Editing Saigon (section)

==<FONT COLOR="#FF6600">'''TRANSPORT'''</FONT>==


===<FONT COLOR="#3366CC">'''Maps'''</FONT>===

Vietnam online maps: works really well to help find where things are in Saigon: http://www.diadiem.com
Maps of the whole country in great detail: Vinacarta: http://vinacarta.com/ a super helpful map website for those who ride their own motorbikes or bicycles. 

===<FONT COLOR="#3366CC">'''Walking'''</FONT>===
Walking is 
- free
- healthy
- meets the locals

Crossing the street is an art, follow the locals, tag along behind them...

===<FONT COLOR="#3366CC">'''Motorbikes and taxis'''</FONT>===

'''Taxis:''' Vietnamese people tell me that Vinasun and Mailinh are the most trustworthy. They are professional. 
If you ever encounter the "magically incrementing meter", then FIRST take pictures, SECOND ask for a receipt, then pay and leave, don't argue, then ask a Vietnamese friend to ring the company and tell them the story. 

'''Motorbikes & License'''
Vietnamese Government site outlining the procedure: http://sgtvt.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/web/tintuc/default.aspx?cat_id=592&news_id=4501#content
You can download the application forms online.

There is an August2010 Couchsurfing post which explains HOW To get a licence and where here http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=5558&post=6313519 , buying or renting one seems to relatively easy, just ask around.
Walk down Backpacker street: Pham Ngu Lao and its parallel sister street: Bui Vien and you'll see places that rent bikes by the day, week and month.
NB: if you have an accident and no license, any insurance will simply wipe their hands.
I'm told, but not sure that 50cc bikes don't require a license. (needs confirmation by an insurance source, the Govt site does INclude 50cc in its list of licence bikes see: the form on this page http://sgtvt.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/web/tintuc/default.aspx?cat_id=592&news_id=4501#content) 

Honda motorcycle club based in Saigon/HCMC http://sites.google.com/site/classichondacub - they sell, restore, show their bikes.

Phillip restores and loves Honda Cubs www.saigonmotor.com and http://vietnam.craigslist.org/mcy/2132176402.html video of what it's like to ride in Saigon http://www.saigonmotor.com/charity-scooter-run

'''Bicycles''' (yes bi-cycles in Saigon, strange as that is in a place dominated by cars and motorbikes) for the high tech stuff http://saigoncycles.com
for cycle tours and meetings look in http://www.wordhcmc.com/ and follow the links. Contact them they get back to you.

===<FONT COLOR="#3366CC">'''Buses '''</FONT>===

Qu: What time does the bus leave Saigon to Phnom Penh?
A: some choices

Sapaco : 11$
- at : 6.00am or ; 7.00; 8.00; 9.00; 10.00; 11.30; 13.00; 14.00, adress : 325 Phạm Ngũ Lão, phone number : 08.39 203 623

MaiLinh Express 12$
- at 7.00am; 12.00
- address : 520 Lê Hồng Phong, district 10 number :08.38297979 - 38477888

Thesinhtourist 12$
- at 9.00 am
- address 246 – 248 Đề Thám, Q.1, Tp.HCM
- phone 08.38389597

Kumho Samco Buslines 12$
- at : 7.30; 10.30; 15.00
- address: 239 Phạm Ngũ Lão
- phone: 08.6291 5389

===<FONT COLOR="#3366CC">'''From the airport to the city centre'''</FONT>===

All you need to know when you land at the airport is [http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Saigon], there's also a [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=5558&post=10276682#gpid10276682 link] on CS.