A Harsh Rant and Urgent Warning from Malaysia to Vietnam Travellers

This is based on personal real experiences and thoughts, not deliberately beautified or smeared. For those who want to go, it can be a good way to avoid pitfalls. I’ve always thought that Ho Chi Minh City, 🇻🇳, was pretty good, but after going there, it’s no wonder there aren’t many travel guides; the experience is hard to put into words.

To those who don’t understand, don’t say: “Have you never been to Southeast Asia?”
1. I am from Southeast Asia.
2. I have also been to Cambodia, Indonesia, etc.
3. This is the real experience of an ordinary tourist.

In brief, this trip was a 4-day, 3-night free-and-easy trip for 5 people.

Pitfall Avoidance 1: Remember to buy internet in advance because the taxis at the airport are very overpriced. Use Grab, which has clear pricing, except for the airport exit fee.
*There are scams at the airport. After you call a Grab, wait. A Grab worker will come to take you to the car [angry emoji]*. Please check the license plate number. You will find out it’s not the car you called, and they will ask you to cancel. *Grab does not charge for this.

Pitfall Avoidance 2: Be alert if someone approaches you, as they might be shoe shiners. They will quickly polish your shoes and then charge you a lot.
*I wore flip-flops, so I wasn’t worried, but no, they don’t care what kind of shoes you wear.

Pitfall Avoidance 3: There are no pedestrian traffic lights! So, be careful when crossing the road. It’s okay on small streets with less traffic. If you’re going to the riverside for a photo, you need to find the right moment and cross with courage. Don’t look back, just keep walking together.
*This road has zebra crossings but no traffic lights, and the traffic is as fast and heavy as on a highway. It’s really scary. If you really can’t cross, just take a ride.

Pitfall Avoidance 4: Not suitable for people with mobility issues or the elderly, as there are no traffic lights, and everyone crosses the road very quickly. There are no sidewalks, so it’s like walking in the middle of the road. The roads do not have any safety lines or emergency stop lines. Some sidewalks are already occupied by shops or motorcycles, or they are abandoned and in disrepair.

*You can say that, except for a few tourist spots, all other places require you to walk in the middle of the road.

Pitfall Avoidance 5: This famous coffee apartment charges for using the elevator to go up for food and drinks. It costs about 3k per person, not including large luggage. Many people are unwilling to pay (it’s not expensive, and we thought it might be for maintenance. But then again, this cost should not be borne by guests or consumers, it should be the responsibility of the property management).

We followed the majority and took the stairs [pig head emoji]. The stairs are very small and narrow, so be careful. If you just want to join in the fun, you don’t need to go.

Pitfall Avoidance 6: When it comes to snapping photos at the pink church, numerous [Red Book] posts often recommend a quaint, greenish cafe. However, I strongly advise against it. The place is incredibly crowded, with an old and worn-out ambiance that might be charmingly vintage to some, but not to me.

The tables and chairs are aged, and finding a spot to sit can be a real challenge. The noise level is also quite high, making it difficult to enjoy a peaceful moment. Instead, we opted for the white cafe in the middle, which turned out to be a much better choice. The prices are reasonable, with Vietnamese coffee costing around 75k, and the third-floor view provides a perfect backdrop for your photos.

If you’re primarily interested in taking pictures, this cafe is a comfortable and convenient option.

In summary, the experience was somewhat underwhelming, but there were bright spots. I must commend the exceptional service at our hotel, and the seafood restaurant also provided a delightful dining experience [face-hiding emoji].