Ho Chi Minh City Travel Forum

Hello All,

I'm posting on behalf of Buffybird (who is too busy travelling just now)

Heather & her hubby are spending 5 nights in HCMC, and want some ideas on day trips. They are interested in military-type things, and other than suggesting Cu Chi, what else is close enough to do in a day?

Does anyone know if it is possible to book a day trip to Long Tan, for example?

Thanks!

Hi mate

Its very important to stop at the War Remnants museum in HCMC. I would also recommend the re-unification palace. Both are in the city so not a day trip as such but once in the Remnants Museum, they are likely to stay a while. Its very confronting and also compelling. There is a half day city tour at Sinh Cafe which covers both sites plus Notre Dame church and the post office.

My personal endorsement Betty

Peter

Thanks, Peter,
Yes we did our own walking tour of HCMC & covered those places. The War Remnants Museum was a sobering experience. And I do think that they would enjoy the Reunification Palace, we spent a few hours there, so much to see.

I'm just thinking, that most of the city sights can be seen in one day, maybe a half-day shopping (missus loves to shop) followed by a few cocktails on the rooftop of the Rex.

Still researching Long Tan.

i think Long Tan has much more signifigance to us than the locals but there is a memorial there to our people. I am not sure of the geography so I cannot comment on the viability of a day trip. Lets see what we get in the big wide world of the VT fourum


P

Long Tan - Nui Dat is very important site for Australian veteran.
1 day trip is possible from Saigon.

You can even go a cheaper way by taking hydrofoil to Vung tau.
Go to OSC Travel at no 9 Le Loi st. in Vung tau and they will arrange the permission and tourguide and car to take you to Long Tan. It's best to call them in advance. OSC Travel is the big company that allow to register for groups and individual going to visit this War site.

Many Australian veteran group even do a 2 day trip to cover all sites around this area.

Hope this doesnt come too late to you.
Hien

Hey betty thanks, i will definately look into the OSC travel option. Hubby being a military moron as such (lol) i have no doubt we will be doing alot of walking/exploring. So much to research and so little time. Thank heavens i have adelaide to relax in.

Thank you you for your suggestions, keep them coming,

Cheers Heather and Chris

Heather, I have another website for you, will dig it out soon...Having puter probs just now so bear with me.
betty

Hey betty will do, but ive only got to the 23rd. Oh dear i still haven't unpacked from last trip, seriously my suitcase is still sitting square blank in the middle of my bedroom. Chris is home now and well, over the dreaded swine flu.... I only just realised we needed visa's to get into vietnam. Hey hope we don't cross over next year, we coming to sydney via adelaide or melb in feb. We going to the Edinburgh military tattoo. Yep tickets costed $920 for four but as i said my hubby the military moron and its a must see. I wish we could co=ordinate a meet.

I have much homework to do on your pages, any suggestions re military history or sights. My girls say i have to fit in a mekong delta tour, i would love to get him to Long Tan sights. I would love your input and others,,,,

Cheers Heather

Hi Heather

If I can offer an oppinion, I felt that the Mekong Delta was not that interesting. Its a heck of a long trip and as I said not that interesting but thats my humble oppinion. I would suggest you get more out of the Long Tan trip. Maybe ask what you expect to see in the Delta.

EB

Firstly, i LOVE Bangkok also and can't wait to return in a fortnight. Im not sure what the Mekong Delta has of interest but it seems to pop up in all the travel brochures. I think Long Tan would be on my hubby's number one list of things to see, and off course the museams.
How much do you think it would cost to get to Long Tan and how far in distance are we talking about here folks.

Heather

Have a look at my Can Tho "things to do" tip, Heather. We did a 2 day, one night trip and really enjoyed seeing how people live on the Mekong. It wasn't super-thrilling, but at the same time we saw how people make their living, live & breath the Mekong, the floating market was interesting and watching demos on making (and tasting) coconut candy, lunch on an island etc. And really, all you need in HCMC is one day to see the sights, maybe one day to see Cu Chi & Tay Nihn. We stayed in a rather lousey hotel in Can Tho, but if you pay a little extra, you can do a home stay on one of the islands there. That's what I would do if I did it again.
I am going to dig out all of my paperwork & send you an email tonight regarding Long Tan.

BTW-you never seem to be home long enough to put the suitcase in storage - may as well just wash your favourite clothes & put them straight back in the bag!!!!!

Give me some warning closer to the time you hit Sydney & I'll try to line something up...we have some great VT members there who are always up for a meet!!!!

Betts

hey betty you should know me and hubby, 21 years army and well im army too before kids. so history huge.... i shouldn't say he military moron as im also. im thinking we can do long tan. how much time do we have to allow.
Love any help.....