First Impressions of Saigon, Vietnam

I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam through a digital nomad job offer I got based out of Saigon. Prior to arriving to Vietnam, my knowledge of Vietnam was simply of the US relationship with the country during Vietnam War, as well as my initial knowledge that Saigon was the previous old name for the city that is currently called Ho Chi Minh City.

Interestingly, the western world still calls that city by it's old name Saigon. It's the largest city in Vietnam, followed by their capital city in the north of Vietnam called Hanoi.

What It is Like to Cross the Streets in Vietnam

When I first arrived to Saigon, they city streets were crowded with scooters. I had never seen so many scooters all on the road at once than in Saigon. Which makes for interesting scenario when crossing the streets. While there are marked crosswalks in Vietnam, it doesn't mean that you simply have priority to cross. Crossing streets in Vietnam is an artwork, literally!

The best way to cross the street in Vietnam is to look both left and right to make sure there aren't any large trucks or buses, the number one rule is that these large vehicles can not move around you in a safe manner, so don't try to cross the street when one of these vehicles come flying by. 

Scooters and cars are able to move around you. So when you start stepping out of the street, continue to eye the traffic that is heading towards you at a STEADY pace. The key is STEADY. Not too fast, not too slow. If you hesitate and stop, you will screw up the flow. And that's what will cause accidents. The scooters and drivers have already pre-calculated wanting to drive around you, so keep your steady pace walk across the street and you'll be fine. 

It can be scary at first crossing the streets, but after awhile, you get used to crossing the street while scooters and cars are driving around you.

What the Weather is Like in Saigon, Vietnam

For majority of the year, the weather in Saigon is HOT HOT and HUMID. No surprise, with it geographically located in between the Tropic of Capricorn and the equator, the average temperature is always for the most part in the 30-35C range (or 85 to 95F). 

Pair that with the humidity that's average around 80-90%, you'll always be sweating especially for those not used to the warm and humid weather. For local Vietnamese, since their body's have been used to it, it's really not that big of deal, but expect to want to stay indoors during peak day time hours to get A/C to keep cool.

Visiting the Intricate Cu Chi Tunnel System

Nearby just outside of Saigon is a place known as the Cu Chi Tunnels. During Vietnam War in the 1970s, these tunnel systems were carved out and created by the local Vietnamese so that they could quickly go from point A to B evading the US soldiers radar. 

The tunnels are quite thin and were purposely created that way since the bigger body of US soldiers could not fit into the tunnels. Since Vietnamese men had a smaller frame, they could easily squeeze their way through the tunnel system and quickly mobilize from one location to the next.

The Cu Chi Tunnel is just a small portion open to the public so that people can experience what the tight tunnels are like. They selected a portion that actually is much more wider than the majority of the tunnels that exist, knowing most tourists would not fit into the thinner tunnels.

If you are claustrophobic, I would NOT recommend you going to these tunnels, otherwise, you will freak out being in dark and tight spaces.

Overall, it's amazing that these tunnels were created and not only do they extend in great distances horizontally, but many of these tunnels also go down deep vertically ... it's like a human made "ant" tunnel system for war use.

(photo above: At a local Vietnamese college teaching them about being digital nomad lifestyle)

Have you visited and explored Saigon, Vietnam?

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