Vietnam

[Toons]

Can change in sin bah...

Now around 17.020 to 17.100

Usually I will change 500 in Singapore and the rest with either of the two shops in Ben Thanh market

See which one give me higher rate

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So which one gives better rate? SG or Ben Thanh? Or it is abt the same, sometime SG higher, sometimes ben thanh higher?

 

[Henabi]

Generally higher a bit thAn Sin

If Sin give 17.000, they will give like 17.050 or 17.080

If Sin give 16.900, they will give 17.010

I have changed so many times with them, only a few times they gave lesser than Sin

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[Toons]

Generally higher a bit thAn Sin

If Sin give 17.000, they will give like 17.050 or 17.080

If Sin give 16.900, they will give 17.010

I have changed so many times with them, only a few times they gave lesser than Sin

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TYVM. Cos i will be going to ben thanh market right after checking in the hotel, so if the rate is abt the same or even higher, then might as well just change there.
From airport to hotel can just use grab, so no need to change any VND in SG

 

[Henabi]

TYVM. Cos i will be going to ben thanh market right after checking in the hotel, so if the rate is abt the same or even higher, then might as well just change there.
From airport to hotel can just use grab, so no need to change any VND in SG

for me.... sometimes I will just change like 50 to 100 in SIN then the rest I change there

 

[Toons]

for me.... sometimes I will just change like 50 to 100 in SIN then the rest I change there

Any idea abt the credit card exchange rates? Confirm credit card exchange is louiser, but how much lousier? Coz i have a card which gives 5% cashback for foreign spend. So wondering if the 5% cashback can cover for the louiser rate.

 

[marksoymilksg]

sorry - i have random question. Can anyone recommend when is the best time of year to visit vietnam? not too hot one. Thanks

 

[grapewall]

Not all hotels rent bikes. You need to check first.

So far in hcmc, I only know Cong Hoa minh tam hotel rent out bikes because they have a sizeable bike carpark at the back of the hotel.

Not all hotels rent. That's common sense. Big, major hotels don't rent. Only those family operated guest houses where the owners are always around, they might rent to you if they're comfortable with you. My hotel at Pham Van Hai, which is near Cong Hoa, lends me their spare bike without any charges.

Seldom heard of foreigners staying in Tan Binh district. You got girl friends there?

 

[grapewall]

sorry - i have random question. Can anyone recommend when is the best time of year to visit vietnam? not too hot one. Thanks

If HCM, all round year is hot. Only September to Oct is rainy season. I will avoid going there during these 2 months. It's very difficult to go anywhere because the rain is very heavy, and no covered walkways around. Worse, flood everywhere because their drainage system is bad.

 

[grapewall]

Any idea abt the credit card exchange rates? Confirm credit card exchange is louiser, but how much lousier? Coz i have a card which gives 5% cashback for foreign spend. So wondering if the 5% cashback can cover for the louiser rate.

Do note that the atm is very conservative. You can only withdraw a few millions dongs each time. Some banks 3 mil, some allow 8 mil. 8 mil is like $450 only. They your came charge you credit card charges and low rates.
You might as well change at the airport. But don't change too much. And count your notes carefully.
Then you can go to any gold shops or the 2 famous shops in Ben Thanh to change and make yourself a millionaire.

 

[sunsetbay]

Just to check, is it common practice for them to photocopy or take photos of the passports~?
On the way to halong bay, the guide in the mini bus took everyone passports and took a snap shot with his phone~ asked him why, he then mumble dunno said need to send to office or somewhere~

over at halong bay port, the tour guide also took our passports but returned back shortly said only need my son passport for photocopy~

 

[saffronsatire]

Just to check, is it common practice for them to photocopy or take photos of the passports~?
On the way to halong bay, the guide in the mini bus took everyone passports and took a snap shot with his phone~ asked him why, he then mumble dunno said need to send to office or somewhere~

over at halong bay port, the tour guide also took our passports but returned back shortly said only need my son passport for photocopy~

I know they need passport no. to provide to the authorities or something. But in case, we wrote on the paper the tour guide provided.

 

[Henabi]

Any idea abt the credit card exchange rates? Confirm credit card exchange is louiser, but how much lousier? Coz i have a card which gives 5% cashback for foreign spend. So wondering if the 5% cashback can cover for the louiser rate.

1% visa or MasterCard fee
1% DCC
Left 2-3%

Not worth it lah

Unless you have a credit card which waives the above fees for Vietnam

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[Henabi]

Not all hotels rent. That's common sense. Big, major hotels don't rent. Only those family operated guest houses where the owners are always around, they might rent to you if they're comfortable with you. My hotel at Pham Van Hai, which is near Cong Hoa, lends me their spare bike without any charges.

Seldom heard of foreigners staying in Tan Binh district. You got girl friends there?

I only stay there if I am visiting my clients around that area or phu nhuan

If I stay in D1 but my client offices are there.. The daytime traffic within HCMC is crazy.

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[popdod]

8 days in Ho chin ming is it too many?
as i wanna concentrate either south or north vietnam.

 

[Henabi]

8 days in Ho chin ming is it too many?
as i wanna concentrate either south or north vietnam.

depends on what you wanna do...

if you wanna slowly explore the city on your own, its ok.

otherwise. you can consider to travel to other south vietnam cities, like Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, My Tho, Can Tho.... each spending one night

and then finally spend like 3 days in HCMC, with city tours.

 

[beanstalk6]

8 days in Ho chin ming is it too many?
as i wanna concentrate either south or north vietnam.

You can take your time with the city sights and check out the coffee culture.
You can have the following excursions spaced out:
1) Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple 1 day
2) Mekong Delta and floating market 2 days

Vung Tau and Nha Trang are also worthwhile.

 

[grapewall]

Just to check, is it common practice for them to photocopy or take photos of the passports~?
On the way to halong bay, the guide in the mini bus took everyone passports and took a snap shot with his phone~ asked him why, he then mumble dunno said need to send to office or somewhere~

over at halong bay port, the tour guide also took our passports but returned back shortly said only need my son passport for photocopy~

It's quite normal. Like any other communist country, vietnam is wary of foreigners. Hence, hotels need to provide photocopies of guests passports to the police, and produce originals for verifications. If you stay in a local's house, you need to report to the police station.

 

[popdod]

depends on what you wanna do...

if you wanna slowly explore the city on your own, its ok.

otherwise. you can consider to travel to other south vietnam cities, like Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, My Tho, Can Tho.... each spending one night

and then finally spend like 3 days in HCMC, with city tours.

Thanks for the details. \o/ \o/
Just thought wanna focus on one area and not too rush.

 

[popdod]

You can take your time with the city sights and check out the coffee culture.
You can have the following excursions spaced out:
1) Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple 1 day
2) Mekong Delta and floating market 2 days

Vung Tau and Nha Trang are also worthwhile.

Thanks for the recommendations.
Will do some googling on the last 2 areas. \o/ \o/

 

[kurtgoh]

may i ask,
for klook tour, should i do it now or when i reach HCMC?

first time using this klook..

anyone can advise on this?