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The 18th ACG Cross Training Seminar 24th – 27th May 2016, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam
Dear Participants,
Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD) is delighted to host the 18th ACG Cross Training Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 24th – 27th May 2016. We would like to provide the participants with some useful information about Ho Chi Minh City for your pleasant stay.
Meeting Venue
New World Saigon Hotel
76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
☎ +84 8 3822 8888 +84 8 3824 3694
www.newworldhotels.com
Transportation – Getting in and around
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (IATA: SGN, ICAO: VVTS), is the largest airport in Vietnam. It is located 6 km north of the center (District 1) of Ho Chi Minh City. Detailed information about the airport can be found at: http://www.hochiminhcityairport.com
Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get from the airport to the city centre (District 1).
From International Terminal
The main taxi queue is on your left when you exit through the main door on the ground floor of the terminal building. You should head for the taxi queue, ignoring people who approach you offering taxis or advising you to purchase tickets at counters in the airport. It is suggested that you select a green Mai Linh or a white VinaSun taxi. When you get in the car, have the meter turned on. The fare to most hotels in District 1 should be less than US$10.
From Domestic Terminal
At the domestic terminal, a company called Sasco has the airport taxi concession and is the only company allowed to pick up passengers directly adjacent to the building. Their cars are the first you will see by the kerb as you exit. However, less expensive rival taxis can usually be found in abundance 100 metres out in the car park. They have uniformed taxi wardens who will offer services as you approach.
Getting around Ho Chi Minh city is relatively easy thanks to a well-integrated and inexpensive transport system of public buses, taxis, limousines, and motorcycle taxis. However, for first time travelers, we recommend using taxis. Taxi rates are very reasonable in Ho Chi Minh City as long as you use a reputable company and the meter is used. Mai Linh and VinaSun have the largest fleets in the city and are trustworthy. Fares begin at 12,000 VND and then it is about 15,000 VND per kilometre.
Foreign Currency Declaration
The local currency of Viet Nam is Dong (VND). One United States Dollar (USD) is approximately equal to VND 23,000.
For money changing, banks and foreign exchanges are conveniently located over the city and at the airport. Major banks are open from 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m., Monday to Friday. All main credit card brands are accepted.
Under Vietnam law, any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding VND 15,000,000 or USD 5,000 or its equivalent into or out of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall declare the amount of foreign currency to a Customs Officer. Amounts under USD 5,000 or its equivalent to be deposited in credit institutions and branches of foreign banks must also be declared on arrival. Failure to make such a declaration or making any false declaration to a Customs Officer is a criminal offence.
Electricity & Power Plugs
In Vietnam, the standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type A / C / G but type A and C are more popular.
Type A Type C Type G
Weather and Climate
May is officially the first month of rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City that lasts for seven months (from May till November). The weather is quite hot, and occasional pouring rains make umbrella and raincoat are good companions these days. Average May temperature is from 25 – 35 degrees Celsius.
Dinners, Culture Show and Optional Tour
Four days are rather short to get to know a place with lots to offer like Ho Chi Minh City. We hope that our arrangement for dinners, culture show and optional tour will help you understand the history & culture and experience the cuisine & atmosphere here in this vibrant and dynamic city.
Welcome Dinner (24th May 2016)
Grand Indochine Hall – New World Saigon Hotel
A O Show at Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater (25th May 2016)
7 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
A O Show which is phonetically understood as the Ahhh! Ohhh! Show, has performed since Febuary 2013. It depicts the charming beauty and richness in the culture of Vietnamese lives in the countryside and the country's urbanization in 60 minute length. The show is a mix of bamboo cirque, acrobatic acts, contemporary dance and theatrical visual art. Live music which echoes the Southern work songs, and scenic lighting design makes the A O Show, which performs at the magnificent 116-year-old Saigon Opera House (currently known as Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater), worth seeing when you visit Ho Chi Minh City.
Gala Dinner (25th May 2016)
Com Nieu Sai Gon – Vietnamese Gastronomy
59 Ho Xuan Huong Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Farewell Dinner (26th May 2016)
Thao Dien Village
197/2 Nguyen Van Huong Street, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Optional Tour to Cu Chi Underground Tunnel Network (27th May 2016)
If the tenacious spirit of the Vietnamese can be symbolised by a place, then few sites could make a stronger case than Cu Chi. This district of greater Ho Chi Minh City now has a population of about 350,000, but during the American War it had about 80,000 residents. At first glance there is scant evidence today of the vicious fighting, bombing and destruction that convulsed Cu Chi during the war. To see what went on, you have to dig deeper – underground. (LonelyPlanet)
We have arranged a tour to Cu Chi Underground Tunnel Network for all participants and companions. The tour is scheduled from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on 27th May 2016.
Major Tourist Attractions
Historical Sites
Reunification Palace, Enter at 135 Nam Ky Khoi
Nghia Street, ☎ +84 8 9693272. Open daily 7:30AM-11:00AM, 1PM-4PM. Entry 30,000 VND
War Remnants Museum, 28 Vo Van Tan Street,
☎ +84 89302112, +84 89306325, +84 89305587 ([email protected]). Open daily 7:30AM-12PM, 1:30PM-5PM, last admission 4:30PM. Entry 15,000 VND
City Hall, end of Nguyen Hue Street. Originally called the Hôtel de Ville and now formally re-branded the People's Committee Hall, it's a striking cream and yellow French colonial building beautifully floodlit at night. No entry, but the statue of Uncle Ho in front is a very popular place for photos.
Religious Sites
Central Mosque, 66 Dong Du, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam, ☎ +84 8 824 2903 (Tourist information), [4]. 8AM-8PM daily.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Han Thuyen Street, facing down Dong Khoi (next to the Post Office). Closes for lunch and on weekends.
Thien Hau Pagoda, 710 Nguyen Trai St, Cholon. Dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence. Entry free.
Architectural attractions
Saigon Skydeck - Bitexco Financial Tower, 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1,
☎ +84 8 39156 156, [5]. Open every day 9:30 am - 9:30 pm (last entry 45 minutes prior to closing). VND 200,000 for Adults; VND 130,000 Child 4-12 years, Seniors 65 years and above (ID required) & Disabled persons; No additional charge for children under 3 years.
Other useful tourist information can be found at:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city
http://wikitravel.org/en/Ho_Chi_Minh_City
Enquiries on tourist information: call (08) 1080
Shopping
Vietnamese arts and crafts are sold by dozens of shops around the central tourist district. The best, most expensive items can be mostly found on Dong Khoi or the immediate side streets. The goods tend to get progressively simpler and cheaper as you move west toward Ben Than Market. A few shops have authentic woven silk textiles from Sapa and the north. Lacquered paintings, plates, bowls, etc. are quite striking and unique to Vietnam. Vietnamese propaganda posters can be very impressive and offer a taste of history.
When buying keep in mind that is very useful to have local currency - bargaining in dollars will likely make it more difficult to get the same price, and paying with US dollars instead of Vietnam dongs, while often possible, will leave you minus a few percent from rounding.
Recommended shopping venues:
Ben Thanh Market (Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) Centrally located, Ben Thanh and its surrounding streets comprise one of Saigon's liveliest areas. Everything that’s commonly eaten, worn or used by the Saigonese is piled high, and souvenir items can be found in equal abundance. Vendors are determined and prices usually higher than elsewhere, so bargain vigorously and ignore any 'Fixed Price' signs.
Vincom Shopping Center (70-72 Le Thanh Ton & 45A Ly Tu Trong) The Vincom Center is divided into two towers, with upscale shopping, luxury brands (Dior, Hermès, Omega etc.) and a popular food court in the basement of Tower B.
Saigon Square (7-9 Ton Duc Thang District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) Anyone looking for bargains while in Saigon should head to Saigon Square on the corner of Nam Kỳ Khởi and Le Loi in District 1. This shopping arcade is packed with stalls on two levels selling fashion, accessories and jewellery – be aware of forgeries though, and remember the old adage that if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Even though it’s always bustling with shoppers, Saigon Square is air conditioned and under cover so it is far more pleasant than shopping in the nearby Ben Thanh Market and it’s generally accepted that prices are far better here.
Suggestions on other shopping venues can be found at:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/shopping
Staying safe
Be careful at all times but especially in the Dong Khoi area, around Pham Ngu Lao and the Ben Thanh Market, and along the Saigon riverfront. Be alert of bag/cellphone snatching and pocket picking. It's always best to leave your passport in your hotel room, and try and be prudent and careful when you use your smartphone on the street.
Emergency contact number
112 - Search & Rescue 113 – Police
114 – Fire 115 – Ambulance/First Aid
Supporting Team
Communication Team
Ms. Nguyen Minh Thanh
TEAM HEAD
Mr. Duong Xuan Hoang
Ms. Vo Thi Nhu Ha
Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam
Logistics Team Main Contact
Ms. Hoang Thanh Hang
TEAM HEAD
Mr. Tran Huu Tung
The aforementioned personnel are those to get in touch should you need assistance or have any other enqueries. However if you cannot reach them, please feel free to contact any VSD delegates or any person with the “Supporting Team” name tag.
We will make our best efforts to ensure you will have a visit that is professionally successful and personally pleasant.
We are looking forward to welcome you next week!
