Most travel advice about Saigon is either too vague (“be street smart!”) or too alarmist (“watch out for everything!”). This guide aims for the middle ground — specific, practical, and honest. It covers the things that will genuinely affect your experience in Ho Chi Minh City: how to get in, how to get around, how much things cost, what can go wrong, and how to engage with the local culture without making the obvious tourist mistakes.

Getting into Vietnam

Most nationalities now qualify for Vietnam’s e-visa, which can be obtained online before travel and allows a 90-day stay (single or multiple entry). The process takes 3–5 business days and costs $25 USD. Citizens of approximately 45 countries also qualify for visa-free entry for periods ranging from 14 to 45 days. Check the current list at the official Vietnam Immigration Department website — the policy has expanded significantly since 2023 and continues to evolve. Applying for the e-visa is recommended even for nationalities that qualify for visa-free entry, as the 90-day window provides significantly more flexibility.

Getting from the airport

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is approximately 7–8 kilometres from the centre of District 1. The journey takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. Your options: Grab (car or bike, booked via the app, fixed price displayed before you confirm — typically 90,000–150,000 VND for a car to District 1), the airport taxi rank (use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis only, always with the meter running), or Bus 109 (50,000 VND, direct to Ben Thanh Market). Do not accept offers from unlicensed taxi drivers approaching you inside the arrivals hall.

Getting around the city

Grab is the default transport solution for most visitors — a ride-hailing app that works for both motorbike taxis (GrabBike: faster, cheaper, ~20,000–50,000 VND for most journeys) and cars (GrabCar: ~60,000–120,000 VND). The app shows the price before you confirm, which removes the negotiation problem entirely. Download it before you land and add a payment card.

Money and payments

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the only currency you should use for street food, markets, and local restaurants. Withdraw cash from ATMs — Vietcombank and BIDV have the most reliable machines with low foreign card fees. The exchange rate sits around 24,000–25,500 VND per USD in 2026. Avoid changing money at unofficial exchange counters near the airport or on tourist streets.

Safety overview

Saigon is generally a safe city for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The primary risks are petty theft (bag snatching from motorbikes), taxi and transport scams, and overcharging at tourist-facing businesses — all largely avoidable with basic precautions: keep bags on your lap or inside when sitting at street-side stalls, use Grab for transport, and eat where locals eat.

Cultural basics

A few things matter: dress modestly when visiting temples (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes when asked, don’t touch someone’s head, and don’t point at religious images with a single finger. Raising your voice in frustration is counterproductive in Vietnamese social culture — stay calm, smile, and the situation resolves faster.