The Word - Ho Chi Minh City

Pat Joynt of Saigon Scooter Centre has been in Vietnam for 15 years restoring classic bikes, importing and producing parts. Here he answers your questions

For many years Vietnam has not only been known as the country of bia hoi, difficult to pronounce tones and insane traffic, but also as an Asian Economic Tiger. At one time its robust economy seemed to offer limitless employment opportunities for expat workers.

While it’s every traveller’s goal to experience a new destination through the eyes of a local, unless you have friends or family living there, that can be a next-to-impossible task. Happily, in Ho Chi Minh City, there are a few places that aim to turn tourists into locals.

Vincom Center A (or Eden Mall 2 to old timers) opened last month. But is it an icon like its predecessor?

The 8th edition of the International Travel Expo was held in Ho Chi Minh City last month, bringing together more than 500 participating companies from more than 30 countries. If you weren’t able to get to the show, here’s a taste of what you missed, indicating that 2012-13 will be an exciting time to travel.