Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City is an international 5-star hotel, located where the borders of the city’s four main districts intersect, hence in the heart and true centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is conveniently within a 35-minute drive, while the city’s major commercial and entertainment area is a mere 8-minute drive.
The hotel features 333 guestrooms and suites, elegantly designed with attention to every detail for the utmost comfort of leisure and business travellers alike. Non-smoking floors are also available. Facilities include 6 food & beverage outlets with the signature restaurants Orientica Seafood Restaurant & Bar and Chit Chat at the Café. State-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, which can accommodate up to 1,250 people. The hotel also houses a world-class recreational centre with an open-air swimming pool (a swim-up bar), gym, spa and massage services are also available.
Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City with its world-class facilities and services is the ideal choice for business and leisure travellers when visiting Vietnam’s most vibrant and exciting city.
242 Tran Binh Trong
District 5
Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam
Tel: +84 28 3839 7777Still fondly referred to as Saigon by the locals, Ho Chi Minh City was also known as “The Pearl of the Orient.” It retains a charm reminiscent of its French-European heritage in the midst of rapid commercialisation.
Described as a high-octane city of commerce and culture, its imagery is a fusion of timeless alleys and slick modern high streets; ramshackle wooden shops selling spices, silks and baskets as well as steel and glass skyscrapers, designer malls, gourmet restaurants and trendy bars. The city promises an endless fascination for travellers wanting to explore Vietnam’s rich 4,000-year history.
With an approximate population of 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is increasingly popular as a tourist destination as well as a commercial, industrial, technological and scientific center.
An Dong Market
1km
ThienHau Pagoda, a temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, built end of the 18th century
1.5km
Reunification Palace, former President Diem’s palace and War Museum
2km
Ben Thanh Market
2km
Notre Dame Cathedral
3km
Cholon (Chinatown) – BinhTay market
4.5km
Cu Chi Tunnels
50km
Tan Son Nhat Airport
7km
Money and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and money changers. Master Card and Visa are accepted at Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, major hotels and department stores. Check on the acceptance of your credit card before making your purchase as smaller establishments might not accept credit cards. The US dollar is the most favoured foreign currency.
It is therefore advisable to carry US dollars. British, Australian, Japanese, French, German, Belgian, Dutch, Singapore and Thai currencies can usually be changed in larger cities (such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Hai Phong).
Click here to check the exchange rate that corresponds to your local currency.
All foreign nationals visiting Vietnam require a visa. Visa to enter the country is obtainable at Vietnamese embassies, consulates or a travel agent. The visa takes around five working days to process and once issued, you must enter the country within 90 days.
Tourist visas are available on a single or multiple entry basis and business visas can be applied for through a Vietnamese sponsoring agency, valid for up to six months and allowing multiple entries If the visa is issued as a loose piece of paper make photocopies and keep these separate from your passport.
Dressing in Vietnam is casual but modest dressing is recommended. Dress even more respectably when visiting temples and churches ensuring that shoulders and legs are covered.
There are reasonably good medical services in Ho Chi Minh City but away from the major cities, medical services may not be of expected standards. Discuss with your doctor on health requirements prior to your trip.
Tap water is best consumed after boiling. Bottled drinking water and mineral water are also widely available.
Tipping is not expected but definitely appreciated. Some of the more expensive restaurants add 10%-15% service charge and VAT. About US$ 0.50 – US$1 is considered acceptable for a chambermaid or porter.
Metered taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, where numerous taxi companies compete for passengers. A car with a driver is also an option in major cities and can be rented for between $25 and $100 per day. Grab, the e-hailing app is available in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Nha Trang. It is recommended to use the e-hailing app within the city only and not to travel out of the city.
Network accepted in Vietnam is GSM.
The International airports in Vietnam are:
Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) for Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang International Airport (DAD) for Danang City and Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for Hanoi.
Buon Ma Thuot Airport (BMV) and Cam Ranh Airport (VVCR)
International departure tax is US$14.00 and for domestic departures from VND15,000 to VND20,000 (about US$1.50).
