Vietnam

[excalibur324]

anyone going to Viet during early march'12 ?
planning to stay like 5days there (HCMC/Hanoi), backpack style.

Hanoi air tix is 2x of HCMC, wonder if it is worth the money...
I heard from bros that both roughly the same...

not really the same i would say. Hanoi is much less developed den HCMC. there are more places to visit in and around Hanoi.

U planning 5 days in one place only right?

If u go Hanoi, can do a Tam Coc, Halong Bay or Sapa.
HCMC, u can spend sometime venturing to Dalat or Muine

 

[Singlet]

Thanks for the input, not sure if i will be exploring outside hcmc as i do worry of my exploration skills (lol).
I will prolly take a slower pace to do the things around the city.
So far I planned to do the following,
1. BT Market
2. Cu chi tunnels
3. Museum

Will pop into 1 of the local travel tour agency to see what they have.
Any tips on how to get to mui ne? Thinking staying a day there before heading back to hcmc.

 

[kazuki666]

Hi guys. I am planning a short sg > bkk > hcm > sg.

From bangkok to ho chi minh, u all think normal budget airlines like airasia that sort is ok?

Btw, I am thinking to go in early/mid feb, probably staying in HCM for ard 4D3N.
As this is my 1st time there, and alone, I am thinking if anyone experienced here can give some advice or share itinerary u had enjoyed before?
I prefer some like walking ard to see see look look, take pics, eat, some shopping.

Oh ya. Best if can recommend a hotel with clean bed and bathroom, and accessible to places ard.

TIA

 

[excalibur324]

Thanks for the input, not sure if i will be exploring outside hcmc as i do worry of my exploration skills (lol).
I will prolly take a slower pace to do the things around the city.
So far I planned to do the following,
1. BT Market
2. Cu chi tunnels
3. Museum

Will pop into 1 of the local travel tour agency to see what they have.
Any tips on how to get to mui ne? Thinking staying a day there before heading back to hcmc.

tour agencies along Pham ngu Lao and Bui vien street have buses to MuiNe. Multiple timings. takes 5 hours and would cost around 100K VND = 5 USD.

 

[grandmaster33]

I saw this deal under groupon.. Wondering if it's worth for a go?

$299 per pax for 4D3N Hanoi-Halong Hotel Stay + Flight + Guided Tour + Meals (Worth $650)

Any advice?

 

[cc2mss5]

i think its not really good.

additional charges
•Hotel tax of S$20 per pax per night applies or S$60 per pax
•Airport transfer of S$30 per pax per way applies
•Airport taxes, security tax and airline fuel surcharge of S$187 per pax applies (subject to change)

in total need to add S$277
plus the package price - it's S$576 per pax for 4d3n

 

[xiaozhi86]

hi guys,

can recommend me any budget hotel to stay in HCM? intend to go around march/april!

Thanks

 

[kazuki666]

Anyone stayed at Hoang Hai Long 2 Hotel before?
Hoang Hai Long 2 Hotel Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam - Best discount hotel rates

Thinking to go either HCM or Hanoi for 4D3N two weeks later, but still abit indecisive which is a better option. Btw, will be travelling alone.

 

[butterbarter]

Anyone stayed at Hoang Hai Long 2 Hotel before?
Hoang Hai Long 2 Hotel Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam - Best discount hotel rates

Thinking to go either HCM or Hanoi for 4D3N two weeks later, but still abit indecisive which is a better option. Btw, will be travelling alone.

Go Hanoi if you like nature, as you can take short trips out to Sapa (hiking among the rice terraces is very interesting), Halong Bay (great limestone seascape) and Tam Coc (limestone caves by boat), all of which I've been to and recommend. You'll need 7 days or more to do all these.

Go HCMC if you wanna take a cruise down the Mekong, see the Cuchi tunnels or visit nearly Dalat.

Of the 2, I prefer Hanoi and it's surroundings, but either city make good short trips.

 

[kazuki666]

Going Vietnam, be it Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. Is it more advisable to bring Viet dong or USD?
There should be currency changer which are very accessible there as well right?

 

[excalibur324]

local foods and items normally are quoted in VND. Accomodations, tour packages are more often quoted in USD. I would advise u to bring both, can pay accordingly based on your scenarios and preference.

u can go to goldsmiths to change money. they often better rates than money changer and banks.

 

[kazuki666]

local foods and items normally are quoted in VND. Accomodations, tour packages are more often quoted in USD. I would advise u to bring both, can pay accordingly based on your scenarios and preference.

u can go to goldsmiths to change money. they often better rates than money changer and banks.

if tour package pay in VND, would they reject u???

coz its abit mafan to carry VND, USD and then also SGD. Coz i be going bkk too, so meaning I am bringing baht too...

 

[kazuki666]

anyone can advise on the below:

1) What power adapter are they using? Am going to bring charger for hp

2) Do they have any prepaid simcard which comes with dataplan? I hope to get something I can call home, then it will have dataplan to allow me to whatsapp and use some surfing.


TIA

 

[excalibur324]

if tour package pay in VND, would they reject u???

coz its abit mafan to carry VND, USD and then also SGD. Coz i be going bkk too, so meaning I am bringing baht too...

they wont reject u la. but probably can quote u a worse off exchange rate.

USD is useful anywhere in southeast asia. if u cant finish then change every USD to baht lor.

 

[kazuki666]

oh ya guys. I heard that its almost impossible to change any VND in Singapore. True?
I was told by colleagues I will have bring USD over, then find a goldsmith to change VND. True also?


Btw, if I say I am going for 4D3N to Ho Chi Minh, how much would u all recommend me to bring?
It be very very very nice if u can share your itinerary with me too. My 1st time going and alone somemore...

My purpose of this trip is really to learn more abt Vietnam, so I wont mind if its see cultural traditional stuff. Food wise, I don't mind spending abit more if its good food. Btw, I will be staying in Hoang Hai Long 1 Hotel, it says to be very near Ben Thanh market

 

[XiaoZen]

oh ya guys. I heard that its almost impossible to change any VND in Singapore. True?
I was told by colleagues I will have bring USD over, then find a goldsmith to change VND. True also?


Btw, if I say I am going for 4D3N to Ho Chi Minh, how much would u all recommend me to bring?
It be very very very nice if u can share your itinerary with me too. My 1st time going and alone somemore...

My purpose of this trip is really to learn more abt Vietnam, so I wont mind if its see cultural traditional stuff. Food wise, I don't mind spending abit more if its good food. Btw, I will be staying in Hoang Hai Long 1 Hotel, it says to be very near Ben Thanh market

oh ya guys. I heard that its almost impossible to change any VND in Singapore. True?
sembawang money changer change sgd to vnd

I was told by colleagues I will have bring USD over, then find a goldsmith to change VND. True also?
last i when hcmc around 6mths ago, there a clam down on goldsmith money changer.. dunno now still in place or not..

no need to purposely change to USD in sg, surprisingly, hcmc international airport have pretty competitive rate.. but need to choose properly, because the rates can fluctuate alot between money changer.. just walk down the long row of money change and find the best rate. they accept sgd.

Btw, if I say I am going for 4D3N to Ho Chi Minh, how much would u all recommend me to bring?
without hotel, 300sgd should be more than enuff
It be very very very nice if u can share your itinerary with me too. My 1st time going and alone somemore...
4D3N - guci tunnel.. mekong delta tour, war remanant museum etc.. pretty standard stuff for 1 time visitor..

My purpose of this trip is really to learn more abt Vietnam, so I wont mind if its see cultural traditional stuff. Food wise, I don't mind spending abit more if its good food. Btw, I will be staying in Hoang Hai Long 1 Hotel, it says to be very near Ben Thanh market
best pho in my life!

Pho Quynh, 323 Pham Ngu Lao St., District 1. Their specialty here, is without a doubt, pho. Their pho is excellent, with locals who come regularly and lucky backpackers who stumble upon it. It is air-conditioned on the second and third floors, and a bowl costs 40,000 dong. They also have a decent banh mi bo kho (beef stew with carrots, served with french baguettes) if you are looking for a pho alternative. Open 24 hr.

PS: Pho24 sucks big time... IMO
Ho Chi Minh City travel guide - Wikitravel

 

[kazuki666]

Thats super cool info dude!

okok, pls spare me few last qns

From airport to ben thanh that area, I should bargain for what kind of cab price?

Do they have prepaid simcard which I can make phonecalls back to sg, and also have data plan which allow me to have light whatsapp and net surfing when I am outside hotel?

Those touristy areas u saying (guci tunnel.. mekong delta tour, war remanant museum), is is easier that I join a land tour for them? Ben Thanh that area can find?

Really raelly thanks

 

[XiaoZen]

From airport to ben thanh that area, I should bargain for what kind of cab price?
Exit arrival-> walk toward the your left and look out for ppl in uniform.. Just ask around for vinasun or mai linh.. they will then walkie talkie a cab in for you. when taking cab, must be very viligant not to take fake vinasun or mai linh cab. look out of the absolute correct logo and car model..

Do they have prepaid simcard which I can make phonecalls back to sg, and also have data plan which allow me to have light whatsapp and net surfing when I am outside hotel?
Prepaid sim bought b4 along shophouse outside ben thanh.. data plan not sure..

Those touristy areas u saying (guci tunnel.. mekong delta tour, war remanant museum), is is easier that I join a land tour for them? Ben Thanh that area can find?
all is available from sinhtourist at de tham road..cheap and fairly good. cao dai temple is a waste of time.. google map coordinate (10.768069,106.693667)

 

[keith00]

Just back fr HCM.. exchange fr VND in HCM airport is slightly better then in SIN. Prepaid card can also easily get at fr the airport, very convenience.

 

[xiaozhi86]

Just back fr HCM.. exchange fr VND in HCM airport is slightly better then in SIN. Prepaid card can also easily get at fr the airport, very convenience.

how much the prepaid card and does it come with internet access?