Vietnam

[beanstalk6]

Not from klook?

???
I recommend the train. What about Klook?

 

[flowerpalms]

???
I recommend the train. What about Klook?

Klook got dunno what sleeper train, sleeper bus

 

[bberry]

Hi Thanks, is grab, popular and able to get easily over there?

Yes, Grab is available

 

[bberry]

Klook got dunno what sleeper train, sleeper bus

sleeper train = got bed on train
sleeper bus = got bed on bus

 

[flowerpalms]

sleeper train = got bed on train
sleeper bus = got bed on bus

Do you recommend the same train as above?

 

[bberry]

Do you recommend the same train as above?

i believe there are a handful of train operators from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
http://vietnam-railway.com/train/route/train-from-hanoi-to-sapa

anyway if you prefer thru klook, then buy from klook.

i didnt take the train, i had a private car

 

[flowerpalms]

i believe there are a handful of train operators from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
http://vietnam-railway.com/train/route/train-from-hanoi-to-sapa

anyway if you prefer thru klook, then buy from klook.

i didnt take the train, i had a private car

If I go will be solo so just trying to find the most recommend , convenient mode

 

[bberry]

If I go will be solo so just trying to find the most recommend , convenient mode

since solo, jus choose one that meets your requirement (be it budget, atas-ness, experience, etc)
sure meet many angmo on the train, can find companion.

 

[flowerpalms]

since solo, jus choose one that meets your requirement (be it budget, atas-ness, experience, etc)
sure meet many angmo on the train, can find companion.

How abt the timing like? Like have to take train from Hanoi, is it better overnight or day ride ?

 

[bberry]

How abt the timing like? Like have to take train from Hanoi, is it better overnight or day ride ?

By taking the night train/bus, u reach Sapa in the morning, then can go straightaway go kai Kai liao

 

[flowerpalms]

By taking the night train/bus, u reach Sapa in the morning, then can go straightaway go kai Kai liao

Ya but if not planning to spend time in Hanoi, then the flight to Vietnam and the train time have to fit

 

[Wanderer123]

If I go will be solo so just trying to find the most recommend , convenient mode

Take the sleeper bus, its direct, chose those with cabins so u get to close curtains to zzz, choose lower cabin so tat u can go toilet ezly. Some better buses have toilet at the rear.

 

[bberry]

Ya but if not planning to spend time in Hanoi, then the flight to Vietnam and the train time have to fit

u can always hang around in hanoi before yr train boarding time. to eat Bun cha, pho, bahn mi, pizza 4Ps, etc and drink some coffee

 

[flowerpalms]

Means need to extend more days to cover the time in Hanoi to and Fro

 

[Wanderer123]

u can always hang around in hanoi before yr train boarding time. to eat Bun cha, pho, bahn mi, pizza 4Ps, etc and drink some coffee

Bun dau mam tom & egg coffee is a must in hanoi, banh xeo for afternoon tea, bac xiu at cong caphe I miss vietnam already, will be back very soon!

 

[bberry]

Bun dau mam tom & egg coffee is a must in hanoi, banh xeo for afternoon tea, bac xiu at cong caphe I miss vietnam already, will be back very soon!

next week i'll be in hcmc liao

Means need to extend more days to cover the time in Hanoi to and Fro

u can choose to reach Hanoi in the morning or noon time, take the sleeper train departing after 8pm. U can have half day in hanoi to kai kai.
likewise when coming back, can choose a late flight.

 

[luckygal]

Why can’t Vietnam have its own sub folders. Even a non country like Hong Kong has. Vietnam is a solid country with many places too. Why can’t it have one? Why so biased. The joke is even Hong Kong has one. Isn’t HKG part of China?

 

[finale1]

just got back from HCMC, here are some things which may be useful.

Airport
[Immigration]
I landed on Sunday, approx 11am Vietnam time. The crowd was crazy. I was lucky that the officers on duty diverted us to another area where there was almost no queue and it took me around 20mins to clear immigration. Based on the crowd, I estimate that it would have taken me >1.5hours if it wasn't for the diversion.

Returning to SG on a Thursday evening (1940), I arrived at airport with just 1hour-ish away from boarding time. Traffic back to airport was slow with lots of motorcycles clusterf**king the road. No rush from checking in at counter to immigration clearance to boarding, ended up having to wait approx another 15-20mins from the stipulated boarding time.

Tourist SIM
average from 200k VND to 370k VND, personally I took the 350k VND (Viettel) from a random booth at the airport. In hindsight, I would recommend you to pre-purchase via Klook and pickup at airport, hassle free and cheaper.

Transport
[Grab]
I didn't use any cash as most of the drivers will just say they don't have change. I just top up my Revolut and charge my Grab rides to it. Do pay attention that vehicle number display on Grab app matches your vehicle before you board, especially at airport as some touts will either pretend to be your driver or coerce you to take their vehicle instead.

Weather
Exactly the same as Singapore, hot and humid.

Traffic
What you see on YT videos are realistic, cars/motorcycles do not care about pedestrain crossing and will continue to move along regardless of traffic light. Try to cross with others, and move in a steady speed (i.e. no sprinting, sudden brake, U-turn) and almost all drivers will move to avoid you.

Cash/Credit/Debit
It really depends on your itinerary. If you are mostly on visiting restaurants/bars/clubs, credit/debit cards are not an issue. If you intend to patronize the roadside stalls, then cash is king. I changed my VND in SG and was only given 500k (S$26.50) notes, and I just get change by buying small items (e.g. mineral water, sweet) from convenience stall.

I withdrew from VPBank using both my YouTrip and Revolut, no fees charged by VPBank and max I withdrew was 10M VND in 1 transaction (2% charge by YouTrip/Revolut on amount exceeding the free limit).

For Sim Card, can get Vietnam Mobile along the Malay street outside Benh Thanh. Its only 100k VND
Each time go back Vietnam just top up 20k VND for 3 days use.

 

[finale1]

Hi. Thanks for the insightful details. May I check if 1 GB of data from SIMBA is enough for a 3D2N trip? Also, do you have any experience claiming tax refunds? An acquaintance told me to reach the airport 3.5 hours before flight time is enough to make all these claims.

Btw, is the rate of withdrawal from YouTrip/Revolut comparable to what we can get if we choose to exchange in SG? The rate now is roughly at VND18700:SGD$1.

Thank you.

There is no tax refund in Vietnam. Most of the retail stores do not participate in their tax refund program.

And the tax refund counter is on AIRSIDE

 

[finale1]

is changing dong HCM a better rate than in SGD?

I find it quite strange that google rate is 18450 while local money exchange can do 18900.

Why huh?

Yes change Dong in Ho Chi Minh and not in SG.

There is a moneychanger inside Benh Thanh. They have the best rates for SGD everyday. Better than HA TAM goldshop outisde Benh Thanh. Most tourists dont know this.