Vietnam

[sendtolee]

depends on which part of vietnam. vietnam is such a long country.

was in hanoi in august. very hot and humid. clear weather mostly until cumulus clouds buildup at around 4-5pm. then came the freak thunderstorm strong enough to fall trees and cut power lines. this cycle repeated everyday when i was there.

typhoons usually come to vietnam towards the end of season. during mid season such as month of august, typhoons usually appear in higher latitudes and hit taiwan and japan.

places in the central and central north such as danang and hue should be avoided after september. the north east monsoon starts and brings incessant rain to these places.

No guarantees that typhoon only visit certain months in Vietnam. Last year, Vietnam got hit with typhoon even in December.

 

[kitkat2]

No guarantees that typhoon only visit certain months in Vietnam. Last year, Vietnam got hit with typhoon even in December.

of course, there is no guarantee typhoon will hit you, unless you are super suay.

typhoons usually start in lower latitudes and move north in the heat of summer. taiwan and japan will bear the brunt of typhoons in august. as the northern latitudes cool down toward autumn, typhoons move back down to south china sea area. so, you are more likely to meet typhoons in vietnam in november and december.

when it comes to weather, who can guarantee right? we are talking about probability here.

 

[sumanth1234]

Anyone have experience driving motorbikes in Vietnam. I have my Indian driving license and a IDP. I believe IDP is not recognized in Vietnam.

I wanted to self drive from Saigon to Cu chi tunnels and back. If it is illegal to drive, I will take a guided tour with transportation. But I usually prefer to go on my own

 

[kitkat2]

Anyone have experience driving motorbikes in Vietnam. I have my Indian driving license and a IDP. I believe IDP is not recognized in Vietnam.

I wanted to self drive from Saigon to Cu chi tunnels and back. If it is illegal to drive, I will take a guided tour with transportation. But I usually prefer to go on my own

it is illegal but many people still ride motorbikes. illegal doesn't have a fixed meaning in vietnam. just don't get involve in an accident

 

[uRiZEn]

Hi guys virgin trip to vn. Going to hcm for 4 days and nha trang 4 days. Roughly how much you reckon should I change to dong?

 

[Desmond_]

Hi guys virgin trip to vn. Going to hcm for 4 days and nha trang 4 days. Roughly how much you reckon should I change to dong?

maybe SGD$800 to SGD$1000?

 

[saffronsatire]

Was quoted USD304 for 2 pax for half day tour to Halong Bay with private car return transfer inclusive, is that reasonable? Found this travel agency from TA and the reviews were good.

Enquired with another agency with good reviews too but they haven't replied yet.

Wanted to book from Klook but their transfer is via shared bus with pickup before 8am, they can't customize transfer via car.

 

[uRiZEn]

maybe SGD$800 to SGD$1000?

Thanks bro. Reckon shall change a little more just for in case.

 

[itsamistake]

Was quoted USD304 for 2 pax for half day tour to Halong Bay with private car return transfer inclusive, is that reasonable? Found this travel agency from TA and the reviews were good.

Enquired with another agency with good reviews too but they haven't replied yet.

Wanted to book from Klook but their transfer is via shared bus with pickup before 8am, they can't customize transfer via car.

Holy crap. That's super expensive to me. I booked by my hostel and the transfer was by mini van. 2d1n sleep on board a nice yacht. If I recall it was only 95 usd.

To be honest. If you go for day trip only. Better not go. The journey is already 1 or 2 hours plus one way. Board the transfer ship, if they bring you to the UNESCO caves. You will find that you are a sheep in a 100 plus flock just being shepard through a lighted cave.

If you have the time, better to land in Hanoi, and buy a next day departure one from old town.

 

[itsamistake]

Anyone have experience driving motorbikes in Vietnam. I have my Indian driving license and a IDP. I believe IDP is not recognized in Vietnam.

I wanted to self drive from Saigon to Cu chi tunnels and back. If it is illegal to drive, I will take a guided tour with transportation. But I usually prefer to go on my own

You can just rent a bike from any hostel in town. They usually ask for passport. Better to print a copy instead and use that in case they are scammers. I.e slapping you with a surprise penalty for some random scratches.

I don't advise driving in Saigon though. It's crowded, slightly dangerous and not scenic. Unless you are doing a seaside loop by Mui ne or Nha Trang then yes.

 

[saffronsatire]

Holy crap. That's super expensive to me. I booked by my hostel and the transfer was by mini van. 2d1n sleep on board a nice yacht. If I recall it was only 95 usd.

To be honest. If you go for day trip only. Better not go. The journey is already 1 or 2 hours plus one way. Board the transfer ship, if they bring you to the UNESCO caves. You will find that you are a sheep in a 100 plus flock just being shepard through a lighted cave.

If you have the time, better to land in Hanoi, and buy a next day departure one from old town.

So you think don't need to book in advance? Your minivan need to share with other ppl?

One way is 3 hrs plus.

Not that keen to do 2d1n with strangers leh and don't want to do those crap activities like cooking(??!!) also.

And prefer to depart not earlier than 8.30am too. Checked that mostly pickup 7+am.

 

[itsamistake]

So you think don't need to book in advance? Your minivan need to share with other ppl?

One way is 3 hrs plus.

Not that keen to do 2d1n with strangers leh and don't want to do those crap activities like cooking(??!!) also.

And prefer to depart not earlier than 8.30am too. Checked that mostly pickup 7+am.

There is a slight element of uncertainty that the next day could be fully booked la.

The ship I stayed has individual bedrooms for couples. If you travel alone then you may have to share if they are full. Dinner is prepared by ship's cook. And they cruise through the small atolls in the afternoon and have drinking parties at night. So you can check specific details when you look for deals.

Departure wise you really have no choice. Because halong bay can get seriously crowded if you arrive mid afternoon. Take it as you travel earlier so to skip the crazy crowd.

I have the unfortunate fortune of seeing a Vietnamese boy drop his pants and shat inside the heritage site because it was too crowded to get out and go to the toilet. Like WTFBBQ. and the parents just laugh and joke about it.

 

[itsamistake]

So you think don't need to book in advance? Your minivan need to share with other ppl?

One way is 3 hrs plus.

Not that keen to do 2d1n with strangers leh and don't want to do those crap activities like cooking(??!!) also.

And prefer to depart not earlier than 8.30am too. Checked that mostly pickup 7+am.

http://www.centralbackpackershostel.com/halong-hideaway-tour--2-day-1-night-.html

This is the one I took. The departure was 7.45 though. They have the Sapa hiking trip too. Now that I highly recommend! Especially if you can tahan 5,6 hours of hiking through very beautiful valley.

The hostel was quite cheap too. 5 usd a night. Include free breakfast and a one hour free beer at night.

 

[Henabi]

Hi guys virgin trip to vn. Going to hcm for 4 days and nha trang 4 days. Roughly how much you reckon should I change to dong?

Depends on what you wanna do and what kinda places you gonna have your meals...
Recommend to change more rather than less...
Currency exchange is difficult to find and hotels give shatty rates

Sent from Henabi virus using GAGT

 

[Henabi]

Private car vs mini van sure big difference in price

But then again it's up to individual preference and how you wish to enjoy the journey.

Vietnam is hitting 40 degrees this week. Possible 42.

For Private car you can have all kinds of requests like request for passenger seat aircon outlet. Or for more comfort... SUV...
A driver who can speak vn Chinese and English can be requested too

Sent from Henabi virus using GAGT

 

[saffronsatire]

There is a slight element of uncertainty that the next day could be fully booked la.

The ship I stayed has individual bedrooms for couples. If you travel alone then you may have to share if they are full. Dinner is prepared by ship's cook. And they cruise through the small atolls in the afternoon and have drinking parties at night. So you can check specific details when you look for deals.

Departure wise you really have no choice. Because halong bay can get seriously crowded if you arrive mid afternoon. Take it as you travel earlier so to skip the crazy crowd.

I have the unfortunate fortune of seeing a Vietnamese boy drop his pants and shat inside the heritage site because it was too crowded to get out and go to the toilet. Like WTFBBQ. and the parents just laugh and joke about it.

Reason for not choosing the 2D1N one is that not interested in some of the activities. Did ppl sit out on certain activities? Not interesting in the cooking demo too LOL.

the 2nd travel agency replied, it's cheaper at USD105 per pax for car, minvian transfer max 8 pax is USD89.

7.15 - 7.30 Pick up
09.45 board Cruise (2 hrs+ to reach Halong Bay??!!)
Itinerary is lunch, visiting Magical Sea Cave, kayaking, Swimming, Ba Hang floating houses, cooking demo, sunset party, tea break

OR

08.30: Pick up
Midway rest stop in Hai Duong City, arts and crafts center
12.15 board Cruise
Itinerary is lunch, Hoa Cuong, Ba Hang floating houses, kayaking, Thien Cung cave, cooking demo

http://www.centralbackpackershostel.com/halong-hideaway-tour--2-day-1-night-.html

This is the one I took. The departure was 7.45 though. They have the Sapa hiking trip too. Now that I highly recommend! Especially if you can tahan 5,6 hours of hiking through very beautiful valley.

The hostel was quite cheap too. 5 usd a night. Include free breakfast and a one hour free beer at night.

 

[saffronsatire]

Private car vs mini van sure big difference in price

But then again it's up to individual preference and how you wish to enjoy the journey.

Vietnam is hitting 40 degrees this week. Possible 42.

For Private car you can have all kinds of requests like request for passenger seat aircon outlet. Or for more comfort... SUV...
A driver who can speak vn Chinese and English can be requested too

Sent from Henabi virus using GAGT

Apparently, it's private boat at Halong Bay too. I replied to clarify. And the price includes english speaking tour guide and driver.

Also replied to clarify the exact activities as the itinerary just mentioned visiting caves. Probably will want to see the floating village though not interested in those cooking demos and swimming.

 

[Henabi]

Apparently, it's private boat at Halong Bay too. I replied to clarify. And the price includes english speaking tour guide and driver.

Also replied to clarify the exact activities as the itinerary just mentioned visiting caves. Probably will want to see the floating village though not interested in those cooking demos and swimming.

then I think the choice is clear for you

 

[saffronsatire]

then I think the choice is clear for you

hahaha, i'm also confirming with them when is the latest we can pay the deposit.

have to transfer via western union 30% deposit. apparently if you download WU app before going to singpost to pay, the charges are lower.

 

[Henabi]

WU.... they still exist.... hahaha!

that's interesting to know! Thanks!