Vietnam

[Henabi]

The 1.5hr travel time probably neutralise the current queuing time at Tan Sin Nhat Airport.

Hopefully our SQ can bargain for the spot in Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Agree…
Imagine Scoot and SQ flights land at Thanh long airport and then we need to catch the domestic connecting flight at TSN T3

OMG

 

[SpawnXp]

guess i must also stick to "official" methods, since i go twice a month.
hmmm...

 

[Henabi]

Sure whatever makes the boat floats

 

[dude123]

What's the average airtix price to hanoi now? Is vietnam airlines $300 exp? Though the timing not good, return morning flight

 

[firestyle]

followed @SpawnXp guidance, cleared within 5mins during arrival (200K) and 10mins for departure (300K).

still an extremely weird experience for me lol

Some questions for first timer:

1. Is the quoted amount for arrival and departure the standard rate?

2. Where does the note$ in the passport go to? I mean do we need to pay the police officer that is directing the lane or just the people chopping passport in the counter?

 

[firestyle]

use trip or those providers is around 20SGD, but you be ushered into the normal fast track line.
put 500k, which is around 24dollars, you get the to use the ABTC/aircrew/dipolmat queue.

followed @SpawnXp guidance, cleared within 5mins during arrival (200K) and 10mins for departure (300K).

still an extremely weird experience for me lol

Bro SprawnXp, your rate is different from your disciple Big_Fish. Which is the recommended rate?

Also it the same rate for both arrival and departure?

 

[BiG_FisH]

Some questions for first timer:

1. Is the quoted amount for arrival and departure the standard rate?

2. Where does the note$ in the passport go to? I mean do we need to pay the police officer that is directing the lane or just the people chopping passport in the counter?

Bro SprawnXp, your rate is different from your disciple Big_Fish. Which is the recommended rate?

Also it the same rate for both arrival and departure?

bro @firestyle there is no standard rate, although I'm quite confident 500k will do the trick both arrival/departure.

you 'kiap' the note(s) inside passport, the one collecting will be the one stamping your passport and not the one directing the lane.

as for how much to 'kiap', you can start off with a lower sum (i.e. 200k), if he don't accept and wave you off, just walk away and 'kiap' more and return.

 

[firestyle]

bro @firestyle there is no standard rate, although I'm quite confident 500k will do the trick both arrival/departure.

you 'kiap' the note(s) inside passport, the one collecting will be the one stamping your passport and not the one directing the lane.

as for how much to 'kiap', you can start off with a lower sum (i.e. 200k), if he don't accept and wave you off, just walk away and 'kiap' more and return.

Bro, very kam sia for the detailed procedure.

Was initially deciding between the official vip lane or this way...but this seems to be much quicker based on the experiences of the old birds here.

 

[SpawnXp]

Arrival usually 200k enough. Departure is usually 500k. Depending on queue.
You go my way you will be using the shortest queue. You go online you will get the longer queue unless you opt for super vip. My way faster as there is no middle man to take any cut. And there is no official way. The so called official way is not even recognised.
But once you go vn long enough you will know uncle ho can help alot. And it's not all official

 

[soulblader_89]

wow u guys still talking abt the queue

what abt scenary and food to eat in Vietnam

 

[SpawnXp]

alot of good food in hcm.
only alot of travelers i know , dont dare to explore and eat, they see those roadside stalls, they feel uneasy.
eat already stomach pain.

 

[Innocuous*]

alot of good food in hcm.
only alot of travelers i know , dont dare to explore and eat, they see those roadside stalls, they feel uneasy.
eat already stomach pain.

Dining at restaurants present tremendous value as compared to sg. But there are those that chop carrot head also. I normally avoid roadside stalls unless it is michelin guide/recommended, lest I run the risk of diarrhea, to ensure my trip is not affected.

 

[SpawnXp]

Dining at restaurants present tremendous value as compared to sg. But there are those that chop carrot head also. I normally avoid roadside stalls unless it is michelin guide/recommended, lest I run the risk of diarrhea, to ensure my trip is not affected.

agree that dining out at restaurants is great value like going to a foodcourt in singapore.
but those really good ones are those roadside stalls without a signboard or anything. those with just one dish on their menu

 

[Henabi]

wow u guys still talking abt the queue

what abt scenary and food to eat in Vietnam

for me... "Eat where the locals eat. Drink where the locals drink"

My very first ca phe sua da some 15 years ago was from a roadside stall near Ben Thanh Market. 7000 VND. Middle-size cup.

My very first bbq in vietnam was this roadside BBQ stall set up along a long drain in Hanoi...

My very first Hanoi Beer was at this shop in hanoi beer street. 5K vnd per bottle. put 100K on tap and drink till song song gao jurong.

 

[natas]

My very first Hanoi Beer was at this shop in hanoi beer street. 5K vnd per bottle. put 100K on tap and drink till song song gao jurong.

Talked about the past.
I used to stay n work in Hanoi.... 1 glass of bia hanoi was 2000 vnd. My colleague n I would each spend 100k n couldn't walk back properly.

 

[Innocuous*]

Anyone know why there is a divergence in online rate for VND (2.025) versus money changer rate (2.118)? iChange is offering only 2.021.

 

[beanstalk6]

Anyone know why there is a divergence in online rate for VND (2.025) versus money changer rate (2.118)? iChange is offering only 2.021.

The dong is a restricted currency and it is not freely convertible. In fact, it cannot be freely taken out of Vietnam or converted into other currencies. All domestic transactions must be conducted in VND, with few exceptions. This restricted convertibility poses risks to foreign-owned businesses, such as devaluation risk and potential difficulties in accessing foreign currency for repatriation. Moneychangers are less risk-averse at their volume.

 

[Henabi]

Anyone know why there is a divergence in online rate for VND (2.025) versus money changer rate (2.118)? iChange is offering only 2.021.

Yes. The rate you get has a big range.
The rate you get in money changers in sing is rate A. If you see the rate inside Changi Airport transit, it’s another rate.

and sometimes the rate is even worse at Vietnam airport arrival.

and then when you go to A gold shop, it’s another rate…

so far my personal experience is that the VND rate is best near Ben Thanh market but sgd must be in 50s and 100s notes

 

[finale1]

Yes. The rate you get has a big range.
The rate you get in money changers in sing is rate A. If you see the rate inside Changi Airport transit, it’s another rate.

and sometimes the rate is even worse at Vietnam airport arrival.

and then when you go to A gold shop, it’s another rate…

so far my personal experience is that the VND rate is best near Ben Thanh market but sgd must be in 50s and 100s notes

Try the moneychanger inside Benh Thanh from 10.30am onwards. No queue and better rates than the 2 Hatams outside.

 

[finale1]

alot of good food in hcm.
only alot of travelers i know , dont dare to explore and eat, they see those roadside stalls, they feel uneasy.
eat already stomach pain.

I have been trying to go for all the michelin food guide street food for many years and cannot even finish trying them out. Its too extensive and the food damn good i keep going back to a few stalls.