After crossing into Vietnam, my bus dropped me off at Pham Ngu Lao Street which is located in the middle of the backpacker area. I headed straight for Giant Dragon Hotel which is also located on Pham Ngu Lao Street. On my first trip, I was able to get the room for $15. However, on this trip, I had to pay $20. The room was very basic and clean.

When I think of Saigon, Vietnam, I see a city that is undergoing rapid and drastic changes. The Old Guard/Regime is trying to reassert itself politically. However, with the amount of money that is pouring into Vietnam in particular, Saigon, wholesale changes are about to take place. I would venture the say that Saigon will begin to overshadow Hanoi in ten years time. As you know, money is made in Saigon not in Hanoi.

With regards to the hobby, Ive seen an increase in traffic compared to my first trip to Saigon. For example, on this trip, I was approached by quite a few scooter girls around Leo Loi Park who wanted to entertain me for a few hours. The asking price was $40.

The hobby is very low key so dont bring your Pattaya bravado to Saigon. I was told by an American Vietnamese that your best bet is to befriend a doorman. He knows all and he can get all. In fact, he pulled me a hot 18 year old chick for $60 for all night. After spending some time in Angeles City where the girls dont know how to give head, I was STOKED to be in Saigon. I have few pictures of her but with Charlie surfing the net for "counter revolutionaries," I dont want to chance her well being. Trust me, she had long jet black her with classic Sinofied/Chinese looks.

One caveat. Dont waste your time with bars on Hai Ba Trung Street. I went into one of the bars there and I felt very pressured from the get go. It wasnt a good sign when I was the only customer in the joint. There were a shitload of them on Hai Ba Trung street. As you are walking by, a guy will open the door and the girls will gesture for you to come in. At night, a pink light comes on to indicate adult entertainment. Dont get me wrong, the girls were hot but something didnt feel right.

The infamous AN bar seems to gone legit. I think it is located on Thi Sach road. There were tons of "long nose" girls in the place. I also noticed tons of Viet Kieus(Vietnamese from abroad) flashing their wealth around. The place overall was fun.

Speaking of AN, scooter girls hang right outside of the place. When you exit, turn right and walk twenty steps and the girls will be waving you over for some company. Be careful. With scooter girls you either hit Ms. Right or you might come across Ms. mafia connected bitch from hell girl.

The day before, my friend and I bumped into two great Canadian gals who spent the day with us. At night, we headed off to AN for some clean fun. Sorry, no stories of me bagging some hot coeds.

I also met a very nice/pretty girl who worked at a restaurant. I asked her out and she showed me around town for two days. It was clean fun and nothing more.

One other thing about the Saigon scene is that there is no "ground zero" area from what I could see.

Quick video on Saigon, Vietnam...

http://media.putfile.com/1a42

Hi,
Thanks for the brief but interesting report.

1) Do you recommend the Giant Dragon Hotel? Is there a surcharge for guests?

2) Do the "Scooter girls" speak any English? Were they willing to come back to your Hotel room or do you have to go another short time place?

3) I assume the $40 price is negotiable? Any idea how to screen the scooter girls to make sure you dont end up with an angel from Hell?!

Thanks!

Looking forward to hearing more about this under reported city.

Smallasiandick,

God, I felt quite uneasy typing out your handle, almost like I was insulting somebody or something like that. But, what the fuck, you picked it so I guess I can call you that, if that's what you want.

Where was I? Oh yeah, you write a great report, real easy to read and very informative.
Keep them coming....

Jag

BkkGuru,

The Giant Dragon is girlfriendly. The hotels in the Dong Khoi(really, really nice area) wont allow overnight guests.

English is spoken.

If you want real stunners check out the New World Hotel. They will ask for $100 for all night.

Many of the girls from Apocalypse Now can also be found at "Allez Boo" a bar on Pham Ngu Lao, and they're usually asking for less there than they are at AN.

A word of warning: very few hotels in Vietnam allow Vietnamese females as guests.