Vietnam

[limchooc]

Hi experts,

It's my first time travelling to Vietnam on a free-and-easy trip. I've generated the following using chatgpt.

Day 1 (December 5): Arrival in Hanoi

• Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
• Estimated travel time: Arrival at the airport.
• Check into your hotel and rest after your journey.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your hotel's location.
• Explore the local area, perhaps visit the Old Quarter.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your exploration.
• Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dinner.

Day 2 (December 6): Hanoi

• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the locations you visit.
• Explore Hanoi's museums and street food stalls.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your exploration.
• Attend a traditional water puppet show in the evening.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the show's location.

Day 3 (December 7): Halong Bay

• Take a day trip to Halong Bay by joining an organized tour.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 3-4 hours to reach Halong Bay.
• Enjoy a cruise on the bay, visit caves, and kayak.
• Estimated travel time: Activities throughout the day.
• Return to Hanoi in the evening.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 3-4 hours back to Hanoi.

Day 4 (December 8): Ninh Binh

• Take a morning train or bus to Ninh Binh.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 2-3 hours to reach Ninh Binh.
• Explore the Trang An Grottoes by boat and visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda.
• Estimated travel time: Activities throughout the day.
• Stay overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 5 (December 9): Ninh Binh - Hue

• Take a morning train or bus to Hue.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 12-14 hours by train or 9-10 hours by bus.
• Visit the Imperial City, the royal tombs, and the Thien Mu Pagoda.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the locations you visit.
• Stay overnight in Hue.

Day 6 (December 10): Hue - Danang

• Take a morning train or bus to Danang.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 3-4 hours to reach Danang.
• Visit Ba Na Hills, a hill station known for its beautiful gardens, amusement park, and Golden Bridge.
• Estimated travel time: Activities throughout the day.
• Return to Danang in the evening.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 1-2 hours back to Danang.

Day 7 (December 11): Danang - Hoi An

• Spend the day exploring Danang's attractions, markets, and local cuisine.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your exploration.
• In the evening, visit the Dragon Bridge to enjoy the fire-breathing show.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the show's location.
• Take a morning bus or train to Hoi An the next day.

Day 8 (December 12): Hoi An

• Explore the ancient streets of Hoi An.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your exploration.
• Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and enjoy the local cuisine.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the locations you visit.
• Relax or shop for souvenirs in the charming town.

Day 9 (December 13): Danang - Ho Chi Minh City

• Take a flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City.
• Estimated travel time: Flight duration.
• Explore the city's landmarks like the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the locations you visit.
• Enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife.

Day 10 (December 14): Cu Chi Tunnels

• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels by joining an organized tour.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 1-2 hours to reach the tunnels.
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.
• Estimated travel time: Approx. 1-2 hours back to the city.

Day 11 (December 15): Mekong Delta

• Take a day trip to the Mekong Delta by joining an organized tour.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the tour and locations you visit.
• Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on the tour and locations visited.

Day 12 (December 16): Ho Chi Minh City

• Spend your last full day in Vietnam exploring Ho Chi Minh City's shopping areas and markets.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your shopping and exploration.
• Buy souvenirs and gifts.
• Estimated travel time: Shopping and exploration time.
• Enjoy a farewell dinner in the city.

Day 13 (December 17): Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

• Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation.
• Estimated travel time: Varies based on your activities.
• Depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your flight back to Singapore.

Any advice on the itinerary?

Also, is it safe in Vietnam? I'm travelling alone. Read that there could be petty crimes such as snatching of phones/belongings etc.

Thank you in advance!

Two weeks to cover the entire Vietnam ?

Why not split into three trips - South, Central and North Vietnam (this is how this forum should be arranged too). This way will be more relax and not just touch and go. You still can use chatbot to find out the itinerary for each trip.

If die die also want to cover the whole Vietnam in one go than IMO it need about a month. This is how those western people do in many YouTube travel log.

 

[Jeremy1]

Moi going to Da Nang n walked all over the attractions

 

[Jeremy1]

Thinking of traveling to Central Vietnam this month.

Is Nov a good month to travel there ?

Google like a number of rainy days, not advisable to.

Thanks

 

[paladin]

Thinking of traveling to Central Vietnam this month.

Is Nov a good month to travel there ?

Google like a number of rainy days, not advisable to.

Thanks

Avoid. typhoon season. November good to visit northern Vietnam

 

[matrix05]

Thinking of traveling to Central Vietnam this month.

Is Nov a good month to travel there ?

Google like a number of rainy days, not advisable to.

Thanks

Central, Nov. Got to be careful, can have serious flooding, have an escape plan to go north or south if flooding occurs.

Skip the water puppets show, creepy.

How much/ guide price for 60min spa and 60m massage in Vn

 

[Jeremy1]

Central, Nov. Got to be careful, can have serious flooding, have an escape plan to go north or south if flooding occurs.

Skip the water puppets show, creepy.

How much/ guide price for 60min spa and 60m massage in Vn

Hanoi > Halong Bay > Sa Pa..............

 

[paladin]

Technically for me, November is the last comfortable month to go Sapa. Dec to Feb is too cold to go up Mount Fansipan and maybe even Sapa itself. I cannot remember whether my hotel didn’t have heater or I didn’t switch it on because it was faulty, but it was terribly cold and windy when it rained at night when I last visited in late November. I didn’t even want to shower because it was so cold. This is the type of moist air windy cold like in Genting

 

[kcatissue]

Trust atm card

Tpbank no fee, max 5million dong per transaction
Scb (saigon bank) no fee

The rest of bank all got fee

Easy to find these 2 atms in hcm airport?

 

[limchooc]

Change some Vietnam Dong at Raffle Place yesterday for my up coming Vietnam trip.
Exchange rate: S$1 = VND18000

 

[finale1]

Change some Vietnam Dong at Raffle Place yesterday for my up coming Vietnam trip.
Exchange rate: S$1 = VND18000

you probably can get 1 = 18030 in Benh Thanh market inside that only 1 money changer.

 

[kiryu86]

Technically for me, November is the last comfortable month to go Sapa. Dec to Feb is too cold to go up Mount Fansipan and maybe even Sapa itself. I cannot remember whether my hotel didn’t have heater or I didn’t switch it on because it was faulty, but it was terribly cold and windy when it rained at night when I last visited in late November. I didn’t even want to shower because it was so cold. This is the type of moist air windy cold like in Genting

not so bad la bro

i went up in jan with a bunch of sacredy cold weakling friends, all of them in the end enjoy it thoroughly and say wan to go back again in winter., dun mind the 6 hrs bus ride up

they are the type, even in SG shopping mall also can wear jacket one.

but in sapa, they enjoy the 0C night temp, and day time around 10C. it is actually very comfortable

for me i like cold so it is not cold enough for me, i like -10C type like in hokkaido.

in sapa, i only wear one tshirt with a down jacket, thats all. afternoon still need take off my jacket, cause to me anything 10C and above is no jacket needed.

 

[yangken]

Hi all,

Request for some advises please.

I am going to take domestic flight from Da Nang to Saigon. How long does it require to clear the imigration once we land? Would 1.5 hours be sufficient enough? Asking this because I want to arrange airport transfer and they only allow 1 hour waiting.

If I want to book Grab to pick me up at the airport, should I book 1 day in advance? Or just on the day itself?

Thank you.

 

[paladin]

Hi all,

Request for some advises please.

I am going to take domestic flight from Da Nang to Saigon. How long does it require to clear the imigration once we land? Would 1.5 hours be sufficient enough? Asking this because I want to arrange airport transfer and they only allow 1 hour waiting.

If I want to book Grab to pick me up at the airport, should I book 1 day in advance? Or just on the day itself?

Thank you.

I never took domestic flight before, but even for international, which is supposed to take longer due to “chop passport”, I also never took longer than 1.5 hour to clear. There is no immigration to speak of, for domestic flight since no crossing of borders. Most of the time delay for airport transfer is due to flight delay. I suggest you give the flight number to airport transfer driver and ask him to check real time and then wait accordingly.

For normal grab, can just do it on the day itself. Grab XL may be more expensive, even more expensive than airport transfer due to surge pricing at the airport (high demand, low supply).

 

[paladin]

With SGD to VND at 1SGD to 18,000 VND, now is a good time to go Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for tailoring. Cool weather and not wet season. If you buy branded European fabrics and tailor there, you can save $1k per suit because Vietnam has cheap and skilful labour but has import tax for textiles (5%) and 10% VAT whereas Singapore has zero import tax but 8% GST. Anyone who wants to buy branded fabrics for tailoring can PM me.

 

[yangken]

I never took domestic flight before, but even for international, which is supposed to take longer due to “chop passport”, I also never took longer than 1.5 hour to clear. There is no immigration to speak of, for domestic flight since no crossing of borders. Most of the time delay for airport transfer is due to flight delay. I suggest you give the flight number to airport transfer driver and ask him to check real time and then wait accordingly.

For normal grab, can just do it on the day itself. Grab XL may be more expensive, even more expensive than airport transfer due to surge pricing at the airport (high demand, low supply).

Thank you!

 

[finale1]

Hi all,

Request for some advises please.

I am going to take domestic flight from Da Nang to Saigon. How long does it require to clear the imigration once we land? Would 1.5 hours be sufficient enough? Asking this because I want to arrange airport transfer and they only allow 1 hour waiting.

If I want to book Grab to pick me up at the airport, should I book 1 day in advance? Or just on the day itself?

Thank you.

Grab can easily book when u are there. There are people outside Tan Son Nhat who can book grab rides for u for 120k VND to city center.

Alternatively u can take bus 152 outside airport for 5k VND to city center. Alight at Benh Thanh market stop and walk to hotel. Very easy de

 

[paladin]

Congrats to those who avoided central Vietnam now.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asi...=internal_sharetool_androidphone_15112023_cna

 

[luckygal]

Congrats to those who avoided central Vietnam now.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asi...=internal_sharetool_androidphone_15112023_cna

Next week should be ok Liao

 

[devion]

Heading to Danang n Hoi An in late Nov. Is currency exchange rates better in SG or Vietnam? If at Vietnam, change at airport be fine?

 

[luckygal]

Heading to Danang n Hoi An in late Nov. Is currency exchange rates better in SG or Vietnam? If at Vietnam, change at airport be fine?

Me too. You going free and easy?