Vietnam

[56mimosa]

I think it is better for you to stay overnite as the journey including stopover for toilet break and visit to a pearl factory take around 4 hours.

You must stay overnite. One nite is sufficent, no need stay so many nites. The scenery is nice, we went with 2 children 7 and 12 years old too.

Thank you for the heads up dleodleo!

I will be there with my family in two weeks time for 4D3N. My cruise will be "Syrena Cruise".

I was curious how much money I should change but judging at what you have said I don't think I need much. I was worried the cruise will make us pay extra for side trips like going to a cave, fisherman village, kayaking...etc. If don't have, then I think I really don't need to change too much money cos it is only 4D3N.

 

[Desmond_]

more than 10 stops between airport & ben thanh but journey is about 30-45mins. it only took us 30mins from ben thanh to airport last sat evening.
once u come out of airport, turn left & walk to pillar with #12 on top. the #152 bus stop is just across the road. no need to buy ticket from counter, just pay the driver.



the exchange rate @ hcm airport & ben thanh was 16180 last week.

Thank you.
The rate dropping.... September still able to get 16500 at Ben Thanh Market gold shop

 

[56mimosa]

Exchange Rate

Changed some Dong at The Arcade today.

1 S$ = 16,000 ~ 16,100 depend on which money changers you go to.

This is better than AMK Hub 1S$ = 15,500

 

[dleodleo]

Thank you for the heads up dleodleo!

I will be there with my family in two weeks time for 4D3N. My cruise will be "Syrena Cruise".

I was curious how much money I should change but judging at what you have said I don't think I need much. I was worried the cruise will make us pay extra for side trips like going to a cave, fisherman village, kayaking...etc. If don't have, then I think I really don't need to change too much money cos it is only 4D3N.

Oic. Meaning you have around 1.5 days in Hanoi? Where are you staying? If in Old quarters, I can tell you where to have good and cheap and clean food.

No need to pay extra for the cruise unless you order drink from them.

 

[dleodleo]

Forget to tell you. It is cold in Hanoi and Halong Bay now.

 

[56mimosa]

Oic. Meaning you have around 1.5 days in Hanoi? Where are you staying? If in Old quarters, I can tell you where to have good and cheap and clean food.

No need to pay extra for the cruise unless you order drink from them.

Correct ! I arrived mid-day. I have the rest of the day in Hanoi. Next morning depart for Halong. Return the following day to Hanoi by mid-day. Have the rest of the day in Hanoi. Next day fly back. I will be staying in Lan Vien Hotel which I believe is about 10 ~ 15 minutes walk to Old Quarter.

Thank you in advance for any suggestion

 

[durianster]

Forget to tell you. It is cold in Hanoi and Halong Bay now.

how cold?

 

[durianster]

can someone send me HCM and Hanoi itinerary for 3 days each?

 

[dleodleo]

how cold?

Hanoi Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for Ha Noi Vietnam

Ha Long Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for Quang Ninh Vietnam

around 12 - 18 degree? I also dun know, we felt there.

 

[dleodleo]

Correct ! I arrived mid-day. I have the rest of the day in Hanoi. Next morning depart for Halong. Return the following day to Hanoi by mid-day. Have the rest of the day in Hanoi. Next day fly back. I will be staying in Lan Vien Hotel which I believe is about 10 ~ 15 minutes walk to Old Quarter.

Thank you in advance for any suggestion

Oh i see the map, your hotel is at the other side of the lake, a distance away from the old quarters.

My recommendation of food will take around 20-25 mins walk from your hotel. I think you can settle your meal near your hotel. Your area food should be cheaper.

Just a price guide, restaurant serves pho around 30-45,000 dong per dish. If you have weak stomach try not to take ice drink. Their ice may not be clean even in restaurant. Cannot drink tap water must buy bottle water.

If you happen to be in Hanoi on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, try to go to their weekend market in old quarters. Not very far from the lake.

You will probably reach Hanoi around 4 to 5pm (hanoi time) after your Halong Bay.

 

[andy_c]

no more hydrofoil to Vungtau until further notice...
seafood is a must eat there... super cheap n fresh

I am going to Vungtau on the 15th Dec, you can ride along with me to Vungtau as i have booked a vehicle to go from HCM to VT.

I wil be going to HCMC and wish to visit one beach.. I read that vung tau is the nearest from HCMC and I intend to visit there. Learn that hydrofoil is the fastest way to go there, but it seems like the service was suspended in january due to a fire. May I know if the service has resumed?

Thanks

 

[zijie1990]

Hey guys just some questions for Dleo and other bros

Im going to hanoi real soon, from 23-29 Dec. Will be a solo trip and main aim is to visit the majestic halong bay.

1) Where should i change currency to dong? Hanoi airport? And how much you reckon will be enough for about 6 days?

2) Any idea on how to not get scam by the taxi to the hotel from the airport? i ever got scammed 80 sgd in saigon and i took the taxi from the freaking airport...

3) Any tips regarding food hygiene or personal safety? Robbery, kidnapping, etc.
Im planning to visit 'the bank' one of the nights. Its a night spot at capital building. https://www.facebook.com/thebankhanoi

4) Any recommendations on food and activities near my hotel? staying at landmark hanoi which is in the old quarter.

Thats all for now! cheeers!

 

[dleodleo]

Hey guys just some questions for Dleo and other bros

Im going to hanoi real soon, from 23-29 Dec. Will be a solo trip and main aim is to visit the majestic halong bay.

1) Where should i change currency to dong? Hanoi airport? And how much you reckon will be enough for about 6 days?

2) Any idea on how to not get scam by the taxi to the hotel from the airport? i ever got scammed 80 sgd in saigon and i took the taxi from the freaking airport...

3) Any tips regarding food hygiene or personal safety? Robbery, kidnapping, etc.
Im planning to visit 'the bank' one of the nights. Its a night spot at capital building. https://www.facebook.com/thebankhanoi

4) Any recommendations on food and activities near my hotel? staying at landmark hanoi which is in the old quarter.

Thats all for now! cheeers!

Hi,
1) I heard change at Hanoi airport is better but i kiasu I changed in Singapore in Arcade.

How much to change depend on what you eat and how you are going to spend. No need to change much ba unless you want to buy many things.

2) I also heard scary stories about taxi scam. So i have asked the hotel to arrange for private car pick up at USD18. But you are travelling solo, so not worth.

If you dare and are staying in old quarters, I can suggest you take bus but it will drop you in a place in old quarter and you have to walk or take taxi to your hotel. Something like Vietnam air bus. I read in tripadvisor. Here is the link: Airport transfer - Hanoi Forum - TripAdvisor

3) I do not have any tips for safety or prevent of robbery as we went with 2 adults and 2 young children. We never felt unsafe and find Vietnam is safer than Malaysia.

We only eat in cheap restaurants. We do not eat street food. Drink only bottled water and try not to take ice water as the ice from restaurant may be contaminated. My daughter has diarrhea on first day after drinking the hotel's lemon tea and food poision with vomitting and diarrhea on the last day after taking the restaurant cold dessert.

4) I see the map, your hotel is at the other side of old quarters. You can try going to the pasar malam (friday, saturday and sunday). It is located near the AIA building/City view cafe. There are many makan there but more expensive. I went to your area once and there are alot of reasonable price food in your Landmark hotel area.

Not much actiivities in Hanoi old quarters only the Lake and temple. Perhaps you want to join one day tour around USD25 per person?

 

[Topaz8]

Hi
Has anyone visited Hanoi during the late Dec period? Like to know if it will typically rains regularly during this winter period. If it does, what sort of rain, eg light, long period incessant rain or thunderstorm. Cold is fine.

It sucks when u are traveling in rainy weather making it difficult to get anywhere.

Thanks

 

[bleach87]

Hi Guys,

going to danang next week from Wednesday to sunday.
some things to ask
1) better to change viet dong in spore? or in Vietnam?
2) any must go places in danang?
3) any must not do things in danang?

 

[maxrebo]

Hi
Has anyone visited Hanoi during the late Dec period? Like to know if it will typically rains regularly during this winter period. If it does, what sort of rain, eg light, long period incessant rain or thunderstorm. Cold is fine.

It sucks when u are traveling in rainy weather making it difficult to get anywhere.

Thanks

Was in Hanoi in Dec 2012. No rain then but morning was like 5 degrees when I went running at the lake.

 

[yongboyboy]

Hey guys just some questions for Dleo and other bros

Im going to hanoi real soon, from 23-29 Dec. Will be a solo trip and main aim is to visit the majestic halong bay.

1) Where should i change currency to dong? Hanoi airport? And how much you reckon will be enough for about 6 days?



2) Any idea on how to not get scam by the taxi to the hotel from the airport? i ever got scammed 80 sgd in saigon and i took the taxi from the freaking airport...


3) Any tips regarding food hygiene or personal safety? Robbery, kidnapping, etc.
Im planning to visit 'the bank' one of the nights. Its a night spot at capital building. https://www.facebook.com/thebankhanoi



4) Any recommendations on food and activities near my hotel? staying at landmark hanoi which is in the old quarter.



Thats all for now! cheeers!

1.Change in Hanoi is better. you get better rates there than in singapore. i got mine at hotel for 164000 when singapore is only offering 161000.

food wise- 20 SGD a day should be more than enough for street food-Pho cost you only $2-3.
if you wana restaurant. prolly prepare about 30.

2.The taxi i took are all metered. if you are scare. just turn on your gps in the taxi and sit next to the driver. let him know that you are tracking where he is going. i forgot how much mine cost. not more than 50 i guess

3.Clubs in Hanoi are quite expensive. Night life isnt that great there. Street food are ok for me. up to individual preference. Hanoi is basically quite safe as compared to JB and Bkk.. common sense that you keep your money in your front pocket.


4-Nothing much in old quaters other than shopping... you can start you day early walking every street in that area.
For night wise- Go to Ta hien street. sit down. have a beer and people watch. if you are travelling alone , it is easy to make friends.

If you are travelling to HLB alone. Pray that your boat has got nice peeps.
I did mine 2 months back and it was great.

 

[durianster]

any hotels/backpackers/guesthouse to recommend to stay in HCM? going there

 

[kirsten]

Can someone recommend car rental with driver or good day tour companies? TIA

 

[strangerjun]

no more hydrofoil to Vungtau until further notice...
seafood is a must eat there... super cheap n fresh

I am going to Vungtau on the 15th Dec, you can ride along with me to Vungtau as i have booked a vehicle to go from HCM to VT.

I am going to vung tau on other day. Thanks anyway.