Ho Chi Minh City - General Info

[OzzieSuds]

Finally, Sudsoz, I'm not sure what alley you're trying to describe but I'm wondering if you got a couple of names confused. There is a Dong DU street (not Dong Do) that is parallel to Mac Thi Buoi, the next street up -- they don't intersect. Then there is Dong KHOI which does intersect both, it's parallel to Hai Ba Trung, the next one over from HBT -- it's the one that is in front of the Opera House, and also that has Bar 29 and Majestic Hotel.

The spelling of Dong Du and Dong Do seems to interchange as the latter is the way it is said by the locals. The street with the Sheraton. The alley is nearly opposite the Club Italia bar with all the sports on TV.

[Notidik]

This morning I went to Ban Tanh market and after leaving I walked along one of the side streets and came across this saloon/barber shop (pink colour frontage) and went in in context of getting a hair wash. Suddenly 3 girls stood up and tend to me, one massaging my shoulders and the other my hands. Wow, they have really sweet and short uniforms showing those nice mostly long legs. I asked for price quote and it was VND 70,000 for wash including massage. Not really understanding what was really offered I nodded yes, yes and yes. Spent almost 20 minutes at the wash bowl washing my hair then she asked me to proceed upstairs. I was really hoping I could get some specials of this sweet girl of mine (name Quin, I believe) but in the room, there was a whole bunch of men lying down on beds aside each other. That means no, no but anyway was really happy with the meticulous details this girl does. While massaging my hand she placed it on top of her thigh and I could easily insert into her so short skirts, so tempting. I easily spent 1 and half hours there with whole body massage and mind you, it was all VND 100,000 and I gave her tips of another VND 100,000.

Following Joe Bob’s suggestion. In half hour later I was in Saigon Hotel, actually there are two MP opposite Sheraton. In I went and at the counter, the sign reads package massage at USD 10 (one hour) and so I argued that my friend told me it was USD 7, the counter lady said no but heck only a small difference so I paid. Disappointment at the room as they have see through glass windows on all room doors. I saw a cute looking ML next door and I asked for her. In no time she was in my room. Talk a bit with a little English. Everything normal till I was asked to turn over. She seems to be always touching my sensitive areas so I knew there was extra. With those purposed touching my little bro sprang into action and I asked her to proceed with the extra service. While one hand was on my little bro, she said USD 50 and I said no way. She continued wanking and I said the max I would pay is USD 20 which I know is already high according to Joe Bob and again I said I was asked to come here for a special price. She was cleverly continuing and without hesitant and I believe it was my little bro thinking I agreed to USD 25. I really cant believe I agreed to this price, damn I am sorry if I spoilt the market prices but please understand the situation I was being out through………her name is Chen number 25 and I forgot to mentioned we did all these with the chances of someone looking through the glass panel. This time my stupidity got the better of me, so sad!

Walking back to my hotel which was only 3 minutes walk back, at least 3 pimps tried to sell their services to me. I wondered where they were last 3 days. One of them told me that Majestic allows girls to enter the hotel before 9 pm.

And ah, 2 lady boys on a motorcycle tried to pick me up. I frantically kept waving to them to go away till onlookers looked at me…………

If my body can take it and the mood of stupidity changes, I would be heading to either Apocolypse or Palace hotel.

[Wendella]

Some quick comments:

The massage at the Hotel Windsor bills itself as the biggest in Vietnam, so it might be worth a look.

The Windsor is in the middle of District 5, and not nearly 7 miles outside downtown District 1. Not even 7km. On a motorbike it might take 10 minutes to go from the Opera to the Windsor, give or take about 2 minutes depending on traffic.

What Joe calls 'con' is what Asians call bargaining. If you bargain well, you can get the best deal possible, and even pay the same as a local. If you don't, you can't. Most tourists can't pretend to know the market price, so they'll be tougher bargaining with you assuming they can get more out of you. It's not an attempt at fraud, it's the free market in action, old school. That said, motorbike drivers will say anything to try to convince you you hae to pay more than you actually should. Keep those guys out of your negotiations and you'll keep the price lower.

Finally, Sudsoz, I'm not sure what alley you're trying to describe but I'm wondering if you got a couple of names confused. There is a Dong DU street (not Dong Do) that is parallel to Mac Thi Buoi, the next street up -- they don't intersect. Then there is Dong KHOI which does intersect both, it's parallel to Hai Ba Trung, the next one over from HBT -- it's the one that is in front of the Opera House, and also that has Bar 29 and Majestic Hotel.

[OzzieSuds]

Majestic is definately note friendly and never bothered to try the massage as there are plenty everywhere outside though had bad experience. Walked along Dong Du but couldn't find any alley way. There's a huge road work going on there and the only MP I saw was opposite Sheraton.

I found an english speaking taxi driver and he promised to take me to a mini hotel. No need to pay anything if I don't find my choice, should I proceed?

The alley on Dong Do is towards Mac Thi Boui just next to a Barbershop.

I would suggest that you take a walk around and find your own mini hotel rather then leave yourself under the control of someone else.

[Joe Bob]

Dear All,

I'm in HCMC now for couple of days and stay in Windsor Plaza Hotel. Could advise me where I can find the local beauty girl can accompany me during my stay here in HCMC. It's appreciate if you can give the detail price and the place where I can take the girl to my hotel.

You will be "con" no matter who you find, just negotiate and agree to the deal, that's it! Do not pay more, Hotel Windsor is located 7 miles from the main area, go to Apocalypse nearby Hai ba Trung street, Beware of Hyenas bikers.- good luck my friend.

[Joe Bob]

Majestic is definately note friendly and never bothered to try the massage as there are plenty everywhere outside though had bad experience. Walked along Dong Du but couldn't find any alley way. There's a huge road work going on there and the only MP I saw was opposite Sheraton.

I found an english speaking taxi driver and he promised to take me to a mini hotel. No need to pay anything if I don't find my choice, should I proceed?

Try Saigon Hotel across of Sheraton , Massages on the first floor, Cost 100.000 (7 US ) /hr tip 100000 (7.00 US) HJ included

[Notidik]

Majestic is definately note friendly and never bothered to try the massage as there are plenty everywhere outside though had bad experience. Walked along Dong Du but couldn't find any alley way. There's a huge road work going on there and the only MP I saw was opposite Sheraton.

I found an english speaking taxi driver and he promised to take me to a mini hotel. No need to pay anything if I don't find my choice, should I proceed?

[OzzieSuds]

While walking, this pretty girl was pushing me a brochure for massage. So I thought this place couldn't be bad and I went up.

Can't remember the name of the MP thou...

The MP promoted by the pretty girls in Aoi Dai on Dong Khoi are all crap as you discovered. The girls are very pretty and I have the number of one who says she will come out with me next time I am in town.

Normal price for massage is VND100,000 and tips for extras up to 500,000 depending on service.

The only massage place I have found where FS is possible is on Dong Do about 50 yards from MTB in a little alleyway. If you hang outside about 11 am you can check the gals as they come to work.

Be interested in what you learn about the Majestic - is it GF (there is only one way to really find out) and what about the massage joint?

[OzzieSuds]

There needs to be a hotel thread in Vietnam. Far too much of the same old conversation over and over again, which hotels are GF... Majestic, Caravelle, New World, Hyatt, etc. Same old answer, none of them are, go to a mini-hotel. For new guys here it's fine, but the same exact conversation so many times here on this topic.

I agree. If you do a search for hotels you get a lot of extraneous information. Whilst we who have been around know some small hotels that work there is constant change especially in District 1 near the action. The information form Poppasan about the Ho Sen was interesting - I just hope it does not get swamped.

[Notidik]

My! the motorcyclist over here is so notorious like king of the roads....anyway I will get used to it. Just cross the road and they will swerve around you.

Very coincidently I found Bar 29 as I was out looking for food and it's only a few metres from my hotel. While walking guy (in security uniform) tried to pull me into this bar with all the doors and windows covered, I looked up and saw the Bar 29 signboard and realised this was the place. After typing this I may go check it out as I need a bath coz I just finished a very dissapointing massage. While walking, this pretty girl was pushing me a brochure for massage. So I thought this place couldn't be bad and I went up. Damn, I was ushered to a room with 6 men all lying together with only see thru curtain as divider and the massage really sucks. made worst by the girl demanding big tips, I gave her some (40,000) but she complain to the counter. In the end I gave 70,000. Is that a lot? The massage was US 15 for 75 mins.

Can't remember the name of the MP thou...

[Wendella]

There needs to be a hotel thread in Vietnam. Far too much of the same old conversation over and over again, which hotels are GF... Majestic, Caravelle, New World, Hyatt, etc. Same old answer, none of them are, go to a mini-hotel. For new guys here it's fine, but the same exact conversation so many times here on this topic.

[OzzieSuds]

I finally managed to shift my stay to the Majestic and man it's half the price of Hyatt. In Majestic is a spa, any ideas if there's extras here?

I will be in HCMC tomorrow and heard it was raining!

And thanks, you guys have been very helpful.

Never tried the massage at Majestic. Massage places in HCM give you baggy shorts to wear at all times and expect you to change into them at lockers. At the Grand (down Dong Khoi 100 yds) I have been able to wave the shorts and lockers away and go straight to room. Service level is hit and miss depending on provider and there is no line-up to choose.

Bar29 (old U2) is in the same area and has comfortable lounge seating upstairs and a semi-private room.

There is another bar near there calling itself hard rock which is a dive.

[Notidik]

I finally managed to shift my stay to the Majestic and man it's half the price of Hyatt. In Majestic is a spa, any ideas if there's extras here?

I will be in HCMC tomorrow and heard it was raining!

And thanks, you guys have been very helpful.

[Saigon Daze]

From the info gathered here, I am trying to move my hotel to Majestic still in District 1 as I need to.

Where's Apocolypse?

Apocalypse is at 2 C-D Thi Sach. Not my first choice of places, but it is what it is.

Majestic is not GF. If your company is paying for the Park Hyatt, I'd stay there. Location is better, as is the hotel.

[Saigon Daze]

From the info gathered here, I am trying to move my hotel to Majestic still in District 1 as I need to.

Where's Apocolypse?

Apocalypse is at 2 C-D Thi Sach.

Majestic is not GF. If your company is paying for the Park Hyatt, I'd stay there. Location is better, as is the hotel.