Vietnam

[~大.芒.果~]

1. Any familiar bank's ATM at Hanoi?
2. Bring more USD or VND?

bring usd there to change vnd. But don't change all your usd.

 

[bombomlee]

I used a Vinaphone prepaid also.. very good connection as I rode from Saigon all the way up to Hue.

Got 3G connection even at some godforsaken place lol!

 

[BlackCube]

im gg hcm in dec again after 3 years+.

anyway, for hotels, you could probably just head to the backpackers street and find anyone to stay.
cheap (2x usd) and quite decent if u not particular.

 

[~大.芒.果~]

I used a Vinaphone prepaid also.. very good connection as I rode from Saigon all the way up to Hue.

Got 3G connection even at some godforsaken place lol!

yeah i had 3G while on the boat in halong bay LOL

 

[maxell_555]

I am still worried how to stay connected! Heading Hanoi.

1. Where to buy 3G SIM?
2. How to read Vietnamese?
3. Which telco to buy?
4. Which plan can cover 6 days?
5. Any plans which have unlimited 3G?
6. Using iPhone can use hotspot?

 

[vincenttms]

HCMC Shopping!!!

I'm going to HCMC in dec. Wondering if there's any advice for shopping there..
-Where to go for good deals.
-phrases i should use while bargaining.
-where/how to find 'Real' branded products at cheap prices.

it would be great if anyone can recommend good halal restaurants too..

 

[smilingbuddha]

Hi,

I'll be going to HCMC in mid dec. Anybody has places to recommend me to visit? Solo trip

 

[misssotong]

i know the best thing to do during bargaining is to quote a price and walk away..
especially Bến Thành Market.

but at some places, they don't call you back.. i think is saigon plaza


Places i visited but I went during december last year. It was so so hot and humid, especially for the cuchi tunnel tour.
If you are following the tour, the food served is quite digusting so do bring some snacks.
Fun Fun Fun: Vietnam : ho chi minh walking tour

cuchi tunnel and cao dai temple tour. we did not book from the agency recommended online. just some random agency around backpackers area. we realised the tour combined people from various travel agencies. Our tour guide speak good English although I don't really get what he is saying at times. He been through vietnam war and etc so he does have a lot to share.
http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2013/03/vietnam-ho-chi-minh-cuchi-tunnel-and.html

for a taste of the motorcycle culture..
http://mizztoee.blogspot.sg/2013/03/vietnam-ho-chi-minh-tiger-tours-tour-on.html

 

[cherlynisin]

Should be saigon square, a place with a lot of clothes

I did Cu Chi tunnel and Cao dai temple also, in 1 day tour. then i also went for a tour to the My Tho/ Ben Tre river delta which was so-so.

Agreed it can get very hot on the day tours.. bring sunblock if you get sunburnt easily

i know the best thing to do during bargaining is to quote a price and walk away..
especially Bến Thành Market.

but at some places, they don't call you back.. i think is saigon plaza

 

[cryn79]

Hi all,

I am going to Hanoi soon.
I went to HCM before and changed SGD to VND at HCM itself. How ever I saw a reply above to bring USD instead. May I know why is there a difference?

Can advise again on the below:
So can I still bring SGD there to change VND?
Where are the good places in Hanoi to change money?

Thanks!

 

[EastSider]

Hi all,

I am going to Hanoi soon.
I went to HCM before and changed SGD to VND at HCM itself. How ever I saw a reply above to bring USD instead. May I know why is there a difference?

Can advise again on the below:
So can I still bring SGD there to change VND?
Where are the good places in Hanoi to change money?

Thanks!

SGD to VND , change in vietnam good. but however USD to VND , you will get a better rate and mode of payment by USD will save you a little more than your 'SGD>VND' , usually payment by USD for tours.. VND money is best to change at VN , sg rate sucks , go to the bank or gold smith shop there , the airport rate sucks too. hope this helps.

 

[usermanual]

Sorry OT...
Any good apps (android) to recommend for currency exchange ?

 

[beanstalk6]

You can try the XE android app.

 

[dede1217]

Think normally would change at Singapore, else you can change at places not near airport, cause their rates not the highest .

 

[natsuoto]

Planning to go hanoi in dec, is 6 days too long?

 

[excalibur324]

SGD to VND , change in vietnam good. but however USD to VND , you will get a better rate and mode of payment by USD will save you a little more than your 'SGD>VND' , usually payment by USD for tours.. VND money is best to change at VN , sg rate sucks , go to the bank or gold smith shop there , the airport rate sucks too. hope this helps.

yep. cant find money changer.. go jewellry shop

 

[jonchong]

I used USD for big ticket item like hotel, tours. and VND for all the day-to-day expenses (food, taxi, shopping).

Generally items less than 200,000 VND (USD10) then i pay in VND

 

[god_of_shawn]

HCM airport got money changer right? Change at HCM airport or Changi airport better?

 

[beanstalk6]

Planning to go hanoi in dec, is 6 days too long?

This depends on the match between what you are seeking and what Hanoi has to offer. For example, if you want to see more scenic places, you may opt to go to Halong Bay or Sapa from Hanoi, and either of this will take up at least 2 days of your time already. If you want to stay within Hanoi and visit places of interest, maybe 4 days will be sufficient. If you are the type to take things slow, you can easily fill 6 days.

 

[SlotsMad]

HCM airport got money changer right? Change at HCM airport or Changi airport better?

Change at any GoldSmith Shop in HCM lah...