Vietnam

[idrinkecoke]

Is district 1 in saigon very big? Major attractions in D1 is walkable? Or better off taking a cab. Easy to get taxi there?

 

[hungryfriend]

is it easy to get a trustworthy taxi at hcmc? just join the main taxi queue or there are specific queue for mah linh or vinasun?

 

[finale1]

is it easy to get a trustworthy taxi at hcmc? just join the main taxi queue or there are specific queue for mah linh or vinasun?

Cabs are everywhere. Take Vinasun. Runs by meter.
If you are more experienced, can take the motorbike taxis.

Imagine... a bus ticket from airport to Benh Thanh is aircon and the 20 min ride costs only 5k dong. If u take a motorbike taxi over 2-5km distance, u shouldnt pay more than 15k dong.

A whole tank of 3 liters petrol costs only 40k dong for a motorbike. U can imagine how cheap their transportation is.

 

[finale1]

Is district 1 in saigon very big? Major attractions in D1 is walkable? Or better off taking a cab. Easy to get taxi there?

Most of the attractions are found within a 1.5km radius from the center.

 

[butterbarter]

Are you serious bro? Taking the overnight bus will take 2 days.
Or are u stopping at Danang/HoiAn/Hue in between?

I think he's going on a long trip lasting a few weeks or months. It's an excellent idea, especially now that Vietnam supposedly recognizes International Driver Permit from 2015 onwards (pending confirmation). Prior to this year, the IDP is not recognized in Vietnam.

Here are some videos on trans-Vietnam motorcycle trips. Looks awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RnViDJQ4mA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx03QxrNm7Y

 

[takuyazzz]

is it easy to get a trustworthy taxi at hcmc? just join the main taxi queue or there are specific queue for mah linh or vinasun?

at most hotels/attractions u will be able to find a uniformed Vinasun operator stationed near the cabs, just approach this guy and he will get u a Vinasun cab. Otherwise just flag them down off the street.

 

[nanite]

is it easy to get a trustworthy taxi at hcmc? just join the main taxi queue or there are specific queue for mah linh or vinasun?

Mai Linh and Vinasun are everywhere. I never took any other taxi service. Don't be alarm if they keep a few thousands as tips. For example, your fare is 145k and you pay them 150k, and no change is given. It's a measly amount anyway.

I went to HCMC for 2 weeks at the start of the year.
HCMC - MUI NE - DALAT - HCMC

 

[audiovideo]

I went to HCMC for 2 weeks at the start of the year.
HCMC - MUI NE - DALAT - HCMC

HCMC to MUI NE by bus?
how many hours? how many breaks in between? thanks

 

[finale1]

HCMC to MUI NE by bus?
how many hours? how many breaks in between? thanks

HCMC to MuiNe 10 hours.
Day bus more breaks. Night bus... at most 1 break

Ah sorry i read it as hanoi to muine! Hcmc to muine is 4-5 hours

 

[nanite]

HCMC to MUI NE by bus?
how many hours? how many breaks in between? thanks

I used the Phuong Trang Bus Company. Great sleeper buses, had 2 stops along the way. Departed in the morning and reached Mui Ne in the afternoon. It was around 4 to 5 hours NOT 10.
TBH I did not like Mui Ne alot. It was too touristy, Russians everywhere. Although I had a great full body massage there.

Much preferred Dalat. I did canyoning with Viet Challenge there, awesome experience.

 

[finale1]

I used the Phuong Trang Bus Company. Great sleeper buses, had 2 stops along the way. Departed in the morning and reached Mui Ne in the afternoon. It was around 4 to 5 hours NOT 10.
TBH I did not like Mui Ne alot. It was too touristy, Russians everywhere. Although I had a great full body massage there.

Much preferred Dalat. I did canyoning with Viet Challenge there, awesome experience.

Oh yah phuong trang is reputable. The orange bus. I heard Russians are all over Nha Trang, now they have conquered Mui Ne too?
The locals all escape to phu quoc island!

 

[beanstalk6]

The Russians have their vacations at this time of the year. You will encounter them in Vietnam, Cambodia and most prominently in Pattaya. This year there should be less of them everywhere, because of the rouble collapse.

 

[rayban]

Oh yah phuong trang is reputable. The orange bus. I heard Russians are all over Nha Trang, now they have conquered Mui Ne too?
The locals all escape to phu quoc island!

phu quoc island i heard it better than nha trang^^

 

[audiovideo]

I used the Phuong Trang Bus Company. Great sleeper buses, had 2 stops along the way. Departed in the morning and reached Mui Ne in the afternoon. It was around 4 to 5 hours NOT 10.
TBH I did not like Mui Ne alot. It was too touristy, Russians everywhere. Although I had a great full body massage there.

Much preferred Dalat. I did canyoning with Viet Challenge there, awesome experience.

thanks ..
just looking for a relax hideout not too far from hcm
no like vung tau rough sea and definitely not the locals swam over there

but if 4-5hrs, then got to revisit the idea of going Phnom Penh.

 

[idrinkecoke]

If i reach HCMC 8am in the morning, what can i do at this hour?

 

[audiovideo]

usually for tiger 7am flight, so far will reach HCM around 8am+ local time ....
if you take your own sweet time go toilet and the custom also take their own sweet time + the crowd... may reach exit by 8.45am? ... that's for me.

wah if you first time there with no guide ... donch know what to advice

but for me most likely I will get my "viet guide" to being me to district 5, the hcmc china town, our usual cantonese style eatery for very authentic dim sum . Then check in hotel lor. But so far most of my early morning flight is to catch the domestic flight to other city. Must agree is rather risky if tiger delay.

 

[audiovideo]

if wana get breakfast, there is burger king and KFC (?) outside the airport
then use their wifi .. and org your next move. The crew should be able to to speak a bit of english.

 

[idrinkecoke]

If i stay City center, can i cover these area in 5-6 hrs?

Central Post Office
Bitexco Financial Tower
Reunification Palace
Dong Khoi Street
Saigon Opera House
Notre Dame Cathedral
Ho Chi Minh Square
Ho Chi Minh City Museum
Saigon Square

Btw how to get to Binh Quoi Village

 

[idrinkecoke]

Anyway, which hotel is recommended in city center?

 

[finale1]

If i stay City center, can i cover these area in 5-6 hrs?

Central Post Office
Bitexco Financial Tower
Reunification Palace
Dong Khoi Street
Saigon Opera House
Notre Dame Cathedral
Ho Chi Minh Square
Ho Chi Minh City Museum
Saigon Square

Btw how to get to Binh Quoi Village

A bit ambitious with the super hot weather now in hcmc.
Think these places are within 2km square of one another.