Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon is a great base to visit Vietnam and the rest of the Mekong Delta.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Photo: David McKelvey, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)

Sample Travel Date:

• September 23rd – October 2nd

Fare Availability:

• Valid for travel until May 20th or August 21st – November 30th or January 1st, 2014 – late March, 2014 for Monday through Thursday departures.  Use ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search and flexible month search to see availability — enable advanced routing codes and enter “sfo hkg” on the outbound field and “hkg sfo” on the return field to search for  availability. There is more availability if you use “ua+” for the advanced routing code. However, most of those flights route through Tokyo which has a higher connection fee than connecting in Hong Kong. Must purchase at least 3 days in advance of departure.
• Beginner’s Guide on How to Use Matrix by ITA Software
• How to Read Airfare Rules and Use It to Your Advantage

Routing:

• SEA – SFO (San Francisco) – HKG (Hong Kong) – SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) – HKG – SFO – SEA

Mileage:

• 17,032 miles or 4.9 cents per mile

How to Book:

• Use dates found on ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search and book on United.com
• United’s risk free cancellation policy here

Background Information:

• Visa Requirements: US Citizens – Visa required prior to arrival. Prices vary. However, you may have an agent arrange a visa for pick-up upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport for a $20-25 handling fee paid upfront + $45 for the visa itself (also payable upon arrival). The Flight Deal team has used VietnamStay.com in the past for this service. It is much better than sending away your passport. Other nationals, check the TIMATIC Visa Database.
• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). $1USD = 20,824 VND

Tips for saving when using credit cards at international destinations:

• No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards to save on international purchases
• Don’t get hit with Dynamic Currency Conversion
• Get your taxes refunded when shopping
• How to Avoid International Data Roaming Charges

For more of the latest cheap Seattle Flight Deals:

• Go to the The Seattle Flight Deals page

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