5 Ho Chi Minh City Facts to Know Before You Go

Travellers in search of modern comforts and contemporary amenities should understand that the remainder of Vietnam is a few years behind Ho Chi Minh City. This means that the capital is not only the largest city in the country but also the best in terms of facilities, infrastructure, quality accommodation, wining and dining options and economic prowess. More than 20% of the country's GDP is generated in Ho Chi Minh City which lays claim to less than 0.7% of the country's land mass. Ho Chi Minh City is also one of Asia's most expensive places to live, coming in at number 50 on the list.

A fact that most first-time visitors don't know about Ho Chi Minh City is its thriving coffee culture. The Vietnamese capital is a dream destination for caffeine addicts the world over thanks to the countless coffee shops, cafes and coffee stop on the streets of the city. What's more, Vietnam's best coffee beverages are also found here at unbelievably low price points. Classic Vietnamese coffee drinks such as the condensed milk infused Ca Phe Da is ubiquitous all across the city while the locally grown coffee beans are known to produce an Arabica that can rival the world's finest coffee manufacturers.

Those based at Somerset Vista Ho Chi Minh City or any other serviced apartment in Ho Chi Minh will notice that apart from paying for your online reservation, most transactions in the city require cash. Credit card payments are too much of a novelty in this cash economy for most businesses to adopt it and this means tourists must carry cash in order to pay for various goods and services. It is prudent to convert your dollars or Euros to Vietnam Dong at the airport itself or withdraw cash daily from a bank ATM.

While it may not be as popular as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City is home to its own delectable street food options. Offering travellers a welcome change from continental meals, street food that's widely available in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City not only includes rice and noodle dishes but also summer rolls, French sandwiches in the form of Bahn Mi and grilled and skewered meat.

Boasting the world's 2nd largest motorbike ownership, residents of Ho Chi Minh City are more likely to hop on two-wheels than they are to hail a three-wheeler off the road. While locals may be adept at navigating the highways and byways of the city on a motorbike, rental bikes are not a safe option for tourists due to the high road accident rate.