Vietnam

[excalibur324]

Train tickets for going to sapa need to book in advanced?
Or off counter can buy?

off counter can buy. on the safe side, shld buy 1 day in advance

 

[therat]

FYI,
now Sapa is snowing

 

[starlet]

Will be arriving Sapa this sat for 3 days 2 nites tour. Just wondering how much should I tip the guide and bus driver. Thanks

 

[alanjw55]

Just reach Hanoi in the morning weather is cold
But for those who have been staying in air con room it should be fine

I'll be back on the 24th, if anybody wants the SIM card, can pm me, it's a month of unlimited usage

 

[candydandy]

HCMC trip in Jan

Hi all, I will be travelling to HCMC in Jan for a 1 day business trip. Will need some advice on best timings to arrive and will the traffic be a nightmare there on a weekday?

Will be staying in Sheraton HCMC.

thanks!

 

[Arcanell]

sheraton saigon is only 15mins away from airport, if you travel during peak hour, it will at most take 30mins.

 

[JinTaoKee]

sheraton saigon is only 15mins away from airport, if you travel during peak hour, it will at most take 30mins.

Sheraton saigon at d1. time to airport around 40mins

 

[messier]

Hey all, I will be flying solo to Hanoi on the 25th-31st of December.

Itinerary is as such :
Day 1 (25th) - Land in Hanoi, book in to hotel and explore the vicinities
Day 2 (26th) - Embark on a 2d Ha Long Bay tour (any recommendations? Want to try kayaking and visiting the caves)
Day 3 (27th) - Same as Day 2, return to Hotel and explore some more
Day 4 (28th)- Thinking of doing a 2 day/1 night trip to Sapa. Leave in the morning, reach sapa at night
Day 5 (29th)- depart from sapa back to hanoi
Day 6 (30th) - explore whatever that's left of hanoi, shopping for souvenirs or go on some day trip to some garden
Day 7 (31st) - back to singapore.

First time going to a place where I have no idea how to communicate with the locals. Heard that robbery and theft is quite common as well. Is it really that bad?

**My accommodation would be Especen Hotel or Hibiscus Hotel (both by same owner). Any reviews?

**Oh yes, for the SIM card, I'm using an Iphone 4S. So just buy it at the airport and slot it in and I'm ready to call home? Any recommendations on which should I buy?

 

[TommyGreen]

Hi messier,

the locals do speak a bit of english, especially the service staff.

we did not encounter or heard of any robbery and theft while we were there in Aug this year.

Here's our itinerary for the trip..for those who are interested..

will be updating the page with reviews as we post..

Latest article will be our flight review of Vietnam Airlines.

Airline Review: Vietnam Airlines Flight from Singapore to Hanoi - Singapore Travel Blog - Discover . Book . Travel

 

[excalibur324]

Hey all, I will be flying solo to Hanoi on the 25th-31st of December.

Itinerary is as such :
Day 1 (25th) - Land in Hanoi, book in to hotel and explore the vicinities
Day 2 (26th) - Embark on a 2d Ha Long Bay tour (any recommendations? Want to try kayaking and visiting the caves)
Day 3 (27th) - Same as Day 2, return to Hotel and explore some more
Day 4 (28th)- Thinking of doing a 2 day/1 night trip to Sapa. Leave in the morning, reach sapa at night
Day 5 (29th)- depart from sapa back to hanoi
Day 6 (30th) - explore whatever that's left of hanoi, shopping for souvenirs or go on some day trip to some garden
Day 7 (31st) - back to singapore.

First time going to a place where I have no idea how to communicate with the locals. Heard that robbery and theft is quite common as well. Is it really that bad?

**My accommodation would be Especen Hotel or Hibiscus Hotel (both by same owner). Any reviews?

**Oh yes, for the SIM card, I'm using an Iphone 4S. So just buy it at the airport and slot it in and I'm ready to call home? Any recommendations on which should I buy?

trains to sapa only leave in the night and reach morning.

 

[alanjw55]

Went to ha long bay yesterday
1 day trip left at morning come back at night..

Ha long bay cave is really nice...

 

[beanstalk6]

Hey all, I will be flying solo to Hanoi on the 25th-31st of December.

Itinerary is as such :
Day 1 (25th) - Land in Hanoi, book in to hotel and explore the vicinities
Day 2 (26th) - Embark on a 2d Ha Long Bay tour (any recommendations? Want to try kayaking and visiting the caves)
Day 3 (27th) - Same as Day 2, return to Hotel and explore some more
Day 4 (28th)- Thinking of doing a 2 day/1 night trip to Sapa. Leave in the morning, reach sapa at night
Day 5 (29th)- depart from sapa back to hanoi
Day 6 (30th) - explore whatever that's left of hanoi, shopping for souvenirs or go on some day trip to some garden
Day 7 (31st) - back to singapore.

First time going to a place where I have no idea how to communicate with the locals. Heard that robbery and theft is quite common as well. Is it really that bad?

**My accommodation would be Especen Hotel or Hibiscus Hotel (both by same owner). Any reviews?

**Oh yes, for the SIM card, I'm using an Iphone 4S. So just buy it at the airport and slot it in and I'm ready to call home? Any recommendations on which should I buy?

Don't pack so many destinations in such a short span. You do not have time for Sapa. Besides, why spend so much time on the road only to have a day there? Are you able to see much of Hanoi?

 

[candydandy]

Sheraton saigon at d1. time to airport around 40mins

thanks for the advice!

 

[Solotravel]

I will be in Hanoi from 25th Dec to 29th Dec. Anyone there wish to meet up for a meal or travel together?

 

[Bishio]

since u at sheraton saigon can go eat cheap french food nearby, at thai van lung street.

le petit n le bouchon. below $20 sgd for 1 main.

 

[messier]

Hey there,
noted and thanks for your advice. Have re-done my itinerary to highlight Ha Long Bay. Maybe go for a few events.

I will be traveling around Hanoi from the 25th-31st, staying at Rising Dragon Grand Hotel.

I still would like to know if there's any recommendation of any SIM cards for iphone 4s. Will be posting here again when I arrive tomorrow.

 

[garfieldpal]

Planning to have a day trip to Ninh Binh/Hao Lu Tam Coc from Hanoi city.
Is it true that there will be hard selling on the boat ride?
What do you all normally do, just ignore them if you are not interested to buy?

 

[garfieldpal]

is it advisable to take public bus in Hanoi city?

 

[Bishio]

is it advisable to take public bus in Hanoi city?

do u know how to take?

 

[suangern]

is it advisable to take public bus in Hanoi city?

Kknow the routes and direction first. I don't think they can speak any English, I tried in HCMC before.