Vietnam

[bigrockshow]

Anyone can share their itinerary? I'll be there for 6 days in HCMC. Thinking if we should move out to other areas for a day or two to see the rest of vietnam

 

[xtwis7]

500USD for 2 separate day trips for 2 pax, to Halong Bay and another to Hoa Lu.

Is it okay?

 

[ivanhoe]

Cheaper over there.

Thanks bro .

 

[ivanhoe]

I can't speak for Hanoi but in HCM, I booked the package there and there. Luckily I did not book online because when I was there, they said the particular package was no more available and ask me to top up for another package. So I decided to go to another travel agent.

Thanks pacetone, will be booking in Hanoi .

 

[danielkok]

Thanks pacetone, will be booking in Hanoi .

Hello, I'm going to Hanoi tomorrow and also planned to have a 2d1n cruise at Halong Bay. Same as you, I was deciding whether to book there or to book online. Eventually I decided to book online because although I am probably paying more, at least I am confirming the trip. I only have 3 days in Hanoi before going to Halong Bay. If I am going on a long trip, and my 2d1n is flexible, then I would be OK with booking in Hanoi.

 

[ivanhoe]

Hello, I'm going to Hanoi tomorrow and also planned to have a 2d1n cruise at Halong Bay. Same as you, I was deciding whether to book there or to book online. Eventually I decided to book online because although I am probably paying more, at least I am confirming the trip. I only have 3 days in Hanoi before going to Halong Bay. If I am going on a long trip, and my 2d1n is flexible, then I would be OK with booking in Hanoi.

Hi danielkok ,which online site you booked and flying there by which airline ? actually i intend to book with Fave ,5 days 4 nights plus Halong bay only $288 .

 

[danielkok]

Hi danielkok ,which online site you booked and flying there by which airline ? actually i intend to book with Fave ,5 days 4 nights plus Halong bay only $288 .

Hey Ivan,

I'm going there by SQ. Booked the 2d1n with the website halong bay tours dot com. Was reading tripadvisor that more often than not, it's cheaper to book via tour agencies (like halongbaytours) than directly from the cruise boat.

Fave, or Groupon, you gotta check out which boat they are gonna put you on. Read some reviews on the boat. I know it can be mind boggling, so many boats! See until faint.

Anyway, I ended up going on Paradise Elegance. USD 440 for two pax 2d1n. I figured doing the Halong Bay cruise is not the area to budget too much. There are some other mid range ones that are not too expensive. As for staying in Hanoi, lots of hotels that are within the SGD 50-100 range at the Old Quarters area. My accoms in Hanoi total cost also less than my 2d1n Halong Bay cruise haha. By the way, the shuttle service for Halong Bay tours only do pick-up and drop-off at Old Quarters hotels.

Just few other pointers that I picked up... Change money in Hanoi Airport. Seems like rates there are better than in Singapore. And change directly from SGD to Dong. Don't have to change to USD first.

Also, you can take Uber from airport to your hotel. There's apparently free WiFi at the airport which doesn't need password/SMS/etc. So just log on, request Uber, then you're on your way.

 

[ivanhoe]

danielkok, thanks for the informs and wish you have a wonderful trip ,cheers !

 

[danielkok]

danielkok, thanks for the informs and wish you have a wonderful trip ,cheers !

No problem! Glad to help. You have a good trip too!

 

[dleodleo]

Hello, I'm going to Hanoi tomorrow and also planned to have a 2d1n cruise at Halong Bay. Same as you, I was deciding whether to book there or to book online. Eventually I decided to book online because although I am probably paying more, at least I am confirming the trip. I only have 3 days in Hanoi before going to Halong Bay. If I am going on a long trip, and my 2d1n is flexible, then I would be OK with booking in Hanoi.

I booked my Hanoi Bay from the hotel which I stay at USD85 per pax and children below 9 is half price I think for 2D1N Halong Bay cruise. I saw the price featured in the cruise website is USD90 or USD95 per pax. These were 3 years ago.

 

[dleodleo]

Think they never really broadcast unless it's a major accident.

OIC. Anyway he passed away in that accident in HCM. Thank you.

Those who wants to ride motorcycles in Vietnam. Please ride safely. If possible, dun ride cos their traffic conditions and ours are different.

 

[danielkok]

FYI, I saw the money changer at Junction 8 giving VND 16,550 for SGD 1. Here at Hanoi Airport is VND 16,581.

Negligible...

 

[Delsamor]

Hi, I'm going to Saigon soon and hope someone can answer my questions:

1) In saigon do I use Dongs or USD for purchases? If Dongs, change in sg or at hcm airport?

2) For grab and uber app, can use back sg version or need to download vietnam version?

3) Those motortaxi got scam like taxi?

4) Sim card buy at airport safe? Tripadvisor forum got many people got scammed.

5) Btw there are 2 Ben Thanh market? My friend got brought to the other one when he wanted to go to the one at Le Lai street...

hwz should have a forum section for vietnam....can't find the answer to my questions using search function.

 

[grapewall]

You're in the right place to ask. In fact, many others have asked these questions. No problems, we're here to help.

1) In saigon do I use Dongs or USD for purchases? If Dongs, change in sg or at hcm airport?
--> use dongs. Change in hcm/ saigon. Change a bit at saigon airport, and change more if you're in Ben Thanh. There are stories that airport money changers short changed tourists, so count your dongs properly. I usually change in gold shops.

2) For grab and uber app, can use back sg version or need to download vietnam version?
--> you can use Sg version, but you need to update your number to a vietnamese number. Why? Because when you made a booking, the grab drivers or bikers will call you to confirm. Oh ya, they usually cant speak English.

3) Those motortaxi got scam like taxi?
--> if you stick to grab, you should be pretty safe. Those independent ones will quote you a high price.

4) Sim card buy at airport safe? Tripadvisor forum got many people got scammed.
--> airport only 1 stall is recommended. The very last one on your left when you exit immigration.

5) Btw there are 2 Ben Thanh market? My friend got brought to the other one when he wanted to go to the one at Le Lai street...

--> not heard of 2 Ben Thanh. if you say D1 Ben Thanh, it should be safe to assume it's the tourist one.

 

[Delsamor]

You're in the right place to ask. In fact, many others have asked these questions. No problems, we're here to help.

1) In saigon do I use Dongs or USD for purchases? If Dongs, change in sg or at hcm airport?
--> use dongs. Change in hcm/ saigon. Change a bit at saigon airport, and change more if you're in Ben Thanh. There are stories that airport money changers short changed tourists, so count your dongs properly. I usually change in gold shops.

2) For grab and uber app, can use back sg version or need to download vietnam version?
--> you can use Sg version, but you need to update your number to a vietnamese number. Why? Because when you made a booking, the grab drivers or bikers will call you to confirm. Oh ya, they usually cant speak English.

3) Those motortaxi got scam like taxi?
--> if you stick to grab, you should be pretty safe. Those independent ones will quote you a high price.

4) Sim card buy at airport safe? Tripadvisor forum got many people got scammed.
--> airport only 1 stall is recommended. The very last one on your left when you exit immigration.

5) Btw there are 2 Ben Thanh market? My friend got brought to the other one when he wanted to go to the one at Le Lai street...

--> not heard of 2 Ben Thanh. if you say D1 Ben Thanh, it should be safe to assume it's the tourist one.

Thanks bro, much appreciated. This thread is like a huge database of unorganized info about everything in VN, even reading 10 pages back and using search function yield nothing. Cam On Very much!

 

[grapewall]

Thanks bro, much appreciated. This thread is like a huge database of unorganized info about everything in VN, even reading 10 pages back and using search function yield nothing. Cam On Very much!

Do share your adventures when you're back!

 

[sendtolee]

Hi, I'm going to Saigon soon and hope someone can answer my questions:

1) In saigon do I use Dongs or USD for purchases? If Dongs, change in sg or at hcm airport?

2) For grab and uber app, can use back sg version or need to download vietnam version?

3) Those motortaxi got scam like taxi?

4) Sim card buy at airport safe? Tripadvisor forum got many people got scammed.

5) Btw there are 2 Ben Thanh market? My friend got brought to the other one when he wanted to go to the one at Le Lai street...

hwz should have a forum section for vietnam....can't find the answer to my questions using search function.

Only 1 Ben Thanh market. The other is called Bing Tay market, closed for upgrading and is in Chinatown.

 

[grapewall]

Only 1 Ben Thanh market. The other is called Bing Tay market, closed for upgrading and is in Chinatown.

If we're talking about the same market, well, it's also call Cho Lon. It's in chinatown, and parts of it is closed for upgrading. But then, it's not closed for operations. The stalls are shifted to huge shelters in front to continue their business. The temporary shelters are quite congested and stuffy.

 

[insideout]

Hello! Does anyone know whether hanoi and Halong Bay are affected by the recent typhoons and floods? Worried as going end November with my wife.

 

[Delsamor]

Only 1 Ben Thanh market. The other is called Bing Tay market, closed for upgrading and is in Chinatown.

If we're talking about the same market, well, it's also call Cho Lon. It's in chinatown, and parts of it is closed for upgrading. But then, it's not closed for operations. The stalls are shifted to huge shelters in front to continue their business. The temporary shelters are quite congested and stuffy.

That means my friend got scammed outright...can born another Ben Thanh market out of nothing

I wanted to book a 2days Mekong Delta tour, but I will be arriving my hotel at approx. 5pm...is it too late to book for next day?