Things to do in Saigon?

[NeverSeen 0]

I'll be going to see Tram later this month for a couple of weeks. I found last time our days went a little something like this:

8-9am wake up

9-10am breakfast

10-11am ca phe

12-1 lunch

2-5 sleep

5-6 ca phe

8-9 dinner

10-? ca phe

?-1am bed.

Sometimes we ate at home, sometimes we stopped off at a market, sometimes we ate at a resturant... There were a couple things we did like going to an arcade, shopping, just hanging out downtown, nothing too terribly exciting.

What can we do for fun there? She never really got out before as she was always working or going to school and she wasn't ever as financially well off as she is now. We did a few fun things from time to time but not too much. Most of our time was taken up by the party planning and other stressful events. This time we have the whole time to our selves with no worries or cares. I'm not a HUGE fan of tourst events and traps and i perfer to hang out in the local scenes.

I'm not too concerned about spending money so don't let that be a limiting force in any recommendations. Let me know of any places or spots to hang out at and have a good time at any time during the day.

She lives about 5 minutes from the river that you need to take the boat to cross on your moto in Q2. I don't mind traveling anywhere in the city and i went all over it multiple times during my last visit.

[NeverSeen 0]

I'll be going to see Tram later this month for a couple of weeks. I found last time our days went a little something like this:

8-9am wake up

9-10am breakfast

10-11am ca phe

12-1 lunch

2-5 sleep

5-6 ca phe

8-9 dinner

10-? ca phe

?-1am bed.

Sometimes we ate at home, sometimes we stopped off at a market, sometimes we ate at a resturant... There were a couple things we did like going to an arcade, shopping, just hanging out downtown, nothing too terribly exciting.

What can we do for fun there? She never really got out before as she was always working or going to school and she wasn't ever as financially well off as she is now. We did a few fun things from time to time but not too much. Most of our time was taken up by the party planning and other stressful events. This time we have the whole time to our selves with no worries or cares. I'm not a HUGE fan of tourst events and traps and i perfer to hang out in the local scenes.

I'm not too concerned about spending money so don't let that be a limiting force in any recommendations. Let me know of any places or spots to hang out at and have a good time at any time during the day.

She lives about 5 minutes from the river that you need to take the boat to cross on your moto in Q2. I don't mind traveling anywhere in the city and i went all over it multiple times during my last visit.

Also, if it makes a differance we are both on the young side of things, 23 and 21. So if its a place where the younger crowd hangs out, thats all the better .

[STL_HCMC 0]

A great link to a site I used to check often while living in HCMC for nearly 2 years.

Link: Asia Life HCMC

STL_HCMC

[sealedkiss 1]

Truly I find traveling in Vietnam is great. So I was going to recommend visiting places like Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hue, Da Nang, Ha Long, Ha Noi, Sa Pa, Ha Tien, Phu Quoc, Can Tho, etc. But... you said otherwise.

If you want to hang out in Sai Gon. Well, does she have college-age friends? If so they can recommend places. Youth music, singing contests among high schools, colleges, groups are truly fun to watch. The atmosphere, the audience are amazing. But can you find such an event coincidental with your trip. I doubt it. On the other hand I'm sure there are plenty of concerts anytime of year, ranging from classical guitar, piano to traditional instruments to Vietnamese pop music if you look / ask hard enough.

I'm not a fan of bars and dancing clubs so I can't speak for it.

If you know Vietnamese, maybe try some live music/comedy. I don't know where, maybe google "nha van hoa thanh nien", "nha hat Hoa Binh", ...

Karaoke is a fun and popular pastime for the youth.

Bowling: Super Bowl right by Tan Son Nhat, or Diamond Plaza.

You didn't mention riding motor scooter around Sai Gon. If you get bored, just ride your motor scooter everywhere and immerse yourself in the chaotic Sai Gon. Sometimes it's truly amazing. Be concerned about safety, though. Not all areas are safe and don't stay out late!

Food scavenger hunt: ask for and seek out the well-known local eateries. Food vendors/restaurants are everywhere, but there are truly outstanding places that everybody knows by word-of-mouth. Your dining experience will be enhanced.

And then some...

[NeverSeen 0]

Truly I find traveling in Vietnam is great. So I was going to recommend visiting places like Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hue, Da Nang, Ha Long, Ha Noi, Sa Pa, Ha Tien, Phu Quoc, Can Tho, etc. But... you said otherwise.

I went to Dalat last time around and really enjoyed it... we might go for a few days. Unfortunately i will only be there for 2 weeks so i really don't want to travel too much.

If you want to hang out in Sai Gon. Well, does she have college-age friends? If so they can recommend places. Youth music, singing contests among high schools, colleges, groups are truly fun to watch. The atmosphere, the audience are amazing. But can you find such an event coincidental with your trip. I doubt it. On the other hand I'm sure there are plenty of concerts anytime of year, ranging from classical guitar, piano to traditional instruments to Vietnamese pop music if you look / ask hard enough.

She has some friends there and we will probably go out with them a couple times. I plan on trying to attend some sort of concert or play as i missed out on that last time around.

I'm not a fan of bars and dancing clubs so I can't speak for it.

Me either .

If you know Vietnamese, maybe try some live music/comedy. I don't know where, maybe google "nha van hoa thanh nien", "nha hat Hoa Binh", ...

I think i can count all the vietnamese i know on 2 hands. I did go to a variety show with comedy and bands and enjoyed the music and watching the very active comics. Of course i had now idea what was going on heheh.

Karaoke is a fun and popular pastime for the youth.

I'll have to check out some places that do that.. could be fun to drink too .

Bowling: Super Bowl right by Tan Son Nhat, or Diamond Plaza.

I don't bowl but i did play in an arcade at a bowling ally. It was pretty fun.

You didn't mention riding motor scooter around Sai Gon. If you get bored, just ride your motor scooter everywhere and immerse yourself in the chaotic Sai Gon. Sometimes it's truly amazing. Be concerned about safety, though. Not all areas are safe and don't stay out late!

That is the most fun . just being seen. enjoying what is going on around you etc. I really had a great time when she took me through neighborhoods and around more rural areas so i could see everything.

Food scavenger hunt: ask for and seek out the well-known local eateries. Food vendors/restaurants are everywhere, but there are truly outstanding places that everybody knows by word-of-mouth. Your dining experience will be enhanced.

Thats what most of my time will be spent doing. She's also so excited that there is a new pizza hut opening up hahaheheh.

A great link to a site I used to check often while living in HCMC for nearly 2 years.

Link: Asia Life HCMC

STL_HCMC

I love this web site . thanks!!

She told me she wants to go to a zoo too. I'll have to check that out...

[chuckandkim 0]

Check out: CU CHI TUNNELS just to give you perspective on what kind of strong will people you are marrying to Vietnamese are crazy... especially the VC....

[ridejewel 0]

I always heard taking a river boat to Vung Tao is fun. I've never done it, but it's worth a shot if you want to get some beach time in. Personally, I hate Saigon and try to stay away from it at all costs. Check out Nha Trang, take a train there, the landscapes priceless and there're a ton of fun stuff to do in Nha Trang.

Oh, Da Lat's boring as hell, stay away from it.

[patricks 0]

Good Question?

Here are some blogs that may help?

http://www.mekongesl.com/

http://chrisfharvey.typepad.com/charvey_in_vietnam/

http://itsthefinalword.blogspot.com/2007/0...gon-update.html

1.) Run the weekly "Hash" on Sunday afternoons (don't have to drink afterward.....)

2.) Many Volunteer Opportunities (on a temporary basis)

3.) Thanh Da resorts

4.) Swim, Bowl, and Tennis, golfing is expensive

5.) Amusement Parks: Suoi Tien and that place near "pho tho" race track, in district 10...

I used to have the same problem when I lived in HCMC, now I live in boring suburbia DC :-)

Good Luck,

P

[wait4ever 0]

The zoo,botanical gardens, and History Museum are all located on the same grounds. We found it to be a wonderful retreat from the frantic pace of Saigon. There is a water puppet show at the Museum if you have not yet seen the one in Hanoi. A good place to spend a better part of a day.

[chuckandkim 0]

Top of my list: FOODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave_Thao 0]

Bia and food!! I can't get enough!!!

[SteveLA 0]

I'll be going to see Tram later this month for a couple of weeks. I found last time our days went a little something like this:

8-9am wake up

9-10am breakfast

10-11am ca phe

12-1 lunch

2-5 sleep

5-6 ca phe

8-9 dinner

10-? ca phe

?-1am bed.

Sometimes we ate at home, sometimes we stopped off at a market, sometimes we ate at a resturant... There were a couple things we did like going to an arcade, shopping, just hanging out downtown, nothing too terribly exciting.

What can we do for fun there? She never really got out before as she was always working or going to school and she wasn't ever as financially well off as she is now. We did a few fun things from time to time but not too much. Most of our time was taken up by the party planning and other stressful events. This time we have the whole time to our selves with no worries or cares. I'm not a HUGE fan of tourst events and traps and i perfer to hang out in the local scenes.

I'm not too concerned about spending money so don't let that be a limiting force in any recommendations. Let me know of any places or spots to hang out at and have a good time at any time during the day.

She lives about 5 minutes from the river that you need to take the boat to cross on your moto in Q2. I don't mind traveling anywhere in the city and i went all over it multiple times during my last visit.

LOL, that schedule is like a mirror image of me and my wife's days when we're together in Saigon. Hehe. I like MTV and Windows coffee houses, 2 very nice places to relax after that afternoon nap. I like going to the Discotheques once a week or so, just to see the nightlife and all the people getting together and mingling with eachother. Phuong Dong and Rain Forest were a couple of my favorites. Safe and enjoyable places. Walking the street markets and small shops is also fun to do at night when the weather cooperates. you can go to the nice sauna and salon to get a foot or neck massage together. Alot of the times for us, it's just nice to walk around Dong Khoi Street and Le Thanh Ton st and pick out a restaurant around those areas and just eat while viewing all of the nightlife going on outside in the big streets.

Hope you have a wonderful time with your loved one. Best wishes!

Edited October 8, 2007 by SteveLA

[chuckandkim 0]

I found myself sitting on front of Kim's house watching the people who go to the street-market every morning for 3 hrs straight, sipping my black fresh coffee. Crazy!!!! They are the most interesting people and their activities are captured my mind, just watch them sell/buy/bargain all morning and then in the afternoon, they just seem to disappear somewhere. Just to regroup after 3PM, now with all the food and street vendors who sell Vietnamese foods, cheaply! The morning market, the late after food market, and the late night market are all different in their own ways but carry the same attitude: We are Vietnam!

[Icarus 0]

Heya, thought I'd add a couple places I enjoyed too...

Dam Sen park in Saigon and Soui Tien (right outside Saigon). Both are amusement parks, have beautiful gardens and at night have large groups of 20-somethings listening to music and drinking beers. A lot of fun!!

Edited October 9, 2007 by Icarus

[NeverSeen 0]

These are all great ideas! Keep them coming! Thanks so much. I think i'll do far more this time around than the last.