Vietnam

[slandtravel]

do we singaporeans need visa when going to vietnam?

as u know, most visitors come to Vietnam to be need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral or unilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, tourist's visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days.
If u ar singaporean who holding valid ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for not more than 30 days.

 

[MercyOfASwiftDeath]

Now safe to go anot ar, Vietname

 

[usermanual]

Now safe to go anot ar, Vietname

I'm at HCM now....here like nothing happen...so i feel it's safe.
but.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now heavy rain !!!!!!!!!!

 

[slandtravel]

Now safe to go anot ar, Vietname

Peacerful, safety & crowded Old quarter & the whole Tourist areas in Vietnam. Dont feel any tense atmosphere in Hanoi so far

 

[Benjamin91]

Having been to saigon recently, i hope i can provide newcomers with some personal opinion and help.

Airport
from stepping off plane to immigration very short distance only. After immigration, head to the exit. There are money changer and can buy sim card here (although i didnt buy 100,000 VND).
Taxi are to the left of the terminal. Take only Vinasun and Mailinh (cost around 140,000 VND). Or you may also take bus 152.

Crossing the road
actually, very easy to cross. You maybe afraid the first time but just follow the locals. basically, cross when there are no cars or big vehicles... the motorcycles will swerve around you.

Taxi
as mention above, take only those 2. Plenty of 7 sitter cabs so got family no need worry. (not sure why sg dun have many) Starting fare is 12,000 VND..taxi ride around district 1 will not exceed 35000 VND.
* prepare small change as some taxi drivers may pretend that they don't have (e.g. taxi fare 25000 VND, they say don't have 5000 VND for you when you pay 30000 VND...)

Driving
One word..don't! i seriously don't know how the taxi drivers can drive in such a situation. Motor and cars coming from all sides, no signalling one. But interestingly, the days i was there..i didn't see any accident.


Food
try the street food...although i should say we Singaporeans may not be used to their food.. Things i like is pho, spring rolls and banh mi. You are sure to find vege in almost all the food.

Shopping
clothes at ben thanh and saigon square...but all very out of fashion one.. unless you buying sports tee. Can someone recommend where can buy clothes like in thailand?

Safety
generally, i feel quite safe there. no pickpocket or snatching. just practice the usual safety precaution...no jewelry, don't showoff your phone etc..i saw one woman who left her iphone in a shop..didnt realise until 5 mins later, the shop owner kept the phone for her and return it later.
*it's safe to speak chinese there...quite a few know how to speak...some maybe will ask where you from...just say you're from sg. Actually, some vietnamese looks so chinese that you can't tell them apart.

Travelling
vietnam roads are not very good...so lots of bumpiness. Also travelling is very slow...200+km can take you 6 hrs or more as most of their roads are 1 lane only.

that's all...i'll see if i can add a few more things.

 

[audiovideo]

I'm at HCM now....here like nothing happen...so i feel it's safe.
but.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now heavy rain !!!!!!!!!!

Very safe.
At vung tau now. Not a bad place so far.
Impression is very FREE. Ha!
At back beach, many walk out of their hotel in swim wear, both men & women... Cross the comparatively less traffic 4 lane road, right to the beach ..
But many bare body viet male very unsightly ha....

So far being to hcm twice, their seafood raw grill style still no suit me taste.

 

[audiovideo]

Changed $ at d5. 16960.

 

[audiovideo]

So far tried 3 dim sum restaurant in hcmc Q5, all 虾饺,烧賣 standard good
But 云吞麵 still not hk style but enough prawn in wantan to save the day

 

[MercyOfASwiftDeath]

love u guys for sharing with me Hanoi and HCM status!! Thanks!

 

[audiovideo]

Ben thanh market not so nice experience... when buying T shirt
Those stall sales can be aggressive and pushy to close deal
And they even ask for high price, thought we really carrot
Worst is ifyou have viet friend, better not let them involve in bargain, else those sales will event scold them.... and if you no buy, they can't stop mumbling behind you... very bad indeed... not like if they have provided good service or good price .... in fact is the opposite.

 

[usermanual]

Ben thanh market not so nice experience... when buying T shirt
Those stall sales can be aggressive and pushy to close deal
And they even ask for high price, thought we really carrot
Worst is ifyou have viet friend, better not let them involve in bargain, else those sales will event scold them.... and if you no buy, they can't stop mumbling behind you... very bad indeed... not like if they have provided good service or good price .... in fact is the opposite.

Vietnamese are not as friendly as Thai.
For Clothing BKK still cheaper and more variety.

 

[audiovideo]

Vietnamese are not as friendly as Thai.
For Clothing BKK still cheaper and more variety.

If "addidas" as low as sing$3, most original from vietnam "branded" polo from $7, no choice take a chance la

 

[usermanual]

If "addidas" as low as sing$3, most original from vietnam "branded" polo from $7, no choice take a chance la

Saigon Square selling a bit expensive.
"adidas" round neck T-shirt is 120,000 and "polo" shirt at 170,000.
Ben Thanh night market adidas round neck T-shirt only 80,000 and polo T-shirt can go as low as 150,000 (if buy 2pcs).

 

[audiovideo]

To me i prefer to buy at night market than ben thanh market. Anyway this place reminds me of bangkok Patpong, need to chop price alot to get bargain stuff, else kana chopped. A "GA" belt quoted 380000.... i ask her give her best price, down to 250000, then i wana walk off, she offer 200000... lol. But i should have given her my price, 150000....lol, think she will bite, but too late to act and she may curse me to deepest hell.. lol.

 

[audiovideo]

Saigon Square selling a bit expensive.
"adidas" round neck T-shirt is 120,000 and "polo" shirt at 170,000.
Ben Thanh night market adidas round neck T-shirt only 80,000 and polo T-shirt can go as low as 150,000 (if buy 2pcs).

Yes, 150000/pcs if buy 2, that's after initial quote of 500000+ .... in ben thanh market.
But i end up getting 1 and pay 150000 for a "polo" V neck.... plus unhappy shopping experience.

 

[Handsome_guy]

I think go nha trang eat seafood the best. Vn really not a good place for shopping. A lot of dual pricing - one for local, one for foreigners.

 

[slandtravel]

love u guys for sharing with me Hanoi and HCM status!! Thanks!

What is your concern, MercyOfASwiftDeath??

 

[slandtravel]

I think go nha trang eat seafood the best. Vn really not a good place for shopping. A lot of dual pricing - one for local, one for foreigners.

Ya~~~U right, Nha Trang is destination of seafood, lol...as u said Vietnam is not really shopping paradise for shoppers, Remember is to bargains bfr purchasing anything here ^^

 

[ranran01]

does it rain like everyday in hcmc ?
i am going in week 3 july and am thinking of booking one of the scooter evening tours.

first timer to hcmc

 

[audiovideo]

I don't quite like their bbq seafood, always kana the raw taste
but prawns in other food like fried rice, wantan noodle all ok

went to their chicken rice shop to try their chicken rice (东源茶室），55000VND (S$3.20) a plate with only very few pieces of meat ... my lotus soup is 50000VND

ate fried rice at night market, price 98000vnd a plate .. that's almost S$6

I find the cost of living in hcmc rather high, matching ours in most area.
if the avg worker earn S$200-300 a month ... that's unbelievable