To explore the context of the city's current state more carefully a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum at 65 Ly Tu Trong will not go amiss. Formerly the Gia Long Palace, the building is one of the most spectacular dating back to the days of the French empire. The upstairs sections of the museum are devoted to art and artefacts depicting the resistance against the French and the Americans in the 20th century ? an illuminating experience.

Another, yet entirely contrasting, experience is to visit the Chinese ghetto in Cholon ,air max? a bustling commercial area of the city selling all kinds of luxurious and exotic wares. As you wander through these crowded streets it's easy to imagine the opium dealings and other dubious goings on that formerly occupied the area.

For another slice of former Saigon's eclectic culture take a trip to the north west of the city to see the Jade Emperor Pagoda. The wonderful gold engravings and woodwork were created by the hands of the Cantonese population of the city, as was the statue of Jade Emperor himself over the entrance to the main hall where he is said to guard the entrance to heaven.

The endless diversity of Ho Chi Minh City is beyond words, though the dangers of such a busy and thriving location are easy to imagine. Drug dealings, prostitution and petty crime such as handbag theft is rife, especially in the busiest tourist areas, so be prudent at all times and be sure to have a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy which will cover you for any loss of personal property. Having that extra peace of mind will help you make the most out of your trip to one of South East Asia's most diverting cities.




Tourism is a burgeoning industry in China making it not only a prime business destination but a must see travel stop. To ensure that you enjoy your trip, Chinese Translation Pro has compiled these handy travel tips as well as useful bits of information to take with you.

When to Go: If you looking for the lowest price on travel, plan your trip during the Low Season; December, January and February. The Peak Travel Season pertains to May, September and October. March, April, June, July, August and November are perhaps the best travel months with respect to price, weather and entertainment.

Getting There: The national airline is Air China. As is true of any flight, travelers should confirm their return flight reservations; airline overbooking has led to people being stranded in China. Also, be prepared for a lengthy flight. A nonstop from New York to Beijing lasts 14 hours while a charter to Shanghai lasts upwards of 18 hours.

There are four airport hubs within China; Beijing/Peking (BJS/PEK), Guangzhou Baiyun International, Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Each airport includes taxis, public and shuttle buses, duty free shops, banks/currency conversions, post offices, business and internet facilities and bars and restaurants. Important to note is the departure tax, which is paid in Chinese currency only. Children under 12 and transit passengers, proceeding within 24 hours of travel, are exempt.

Once There: Once in China, there are several transportation options via rail, sea and automobile. Railways provide the principal means of transportation throughout China. The trains are affordable, safe and well maintained operating between major cities; services include Beijing to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Harbin, Chengdu and Urumqi. There are three types of trains, the Express option being the best of the three. There are four varieties of fare: hard seat, soft seat (only on short-distance trains such as the Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Canton) line), hard sleeper and soft sleeper. Children under 3 ft tall travel free and those under 4ft pay a quarter of the fare. Train travel is often a comfortable experience albeit, a time consuming one, due to the distance between destinations,nike shox torch 2. Domestic plane travel is a time saving alternative. Flights from Shanghei to Beijing, Hong Kong to Shanghei and Guangzhou to Shanghei are approximately 2 hours; however, the roundtrip travel costs average $350 USD. Though express train travel between these cities ranges from 12 to 18 hours, the prices are decidedly more affordable, between $15 to $30 USD.

Visa- Don??t Leave Home Without It: Visas for leisure travel to China are easy to obtain, granting a one month??s stay. The Chinese embassy or consulate, your travel agent or an independent visa service will gladly assist you. In the United States, contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC or the Consulates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston or New York,air max uk. US citizens can stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 30 days.

Tips on Tipping: Tipping is widely accepted and encouraged by tour guides, hotel staff and car services. In restaurants, if the tip has not already been figured into the bill,nike air max, a 10 to 15 percent tip is advisable.

Good Eats: A meal in China need not include won ton or dim sum to be considered delicious and authentic. China offers a vast array of dining options including Muslim, Korean, American and traditional Chinese. Americans should leave their preconceptions of Chinese food at the customs gate!

Making Notes Makes All the Difference: Getting around in any foreign country can be intimidating, especially if there is a definite language barrier to complicate communication. To alleviate future frustration we have come up with some common questions and phrases for you to print out and take with you.