Conference Venue

University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) 

Adddress: 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

WHERE TO STAY

 

  • Hue My Hotel Saigon — 3-Star. Address: 12 Nguyen Tieu La, Dien Hong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of the closest options: a 4-minute walk, roughly 0.3 km depending on the walking route. This is a good choice if proximity and lower cost are the priorities. 

  • Valentine Hotel — 3-Star. Address: 93/1 Nguyen Chi Thanh, An Dong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Approximate distance: 0.4 km from 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong. It is therefore another very convenient choice for visitors who want to walk or take a very short Grab ride. Google currently classifies it as a 3-star hotel. 

  • Windsor Plaza Hotel — 5-Star. Current address: 1 Su Van Hanh, An Dong, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam. Approximate distance: 1.1 km from the venue. It has a rooftop swimming pool and several dining options.

  • Hotel Nikko Saigon — 5-Star. Address: 235 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Approximate distance: 1.7 km from 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong. It is a luxury hotel with 334 rooms, suites and apartments, and would be one of my strongest choices for international visitors wanting premium accommodation. 

  • Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City — 5-Star. Address: 242 Tran Binh Trong, Cho Quan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Approximate distance: 2.4 km. It offers 333 rooms, an outdoor pool, spa and substantial business facilities. 

  • KHACH SAN NGUYEN LAM 62 — 3-Star.. Address: 62 Ngo Quyen, Dien Hong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 0.5 km / about 6 minutes walking from the 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong UEH stop. Google currently classifies it as a 3-star hotel. 

  • Wah Fu Palace — 4-Star currently. Address: 90 Hung Vuong, An Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 0.9 km from Campus B. A 2025 UEH conference handbook described it as a 5-star property, but current Google/Expedia listings classify the hotel as 4-star, so I would use the current 4-star classification when booking.

  • ZAZZ Urban Ho Chi Minh Hotel — 4-Star. Address: 28 Su Van Hanh, An Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 1.0 km from 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong. It has an outdoor pool and fitness centre.

  • Dong Khanh Hotel — 3-Star. Address: 2 Tran Hung Dao B Street, An Dong Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 1.9 km from Campus B. It is an established hotel near Chinatown and An Dong Market and is a more economical option than the nearby 4- and 5-star properties.

  • Athena Boutique Hotel — 4-Star  Address: 280 To Hien Thanh Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 2.2 km from Campus B. The hotel has a fitness area and spa and is a good mid-to-upper-range option for business travellers.

  • Viet Lotus Saigon Hotel – Sen Viet Hotel — 4-Star. Address: 33 Cao Thang, Ban Co Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Distance: approximately 2.6 km from Campus B. It as a 4-star accommodation option near the venue, with gym, massage and spa facilities. 

You may choose the Hotel of your choice and budget from popular booking sites, such as:

ABOUT Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (still fondly called Saigon by locals) is a captivating whirlwind of a city. It seamlessly blends a chaotic, high-energy modern metropolis with deep-rooted history, incredible street culture, and some of the best food in the world.

If you are considering a trip, here is exactly why Ho Chi Minh City deserves a spot on your travel itinerary:

1. A World-Class Culinary Scene

From humble sidewalk plastic stools to Michelin-starred dining, the city is a paradise for food lovers.

  • The Street Food: You can eat your way through iconic dishes like Ph?, Bánh mì, and C?m t?m (broken rice) at any hour of the day.

  • The Coffee Culture: Saigon runs on caffeine. You can spend afternoons sipping Cà phê s?a ?á (iced condensed milk coffee) or trendy coconut coffees in hidden, colonial-era apartment cafes.

  • Seafood Street (V?nh Khánh): A legendary street dedicated entirely to eating fresh snails, shellfish, and seafood grilled right on the sidewalk.

2. Layers of Compelling History

For history buffs, the city offers a raw, immersive look into the past, particularly the remnants of the Vietnam War and French colonial influence.

  • The War Remnants Museum: A profoundly moving and vital stop to understand the Vietnamese perspective of the war.

  • The Cu Chi Tunnels: Located just outside the city, this massive network of underground tunnels showcases the immense ingenuity and resilience of the Viet Cong guerrillas.

  • Colonial Architecture: Stroll through District 1 to see stunning landmarks like the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the Central Post Office (designed by Gustave Eiffel's company), and the majestic Saigon Opera House.

3. Electric, High-Energy Nightlife

When the sun goes down, the city's energy shifts into overdrive.

  • Rooftop Bars: HCMC has one of the best rooftop bar scenes in Southeast Asia, offering stunning panoramic views of the Saigon River and glittering skyscrapers like the Bitexco Financial Tower.

  • Bui Vien Walking Street: If you want neon lights, loud music, and cheap beer, this backpacker hub is a wild sensory overload.

  • Live Music: The city has a thriving indie music and jazz scene hidden away in intimate, atmospheric bars.

4. Vibrant Neighborhoods and Hidden Alleys

The true magic of Saigon is found when you get lost in its h?ms (alleys).

  • The Alley Culture: Turning off a main street into a labyrinth of narrow residential alleys reveals a completely different world of quiet neighborhood life, hidden temples, and secret food stalls.

  • Cholon (Chinatown): Located in District 5, this is one of the world's largest Chinatowns. It’s a bustling maze of traditional medicine shops, massive wholesale markets, and beautiful, incense-filled pagodas like Thien Hau.

5. Warm Hospitality and High Affordability

Your travel budget stretches incredibly far here. Luxury 5-star hotels, high-end spa treatments, and gourmet meals cost a fraction of what they would in Western or other major Asian hubs. More importantly, the locals are famously resilient, welcoming, and sharp-witted, making interactions a highlight of the trip.

TRAVEL & Other TIPS

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)—still affectionately known by locals as Saigon—is a dizzying, beautiful, and high-octane metropolis. Whether you are navigating its ocean of motorbikes for the first time or looking for the best bowl of pho, this comprehensive guide will help you smooth out the logistics.

1. Getting to Ho Chi Minh City

By Air

Most international travelers arrive via Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), located right inside the city limits (about 6–8 km from District 1).

Important Arrival Note: Effective April 2026, all foreign passengers arriving at SGN must complete an online pre-arrival declaration via the official portal (prearrival.immigration.gov.vn) before landing and present their issued QR code to immigration.

Entry & Visa Requirements

  • Visa Exemptions: Citizens from various European nations (like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) enjoy visa-free entry for up to 45 days. ASEAN passport holders generally get 30 days.

  • E-Visa: If your country isn't exempt, or if you plan to stay longer, you must apply for an E-Visa online via the official government portal. It costs $25 USD for a single entry and grants up to 90 days.

  • Health Declaration: Note that a new health declaration mandate rolls out starting July 1, 2026, which must be completed within 7 days prior to travel.

2. Local Travel & Getting Around

Ride-Hailing Apps (Highly Recommended)

Do not try to hail random taxis on the street if you can avoid it. Download Grab or Xanh SM (an all-electric vehicle fleet) as soon as you arrive.

  • You can book both cars and motorproduced taxis (GrabBike). GrabBike is the absolute fastest way to cut through Saigon’s legendary traffic jams.

  • If you must use a traditional taxi on the street, stick strictly to reputable companies: Vinasun (white with green/red stripes) or Mai Linh (bright green). Ensure they turn on the meter.

Public Buses

The city's bus network is undergoing a major modernization push. If you're traveling light or on a budget, look out for the city's green and electric buses.

 

3. Essential Tourist Information

Money & Currency

  • The currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).

  • Cash is still king for street food and small markets, though cards are widely accepted in malls, convenience stores, and upscale restaurants.