Ho Chi Minh city has 24 districts and very spread out with district 1 to 5 hosting the highest number of attractions, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shopping venues in the city. There are many kinds of public transportation available for you to get to other parts of the city.  Read more

Ho Chi Minh city has 24 districts and very spread out with district 1 to 5 hosting the highest number of attractions, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shopping venues in the city. There are many kinds of public transportation available for you to get to other parts of the city. 

1. Walking on foot

Walking is possible in Ho Chi Minh city but it’s rarely pleasant. Motorised transport rules here, which means you’ll find the roads packed with motorcycles, cars and truck and the footpaths usually packed with parked bikes. It’s not unusual to find motorcycles mounting the footpath and riding at speed past pedestrians.  Weaving your way through this is fun for about an hour. Then it becomes stressful and can consume a lot of energy. 

2. Taxi

Travelling by taxi is one of the easiest ways to get around Ho Chi Minh City as you can find several vehicles parked outside renowned hotels, landmarks, bars, and restaurants. The standard taxi fare is between VND 10,000 and VND 15,000, with every kilometre priced at VND 6,000.

3. Xe Om (Motorcycle Taxi)

A common yet interesting mode of transportation in Vietnam is xe om or motorcycle taxis, where you will be weaving through the bustling traffic with an experienced driver. It’s also fairly inexpensive as it’s priced between VND 10,000 and VND 15,000 depending on your destination (and haggling skills). You can also opt for an hourly booking fare of VND 25,000, which is quite the steal since you’re able explore an entire district within a short amount of time.

You’re also provided with a helmet for safety; just make sure to keep your knees in and most drivers appreciate you looking out for traffic and hand-signalling a turn. The only downside to xe om is the language barrier, as most locals can’t converse in English.

4. Cyclo

The three-wheeled cyclo is a diminishing transportation in Saigon, mostly found nearby popular landmarks, temples, restaurants, and bars. Cyclos are available for an hourly rental of about 20,000 VND, but they're simply not a good option in Saigon, especially outside District 1.  A short jaunt around the Dong Khoi area or for hops between some of the city sights is memorable, but all-day cyclo tours are not recommended. However, travelling via cyclo can be quite the memorable experience for thrill-seeking travellers.

5. Bus

Ho Chi Minh has a comprehensive network of over 150 bus routes. The bright green public buses in Ho Chi Minh City are a cheap, safe and comfortable mode of transport. Buses, typically seen as the king of the road in Ho Chi Minh City, usually have an unofficial right of way. 

As a tourist taking a bus within the city can be arduous. Having to wait for the bus in the heat, and sometimes rain, can be draining, especially when you can get around more quickly on a xe om, taxi, or even walking. Getting to the father destinations is a situation in which the public bus is handy. 

6. Bicycle & Motorcycle Rentals

Bicycle and motorcycle rentals are available all over Vietnam, though most travellers decide against renting one in Saigon due to the city's chaotic traffic. Most hotels can help arrange for bicycle and motorcycle rentals, but these come with very inflated prices, so your best bet is heading to the Pham Ngu Lao disrict, where a full-day bicycle with helmet costs from VND 20,000 while motorcycles are about VND 120,000.

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