Exciting places in Ho Chi Minh City for your next business trip

Kiran Sidhu
Kiran Sidhu
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Our Cityscapes series presents you with exciting alternative locations for your company gatherings and business meetings. Bring your team together in a refreshing way and inspire collaboration.

With a balanced macroeconomic and political environment, Vietnam has established itself as one of the strongest developing nations in South-East Asia. Vietnam has been an up and coming travel destination for people across the world. The country is a popular destination among foreigners both travelling and residing in the place.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a city full of energy, traffic and innovation. It is the economic heart of Vietnam. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis flooded with dynamic cityscapes. We’ve gathered 5 fascinating places for your next group business trip to the city.

Some interesting facts about Ho Chi Minh city

Strong international network – Ho Chi Minh City has the largest airport in Vietnam, therefore connecting more international destinations than any other airport in the country.

Population – With a population of 12 million people, this city is small in size and density, which makes it all the more livable and greener.

City vibe – Ho Chi Minh is a modern city with the tallest skyscraper in Vietnam. The roads here are new and broad, therefore providing a rather comfortable lifestyle to its residents.

Climate – The climate here is usually warm and consistent, with temperatures usually touching 21 degrees Celcius in January. Heatwaves hit the city in April and May.

Vietnam for the business traveller

The pandemic brought in some disruptions in the supply-chain process, but, despite everything, Vietnam still remains a major manufacturing hub. Despite the challenges in the last two years, Vietnam’s digital and electronics industry continues to grow. Their biggest export partner is the USA.

The textile industry faced the second-highest downfall in recent times. But despite the challenges, the accelerating vaccinations have helped the industry get back on its feet, with almost 90% of the industry back in full form in early 2022.

Despite the pandemic, Vietnam remains resilient as companies seek to diversify global supply chains. “The implementation of signed free trade agreements will help Vietnam increase the quantity and quality of trade and investment, diversify partners and participate in value chains”.

Whether you are travelling to Vietnam for Business or leisure, with your colleagues or your family, the place has something to offer for everyone. Here are some of the best options for hotel stays in Ho Chi Minh city, that provides a perfect blend of quality personal, and professional time.

Here are 5 places to stay in Ho Chi Minh for your next business trip

1.     An Lam Retreats Saigon River

If you’re the type of traveller who wishes to hide away from the urban jungle in a peaceful forest escapade, An Lam is for you. It is located by the shore of the Saigon River, this retreat is perfect for couples, families and business travellers. They have 38 luxurious villas and suits flooded with contemporary design and embrace local heritage. There is a Vietnamese restaurant, tropical spa and an outdoor swimming pool, making it a perfect getaway from city life.

It also offers a picture-perfect set-up for peaceful meetings and business events with a twist of green. From informal group gatherings to late-night brainstorming sessions, this resort offers an array of options for both the family and business traveller. They also host Vietnamese cooking classes. So, if you want a new-age team-building exercise, maybe this could be something to look into.

Location: Thuan An

Price: From $250 – $600

Distance from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): 35 mins by car

Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: 20mins boat ride

2.     Chi-Bu Riverside Resort

Situated by the banks of the pristine Ong Keo River, just an hour outside of Saigon, Chi-Bu is a boutique accommodation set amidst lush green gardens. The resort offers a variety of 7 boutique rooms, all cottage style. The resort features a riverside lounge, a restaurant and a freshwater pool. It is a good option for both family and business travellers.

They offer an array of activities, perfect for group and team building. Activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating and available to enjoy. Chi-Bu is also situated at a short distance from Jeongsan Golf Course. Perfect for fellow business travellers who enjoy this lavish sport. This is a small, quaint resort, a perfect hideout when you want to unwind on a long weekend.

Location: Vĩnh Thạnh

Price: From $125 – $170

Distance from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): 1 hour 30mins by car

Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: 1-hour 20mins by car and ferry

3.     Mekong Cruise (one way only)

There are 12 luxurious suites onboard the RV Mekong Princess that speak sheer royalty and French finesse. The architecture is slightly colonial style, and once you step in, you will feel the eloquence and smell of classic and vintage architecture.  They have a five-member team that includes the captain, one mechanic, a chief cook, a sailor and a guide who speaks both English and French. They have a gym, a princess spa and a Ramvong lounge that can be used for meetings and small gatherings or as a workstation.

They also offer some activities onboard like nightly entertainment in the lounge area during cocktail hours, dance performances like Da Ca Tai Tu, a traditional Vietnamese folks son and Apsara dance show, both of which are UNESCO recognized cultural heritages. They also offer cooking classes with master chefs onboard. What more fun way to enjoy with a family or a group of business travellers.

They run on two routes as follows:

TourDurationDepartStopsDestination
Route 18 daysSaigon  (HCMC)– Ben Tre – Tam Binh – Can Tho – Thot Not – Long Xuyen – Hong Ngu – Tonle Sap – Kampong Chhnang – Phnom Penh
Route 25 daysSaigon (HCMC)Ben Tre – Tra On – Can Tho – Thot Not – Hong Ngu –Phnom Penh

Location: Travel from HCMH and end trip to Phnom Penh (capital of Cambodia)

Price: Around $240

4.     Hotel Des Arts Saigon

If you want to go on a journey back in time to Vietnam in the 1930s this boutique hotel is for you. With a classic blend and balance of French Indochina charm, this hotel is both a 5-star hotel and a walk-in classic art museum. It gives a sense of old-school vintage romance with all the comforts of the 21st Century. There is an artistic flair at every turn of the hotel. The building is a modern work of art. Inside, there is a collection of antiques and paintings that speak of the fascinating yet distinctive taste of the owner.

They have a social club restaurant, a Saigon kitchen restaurant and a rooftop bar coupled with a swimming pool. The hotel is perfect for business get-togethers and business travellers. They host a range of meeting rooms like the Art Decoratifs, Arts Noveaux, the Arts room, and an executive sky lounge meeting room on the 22nd floor. Each room in the hotel is a personification of ancient art, décor and antique love.

Location: HCMC District 3 

Price: From $171 – $378

Distance from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): 20 mins by car

5.     Mai Saigon Luxuries Boutique Hotel

Set on the banks of the Saigon River, this hotel is a private urban sanctuary with a classic blend of space, style, hip architecture and luxury. It is in the middle of District 2, known for being a shopaholics’ paradise and art lovers’ nest. The area also presents plenty of chic eatery options. They offer six types of rooms, the Deluxe room, Mia Suite, Grand Suite, Presidential Suite, Presidential Mia Suite, Presidential Family Suite. Each of these rooms defines comfort and luxury and affordable prices.

If you’re looking to hold a business outing here, they offer a myriad of activities for your group to indulge in like Sunset cruise, photo shooting and cocktail classes. What better way to break the ice, aye?

They also have several meeting rooms of different sizes, to fit your needs. The L’ame meeting room is perfect for management team meetings and private dinners, the Emerald room is perfect for a laid-back rooftop meeting.

Location: HCMC District 2, Thao Dien

Price: From $145 – $533

Distance from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): 30 mins by car

Distance from Ho Chi Minh City: 15 minutes by speedboat to the city centre

Travelling with your team soon?

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