Vietnam

[Baggio10]

you come out of pullman u see a saloon full with viet bu liao haha

lol more interested in sightseeing.

 

[qhong61]

lol more interested in sightseeing.

sightseeing of viet bu.

 

[rrr2015]

Caravelle Saigon seems to be better for first timer
shopping, attractions like notre dame cathedral, post office, reunification palace, bitexco etc

plenty of food options as well be it fine dining or street food

Hi Guys, planning a trip to HCM in April.

Shortlisted Caravelle Saigon and Pullman Saigon.

Caravelle looks old but heard the location is good
Pullman Saigon looks new, but not sure on the location.

Would like to seek your advice which is better?

first time there and will be alone. hence need a convenient place.

 

[rayban]

Caravelle Saigon seems to be better for first timer
shopping, attractions like notre dame cathedral, post office, reunification palace, bitexco etc

plenty of food options as well be it fine dining or street food

fine dining seem so wrong when you have not even try all the local food

 

[XiaoZen]

lol more interested in sightseeing.

ya.. the caravelle is better for sightseeing.. because near post office, cathedral etc..

need recommendation for business dinner?

 

[rayban]

ya.. the caravelle is better for sightseeing.. because near post office, cathedral etc..

need recommendation for business dinner?

Blackout is near there too

 

[dede1217]

Any nice place to eat near ben thanh market ?

vietnam unlike bangkok, no have eatigo, whereby can eat hotel buffet at half price ;(

 

[RyuShinEX]

lots of cafe for you to hop

 

[Bishio]

Any recommended cafes in d1?

 

[rayban]

Any nice place to eat near ben thanh market ?

vietnam unlike bangkok, no have eatigo, whereby can eat hotel buffet at half price ;(

use foody.vn for reviews

 

[bjornng]

Dear all,

I will be having my maiden business trip to HCM next week from 27th March to 1st April. I have a few questions that I would humbly like to seek all your advices from:

1) How much VND/USD should I change? Which is the more common currency payment there?
2) Where should I change VND?
3) Any sightseeings or food to recommend? I will be staying at Saigon Prince Hotel.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[dede1217]

Dear all,

I will be having my maiden business trip to HCM next week from 27th March to 1st April. I have a few questions that I would humbly like to seek all your advices from:

1) How much VND/USD should I change? Which is the more common currency payment there?
2) Where should I change VND?
3) Any sightseeings or food to recommend? I will be staying at Saigon Prince Hotel.

Thank you all in advance!

normally most stores would use vnd
unless u are going to pubs or high end cafe, they would charge in usd / vnd
You can change some in Singapore , the rates nt much difference
You are staying duxton hotel , abit old, however is of a more luxury hotel in hcm. You are staying at the riverside area.

If you want to go pasar malam at ben thanh market, you can cab about 3sgd to reach there one way.

 

[bjornng]

Hi bro,

Thank you for your response! Well noted with thanks! Any place to recommend in Singapore to change?

Is Ben Thanh market open everyday?

I've actually been to HCM once about 6 years back for backpacking.. Is Ben Thanh market the one located near the circular roundabout?

Oh yes one more thing I miss out, what about data sim?

 

[kitkat2]

Hi bro,

Thank you for your response! Well noted with thanks! Any place to recommend in Singapore to change?

see https://cashchanger.co/

 

[junny1]

1st time to vietnam

Hi all, going to vietnam first time 14apr - 17 apr, need advise...especially on wifi and how much money to exchange to go...

here the plan:
14 apr (fri) - arrival 11am check in Sheraton saigon tower hotel (fixed)
lunch @ ban xu restaurant (fixed)
afternoon - city sights (fixed) half day tour going to reunification hall, notre dame cathedral, central post office and war remnant museum
dinner - cyclo ride to dinner @ nam phan restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

15 apr (sat) - morning up till lunch will be in hotel (fixed)
afternoon - ?
dinner @ ly club restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

16 apr (sun) - breakfast in hotel
lunch - ?
afternoon - ?
dinner @ Stix restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

thanks!
17 Apr (Mon) - breakfast in hotel
lunch - ?
afternoon - departure at 4.15pm
afternoon - ?

 

[dede1217]

Hi bro,

Thank you for your response! Well noted with thanks! Any place to recommend in Singapore to change?

Is Ben Thanh market open everyday?

I've actually been to HCM once about 6 years back for backpacking.. Is Ben Thanh market the one located near the circular roundabout?

Oh yes one more thing I miss out, what about data sim?

For my trip last yr, I bought at airport, 5gb is about 6sgd.
if u need more, such as 20gb, i think is about 10+ sgd ...

Ben Thanh market should be opened daily.
Morning and nite is different ...

 

[blengend]

Planning to go Hanoi/Sapa/Ninh Binh in December,

Can anyone share whether there is any reason for us to book online in advance? (because of Availability, Discounts etc.)

Or reach there liao then go walk walk at the Old Quarter to see the tour agencies, or book through the hotel (From what I read, this option is cheaper than booking online?)

Thank you !

 

[finale1]

Planning to go Hanoi/Sapa/Ninh Binh in December,

Can anyone share whether there is any reason for us to book online in advance? (because of Availability, Discounts etc.)

Or reach there liao then go walk walk at the Old Quarter to see the tour agencies, or book through the hotel (From what I read, this option is cheaper than booking online?)

Thank you !

Book tours there much much cheaper than book online.

 

[junny1]

Hi all, going to vietnam first time 14apr - 17 apr, need advise...especially on wifi and how much money to exchange to go...

here the plan:
14 apr (fri) - arrival 11am check in Sheraton saigon tower hotel (fixed)
lunch @ ban xu restaurant (fixed)
afternoon - city sights (fixed) half day tour going to reunification hall, notre dame cathedral, central post office and war remnant museum
dinner - cyclo ride to dinner @ nam phan restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

15 apr (sat) - morning up till lunch will be in hotel (fixed)
afternoon - ?
dinner @ ly club restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

16 apr (sun) - breakfast in hotel
lunch - ?
afternoon - ?
dinner @ Stix restaurant (fixed)
night - ?

thanks!
17 Apr (Mon) - breakfast in hotel
lunch - ?
afternoon - departure at 4.15pm
afternoon - ?

Up this post pls help

 

[miraxx]

Feedback from my recent rip to HCM.

Stay in District 1 or walking dist from Saigon Sq or Ben thanh Mkt.

Taxis are cheap, uber and grab are even cheaper BUT the traffic is horrendous. You are better off walking to your destinations than cabbing. Dont take the motorbike taxi, I did once as the guy pestered me and it was a short distance but it is dangerous. I never felt the danger taking motorbikes in BKK.

You can Uber from the airport to avoid the taxi scams, or to get a premium/larger car.

Very possible to walk everywhere despite the lack of a sidewalk in some areas or the horrible motorbikes invading the pedestrian path.

The Golden Dragon puppet theatre is not free seating anymore if you are purchasing tickets directly from them. Check that you get good seats. This activity is highly recommended. My 2 yr old nephew was spellbound, so was I.

Ben thanh market is a horrible place to shop. We went to An Dong mkt in Chinatown. Get the same stuff at better prices and better attitudes. Saigon Sq is also better than Ben Thanh.

We went to do family friendly stuff like bowl at Diamond plaza rather than go on a whole day river cruise.

The Street Food market near BenThanh/Grand Silverland Hotel was good! Nice vibes and live music at the front. Relaxed crowd with some drunk aussies dancing.

We also spent a bit of time at the Hard Rock Cafe, which had quite a few promos going on. Band from Indonesia is a bit crappy but friendly. Staff very tolerant of my nephew banging away on their drum set.

Notre Dame and Post office etc, you can just walk to on your own. Really not nec to sign up for a half day tour.

Spa at our hotel was fine. Beats going to dodgy ones on the street.

Went to the backpackers area as well but not really worth it.

Wanted to do a cooking course but no time. But do check these out.

Got data sim at airport for 105 000 dong. Vinasun and Mailinh taxis were very professional.

All in all no issues but HCM is a boring place.