Though Ben Tre is only 85 km to the west of Ho Chi Minh City, How to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City has a lot of tourists confused when researching transportation. Information on many online travel platforms or websites seem to be very general and sometimes outdated. Some websites may even suggest that the easiest and cheapest way to do it is to buy a tour from a travel agent in Ho Chi Minh City. This may be an easier option, but an adventurous wanderer will surely not fancy spending time on a tour bus, cramming in as many towns as possible, and eating in the prescribed restaurants.

Being a local from Ben Tre, I believe there are plenty of alternatives that would help you create a memorable experience. In this blog, I will list all means of transportation that the local people usually use to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City. You can get there by Bus, Taxi, Car Rental, or Grab. You may get into some trouble communicating with the locals as most people in Ben Tre cannot speak English. Learn how these transportation services operate and plan your trip carefully before you go to avoid language barrier issues!

Bus

Catching a bus is the most suitable for people who are on a budget to get to Ben Tre. On average, there is a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre every 15 minutes a day. It takes 2 hours to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to the city center of Ben Tre by bus. The earliest bus departs at 6:00 AM and the last bus going to Ben Tre is 7:00 PM. The bus ticket price is very affordable, ranging from $3 to $5 depending on the type of seat and transportation company. If you travel during some national holidays in Vietnam, the price may slightly increase to $7 but it’s not significant. All buses have air-conditioning and most provide free wifi. Despite the cheap fare, buses to Ben Tre have some drawbacks. It will be slower than other transportation as the on the way to Ben Tre the bus will make multiple stops to let off guests during the trip. Once you arrive at the bus stop, you have to transfer to a transit mini car to drive you to different spots around Ben Tre City.

There are two ways you can catch a bus to Ben Tre. If you can speak some Vietnamese, you can call the hotline to book a ticket and ask to be picked up anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City. If your place is further than 5 km from the bus station, they will charge you $1 more for a transit car to the bus station. If your pick up location is on the way to Ben Tre, it’s free of transit charge. On the way to Ben Tre, the bus will stop at a bakery. The driver will collect bus fare and the passengers can buy some food or go to the toilet before reaching the highway to Ben Tre. Remember to keep the ticket that you have already paid for at the bus station and give it to the driver. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, you have to pay the fare by cash to the driver.

You can also go directly to the bus station to buy a ticket and get on the bus there. Each bus company has its own bus station in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, which is the bus departure place. But you can also buy a ticket at Mien Tay bus station at 395 Kinh Duong Vuong Street in Binh Tan District. All bus companies have a ticket office there.

Some recommended bus services are listed as follows:

Thinh Phat

Website: thinhphatbentre.com

Address: 25A Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: (028) 38303042 – (028) 38393625 – 0913965050

Minh Tam

Website: xekhachminhtam.com

Address: 204C Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: (028) 38306106 – 0948222207

Hoang Khai

Website: http://www.hoangkhaibentre.com

Address: 50 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: (028) 38353953 – 0902340452

Thao Chau

Website: thaochautour.com

Address: 70B Hung Vuong Street, Ward 9, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Contact: (028) 38339954

FUTA Bus Line

Website: futabus.vn

Address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District

Contact: 19006067

If you want to arrive in a different part of Ben Tre rather than the city center, you should ask the driver to drop you off at the Ben Tre bus station. From there take a different bus to your destination. Some bus services also offer you drop off in other parts of town but there are fewer departure times than those arriving at the city center.

Grab, Taxi, or Car

If you travel in a group of 4 or more, this option will save you a lot of money. With the rapid growth of Grab and its widespread network and diverse services, it is easy to take a Grab car to Ben Tre. The car fare will be around $48 for a 4-seat car ride and $57 for a 7-seat car ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre. Grab is very convenient as you have all the information about the fare and driver in the app. You can pay by either cash or card via the Grab app, which the bus service doesn’t have. It’s also faster than travelling by bus as your car will arrive at the exact address you request. But of course, it will cost you more. Also, you should take into account that your Grab car is a random one so it may not meet your expectation about the cleanliness, the driver’s behavior, or the comfort of the seats.

Another option is taking a taxi. There are plenty of taxi services to get to Ben Tre but the most popular are Mai Linh Taxi and Vinasun Taxi. These two are among the first traditional taxi services in Vietnam. The fare may fluctuate between $55 and $70. You can call the taxi hotline to pick you up at your place and ask for the fare in advance. For a long ride, they often give you a price deal instead of a taxi fare calculator. Also, both of these taxi services have their own app like Grab for your reference. You can download on App Store or Google Play by searching the name of taxi.

Mai Linh Taxi

Website: mailinh.vn

Contact: (028) 38277979

Vinasun Taxi

Website: http://www.vinasuntaxi.com

Contact: (028) 38272727

A much more comfortable service than Grab or taxi is renting a private car. With this transportation, you can be sure of the quality of the car and the person in charge if there is any incident. This is the most expensive means of transportation to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh city, but brings you the best comfort and convenience. You need to book the car at least 3 days prior to your trip so that the car company can arrange to offer you the best price and service. Some of the car rental services you can consider are:

Congtythuexe.com

Website: congtythuexe.com

Contact: 0941122211 – 0937711777 – 0922456678 – (028) 22667711

Fare: $61 (4-seat car); $66 (7-seat car); $79 (16-seat car)

ibookcar.com

Website: ibookcar.com

Contact: 0933370114 – 0868713318

Fare for one-way car:

4-seat car fare = number of kilometer x $0.35 + $17.4

7-seat car fare = number of kilometer x $0.35 + $21.7

Fare for round-trip car:

4-seat car fare = number of kilometer x $0.17 + $30.4

7-seat car fare = number of kilometer x $0.17 + $39.1

These are ways that you can get to Ben Tre without relying on a tour. Whether you choose to take a bus, car, grab, or taxi, I hope your trip to my hometown is one you’ll always cherish and remember. I hope you found my blog helpful and are able to plan your ideal trip to Ben Tre.

Post Source Here: How to get to Ben Tre from Ho Chi Minh City

Weasel coffee is one of the world’s most renowned and elusive coffee beans because of its chocolate-like taste, delicate aroma, and smoky smell. A lot of locals and visitors in Vietnam want to know, where to buy weasel coffee in ho chi minh city? The Civet Weasel does live and create the famous coffee beans in Vietnam, but the scarcity of the beans makes it difficult to find a real supplier.

Where to buy weasel coffee in Ho Chi Minh City? You can buy imitation weasel coffee beans from Trung Nguyen Coffee or purchase real beans from our recommended supplier Legend Revived Chon Coffee. I’ll let you know a bit more about Weasel Coffee and the suppliers so you can make the best decision on if you would like to buy weasel coffee in Vietnam.

What is Weasel Coffee?

Weasel Coffee is a bit of a controversial subject because of the process. The organic and natural way the coffee was originally used was from the feces of the Civet that used to lay around naturally in coffee farmlands. After discovery that the weasels digestive process left the coffee with a unique taste, it became a sought after delicacy by the rich.

These days greedy suppliers force weasels to eat coffee and raise them in unhealthy captive environment to make as much profit as they can. Vietnamese mainly use imitation weasel coffee, because of the controversy but also the price. This type of coffee is made from a bio-fermentation process, which simulate the natural fermentation process in the weasels’ stomach.

Some suppliers who take advantage of the demand for Weasel coffee don’t make it unethical to purchase necessarily. There will be as many good suppliers as there are bad, we will recommend an outlet who does sell the real weasel coffee so you can have the option if you would like to purchase the coffee while in Ho Chi Minh City. It depends on you if you would like to buy imitation weasel coffee or real weasel coffee.

Buying Imitation Weasel Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City

We recommend buying Imitation Weasel Coffee from Trung Nguyen Coffee Shops. Many coffee shops sell “weasel” coffee in Ho Chi Minh City. You can see coffee kiosks on the sidewalks and markets selling weasel coffee, but don’t trust them. Real Weasel coffee is too expensive and rare to find it at these Kiosks. These kiosks and shops are selling normal Robusta coffee and not even the imitation weasel coffee.

Trung Nguyen Coffee is the most prestigious brand in Vietnam that sells imitation weasel coffee. They are like Vietnam’s version of Starbucks. Trung Nguyen Coffee Shops can be found on almost every crossroads in the center of the city. I always love to visit these coffee shops to enjoy a cup of coffee, while chatting with friends and enjoying the relaxing music. This represents a large part of Vietnam’s culture and way of life.

Imitation Weasel Coffee does have a nice taste to it that I rather enjoy but it may not be for everyone. Trung Nguyen’s natural bio fermentation process gets the coffee to come close to the same aroma and taste as weasel coffee but a bit more easy on the palate than the real stuff. My personal recommendation would be to order Coffee from Trung Nguyen instead of spending so much money on real weasel Coffee. If you love the imitation coffee, then it may be time to consider purchasing some of the real weasel coffee.

Trung Nguyen Locations that sell Weasel Coffee

Trung Nguyen Legend company colors are Black and Gold. The logo is a combination of two circles. There is a symbol of the sun in the middle of the inner circle and coffee beans and hearts around it.

Here are some locations of the brand that are near Ben Thanh Market in District 1 Ho Chi Minh City. These should be easy for a traveler to visit. I’ve noted the time when they open and close their shops so that you can find which ones are the most convenient for you to visit.  

Trung Nguyen Legend Café

-133 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

6:30 AM – 10:30 PM

-31-33 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

7 AM – 11PM

-12 Alexandre de Rhodes Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

7 AM – 11 PM

The staff may speak limited English. They can handle a simple coffee order but when you need to buy raw coffee powder to bring home, you’ll need more help.

How to Buy Weasel Coffee from Trung Nguyen to Bring Home

Most of the Trung Nguyen locations around Ho Chi Minh City will have pre-packaged bags of their coffee that you can bring home with you.

You can find these products in almost all of the Trung Nguyen coffee shops. They can also be found on the shelf of Lotte Mart Supermarkets and even on Amazon.

Here’s Trung Nguyen Legend fan-page that has the FAQ, maybe it is a little helpful for you: https://www.facebook.com/trungnguyenlegendcafe/

However, they are slow in response, I suggest buying directly at the mentioned shops and supermarkets.

Where to Buy Weasel Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City from a Local Supplier

If you are a coffee connoisseur and eager to buy real weasel coffee in Vietnam, you can visit Authentic Legend Revived Chon Coffee.

Authentic Legend Revived Chon Coffee is not as well-known as Trung Nguyen Coffee in Vietnam. They sell real weasel coffee produced from their farms, so the prices are more expensive than those of Trung Nguyen. It’s their coffee quality and their foreign customers that prove the trustworthiness.

They have two civet farms: one is in Buon Ma Thuot and another one is in Lac Duong District, near Da Lat City. Their civets are either Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) or Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata). The Civets are kept in a semi-natural habitat, so you don’t have to worry about these poor civets being exploited.

You can either buy weasel coffee at their showroom, their retail places or order coffee to your accommodation via phone.

If you would like to visit Legend Revived Showroom, you can please visit their address below:

Address: 49bis Hau Giang St., Tan Binh Dist., Ho Chi Minh City

Hours: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Phone number: 028 6674 9944 (English and Vietnamese)

Website: caphechon.vn/eng/

They also have branches found throughout Ho Chi Minh City that will sell their coffee on the shelf for you to purchase. If you are looking to buy a bag to take back with you, we recommend reaching out or visiting the following places to buy your coffee.

Promana, The Reverie Saigon

-22-36 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1.

Windsor Plaza Hotel

-18 An Duong Vuong Street, District 5.

Park Hyatt Sai Gon

-2 Lam Son Street, District 1.

Lotte Mart

-242 Nguyen Van Luong Street, Ward 10, Go Vap District.

-Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Hung Ward, District 7.

Citimart

-18-20 Ton Dat Tien, Garden Plaza 1, Tan Phong Ward, District 7.

-60A Truong Son, Tan Binh Ward ( 5th floor)

-126 Hung Vuong, Ward 12, District 5.

US Mart

-329 Tran Hung Dao, Co Giang Ward, District 1.

-169 Nguyen Duc Canh, District 7.

A&T

-21/18 Truong Son, Ward 4, Tan Binh District.

Shop Sapa

-105 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

Vietnam The Gift

-R4-03 Hung Gia 2, Phu My Hung, District 7.    

How much is Weasel Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City?

The prices of weasel coffee depends a lot on the type of coffee and brands. The prices of weasel coffee in Vietnam is not very different from prices found all over the world.

A cup of weasel coffee costs from $30 to $50 USD. If you want to buy weasel coffee powder, it costs from $20 to $160 USD for 100g.

Imitation weasel coffee will be much more affordable for typical coffee drinks who are only interested in trying the taste of Civet coffee out of curiosity.

Post Source Here: Where to Buy Weasel Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City?

Everyone likes to go on a shopping spree sometimes, and Saigon is definitely one of the best place for this. Through a quick Google search will help you find countless of high end shopping malls (Vincom A and B, and the most recent Takashimaya), we decided to have a look at more local (and affordable) places to buy souvenirs from your trip in Vietnam. We have decided to not include as well the infamous Bến Thành Market in District 1, mostly for its constant haggling and pricing (though it doesn’t match others in terms of convenience). Check out the video and scroll down below for the different markets and streets:

Best Shopping Spots in Ho Chi Minh City:

# Dried foods, Fabrics and souvenirs: Binh Tay & An Dong Market, District 5

# Clothes, Handbags: Nguyen Trai Street, Saigon Square(s), District 1 to District 10

# Shoes: Luu Van Lang Street, District 1

# Paintings: Tran Phu Street, District 5

# Antiques: Le Cong Kieu Street, District 1.

What’s your favorite shopping spot in Ho Chi Minh City?

Post Source Here: The Best Place for Shopping in Saigon

We’re quite proud to say that we had our tours customers aged from 1 to 95 years old, and they all enjoyed it! Though parents are often quite scared to let their children on a motorbike in busy Saigon, we believe that is also a fun experience for them to buzz through the lines and crossroads of our city. Many travelling families have been asking us, either throughout the tour or through email: “Where should I take my kids to in Saigon?” And it is indeed a good question: after all, while we believe attractions such as the War Remnants Museum or the Museum of Fines Arts are things to do in Saigon, they’re not quite kid-friendly (definitely not the first one for sure). So we decided to make this new video, our top 5 children activities in Saigon (according to us!). Scroll down below the video for the list and addresses.

#5 Artinus 3D Art Museum, 02-04 Street 09 (Next to Vietopia) Him Lam area, Tân Hưng Ward, District 7

#4 X-Rock Climbing, 75 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street, Ward 6 District 3

#3 The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, 55B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, Bến Thành Ward, District 1

#2 Đầm Sen Park, 3 Hòa Bình Street, Ward 3, District 1

#1 Ourselves 🙂

We hope this post will help some enjoy a great family experience here in Ho Chi Minh City. Stay tuned on our for more videos coming soon!

Post Source Here: Top 5 Children Activities in Saigon, Vietnam!

What to eat for Lunch in Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a Saigon?

Entering the world of Vietnamese food can be a daunting task for a beginner out there on their own. What is it? Where is it? Is it the best? These are the questions that probably run through the mind of those out on their own Ho Chi Minh City foodie adventure.

Well, this is why we have put together a Top 5 List of our favorite Lunch foods in Saigon. We have done the leg work to point in you in the right direction for a delicious afternoon feast.

#5 Miến Gà Kỳ Đồng

Glass Noodles, Boiled Chicken, in a sweet but light chicken broth has been pleasing the crowds in District 3 for a long time now. One of the unique items that you will find in your bowl is small yolk that is found inside the chicken before it makes its way to become an actual egg. While this isn’t typically something you would find in a bowl of Chicken Soup back in the Western Nations, do not be fickle! Dig right in because this small yolk is delicious.

Glass Noodles for the uninitiated is a transparent noodle commonly known as cellophane noodles. You can find these noodles in different dishes from Pakistan all the way up to Korea. Typically, the noodle is made from various starches that might include Potato, Mung Bean, Cassava, etc etc. If you haven’t had the glass noodle, go for it. If it isn’t your thing, then be sure to ask for some other options in your soup. The two other popular noodle choices here would be rice noodle or wheat noodle.

The homemade Vietnamese hot sauce for dipping the chicken is also a do not miss when you visit this vendor. I repeat, use this sauce, it is delicious.

The herbs on the table will be Thai basil, Mint, and Sawtooth Coriander along with a nice big plate of Bean Sprouts.

#4 Bánh Khọt Vũng Tàu Khanh

This vendor is located fairly far from the city center of Saigon. If you plan on making a trip out here, it might be worth while to check out our other recommendations in this area so that you can make an event of the trip with more bang for your taxi bucks.

It is best to think of this dish has a wrap, since this is the proper way to eat the Banh Khot. This delicious fried disk of Coconut water and Rice Flour is topped with flash fried seafood such as shrimp and squid. There are a few different versions of Banh Khot but this is the more traditional version from Vung Tau. If you have tasted Banh Xeo, the famouse Vietnamese Pancake, then you will be familiar with the taste and style of eating this dish.

The plate of Banh Khot is set on the table leaving you to assemble your own wrap according to the desires of your own palette. Feel free to sample all of the fresh herbs and vegetables placed on the table to get an idea of what you like and don’t like. Using the big leaves as the base for the wrap, you can then place the smaller herbs on top of those. Placing the Banh Khot disk inside with a little shredded papaya, you will then roll the wrap tight, dip into the side of sweet fish sauce, and enjoy.

Tip: Don’t hesitate to add some chili to your sweet fish dipping sauce.

#3 Bún Chả Hà Nội

Allow me to get wax poetic, on the dish that is Bun Cha Ha Noi. A delicious meal brought to us from the heavens playing on our love for sweet and sour infused with the taste of grilled pork. Combined with fresh herbs and vegetables to keep it light and playful in our mouths. This dish is damn good and you should eat it.

Now, if you have the chance to eat it in Ha Noi, then you should eat it there. If you are only visiting the South of Vietnam then our recommendation here at #3 will do the job just fine.

If you decide that you want to eat two bowls of Bun Cha, we won’t judge. We have done this as well on several occasions.

Tip: Banh Thom (Fried Shrimp and Potato “Cake”) and Nem Cua (Square Crab and Pork Spring Roll) are two side dishes you should order while here. 1 plate of Banh Thom is enough for 3-4 people. While if you love crab like we do, then perhaps 1 Nem Cua per person will be ideal.

#2 Bún Thịt Nướng Chị Tuyền

In Southern Vietnam this is an extremely popular dish that can be eaten for Breakfast, Lunch, and/or Dinner. You can find heaps of Bun Thit Nuong vendors all over the streets of Saigon.

We have been serving this dish on our afternoon tours for years and have no plan on stopping. Quite often this tends to be the highest ranked dish on the tour based on the response of our guests. With that many thumbs up from all over the world we suggest you try it as well.

Tip: This dish contains pork in every way possible, so if you are not eating pig this dish is probably not the best choice for you. Be sure to check out our Top 5 Vegetarian Foods in Ho Chi Minh City Blog.

#1 Cơm Tấm Nguyễn Văn Cừ

Broken Rice, Pickles, and Marinated Grilled Pork served with Sweet Fish Sauce is our number one choice for the best lunch food in Ho Chi Minh City.

This dish can literally be found everywhere you look on the streets of Saigon, but this particular vendor is doing it very well. Not a very far taxi ride from the center makes this a must try dish while in Ho Chi Minh City.

Be prepared as this can be quite filling and heavy so you aren’t going to want to eat for a while after sinking your teeth into this meal.

Tip: Come here very hungry for Breakfast or Lunch.

Read More Here: The Best Lunch Foods in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese Salad Recipe: Goi Ngo Sen (Lotus Stem Salad)

Everyone hears about the freshness and interesting flavors that make Vietnamese food unique and exciting. Especially for those seeking refuge from salads made up of Green Leaf lettuce covered in oil and vinegar with the hope of taking a few pounds off their waste line. Now, I am not promising that Vietnamese Salads don’t have their fair amount of sugar but they are absent in oil.
We will provide a recipe below for a basic Vietnamese salad along with the dressing. This has been tested and is Back of the Bike Tours approved for you to recreate at home for friends and family. Hopefully this recipe will help you think about the possibilities when in the kitchen making a salad at home. Instead of picking up that head of Iceberg or Romaine lettuce through an initial thought process of covering it in a bottled dressing, you will pick up that cabbage, carrot, daikon, pepper, onion, or cucumber in the hopes of creating something new and unique using this recipe below as your blue print for what a fresh and delicious salad can be.
The best Vietnamese salad when going out to eat at a large family style beer restaurant with friends and family for me personally is the Lotus Stem Salad. The crisp provided by the Lotus Stem, the freshness from the herbs, umami from the pork and shrimp, and sweet and sour from the Fish Sauce Dressing make this an incredible side dish to start off with. So when ordering on a night out, I will normally start the feast with this or a similar dish on the menu.

Goi Ngo Sen

Lotus Stem Salad with Shrimp Pork and Fish Sauce Dressing

• 75 grams of cleaned Lotus Stem
• 30 grams or 5 pcs of Sliced, De shelled, Poached Shrimp*
• 25 grams Poached Sliced Pork shoulder, loin, leg or ear*
• 6 Grams -1 tbsp of peanuts
• 6 grams – 2 tsp of shallot/oil*
• 45 ml – 3 tbsp of Fish Sauce Dressing SALAD DRESSING*
• 20 grams Carrot and Daikon Pickles*
• 8 gramsChopped Or Torn Herbs – Mint, Thai basil, Vietnamese Mint, Cilantro
• 4 to 8 Fried Prawn Crackers
Toss the Lotus Stem, Shrimp, Pork, Pickles, and Herbs together in a mixing bowl with ½ of the fish sauce dressing. Taste and adjust the dressing according to your preference.
Plate the salad ingredients, then drizzle a little more fish sauce dressing on top. Place the chopped peanuts and fried shallots on top of the salad.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Creates salad for 1 person, so please multiply by the number of people you are looking to feed.

Vietnamese Fish Sauce Salad Dressing

• 60ml – 4 tbsp of water
• 15 grams – 1 tbsp of sugar
• 20ml – 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of fish sauce
• 1 bird chili minced
• 6 grams of Garlic minced about 1 clove
• 15ml – 1 tbsp of lime juice or rice vinegar
Place all ingredients except for chili into small bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust according to your preference for sweet, sour, and heat. Add the chili accordingly.
Creates enough dressing for 1 salad, so please multiply by the number of people you are looking to feed.

Shallot Oil

• 80 Grams – about 16pcs Peeled Asian Shallots
• 175ml – ¾ cup – Neutral oil – Canola, vegetable, grapeseed etc…
Slice the shallots as thinly as possible.
Place shallots into cold oil and set on a low heat. Watch carefully as the moisture begins to be released from the shallots.

Once browning occurs prepare to remove the shallots immediately using a metal strainer or “spider”.
Set shallots aside to cool and use later for your salad.
This will make enough shallots for 8 salads. You can hold these fried shallots inside of oil for 1 week.

Vietnamese Pickling Liquid Recipe

• 625ml – 2 ½ cups Rice Vinegar
• 440g – 2 Cups Sugar
• 15g – 1tbsp Salt
• 500 grams- Carrots
• 500 grams- Daikon
Place the vinegar, salt, and sugar into a pot over low heat. Let come to a simmer and then turn off the heat. Stir well to help dissolve the sugar and salt into the vinegar.
Once the liquid has cooled to room temperature submerge your Carrots and Daikon in this liquid and let sit for at least 48 hours.
Remove the pickles from the pickling liquid when ready to use. Pickles can be stored inside the pickling liquid for 1 week when refrigerated.
Makes enough pickles for 50 salads. You can feel free to cut this recipe down or have some pickles on hand in your refrigerator for your next Vietnamese inspiration.

Looking to learn more about Vietnamese Food? Please check out more of our blog or our Motorbike Street Food Tours in Saigon.

Wanna let us know how your salad turned out? Please leave a comment below!

See Full Article Here: Vietnamese Salad Goi Ngo Sen Recipe

Many of my friends from school asked the question “Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe?”. Many of them are from smaller cities and countryside towns outside of Ho Chi Minh City. So for them to move to the big city was a scary notion that made them wonder about the safety. Ho Chi Minh City is like any other big city in the world, you will always want to be aware of your surroundings and watch out for common risks that can be dangerous for not only residents but travelers.

Ho Chi Minh City is actually quite safe. Besides some scams and petty thefts, there isn’t much that a traveller will have to worry about if they are traveling wisely. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of common safety tips that you wouldn’t know if you weren’t a local or even a frequent world traveler. I’m gonna give you the best tips on how to be on the lookout and to prevent common scams, pickpockets, and robberies. I’ll also let you know about how to stay safe when walking around and also when eating local food.

Staying Safe While Walking Around Ho Chi Minh City

Taking over the sidewalk seems to be a part of the culture of Vietnamese in every major town in Vietnam. The culprits of this encroachment are often food hawkers, shop owners, and motorbike parking for locals. Hawkers bring their goods everywhere to sell for customers whom they meet on the street. When they find a “gold place” where there are many people they will set up shop. This can cause congestion on the sidewalk but many of us accept this as a way of life. We want local food hawkers to be able to make money to support themselves but also provide us with delicious Vietnamese food!

Shop Owners also do a similar thing, when it comes to taking up public space on the sidewalks. The shops will often not have a private parking lot for their customers. To meet the demand of customers parking, they turn their storefront sidewalks into parking lots. Consequently, you will see a lot of motorbikes built into long rows on the sidewalk. This again is something that as locals we have been willing to accept because we appreciate being able to park our motorbikes in front of stores when we wish to go shopping.

These are the reasons that our sidewalks are always a bit congested and difficult to walk in the more local areas. Another point we want to make about walking in Ho Chi Minh City is that the sidewalk is a bit rough and uneven in many places. Be sure to wear nice walking shoes when traveling around during the day so that you can be more steady on your feet when running into unexpected cracks and potholes.

Where can I walk safely in Ho Chi Minh City?

Government has done a nice job in recent years of keeping the sidewalks in District 1 and 3 clear to allow a better walking experience for travelers. If you are looking at walking around downtown areas, we still recommend wearing comfortable sneakers as some of the pavement is still under construction and a bit uneven.

How to Eat Local Food Safely?

One of the exciting experiences that anyone traveling to another country has is tasting local food. Vietnamese cuisine is a rich and important part of Vietnamese culture. Ho Chi Minh city has a lot of food hawkers and small local restaurants that serve up great delicious Vietnamese food. This creates an issue when travellers want to eat the local cuisine but aren’t sure how to navigate food vendors to choose the right one in terms of food safety. One common misconception among a lot of travellers is that the locals in a country don’t get sick from dirty food. This couldn’t be further from the truth, we all get sick from dirty food unless you are Superwoman. As a local, we know what to look for in street food hawkers and small restaurants to avoid eating food that could make our stomachs upset.

My local tips are using online apps for recommendations, finding stalls who have prepared a lot of food, and eating from crowded places. There are many famous food locations that have many good reviews on food apps like Foody.vn or Tripadvisor. Looking to see how much food a vendor or restaurant has prepared in advance is a safe bet that lots of locals eat there everyday. Another way that is used to identify good quality food stalls is based on the number of guests, the crowded stalls will often be safe. Of course, you can always take a look at our Food Tours here at Back of the Bike Tours if you want to try some delicious and safe Vietnamese food!

How to Stay Safe in Ho Chi Minh City by Avoiding Common Scams

Any major city in the world that has large amounts of tourism, also has its fair share of scam artists looking to prey on tourists to make some quick money. There is a phrase in Vietnamese “Tay Balo” which means someone who doesn’t know a currency or local prices very well. This is a common phrase used among despicable scam artists that work as taxi drivers or street merchants. Don’t be “Tay Balo” use our guides to learn about Vietnam before coming so that you can understand the local currency and prices before arriving to avoid these types of situations.

Avoiding Scams While Shopping

Dishonest sellers have many ways to deceive foreigners such as raising the price of goods, taking advantage of currency confusion, or using some fraudulent calculations. This is different than your normal bartering that happens at many of the markets in Ho Chi Minh City, which is a fun part of travelling to Asia that many tourists want to experience. We are referring to a vendor who will sell a coconut that costs 30,000 VND ($1.28 usd) for 300,000VND ($12.87 usd). This is outrageous and a true scam but it happens everyday to tourists who do not understand the currency before they travel to Vietnam. To prevent these situations from happening, make sure that you have knowledge of Vietnamese currency and can distinguish the similar banknotes.

Is Shopping Safe in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes! Shopping is safe in Ho Chi Minh City and quite fun for a lot of travellers who come here looking for the thrill of the bargain! My suggestion is to do your due diligence before coming so that you have an understanding of what is a fair price for some things. My tips for bargaining is to not pay more than ⅔ of the starting price the vendor offers. Also, always be willing to walk away from the deal!

Staying Safe in Ho Chi Minh City by Avoiding Taxi Scams

Before famous apps like Grab and Uber, Vietnamese and foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City relied heavily on Taxi Cabs. This led to a lot of Vietnamese and Foreigners being ripped off by illegitimate drivers and companies. Today there are only two companies we recommend when using a taxi cab and those two are Mai Linh and Vina Sun.

Even though these are great companies with a decent reputation, things aren’t always perfect so you need to be aware of a few common taxi scams. The first scam would be the classic “drive around” where the taxi will add some distance to the drive by going the long way to get to your destination. You can avoid this by opening up google maps on your phone to be aware of where your driver is taking you.

Another Taxi Scam to be aware of would be the broken meter, which means the meter starts moving at a very quick rate of speed. Last but not least, is the luggage highjack. This scam happens if a taxi driver tries to refuse giving luggage back if a customer does not pay the exorbitant amount of money the taxi driver is trying to scam them for. To avoid that type of situation, I never keep my truly important things in luggage that is too far away from me when I get into a taxi.  

Watching Out for Pickpockets in Tourist Areas

I am sure the feeling when someone steals your possessions without your knowing is really upsetting. It does happen at many places in Ho Chi Minh city, especially in crowded places including Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bui Vien Walking Street, shopping centers, Ben Thanh market, or public transportation. The pickpockets take advantage of the cramped distance of crowded places to quietly sneak into your pocket, purse, or bag.

The rules to remember are to store valuables in a safe at the hotel. Bags and Backpacks should be moved to the front of your chest when in these crowded areas. Do not regularly check the pockets containing important assets, as it’s the way to show the thieves where you are keeping your wallet. Be wary when someone bumps into you or approaches you too closely, thieves often use this trick to approach their prey. Finally, when you take money out of your pocket for payment, do not forget to pay attention to your surroundings.

Bag and Phone Snatching while on the Streets

From my perspective, robberies are the most dangerous risk in Ho Chi Minh city. Not only foreign tourists but also Vietnamese residents are often victims of bag or phone snatching by thieves on motorbikes. This only takes a few seconds, you won’t have enough time to react promptly and protect your assets. This can happen anywhere, at any time. Maybe it comes when you’re walking on the road, driving on the motorcycles, getting out of the car or buying something from street vendors.

The way Vietnamese people apply to prevent losing property is to avoid using their bag or phone while standing on the street, where bags with a strap across their chest and staying aware of their surroundings. Try to limit using smartphones while traveling on the road when it is not needed. If you need to use your phone, be sure to be away from the street and standing on part of the sidewalk that is not easy to get to for a motorbike. If you have some valuable assets such as watches, necklaces or bracelets, my advice for you is not to bring it with you when traveling to Vietnam. Of course wearing your wedding ring is okay and no cause for alarm but there isn’t anything to gain from bringing fancy jewelry on your vacation to a developing country. Robbers often pay attention to valuable things that catch their attention quickly, so it’s best to avoid putting yourself in this situation.

Back of the Bike Tours does a great job in this Video of Showing you How To Stay Safe in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is Safe and I am happy to call it home.

At the end of the day, I have lived in Ho Chi Minh City my whole life and I am proud to be from here. I don’t feel scared or threatened. My country and people are beautiful even if in the big city you always need to be aware and to be careful. If Vietnam is one of the destinations on your travel plan, I think you shouldn’t miss Ho Chi Minh city. It is an interesting place with a unique cultural and culinary richness that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Post Source Here: Safety Tips for Ho Chi Minh City

As a local Vietnamese from the Mekong, I spent the first 18 years of my life living in the beautiful Mekong Delta before moving to the big city of Ho Chi Minh!  In the past 5 years, I’ve been traveling back and forth between Saigon and the Mekong Delta at least once a month to visit my family. I guess you can say that I am pretty much an expert on how to get to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City.

There are five different methods you can use to visit the gigantic and popular Mekong Delta. You can get to the Mekong Delta by Car, Bus, Motorbike, Boat, or Plane but not all ways to travel or created equal. It’s best to plan what kind of Mekong adventure you want which will be a large part of how you should get there!

In this article, I’ll give my personal recommendations for every method of travel including my preferred way to travel and the best version of each method. Whether you are adventurous and want to drive yourself on a motorbike, easy going and want to join a bus tour, or looking for something more personal like a private experience this article has all the information you need.

How to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by Motorbike?

Taking a scooter to the Mekong Delta from Saigon on your own can be an exciting adventure that you will remember for a lifetime.

Coming from Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta, I am familiar with motorbike drive from Ho Chi Minh City down to the more famous areas of the Mekong. When I visit my hometown, I almost always use my motorbike. The motorbike trip takes around 4 hours which makes it fast, easy, and cheap. On average, it takes me less than 4 hours one way from my house in Saigon to my mother’s house in the Mekong Delta.

With such a short distance between the two cities, a trip to the Mekong Delta on the motorbike will be a fun and exciting day trip that will only take around 4 hours each way. If you are a first time traveler to Vietnam, you should focus on visiting Can Tho, Ben Tre and Tien Giang. These cities are known for the splendid floating markets, alongside the infinite green rice fields and an immense network of rivers and canals.

If you’re about to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City on your own motorbike, then here are some of my useful tips from my own experience.

• Beware of Traffic Police

Even for a local like me, getting pulled over by traffic police along the way is always my top fear. They can appear all of the sudden from nowhere and pull me in for some random reasons. To avoid this situation, don’t break the rules when driving. Driving your scooter in the car lane, not using turn signals, and speeding are the three most common reasons for being pulled over from my own experience.

• Getting Lost

I’m usually worried about getting lost and the language barrier when driving on my own in a new place outside of Vietnam. I think you may face the same issue when driving to the Mekong Delta on your own. In this case, a local guide or a Vietnamese friend by your side will be super helpful. They will know the way better, and it’s easy for them to talk to a native person in case you get lost.

• Find a Local Buddy to Show You the Way

If I were you, I would consider having a local Vietnamese friend or a tour guide to escort me to the Mekong Delta. It’s good to have a local friend who’s willing to travel back and forth by your side. Otherwise, you may need a local tour guide, who can become really helpful if you have some problems on the drive, like a flat tire.

Where to Rent a Scooter for Driving to the Mekong?

Before planning a motorbike trip to the Mekong Delta, you need to rent a scooter for yourself. TIGIT does a really good job in scooter rental service in many big cities across Vietnam including Saigon. Just go ahead to the TIGIT website, skim through all the categories offered and contact them for more details!

Is Driving a Motorbike to the Mekong on Your Own Right for You?

Even though driving to the Mekong is super fun and pretty easy in general, it’s still not for everyone. Joining the traffic in Vietnam is another kind of game, which requires you to have basic knowledge and experience driving a motorcycle or two-wheeled vehicle.

Not every single Vietnamese driver follows the rules strictly while driving on the roads in Vietnam. Which means a car or container truck may show up all of the sudden in front of you at a cross-road or T-junction, along with many other random situations that you’re not aware of beforehand. Therefore, it’s good if you’re an adventurous person, but without basic motorbike driving skills, I do not recommend you drive a scooter in Vietnam on your own!

Last but not least, remember to cover yourself with travel insurance before arriving to Vietnam just like anywhere on Earth, especially if you’re up for driving a scooter here.

How to Find a Good Motorbike Tour to the Mekong Delta from Saigon?

Knowing that many of my foreign friends are not capable of driving a motorbike in Vietnam but are still interested to see the Mekong in a totally cool new way got me researching. After some digging, I had some recommendations for them which turned out to be a great experience. They told me it was the highlight of their time in Southern Vietnam. Some of the top agencies offering motorbike tours to the Mekong from Saigon that come highly recommended are Vespa Adventures, Saigon Riders, and Onetrip Adventures.

As a passionate worker in the travel industry myself, these are simply some of the best motorbike tour agencies that bring you the finest off-the-beaten-path experiences. I don’t think other mainstream agencies are able to give you this type of in depth tour. Their well-trained guides can guarantee a fun and safe adventure! Go ahead and check them out!

How to Go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by Bus?

The Bus is easily the most used transportation method for both locals and tourists to visit the Mekong Delta. There are many types of bus companies ranging from cheap and very local to high quality that are expensive. We are gonna discuss two options for you as a traveller to get to the Mekong Delta by bus. The first option will be to book a bus on your own to be dropped off in Can Tho or another city in the Mekong. The second option is to work with a reputable company that will arrange not only the bus but also the tour experience.

Booking a Bus on Your Own to the Mekong Delta

When it comes to booking your own bus to the Mekong Delta, it can be a bit overwhelming as there are so many options out there that all seem relatively similar. This may not be true when it comes to the quality of the trip or the bus itself. I recommend the bus company of Futa for anyone wanting to book tickets themselves. Compared to other brands, Futa is a leader in terms of quality and charisma. When I’m just feeling too exhausted to drive my motorbike for 4 hours to my hometown, then Futa is my go-to alternative.

To book the tickets, you can either call them or purchase online via . After that, arrive at the ticket booth at Ben Xe Mien Tay (West Coach Station – Booth No.23), show your confirmation email to the ticket seller in order to get the tickets. Remember to arrive around 60 minutes before departure.

West Coach Station Address: 395 Kinh Duong Vuong st, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Futa hotline: 19006067

Booking a Bus Tour to the Mekong Delta

Many tourists in Saigon will opt for a one or two day trip to the Mekong Delta when they don’t want to go sightseeing by themselves. This is a good pick as you will have a tour guide arrange everything for you, and show you all the most iconic features of the Mekong Delta. This choice is also relatively cheap compared to many private tour packages around the city.

However, you need to keep in mind that these bus tours are usually very low quality and touristy. You will stop at places where they ask you to spend money for souvenirs so that the tour guide can make extra commision. The standard tour for these large bus groups is also not very appealing and has led to some major complaints that can be found in many online reviews. We recommend doing your research and understanding what kind of experience you would like for the amount of money you want to spend.

If you would like to experience the Mekong Delta via a bus tour, I recommend checking out the offers from Sinh Tourist, TNK Travel or Saigon Tourist. While these companies do offer your typical Mekong bus tour experience, these brands have been around for a long time and can be trusted in terms of safety and reputation. They all offer a wide array of packages to the Mekong Delta with the cheapest price starting at around 300.000 VND/pax, which is very reasonable.

How to Go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by a Private Car?

When is a private car the better option? If you don’t want to join other travellers, then you may consider renting a private car with your own driver.

Most of the time, I don’t take a private car to travel to my hometown. The exceptions that my family might consider renting a car from Saigon to the Mekong would be for a large family gathering or for a wedding. This way the older family members can travel in comfort and the whole family can be together for the trip.

For those considering visiting Can Tho, a price for a one-day round trip should be around 1,500,000 VND. However, it varies a lot depending on the distance and route, so when you contact a car rental operator, remember to go specific on details such as pick-up and drop-off time.

We have worked with An Minh Car Rental to book cars for our private tours inside of Ho Chi Minh City. They are easy to communicate with and offer a wide range of cars, vans, and buses. If you have any issues with a language barrier, please free to reach out to your local host or receptionist.

An Minh Car Rental

Phone (Mr Phong, Speaks some English): 0909 555 783

0913 724 238

Email: Sieuphong2003@yahoo.com

Website: xedulichanhminh.com

Roundtrip Saigon to Can Tho

8 Hours or 110 Km

For 4 people: 2,000,000 VND

For 7 people: 2,200,000 VND

Overnight: 3,000,000 VND

*Note: The price could be different on National Holidays. 

How to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by plane?

There is only one flight from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, which takes you directly to the island of Phu Quoc. Traveling by bus and then boat to Phu Quoc can take up to 9 hours. I would much rather spend a little extra money to take a 1 hour flight to visit Phu Quoc.

Vietjet and Jetstar Pacific usually offers flights to Phu Quoc that can range from $64 to $128 USD. With such reasonable prices, I think it’s a no brainer to fly to Phu Quoc over the bus/boat route.

For your information, there are two airports in the Mekong, one in Can Tho and another one in Phu Quoc. My initial thought was, why not just spend 45 minutes on a flight to Can Tho instead of spending 4 hours on a bus? However, it turns out that there’s no direct flight from Saigon to Can Tho, not at this time. It is possible to fly straight to Can Tho from other major cities in Vietnam like Hanoi and Da Nang. You may consider flying directly to Can  Tho and then making a trip up to Ho Chi Minh City.

How to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City by Boat?

One last option is to go to the Mekong Delta on a boat. As far as I know, you can only sign up for a tour offered by a company. There is no rental boat service for the route between Saigon and the Mekong Delta, since the daily rate is usually high, it can go up to $1000/hour depending on which type of boat you’re looking for.

For boat tours, Les Rives and Fish Eye Travel are the two top-rated agencies introducing boat trips to different parts of Saigon and also to the Mekong via waterways. Les Rives and Fish Eye offers one-day tripsto the Mekong at nearly 3,000,000 VND.

Pricey as it seems, their quality is second to none! You can read all the reviews on their website or TripAdvisor before making a decision. Most of their services include pick-up and drop-off, multiple departure times throughout the day, and additional tour inclusions.

I hope this article helped you navigate the best option that suits you! If you think you enjoyed this article and found it helpful please share it so others can also find out how to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh!

Read Full Article Here: How to go to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City?

Banging your head against the bus window on a boring tour isn’t an adventure. Challenging yourself with getting to the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own is an experience. I’ve crafted this article featuring all you need for getting to the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own.

Selecting a guide can be expensive and time consuming. The Cu Chi Tunnels supply free guides for visitors with an admission ticket. Read on to learn about how to get to the Cu Chi Tunnels, then follow their free guide for a money saving adventure.

Visit the Cu Chi tunnels on your own by calling a taxi, renting a Car, or hop on the local bus. Every option above has its own merits. Follow my recommendations found below, and you will be climbing through those elaborate tunnels in no time at all.

If you are adventurous but on a budget, I believe you are not looking at hiring a taxi or renting a car. Renting a Taxi or Car is a great option though for some that are not on a tight budget. I’ll give you options to pick and choose the best transportation for your Cu Chi Tunnel experience.

Hiring a Taxi

Standing on the sidewalk, waving your arm to flag down a taxi isn’t what I have in mind. Mai Linh, one of the most reputable Taxi companies in Ho Chi Minh City, offer some roundtrip fares to Cu Chi.

Be clear with the taxi company over the phone on dropping you at the Benh Duoc entrance. Also your driver will most likely not speak much English, if any. Speak to the operator on the phone ahead of time about any questions you might have before departing with the taxi.

Here are the contact information for Mai Linh. Use this information to get a taxi anytime not just for the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Mai Linh Taxi (10-15 minutes call before)

Hotline: 028 3838 3838

Saigon (District 1) -> Cu Chi Tunnels( Ben Duoc Entrance)

Option 1: 7 Hours or 70km (140km total) Package

4 Seats: 1,160,000 VND

7 Seats: 1,340,000 VND

Option 2: 6 Hour or 50 km (100km total)

4 Seats: 950,000 VND

7 Seats: 1,130,000 VND

***Every Extra Hour is 60,000 VND, Every Extra km is 12,000 VND***

***Tolls are not included in the price***

How would I visit the Cu Chi Tunnels on my own in a taxi?

Hop out of bed early, even though it’s vacation time. Drag my lazy butt down to the hotel buffet for breakfast. Speak with the hotel concierge directly about calling Mai Linh. Show the hotel staff this article with the Mai Linh prices and be sure to repeat destination is the Ben Douc entrance. Confirm that twice, sometimes details get lost in Vietnam.

When driving to the Cu Chi Tunnels, ask the taxi driver for his phone number. Ring him up when you finish and are ready to be picked up.

Eating a tantalizing bowl of Pho for lunch or experiencing new dishes at the famous Beef Restaurants out in Cu Chi might be worth planning ahead of time on the way home.

How to do the Cu Chi Tunnels with Car/Van/Van Limousine Rental on your own!

Traveling with my family is like pulling my own teeth sometimes. A little sister who cries when out of her comfort zone and a brother who shouts about always being bored. The picture I am painting is familiar to some people. The family comfort factor rests heavily on us when traveling sometimes.  Rental services have large comfortable vehicles that will make getting to the Cu Chi Tunnels easy for the planner in the family. A free guide at the Cu Chi Tunnels balances out the price to make it affordable to travel in style.

An Minh Car Rental

Phone (Mr Phong, Speaks some English): 0909 555 783

0913 724 238

Email: Sieuphong2003@yahoo.com

Website: xedulichanhminh.com

Saigon -> Cu Chi Tunnels

6 Hour Two Way Trip Package

4 Seats : 1,100,000 VND

7 Seats: 1,200,000 VND

***100,000 VND for every hour over 6 hours***

***Tolls INCLUDED in the price***

The price is comparable to renting a taxi. I would go for renting the car as I would be able to set up communication and confirmation ahead of time via email. I also like being able to call Mr Phung on the phone during the trip if I needed to.

You could arrange the address you want to be dropped off at for the tunnels and then the address for anywhere you would like to stop for lunch.

Getting to the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own on the public bus.

Starting out a window on a long bus ride isn’t what some would call an adventure. When the local language is not English, something that sounds so mundane can become quite the voyage though. Not knowing what exactly will happen is all part of the mystery and fun of traveling.

I’ve tracked down everything you need to know to jump on the bus and get to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This way to travel is budget friendly.

# 13 Public Bus to Cu Chi Tunnels

Open time: 3:30 – 20:30

Type: 46-80 seat bus

Price: 7,000 VND

Quantity: 150 trips/day

Time length each trip: 60 – 75 minutes

Time between each bus: 10 – 20 minutes

#79 Public Bus from Cu Chi Bus Station -> Ben Duoc (Cu Chi)

Open time: 5:30 – 17:30

Type: 46-80 seat bus

Quantity: 70 trips/day

Time length each trip: 45 minutes (25 km)

Time between each bus: 10 – 20 minutes

10 Steps to do the Cu Chi Tunnels on your own By Bus:

Step 1: Wake up early. Eat some breakfast then head off to the bus station.

Step 2: Pack a small bag of any supplies you might need.

Step 3: Make your way to the Pham Ngu Lau Bus station at the end of 23/9 Park towards Nguyen Trai street. The location on the map below.

Step 4: Get on the Public Bus #13 to Ben Duoc. You will purchase your ticket in Vietnamese Dong from the Ticket Agent on the bus!

Step 5: Read a book, nap, strike up a conversation, or whatever tickles your fancy.

Step 6: Arrive at the Cu Chi Bus Terminal and search for Bus No. 79. There will be taxi drivers and motorbike drivers offering their services. Just ignore them, get to Bus No. 79 and buy a ticket from the agent on the bus.

Step 7. After 35 minutes there will be blue sign saying Ben Duoc to the left and Ben Dinh to the right. Get off 2 minutes later at the Ben Duoc entrance.

Step 8: Congratulate yourself for a mission well accomplished!

Step 9: Go into the main entrance, buy yourself an Entrance ticket. Walk your way to the local Cu Chi building where you will watch a short introduction video. After, you will receive a guide who will show you through the tunnels!

Step 10: Return to the No. 79 bus BEFORE 17:30, THIS IS THE LAST BUS OF THE NIGHT. Hop back on the No. 13 back to Saigon at the Cu Chi Terminal!

There you have it all of the knowledge you need to do the cu chi tunnels on your own. You might want to ask yourself if visiting the cu chi tunnels is worth it? If so, then what should I wear to the cu chi tunnels?

I hope this article helped, I invested some serious time into making it so if you enjoyed it please don’t hesitate to share it for other adventurous travelers like yourself.

Originally Published Here: How To Visit The Cu Chi Tunnels On Your Own

Mosquitos, they were excellent for bringing back dinosaurs in Jurassic park but aren’t very fun to deal with on vacation. This might leave you wondering, “What’s the situation like in Vietnam with Mosquitos and Tropical diseases like Malaria?”

Visiting a tropical country like Vietnam means you will be welcomed with long beaches, sunshine and endless summer days. However, getting malaria – a common tropical disease is the very last thing you want to happen. Do I need to take Malaria pills before coming to Vietnam? If you are traveling to Rural Areas, Yes. If you will be mostly staying in the big Cities, No. Read on to find out more information to decide what level of precaution suits your vacation.

Everything You Need to Know about Malaria before Traveling to Vietnam

What is Malaria?

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasite. The disease is also known as Plasmodium infection. Most often, the malaria parasite enters the human body through mosquito bites. Malaria disease can lead to severe complications and even death if left untreated. According to a report by WHO, there were 435,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2017. The organization also warns that international travelers could be at risk of malaria in 87 countries around the world, mainly in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.    

How do you get Infected with Malaria?

As mentioned above, the parasite is transmitted to humans most commonly through mosquito bites. Notice that only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria. Here is the Mosquito transmission cycle:

• A mosquito becomes infected by taking a previous blood meal from a person who has malaria.
• If you’re bitten by this mosquito, it can transmit malaria parasites to you.
• After entering your body, the parasites travel to your liver — where some types can lie dormant for up to a year. This is the reason why some people may not have symptoms of malaria until months later.
• When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect your red blood cells. This is when people typically develop malaria symptoms.
• When an uninfected mosquito bites you at this point in the cycle, it will become infected with malaria parasites from your bloodstream and can spread them to other people it bites.

Who is at Risk of Getting Malaria?

Anyone! Although the fact that malaria is likely to happen more in children, adults are no exception. There are 5 population groups that WHO lists as being at considerably higher risk of contracting and developing malaria. They include:

• Pregnant women
• Infants
• Children under 5 years of age
• HIV/AIDS patients
• Immigrants or Travelers

If you’re reading this article, you may probably belong to the last group. Travelers are at higher risk of getting malaria. This is because they often lack partial immunity to malaria, and have limited access to prevention, diagnostic testing, and treatment services.

Do I need Malaria Pills for Vietnam?

As a tropical country, malaria does happen in Vietnam. This means that malaria pills are needed if you’ve planned for a trip to Vietnam. The good news is: malaria pills for Vietnam are recommended but not a must.  You may decide to get them or not depending on where you are going to visit because the disease occurs in rural areas only.

Places at high risk for malaria in Vietnam include the Southeast, Highlands, and Central areas. Although malaria is not an epidemic anymore in Vietnam, prevention is still advisable for travelers flying to hot spots like Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Kon Tum, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri. There is no need for malaria pills if you are going to spend your trip in the rest of Vietnam, especially in big cities such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang or Hoi An.  

You should also notice that malaria is a seasonal disease in Vietnam. There are two malaria seasons here, the early peak (April – May) and the later peak (September – October). Unless you have any important purposes to visit those areas during the peak of malaria, it’s wise to plan your trip at another time.

What are Malaria Pills?

So what are malaria pills, anyway? They are drugs that you can take to treat malaria or to help prevent the disease from infecting you if you are bitten. They are mainly used as a part of the pre-travel health advice for travelers.

Some Antimalarial pills are taken daily, or weekly, and some only require being taken 1 time.

There are 6 main types of drugs used to prevent malaria, including malarone, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, primaquine, and tafenoquine.

CDC recommends the following Anti – Malarial for traveling to Vietnam.

(This list doesn’t match up with the typical prescription and most popular anti-malarial which happens to be the most expensive, might worth asking your doctor about the cheaper option to save some money)

• Atovaquone-proguanil: good for last-minute travelers, a good choice for short trips;
• Doxycycline: good for last-minute travelers, the least expensive antimalarial;
• Tafenoquine: one of the most effective drugs, a good choice for short trips;
• Mefloquine: a good choice for long trips.  

You will need to visit your doctor (4 or 6 weeks prior to your trip) for a specific prescription depending on the destination that you’re about to visit and your health condition.

The average cost of Malaria pills

Insurance generally doesn’t cover malaria pills, meaning you’ll need to pay on your own for malaria prevention. The cost of malaria pills widely varies depending on your choice of drugs.

In the U.S.:

• The cost for Malarone oral tablet (250 mg-100 mg) is around $181 for a supply of 24 tablets.  
• The cost for Chloroquine oral tablet 250 mg is around $95 for a supply of 50 tablets.
• The cost for Doxycycline oral capsule 50mg is around $15 for a supply of 16 capsules.
• The cost for mefloquine oral tablet 250 mg is around $194 for a supply of 25 tablets.
• The cost for primaquine oral tablet 15 mg is around $28 for a supply of 14 tablets.

In the U.K., Malarone is the most common pill that doctors may recommend. The cost for Malarone oral tablet starts from £19.80 for a supply of 16 tablets (one-week trip).

In Australia, Malarone is also the most-used, and most expensive, antimalarial drug. 12 tablets of Malarone can cost you around AUD $60.

When to get malaria pills before traveling to Vietnam?

It is recommended that everyone should take malaria pills 1 or 2 weeks before your trip to Vietnam.

For me, this seems a bit over protective since there aren’t any Malaria outbreaks in any of the popular areas visited by travelers.

Where to buy malaria pills in Vietnam?

Buying drugs abroad without advice from doctors has its risks. They include poor quality, contaminated drugs, and unexpected side effects.  Those are more on the extremes of what could go bad and I personally believe that buying Malaria Pills when you arrive in Vietnam can actually save you a ton of money.

You will need to visit a local hospital in order to get your prescription. I will not recommend looking for Malarial Pills in a private pharmacy for the sake of your health.

In Vietnam, the most common Malaria Pill is Chloroquine. It is more affordable for the majority of Vietnamese citizens. Mefloquine and Malarone are not available in Vietnam.   

What to do if you catch malaria in Vietnam?

Preparing for the worst situation is always smart as a traveler. It’s a life-threatening blood disease, so take it seriously! If you suspect you’ve been infected with malaria, visit a doctor right away. Although doctors will normally prescribe drugs to kill the parasites, don’t try to treat yourself at home. An infectious disease doctor will give you the right prescriptions and guidance.

In Vietnam, you’d better go straight away to a community hospital or a district hospital if possible. If you’re in big cities, you can visit the following hospitals:

• Can Tho Central General Hospital (for the South part)

Address: 315 Nguyen Van Linh Street, An Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

Hotline: (+84)292 3820 07

Hours: Open 24 hours

Website: http://bvtwct.vn/

• Hospital for Tropical Diseases Ho Chi Minh (for the Southwest part)

Address: 764 Vo Van Kiet Street, Ward 1, District 5, HCMC

Hotline: (+84)28 3923 5804

Hours: Open 24 hours

• Da Nang General Hospital (for the Central part)

Address: 124 Hai Phong Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City

Hotline: (+84)96 523 18 18

Hours: 24 hours

• National Hospital for Tropical diseases Ha Noi (for the North part)

Address: 78 Giai Phong Street, Phuong Dinh Ward, Dong Da District, Ha Noi

Hotline: (+84)24 3576 3491

Hours: 24 hours

You should also notice that there are many cases in which symptoms of malaria don’t develop until months or up to 1 year after returning home. Be aware of your health and seek immediate professional medical care in those cases.

After all, keep in mind that there is no 100% effective malaria pills. Apart from using malaria pills before flying to Vietnam, other ways to prevent mosquito bites are also important:

• Prevent mosquito bites by staying indoors during dusk and dawn.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Use mosquito nets

While it’s important to know all of the information we have discussed in this article. Taking Malaria pills is a precaution for peace of mind. It’s not a common thing disease to catch in the main areas of Vietnam. My final recommendation is that if you are traveling to Rural parts of Vietnam, please take Malaria Pills for protection. I hope my article has helped, if you found it useful please share with other travelers like yourself!

See Full Article Here: Do I Need Malaria Pills For Vietnam?