Catinat Street, the original name of Dong Khoi in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, was a unique fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese and French influences around a century ago. The street, which was later renamed Tu Do (Liberty) and Dong Khoi (General Uprising) Street, is located in the center of the country’s largest economic hub. Today’s Dong Khoi Street, considered by enthusiasts of the city’s 318-year history to be one of the most typical in Ho Chi Minh City, has been heavily frequented by foreigners over the past several years. The street thrives in having a ‘double life,’ featuring both the hectic pace of a high street shopping precinct while retaining historical, nostalgic value. Day and night it teems with life and commotion, with painting, souvenir shops, and silk boutiques acting as a draw to foreign tourists. Some of the shops on the street are a little over one meter in width, but even these limited dimensions cannot stop traders from doing … [Read more...] about The tale of a street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City
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First walking street seen as a misstep for Ho Chi Minh City
As Ho Chi Minh City hurries to make final preparations for its first pedestrian-only street, some experts start to wonder if Nguyen Hue is really the right place for it. With only a few more days to go before the grand opening of the walkway on April 20, what they say now probably won't matter much, but it indicates the city could have gone with more pleasing options. Architect Ngo Viet Son said the city authorities might have been too hasty in launching a walking street to celebrate the upcoming April 30 Reunification Day and did not think carefully about long-term issues. "At first glance Nguyen Hue is similar to a walking street in Shanghai, but it's actually very different. The Nanjing street in Shanghai is specialized in trading and services, while Nguyen Hue has mostly office towers and hotels." Several other experts concurred that the city should have chosen Bui Vien -- a famous street in the city’s backpacker area -- for a walking street. According to Son, Nguyen Hue … [Read more...] about First walking street seen as a misstep for Ho Chi Minh City
Taxi scams in Ho Chi Minh City, P1: The long haul
In this series, Tuoi Tre investigative journalists probed both illegal and legal (licensed) taxis in Ho Chi Minh City and their scams to rip off tourists, especially foreign ones, by taking longer routes, using a secret electronic device to inflate meter rates, and other tricks. Photo: tuoi tre ‘Ripoff taxis’ in Ho Chi Minh City include both licensed and unlicensed cabs. Unlicensed taxis are those operated individually without registration. Their owners simply bought fake logos of famous taxi brands with which to camouflage their vehicles into efficient money-making machines. Sometime, such cabs bear no logo at all. When the police arrive to inspect these cabs, the owners simply flee, pay a bribe, or remove the logos to turn their ‘taxi’ into a normal car again. Ripoff licensed taxis are those with appropriate registration that pretend to be of prestigious brands. Some use dubious taximeters, have no signal light, or display a different symbol and … [Read more...] about Taxi scams in Ho Chi Minh City, P1: The long haul
Travel agencies, hotels demand listing in foreign currencies
Many tour organizers and hotels have demanded permission to list prices for their services in foreign currencies, an act that is strictly prohibited by the State Bank of Vietnam. Even if prices are listed in foreign currencies, namely the US dollar or Euro, all payments will be made in the dong, as per law, the businesses voiced at a tourism meeting held yesterday by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association. In Vietnam, all transactions, payments, advertisements and price listings are banned from being conducted or quoted in foreign currencies, except those carried out by banks, airports, and customs agencies. The tourism and hotel businesses called on the government to lift the ban for them, saying it will help provide more convenience for international customers when using their services. If they are still not permitted to list prices in foreign currencies, the businesses demand that they be allowed to put the equivalent prices in foreign currencies in parentheses next to those … [Read more...] about Travel agencies, hotels demand listing in foreign currencies
Cities glow with New Year flowers
The New Year 2012 will have a flowery start as local big cities are putting on floral shows and exhibitions on downtown streets as part of their celebrations. Hanoi opened its third New Year Flower Festival yesterday, an annual activity which a senior official says reflects the sophisticated taste and appreciation for flowers by Hanoians. Flower displays, arrangements and installations are put on show in the city center, around the symbolic Hoan Kiem Lake and Dinh Tien Hoang Street in the capital. Although the opening was held in the evening, thousands of locals gathered around the area from early morning to take pictures, with the highlight of the exhibition being the “Song Long Chau Trong Dong” installation. Shaped like two dragons heading toward Vietnam’s ancient symbol “Dong Drum”, the piece was made from more than 100 kg of palm fruits, and many other types of flowers. This year the local government places heavy security at the festival, in an … [Read more...] about Cities glow with New Year flowers