Top Local Tips for Ho Chi Minh

secret tip if you go for massage in the spa, try to learn beforehand what is the translation in Viet of " No i dont want a handjob"

Don't Miss Huong Lai Within walking distance of both The Rex and The Continental (by City Hall) is this fabulous restaurant called Huong Lai - it is operated by former street children in order to give them a set of skills to support themselves. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with terra-cotta tiles - the food is fantastic and the service is perfect. We left a huge tip. The pre-set lunch for two (of six dishes) is a total of $10. Dinner is around $20. Address: 38 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, tel 08-8226814 We will be going back!!

HMC Markets The markets present some great shopping in Saigon - all in one large building. Bargaining or haggling is standard but we found that buying from government owned stalls was a much more pleasant experience and offering the same value. In the markets the government stalls are located on the outside perimieter and staff are dressed in light blue shirts. There is very limited bargaining, they might take 5% to 10% off if you buy several items - you'll need to ask, but it's very polite and civil. Further inside the markets are the privately owned stalls. Here you need to bargain big time. Staff can become physical and apply lots of pressure. The first time we went there we bought from the private stalls and found the price we negotiated was the same as we could have got from the government stalls without the hassle!