Visiting
Ho Chi Minh city
We suggest arriving a few days prior to our wedding to explore the beautiful and vibrant Ho Chi Minh city (and to get used to the time zone difference). You will be flying into Tan Son Nhat international airport (SGN).
Please note that you loose a day when flying to Vietnam from the U.S. (including transit). We’d recommend researching and booking flights well in advance.
Airline options
Visas
Please check the expiration date and validity of your passport 3 months before the trip and always bring your passport with you. Remember to check your children’s passport also.
In order to receive a Vietnam Visa, your Passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months following your arrival date.
Apply for Visa: About a month before you enter Vietnam, you need to apply for a Vietnam E-Visa. This is a simple and quick process that takes about 3 days and costs $25. You can apply at this link and watch this video for a tutorial.
Enter Vietnam: When you arrive in Vietnam, walk through the checkpoint, show your valid Passport and the printed E-Visa to receive your entrance stamp.
Vietnam is very strict about Visa accuracy so make sure all passport numbers and dates are correct.
Currency
To pay all transactions in Vietnam, you should exchange USD for VND. To get the best exchange rate, the dollar bills need to be clean with no marks or small rips. You can consider using ATMs - they are everywhere, but take in mind, there could be additional fees.
Some places do take debit/credit cards, but not all. We’ve found it’s best to exchange money at gold/jewelry stores or banks. The bank will require your passport and may charge a fee of up to 4%. Check out these places to exchange currency in Saigon:
Ha Tam Jewelry: 2 Nguyen An Ninh Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (click here for Google Maps)
Eximbank Money Exchange 59: 135 Dong Khoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (click here for Google Maps)
Hung Long Money Exchange: 86 Mac Thi Buoi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (click here for Google Maps)
Or you can order VND $ from your bank before the trip.
For those who choose to have a flight to Saigon first, USD can be exchanged at Tan Son Nhat Airport, specifically at the foreign exchange counters of Vietinbank, ACB and Techcombank.
Transportation
1) Download the Grab, Be or XanhSM app (similar to Uber) and link it to your card - it will make things a lot easier for you upon arrival.
2) OR you can order a Taxi (it's pricier but negotiable).
3) Hotel staff can help you call for a ride as well & you can negotiate a fee if you plan to use them the whole day or if you want to do a round trip/multi-stops.
If you stay in the center of the city (District 1), you can walk to many destinations quickly.
SIM card
You can use Holafly to purchase eSIM when in Vietnam but it only works with compatible devices. You can also purchase a local SIM card when you land in Saigon but your phone needs to be unlocked.