it is a definite worthwhile visit to see there perspective on the war that they call the "American War". Warning: there is some pretty graphic stuff in here! COST: 10,000d. Open Daily 7:30-11:45 and 1:30-5:15.

Address: 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (84-8) 825 5740
Open daily: except Mondays from 8:00am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 5:00pm
Entry: VND10,000

This museum, situated in a grand historical structure built in the 1880s, is one of many in Vietnam exploring a familiar theme: the struggle of the nation against the French and Americans. It is probably the best of its breed, with various photos, documents, models, and military artifacts detailing local activism as well as long military struggles. The signs are in Vietnamese only at the moment, which actually doesn't present much of a problem. There is a model of the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground network built by the North Vietnamese for weapons transport and living quarters during the American war. Outside are the typical but always interesting captured U.S. fighter planes, tanks, and artillery. Underneath the building is a series of tunnels leading to the Reunification Palace, once used by former president Ngo Dinh Diem as a hideout before his eventual capture and execution in 1962.
Directions: Price admission is 10,000 VND or US$1, is cheaper pay in dong.

HCMC has a number of huge indoor markets but the one that you MUST go is the Ben Thanh Market. The market and surrounding streets make up one of the city’s liveliest areas. Everything you need or want is found here. The stalls are opened as early as 7am but closed before 7pm, after which, a night market will be set up around the area. The prices of the product could hit rock bottom if you know how to bargain. I’ve learnt that you have to undercut the first suggested price by at least 75%. Slowly, you will move towards your desired amount you wish to pay. Generally, this amount would be about 50 – 60% of what the price first quoted. A trick I’ve also learnt from the local guide is to just walk away if you think the price is not right. The stallholder would call you back if he/she sincerely want to do business with you and he/she would definitely offer you the price you want. Note: This trick only works if you are prepared to walk away empty-handed from the stall or you don't mind to get scolded. Generally, I noticed that the stallholders located on the main corridor or those that have a big front are not generous in their bargain.

Anything you need is found here. However, as I am interested in ladies' fashion, I bought a few embroidered slippers and silk handbags. If you can drive the bargain hard, you can get a medium-sized silk bag with lots of embroidery for less than USD5! Of course, it helps that I bought quite a number of bags. My favourite shop is this pretty small stall but with lots of bag designs (and very nice designs with lots of choices - you will be spoilt!) located at a small corner of the market. It is not easily seen from the main corridor unless you are gamed to explore the market in details. I cannot remember the stall number but I know it's either number 754 or 759. It's a small stall and the lady boss is sharing it with another shoe stall. Don't be surprised by its size - but the range it offers can beat anyone in the Market!

If you buy more or thick-skinned enough to bargain (but get prepared to be scolded - I got scoldings a number of times), you can get a very nice medium-sized bag of high quality less than USD5!

HCMH is not complete without going to Ben Thanh market. You get all kinds of stuff here but you must do these: (1) Bargain Bargain Bargain (2) Bring a calculator - you need it to convert Dong to US$ or to your local currency (3) Best to avoid Fridays and Saturdays - thats when the crowd is incredible. Lots of foreigners like me go and shop. The prices they quote for the goods is higher on Fri/Sat than if you are there on late Sunday evenings/ Mondays. You could try this wonderful clothes shop named Phanh (4) Dress lightly as you will be going into a "sauna" A much cooler place which I visited was Andong Market Other Interesting HCMC Places