Ho Chi Minh City

• Overview
  Country: Vietnam

  Population: 6,700,000

  Time zone: Vietnam (GMT +7)

  Languages: Vietnamese

  Currency: Vietnamese Dong (₫) VND

  Drives on the: Right

  Calling code: +84

  Official website: hochiminhcity.gov.vn

  Caught in a whirlwind of development and tradition, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts. Elegant ancient temples and battered dusty food trucks stand proud against a backdrop of sleek skyscrapers and swanky restaurants. Outside, the roads swarm with speeding motorcyclists skilfully dodging supercars, and fearless pedestrians seamlessly crossing these mind-boggling streets. Defined by a dizzying kaleidoscope of colours, noises and smells, Vietnam’s second largest and most dynamic city will soon sweep you up in its exhilarating chaos.

  The city once known as Saigon has come a long way since its war-torn past, though reminders of it are all around. Museums, tunnels and the DMZ provide visitors the chance to understand the nations complex history and how the city has transformed into an energetic bubble of modern development ready to take the world by storm. Just a few days in Ho Chi Minh City will teach you to let go of your inhibitions and throw yourself headfirst into the city’s colourful culture and fast-paced way of life. Buckle up, it’s going to be one hell of a ride!

  Vietnam is an extraordinary yet charming country, which can offer many opportunities to grow as a young professional while going on an adventure of a lifetime. An internship in Vietnam will immerse yourself into the Vietnamese culture, while experiencing the work and casual lifestyle. With beautiful sights such as the islands at Ha Long Bay, the gorgeous seaside resort town of Nha Trang, or the breathtaking Marble Mountains in Da Nang, there is an abundant amount of things to do and explore. A Vietnam internship with AIP will set the foundation for your professional career and put you on the right path for future success. With the tropical monsoon climate, the weather in Ho Chi Minh divides into two seasons: rainy and dry and the temperature is high and stable all year round. The rainy season starts from June to November with the sudden rains so make sure if you’re there in rainy season that you carry an umbrella with you just in case! 

   

  Contact AIP now to find your dream internship in Ho Chi Minh City! 

   

  Examples of internships in Ho Chi Minh City
  Marketing Internships	Engineering Internships	NGO Internships	Hospitality Internships

• Student Life

  Life in Ho Chi Minh City is one big adventure; everywhere you turn there’s something going on - blink and you’ll miss it! This exciting dynamic city has an overwhelmingly young population, and opportunity is rife. As Vietnam’s economy continues to grow at an impressive rate, more and more international investors, firms and innovators from various sectors are heading to the city to ride the next big wave of Asian economic development.  

  When you aren’t working you’ll be exploring this sprawling city, discovering the best it has to offer. Whether you’re in the mood for fancy food or a cheap bahn mi, a drink with a panoramic view or on a roadside stool, you’ll be able to find it. It might be a cosmopolitan metropolis, but Ho Chi Minh City caters both to those looking to splash the cash and pinch the pennies, and either way you choose to do it, you’ll see the best the city has to offer.

  If you’re looking to escape the city and explore more of Vietnam, you’re in a great spot; Ho Chi Minh City is the gateway to the picturesque Mekong Delta, where you can witness authentic traditional culture of those who live on the lake. That’s not all; head to Mui Ne to see the sprawling red and white sand dunes, Ba Den mountain for some spectacular views, or Vung Tau for a weekend beach break. If you’re looking to launch a global career and explore an amazing country, look no further. 

  Some of the must-visit places include: 

  Independence Palace

  The Independence Palace in Hanoi is particularly famous because it was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon in 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank drove through its gates.

   

  Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

  Built in the late 1880s, this French-built cathedral occupies scenic Paris Square in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. This stunning cathedral is made of red brick imported from Marseille and has stained glass windows, two bell towers containing six bronze bells that still ring to this day, and a peaceful garden.

   

  Củ Chi tunnels

  The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels just outside of Ho Chi Minh City. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trap doors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities and even armoury, hospitals all used in the Vietnam War. 

   

  Contact AIP now to find your dream internship in Ho Chi Minh City! 

   

  Examples of internships in Ho Chi Minh City
  Marketing Internships	Engineering Internships	NGO Internships	Hospitality Internships

   

• Practical Information

  

  Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and a true metropolis. From cheap guesthouses to luxury hotels, fancy restaurants to the best street-food and from the colourful markets to the impressive monuments, the city truly has it all. Prior to 1976, Ho Chi Minh City was known as Saigon, but in celebration of the end of the Vietnam war and the reunification of north and south, the city was merged with the surrounding province and renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the late Vietnamese leader who stood for Vietnamese independence. Despite this name change, many Vietnamese, particularly those in the South, still refer to the city as ‘Saigon’. There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing the name and you won’t cause any offense as a foreigner, though it’s advisable to use the city’s new name (which can also be abbreviated to HCMC or HCM).

  Ho Chi Minh City is located in the tropics and for that reason it has a tropical climate that features only 2 seasons; wet and dry. The wet season lasts from May until November and the dry from December until April. The average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City is always in the range of 30 degrees, so be prepared for the heat!

  The city is divided into 24 districts. All the main tourist attractions, bars, restaurants and nightclubs can be found in districts 1 to 5, so it’s easy to get around mainly on foot. If you’re travelling a bit further afield, you can take a motorcycle taxi or a cyclo. Renting a bike is also an option, but you should do this with caution and only when you’re used to the chaotic roads!

  The monthly cost of living in Ho Chi Minh is around VND 23,000,000 to cover the basics, now that sounds like a lot be it actually translates to only about 1,000 USD a month! Ho Chi Minh is a relatively inexpensive place to live but of course your cost of living can vary wildly depending on your lifestyle.

  Contact AIP now to find your dream internship in Ho Chi Minh City! 

   

  Examples of internships in Ho Chi Minh City
  Marketing Internships	Engineering Internships	NGO Internships	Hospitality Internships