The money-thing, Ho Chi Minh City

by vuzu
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Cao Tai Temple

Cao Tai is just too far away from HCM city. If you're taking the one day CAO TAI and Cu Chi Tunnel, I would suggest you to concentrate on the Cu Chi Tunnel. You can simply skip the Cao Tai temple.
The road condition isn't very good and it takes almost half a day . THE TIME YOU SPEND IN CAO TAI TEMPLE IS VERY LIMITED, 1HOUR IF I'M NOT WRONG, So, NOT worth the energy and time.

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	The money-thing: Con-artist.... Tip Rating:

By Fondest_Memories

on May 15, 2003

When you are an expat in Saigon (HCMC), you are a walking and breathing dollar sign *$$Kaa Ching$$*. Especially when you are in nightclubs, Bars, or whatever that is in business to cater to the expat desire. You'll meet some truly friendly locals (Guys and girls), but when they get too friendly too quick...Keep an eye on your cash and anything you have that is valuable. Besides that you should enjoy yourself. This shouldn't stop you from visiting Saigon (HCMC) though. Every part of the world have these type of con-artist scheming around for your goods.

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	The money-thing: Shoe Shine Sir?? Tip Rating:

Updated By Unknownsu

on March 13, 2003

by Unknownsu
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A regular shoe shine cost a local 3000 dong. A foreigner should pay no more than 5000.

When you are in need of a shoe shine, make sure you find someone you know, have a friend introduce someone for you or let the shoe shine boy shine one shoe at a time to ensure he does not run off with your prized possesions. I had to learn that the hard way.

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	The money-thing: Ever felt like a walking dollar sign? Tip Rating:

By 34N118W

on September 29, 2002

by 34N118W
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Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is in the heart of District 1, the tourist area, so you're not likely to get the best prices on things. As soon as you walk in you'll have people calling "you, you, you!!!" from every direction. Just ignore them until you find something that interests you. Even with some serious bargaining, you'll still pay more than the locals. Even so, that doesn't mean it's not a good price for you. It's all relative. Vietnamese can be some fierce bargainers. Be prepared, and don't let them upset you.

You might want to try shopping around Cho Lon, the Chinatown of Saigon, for lower prices.

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	The money-thing: Duel Pricing Tip Rating:

Updated By Unknownsu

on March 12, 2003

by Unknownsu
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Don't be shocked when a foreigner gets charged much more than the locals. Vietnamese life is hard and they try to earn as much as possible even if they have to be dishonest. Remember, the average Vietnamese family most likely doesn't earn 200Usd a month. If you feel you are not being treated fair, just walk away from the purchase.

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	The money-thing: Not exactly a tourist trap,... Tip Rating:

By carstenj

on August 25, 2002

by carstenj
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Not exactly a tourist trap, but whenever you purchase something and the locals determine you as a visitor, they will up the price siginificantly and you'll find yourself bargaining.
Just keep in mind, that if you save 5,000 off something it is the equivalent of 50 cents!

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	The money-thing: Exchange

By Animas

on July 17, 2008

When you are in Ben Thanh Market and wanna change your money...you go to number 624-626 just head up and look for this number you will see mant people there. It is easy...give your dollar to the lady ( or the man ) then you get dong back in immediately...no need for your passprt or any document.
The rate on July 2008 is 100 us = 1,730,000 dongs

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	The money-thing: Beware when you pay

By muratkorman

on November 6, 2008

You are likely to have different conversion rates in different places in HCMC. In a money changer, you get around 16800 Dong for 1 USD while in museums you usually pay 1 USD for 15000 Dong. However, the most problematic place for money conversion is the taxi. Some decent taxi drivers will use the museum rates and you won't be ripped off, but some bad seeds in taxi drivers community try to cheat you. The other point you have to be careful is to count back the money in return. Some taxi drivers or sellers may try giving you less money as you may get confused with many zeros in Dong. For example, one taxi driver tried to give me 4000 Dong instead of 40000.

The best way to avoid this hassle is to convert money in a money changer and pay everything in Dong. Also pay attention to what you pay and what you get in return.

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	The money-thing: Shortchanged at Independence Palace

By jeanl77

on May 4, 2008

by jeanl77
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On the first day of our HCMC trip, we went to the Independence Palace.

We paid our entrance tickets totalling VND30,000 with a VND100,000 note. The lady at the counter gave us our tickets but shortchanged VND50,000. We explained that we paid VND100,000 and was shortchanged. But she insisted we gave VND50,000 and the change was correct. She even flashed a blue dollar note saying that was the note we gave.

Two girls on their first day in Vietnam, we did not dare to argue and walked away.

We later realised that the note she flashed was a VND 20,000 because VND50,000 is RED. We further confirmed by counting our remaining cash - being budget travellers, we did not have too much money in our pockets, counting was easy!

It was a lesson for us. So travellers, BEWARE!

Hold onto your note, say the amounts (cost, payment and change) aloud.