Book cheap flights to Ho Chi Minh City

With temperatures that generally hover between the lower 20˚Cs and lower 30˚Cs with little variation all year round, Ho Chi Minh City’s climate is generally defined by two seasons: dry, and wet. December to April, the dry season, is easily the more popular among visitors, and it’s the best time to come should you fancy outdoor-friendly weather; but you’ll need to be prepared for some heavier influx of fellow visitors and higher accommodation rates. By contrast, the rainy months of May to November may boast some damper weather; but they’re also the best time to come if you’re after thinner crowds, cheaper rates, and more available accommodation. Just be sure to pack that raincoat.

South Africans will require a visa to enter Vietnam. Applicants will require a passport valid for at least six months from date of return, a colour ID photo, proof of flight booking and visa payment, and a form downloadable from the Vietnamese embassy’s official website. Further enquiries may be made online, or at the Vietnamese Embassy of South Africa at 87 Brooks Street in Pretoria.

The South African embassy in Vietnam is located at the following address:

3rd Floor, Central Building

31 Hai Ba Trung Street

Hanoi

Tel: (84-4) 3936 2000

Visit our comprehensive step-by-guide on how to apply for your Vietnam visa.

As with most locations, the Centres for Disease Control recommends that travellers to Vietnam ensure that all of their routine vaccinations are up to date, and that they consult medical professionals about other possible vaccinations. In addition, a number of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and zika, are known to pose something of a threat in Vietnam’s rural areas; and while they are much less prevalent in its urban environments, visitors should nonetheless be sure to take steps against mosquito bites.

In terms of safety, Ho Chi Minh City sadly boasts slightly higher levels of petty crime than the general Vietnamese average. Visitors should, as ever, practice common sense, ensuring that they keep their valuables safe at all times and do not wander the streets too late at night.

Like any major hub of tourism, Ho Chi Min City boasts accommodation establishments of every level of luxury and affordability, from budget guesthouses to lush five-star international chains. Prices range everywhere from under 160,000 dong to over 7 million dong.

As is often the case in cities as beautiful as Ho Chi Minh, one should never discount the option of walking, or taking a rented bicycle; after all, the streets are reasonably safe, and there’s no better way to truly soak up the diverse wonders to be found on every street corner.

Should one be in a hurry, however, there are a number of transportation options open to travellers; in particular, over 100 bus lines run their way all over the city, and a number of sightseeing busses offer their services. More private transport, meanwhile, is also available in the form of the city’s many taxi services, which include Vietnam’s own signature xe om, or motorcycle taxi. Travellers, however, should be mindful that there are no fixed taxi rates in the city, and it’s best to negotiate a fare before setting off.