What? Ho Coc Beach is basically a few shacks/huts on a very nice beach. If you don’t want to take the 5 hr. trip from Ho Chi Minh up coast to Nha Trang/Mui Ne , then this is an alternative. However, this is NOT a resort, by any stretch of the imagination.
Where? About 2 hours drive south of Ho Chi Minh city. You can get there by bus, or arrange private car from your HCM hotel, (as we did), for a price of US$90/ea. way.
Why? Well, basically we HAD made the 5hr. bus trip up to Mui Ne on a previous trip to Vietnam, and this time we wanted to see if it was worthwhile to try beaching closer to HCM. Plus, the price was darn cheap!
Noted: This place is really nothing more than a local’s hangout, or would appeal to the backpacking set. We stayed in the “family” accomodation, (see photo), which was a shack made of…GLASS. Yes, that’s right, the walls were made of glass sheets. People who live in glass houses…?? Inside, there was one large pallet bed, (ie; no mattress), and 2 twins. Very old and shabby.
Just off the bulkhead in front of the glass managerie, we stepped right on to a very decent sandy beach. One afternoon, however, while I was sipping a cool one & enjoying my book, a small herd of cattle came running right down the beach in front of me. (see photo) Even 3rdworldwhitegirl found this surprising.
The main problem for us with this place turned out to be security. There really isn’t any. While it was probably safe, we still worried about our two kids, especially our 16yr. old daughter. One night, just after we turned in, a group of local men showed up, and sat just outside our door on the porch, drinking booze and chatting loudly. The glass walls didn’t do much to keep out the noise, and we were concerned that if they had too much to drink, they might try to break in.
There is a large seafood restaurant there, and the food is fresh and very good. Unfortunately, on what turned out to be our last night there, our son was served a steak, (which was later revealed to be “ostrich”, but God only knows what it really was…), and got food poisoning. We had to go back to HCM early, his vomiting, etc. were so bad.
Conclusion: Ho Coc Beach is a weekend get-away place for local Vietnamese/expats residing in HCM. So, I would suggest that if you are just visiting HCM, and need beach time, go up coast to Nha Trang/Mui Ne…or further. The saying is, the farther north you go, the better the beaches.
General tips:
1) The hostels there are cheap and as good as hotels. Stay in a hostel at District 1 (near the backpackers area) and you'll be within walking distance to most of the attractions.
2) Ben Thanh Market has (almost) everything! There's food, bags, clothes, shoes.. Bargain hard and you'll get a good deal. At night, the streets surrounding Ben Thanh are converted to Food Streets so get cheap seafood and drinks there!
3) Go on day trips to Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. Highly recommend Cu Chi Tunnels! It's an adventure!
4) Traffic is quite bad but just be brave and cross it. You'll see the motorcycles going round you. Do not stop abruptly or run across the road. If you're still scared, raise one hand up and they'll know you're a newbie.
5) If you're into propaganda, visit the museums in the town area. If not, you can forget it. Do note that the museums close during lunch time and most close at 4pm. Plan well before you go.
6) Try the road side food! It's cheap and yummy!
7) You'll appreciate the city better if you walk around. You'll discover more things that are not written in the travel guides! If you die die have to take cab (to some far far away places), ask the hotel person what is the average price to get to the place and ask them to help you bargain with the taxi driver.
8) Relax! Do as the Vietnamese do, just sit around in cafes and watch the city buzz around you!
I have been there twice. Once in 2001 and another in 2005. The things there are relatively cheap. It's like u can eat at a posh restaurant but the price is only around our mid-range restaurants here. There are also a lot of wholesale markets where you can buy bags, clothes and etc. I think the only problem is language. It would be better if you can go shopping with a local so that they won't overcharge you.
Overall, interesting place to go. You'll better appreciate s'pore must u have been there. :)
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Ho Chin Min City. It was a 5 days visit and I was impressed by the hospitality of the people there. They were smiling most times exulting a very warm personality.
Went to Cu Ci tunnels and understood more abt the viet war and the booby traps and their way of life during the war period. had a taste of the sweet potato near the tunnel site.
The night bazzars were immense with a nice display of very good buys. i bought lots of beady bags home and they were totally inexpensive. i got a cross and two other accessories for $5.00
Night life is just happening. The drinks served at the pubs were economical too. I jus loved sipping away the drink too. its been 2 years now since I visited the city but the memories are still freshly vivid.
Hi all, I was in HCMC a couple of times for business. About taxi driver, try to get your self acquainted with one or two. What I did normally was, get the taxi drivers name card or phone no. Let him know that you'll be using him through out your stay.
Ladies, please be more discrete about this. Or they'll think you're making a come-on. I was told Vietnamese guys picked up bad habit from the French when it comes to girl.
You can then negotiate on a per trip basis. I usually apply this tactic. It worked for me so far in Sabah, Vietnam, Thailand, China and even Jakarta & Batam.
And about nightlife & disco, again ask the taxi driver. They are the best. Forget the official guide.
If you have a bit more time in HCMC, you can join the mangrove swamp tour or GuCi tunnel. Or the red river delta tour.
I do encounter the same in HCMC. A taxi with a meter that runs super fast. However,
even if it is double the normal meter reading, it only cost me another few dollars.
Although this is not a pleasant experience, we should not let this driver
damage the reputation of HCM. I believe the same thing happen in China or any other
places too. I remembered it happen to me many years back in Paris too.
It is true that there is nothing much to see in HCM. It is like our 1970. The best thing
in HCMC is probably the seafood. It is cheap and good. Shopping is nothing compare
to Singapore except for local products and immitation.
There are only a few places for sight seeing . Although it is not very fantastic, it does
give you an idea of how the Vietnamese people survive through many years of war.
The only thing I hate is the tiring journey. It is few hours drive for each destination.
One last thing, never stay in expensive Hotel if you are on holidays.
Overall Rating:
Ho Coc Beach, (nearest beach to Ho Chi Minh):
Who? 3rdworldwhitegirl & family
When? June 2008
What? Ho Coc Beach is basically a few shacks/huts on a very nice beach. If you don’t want to take the 5 hr. trip from Ho Chi Minh up coast to Nha Trang/Mui Ne , then this is an alternative. However, this is NOT a resort, by any stretch of the imagination.
Where? About 2 hours drive south of Ho Chi Minh city. You can get there by bus, or arrange private car from your HCM hotel, (as we did), for a price of US$90/ea. way.
Why? Well, basically we HAD made the 5hr. bus trip up to Mui Ne on a previous trip to Vietnam, and this time we wanted to see if it was worthwhile to try beaching closer to HCM. Plus, the price was darn cheap!
Noted: This place is really nothing more than a local’s hangout, or would appeal to the backpacking set. We stayed in the “family” accomodation, (see photo), which was a shack made of…GLASS. Yes, that’s right, the walls were made of glass sheets. People who live in glass houses…?? Inside, there was one large pallet bed, (ie; no mattress), and 2 twins. Very old and shabby.
Just off the bulkhead in front of the glass managerie, we stepped right on to a very decent sandy beach. One afternoon, however, while I was sipping a cool one & enjoying my book, a small herd of cattle came running right down the beach in front of me. (see photo) Even 3rdworldwhitegirl found this surprising.
The main problem for us with this place turned out to be security. There really isn’t any. While it was probably safe, we still worried about our two kids, especially our 16yr. old daughter. One night, just after we turned in, a group of local men showed up, and sat just outside our door on the porch, drinking booze and chatting loudly. The glass walls didn’t do much to keep out the noise, and we were concerned that if they had too much to drink, they might try to break in.
There is a large seafood restaurant there, and the food is fresh and very good. Unfortunately, on what turned out to be our last night there, our son was served a steak, (which was later revealed to be “ostrich”, but God only knows what it really was…), and got food poisoning. We had to go back to HCM early, his vomiting, etc. were so bad.
Conclusion: Ho Coc Beach is a weekend get-away place for local Vietnamese/expats residing in HCM. So, I would suggest that if you are just visiting HCM, and need beach time, go up coast to Nha Trang/Mui Ne…or further. The saying is, the farther north you go, the better the beaches.
Rating: 1/2 star for room, 0 stars for “steak”
Read more of my reviews of SE Asia travel at:
http://3rdworldwhitegirl.wordpress.com/
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
Ho chi minh is a good place to travel .
First, the security is very good
Second , the clothes all that is cheap !!! ( Provided that you need to use your bargain skill !!! )
Thirdly , you can find all sort of Fake branded there. LOL
Lastly , the food is definitely cheaper than in Singapore !!!
the breads !!! and cakes is like sooooooooo cheap !!!
prices of breads range from 40 cents to $1 ... while the cake 1kg is like $10 ~$15 !
their handicraft is also very good...
when i visited their market , i can see a few shops which sell hand-made shoes which mean is makes according to your sizes !
you make click here for more info on Vietnam - Ho chi minh
http://www.sakurrin.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
I was in HCMC last March and I love it there!
General tips:
1) The hostels there are cheap and as good as hotels. Stay in a hostel at District 1 (near the backpackers area) and you'll be within walking distance to most of the attractions.
2) Ben Thanh Market has (almost) everything! There's food, bags, clothes, shoes.. Bargain hard and you'll get a good deal. At night, the streets surrounding Ben Thanh are converted to Food Streets so get cheap seafood and drinks there!
3) Go on day trips to Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. Highly recommend Cu Chi Tunnels! It's an adventure!
4) Traffic is quite bad but just be brave and cross it. You'll see the motorcycles going round you. Do not stop abruptly or run across the road. If you're still scared, raise one hand up and they'll know you're a newbie.
5) If you're into propaganda, visit the museums in the town area. If not, you can forget it. Do note that the museums close during lunch time and most close at 4pm. Plan well before you go.
6) Try the road side food! It's cheap and yummy!
7) You'll appreciate the city better if you walk around. You'll discover more things that are not written in the travel guides! If you die die have to take cab (to some far far away places), ask the hotel person what is the average price to get to the place and ask them to help you bargain with the taxi driver.
8) Relax! Do as the Vietnamese do, just sit around in cafes and watch the city buzz around you!
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
I have been there twice. Once in 2001 and another in 2005. The things there are relatively cheap. It's like u can eat at a posh restaurant but the price is only around our mid-range restaurants here. There are also a lot of wholesale markets where you can buy bags, clothes and etc. I think the only problem is language. It would be better if you can go shopping with a local so that they won't overcharge you.
Overall, interesting place to go. You'll better appreciate s'pore must u have been there. :)
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Ho Chin Min City. It was a 5 days visit and I was impressed by the hospitality of the people there. They were smiling most times exulting a very warm personality.
Went to Cu Ci tunnels and understood more abt the viet war and the booby traps and their way of life during the war period. had a taste of the sweet potato near the tunnel site.
The night bazzars were immense with a nice display of very good buys. i bought lots of beady bags home and they were totally inexpensive. i got a cross and two other accessories for $5.00
Night life is just happening. The drinks served at the pubs were economical too. I jus loved sipping away the drink too. its been 2 years now since I visited the city but the memories are still freshly vivid.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
Hi all, I was in HCMC a couple of times for business. About taxi driver, try to get your self acquainted with one or two. What I did normally was, get the taxi drivers name card or phone no. Let him know that you'll be using him through out your stay.
Ladies, please be more discrete about this. Or they'll think you're making a come-on. I was told Vietnamese guys picked up bad habit from the French when it comes to girl.
You can then negotiate on a per trip basis. I usually apply this tactic. It worked for me so far in Sabah, Vietnam, Thailand, China and even Jakarta & Batam.
And about nightlife & disco, again ask the taxi driver. They are the best. Forget the official guide.
If you have a bit more time in HCMC, you can join the mangrove swamp tour or GuCi tunnel. Or the red river delta tour.
Enjoy.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
I do encounter the same in HCMC. A taxi with a meter that runs super fast. However,
even if it is double the normal meter reading, it only cost me another few dollars.
Although this is not a pleasant experience, we should not let this driver
damage the reputation of HCM. I believe the same thing happen in China or any other
places too. I remembered it happen to me many years back in Paris too.
It is true that there is nothing much to see in HCM. It is like our 1970. The best thing
in HCMC is probably the seafood. It is cheap and good. Shopping is nothing compare
to Singapore except for local products and immitation.
There are only a few places for sight seeing . Although it is not very fantastic, it does
give you an idea of how the Vietnamese people survive through many years of war.
The only thing I hate is the tiring journey. It is few hours drive for each destination.
One last thing, never stay in expensive Hotel if you are on holidays.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!