With some 12 million inhabitants, 1 to 2 million illegal (more than 10% of the country's population), Ho-Chi-Minh-Ville is more populous than the capital, Hanoi (about 6 million inhabitants). If this city does not yet have the size of East Asia mega-cities (Seoul: about 11 million people, Beijing: about 20 million people, Shanghai: more than 23 million people), there is no doubt that Ho-Chi-Minh-Ville will experience growth over the next 20 years that will require the resolution of many problems in terms of planning, environment, infrastructure and investment.Climate: Ho-Chi-Minh-Ville is located in an equatorial climate zone where the temperature remains virtually constant throughout the year ranging from 28 ° C to 32 ° C.The warmest period is between April and May and the sweetest in October and November. These two periods do not correspond to a rainy season and a dry season: it rains throughout the year, more frequently from July to October, and these are often showers at night.

What to visit Ho Chi Minh City?

When to go to Ho Chi Minh City?

When to go to Ho Chi Minh City? The best time to go to Vietnam is generally outside the monsoon season. These torrential rains, which can cause landslides and, consequently, momentary road or rail cuts, generally affect until November, the provinces of the Center and the Mekong Delta in the south of the country. During the high season (July, August and September, and during the Tet period, the Vietnamese New Year, in January-February), prices increase in some establishments and, given the narrowness of the country, you may have the feeling of following a highway for tourists. During Tet, it is often difficult to travel from abroad to Vietnam, as transportation is crowded with overseas Vietnamese returning home.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

The rainy season, which begins in May and ends in early September, is marked by torrential rains. It rains almost every day. The dry season begins in November and ends in April. April is often the hottest month of the year. The climate in Vietnam is very different from north to south, but remains generally warm and humid all year round. If you go to the north from November to February, however, bring warm clothes, as the temperature can drop to 0°C in the mountains. In the south, on the contrary, temperatures can rise to 40°C in the months before the beginning of the monsoon season, at the beginning of summer. Depending on the region, the monsoon waters the country between July and November.

Jan.
21° / 32°
Feb.
22° / 33°
Mar.
23° / 34°
Apr.
25° / 34°
May
24° / 33°
June
24° / 32°
Jul.
24° / 32°
Aug.
24° / 32°
Sept.
24° / 31°
Oct.
23° / 31°
Nov.
23° / 31°
Dec.
22° / 31°
Budget

The national currency is the dong, which is spelled VND (Vietnamese Dong) for short. Even if a law stipulates that everything must be paid in dông, in tourist places many prices are advertised in US dollars. The euro is much less used, but increasingly accepted. It is possible to travel in Vietnam in (very) good conditions, with a relatively low cost compared to other destinations. Saigon is still a cheap destination for Westerners.

Procedures

The Vietnamese government has exempted French tourists from visa requirements for stays of up to 15 days until June 30, 2021. For any stay of more than 15 days (or for a multiple entry stay in a period of less than 15 days), a visa is required and costs 40 €. Applications are made at the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris. It is better to arrive at Saigon airport directly in order to make the most of your stay.

Health

It is advisable to check that your health record is up to date (DT Polio, etc.). No vaccinations are required, but those against hepatitis A and B, and typhoid fever are recommended. The main health risks in Vietnam are cholera, malaria, bird flu, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, especially in rural areas and if you travel with small children during the rainy season. Saigon is well equipped with doctors, modern hospitals and pharmacies.

How to go to Ho Chi Minh City? Our advice & tips

There is no shortage of tour operators and offers to go to Vietnam and stay in Saigon and Ho Chi Minh province. Tailor-made tours to travel the country from north to south via Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, cruises in Halong Bay or along the Mekong River, seaside stays in Phu Quoc with your feet in the sand and under the coconut trees, trekking and hiking on the borders of Tonkin... Many trips combine Vietnam and Cambodia for the Angkor site.

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There are direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Most tourists travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. We advise you to start with Hanoi, so you will go against the flow. The price variation depends on the company borrowed but, above all, on the time required to book. To obtain attractive rates, it is essential to do so well in advance. Remember to buy your tickets six months before departure!

The car is the fastest and most convenient means of transport: rentals are usually made with a driver. The road network is in good condition. Buses, a cheap solution, connect mainly the outskirts of cities. Some 20 cities are served by domestic airlines at affordable prices and it is also possible to take the train from north to south at a low price but at an average speed of 45 km/h.

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Pictures and images Ho Chi Minh City

Repas des moines de la pagode Giac Lâm. Yukiko Yamanote - Iconotec
Hôtel de ville de Hô Chi-Minh-Ville. Jui-Chi Chan
Dans le quartier de Cholon. Author's Image
Jeu d'échecs vivant, Hô Chi Minh-Ville. Nguyen van vien - Shutterstock.com

Discover Ho Chi Minh City

When to travel?

When to go to Ho Chi Minh City? The best time to go to Vietnam is generally outside the monsoon season. These torrent...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

The rainy season, which begins in May and ends in early September, is marked by torrential rains. It rains almost eve...
Read more about it

Budget

The national currency is the dong, which is spelled VND (Vietnamese Dong) for short. Even if a law stipulates that ev...
Read more about it

Formalities

The Vietnamese government has exempted French tourists from visa requirements for stays of up to 15 days until June 3...
Read more about it

Health

It is advisable to check that your health record is up to date (DT Polio, etc.). No vaccinations are required, but th...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

There are direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City. Most tourists travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. We advise you to s...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

There is no shortage of tour operators and offers to go to Vietnam and stay in Saigon and Ho Chi Minh province. Tailo...
Read more about it

Getting around

The car is the fastest and most convenient means of transport: rentals are usually made with a driver. The road netwo...
Read more about it

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