Vietnam

[Sherra]

What to buy as souvenirs in Vietnam and cheaper than Singapore because they are Made in Vietnam? And even cheaper than China?

1. Coffee
2. nuts , e,g cashew nuts, almond nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts etc
3. silk and silk ties
4. anything that is labour intensive to make or customised for you ie tailoring due to lower salaries. High end dresses. High end hand welted shoes.
5. Oil Paintings ( those rice fields type or family portrait)
6. pottery and ceramics( especially in Hoi An)
7. Dried seafood ( Vietnam is exporter of seafood)
8. fish sauce and condiments
9. harddisks and memory cards ( Samsung manufacture in Vietnam)
10. Farmed pearls

Lastly, not a souvenir, but medicine at pharmacy is cheap and good. Imported Pharmaceuticals goods are not taxed highly and if you ever get a cold in Vietnam, you can buy 3 days worth of sore throat, fever, runny nose, cough medicine for about $10. Ie, you buy how many tablets you need. Our pharmacist salary $6000 a month, their pharmacist salary $600 a month. Recommended to stock up for common illnesses.

What are some vietnamese handwelted shoe brands to look out for?
I only know of this brand fugashin,
Any others to share?

 

[Henabi]

Going to hanoi in 2 weeks time.

Is it easy to change money there? Don't want to carry too much vnd around so if money changers are readily
available, will change there on a need to basis.

Not really. It will be good to change more vnd

i usually change around 500$ t0 1K$ of vnd,

 

[paladin]

What are some vietnamese handwelted shoe brands to look out for?
I only know of this brand fugashin,
Any others to share?

CNES

 

[furryballs]

Guys I am going Da Lat end of this month. Are there goldsmith shops there as readily available as they are in HCMC, to change VND?
If not easy to change money at Dalat I will just change at HCMC airport during transit, or even in Singapore.

I will change around $1k of SGD. I don’t think using ATM card is good because of the low withdrawal limits and the ATM fees (meaning I will incur the per-use ATM fees many times). Maybe at most keep it as last option in case run out of cash.

 

[Singapore Property Hunter]

Anyone know any boutique homeware stores in Ho Chih Ming D1 and surrounding areas where I can look for unique art deco items for display at home? Appreciate it if can share the address!

 

[keithchan]

Hi guys, mind sharing which sim you use.
Going to Hanoi for 5D, thinking if I shld just buy viettel from lazada?

 

[kopi4ever]

Hello, anyone know the exchange rate in HCMC right now at those jewellery shops?

 

[rrr2015]

Hi guys, mind sharing which sim you use.
Going to Hanoi for 5D, thinking if I shld just buy viettel from lazada?

if arrive late maybe better get from lazada otherwise just get sim in noi bai airport. they will install & setup, pretty fuss free.

 

[paladin]

Hi guys, mind sharing which sim you use.
Going to Hanoi for 5D, thinking if I shld just buy viettel from lazada?

Viettel is good, Lazada or Klook or any site doesn't matter as long as setup for you at the airport. The staff need to key in a code and activate for you, it's not install and can work already. Usually I had to wait 3-5mins for the confirmation activation.

 

[paladin]

Anyone know any boutique homeware stores in Ho Chih Ming D1 and surrounding areas where I can look for unique art deco items for display at home? Appreciate it if can share the address!

Bui Vien has art galleries
Minh Anh Art Gallery - Handmade Oil Paintings - Custom Paintings
+84 96 272 04 84

Art Gallery Sunshine

You can pass family photo to commission painting, confirm unique

 

[keithchan]

Hi guys, mind sharing which sim you use.
Going to Hanoi for 5D, thinking if I shld just buy viettel from lazada?

Shall do so then. Thanks

 

[keithchan]

Viettel is good, Lazada or Klook or any site doesn't matter as long as setup for you at the airport. The staff need to key in a code and activate for you, it's not install and can work already. Usually I had to wait 3-5mins for the confirmation activation.

Thanks for the heads up, will do so at airport instead then.

 

[Henabi]

Anyone know any boutique homeware stores in Ho Chih Ming D1 and surrounding areas where I can look for unique art deco items for display at home? Appreciate it if can share the address!

I only know book street

 

[Henabi]

if arrive late maybe better get from lazada otherwise just get sim in noi bai airport. they will install & setup, pretty fuss free.

Sim card I always recommend Viettel as its besT coverage in vietnam and most reliable.
PS: Viettel is like the singtel in vietnam.

if you only stay within the city and you need massive data, go with vinaphone.
Imo vinaphone always best known for big data package and high data speed within city

 

[Henabi]

Hello, anyone know the exchange rate in HCMC right now at those jewellery shops?

The rate changes daily. Now say also no use

 

[mercury95sg]

Any hotel recommendation in Sapa?

 

[cryn79]

Hi all,
I am planning to go to HCM ( solo trip) on the 1st week of Mar.
My friend have recommend the below cities which is near HCM.
Can I pls seek further recommendation, on which of the below city is worthwhile to go for the 1st time.
Hope to spend just 2 days at the city, for sightseeing and return back to HCM for friend visiting.
Cities: Phan Thiet, Lagi, Ninh Thuan, Vung Tau, Can Tho

 

[beanstalk6]

Hi all,
I am planning to go to HCM ( solo trip) on the 1st week of Mar.
My friend have recommend the below cities which is near HCM.
Can I pls seek further recommendation, on which of the below city is worthwhile to go for the 1st time.
Hope to spend just 2 days at the city, for sightseeing and return back to HCM for friend visiting.
Cities: Phan Thiet, Lagi, Ninh Thuan, Vung Tau, Can Tho

Not been to all of them. Tough call. Intrigued why Dalat is not in the list. The delta is interesting and you can take a boat ride.

 

[Dead Pirate Roberts]

Go vung tau if u wanna see the sea.
If not nothing much already

 

[rrr2015]

Hi all,
I am planning to go to HCM ( solo trip) on the 1st week of Mar.
My friend have recommend the below cities which is near HCM.
Can I pls seek further recommendation, on which of the below city is worthwhile to go for the 1st time.
Hope to spend just 2 days at the city, for sightseeing and return back to HCM for friend visiting.
Cities: Phan Thiet, Lagi, Ninh Thuan, Vung Tau, Can Tho

only heard of vung tau & mui ne (near phan thiet, lagi) but never been to all. once considering vung tau since just need to take hydrofoil, in the end decide to laze around HCM. i think vung tau suits 1st timer since convenient transport (via hydrofoil)

mui ne if u like sea, surfing, sand dunes