Vietnam

[xiaozhi86]

I'll be going to Dalat next week and will update you how is Dalat when i'm back. I also not sure Dalat got what because is i follow people go just for sight seeing and all...

Hi everyone,

My friends are planning for a 7Days central vietnam, with Dalat as the highlight.
Been reading stuff online but haven't found anything much "attractive" though many people say that place is very nice.

Planning to go in June. Can anyone share with me if you've been there before.
Like what's nice there for sightsee? Any interesting day-tours or places to see and go?

I've also checked the weather, June is actually monsoon season in Dalat? Am i right about the information? Will it rain all the time and cause inconvenience in sightseeing?

Is 7Days in Dalat too much?
How about going out to places like Hue, Nha Trang and Hoi An?
Any "special" attractions there?

Not a temple person. So prefer like nature walks and scenery.

Thankd for you help!!

 

[excalibur324]

I prefer HCMC over Hanoi. Went Hanoi because of a 2day1night Halong Bay tour with A-Class Junk Cruise @ 1xx USD per pax during last Nov. Food is pretty good but activities are not - so I wont recommend it.

Doesnt know what to do in Hanoi - traffic is horrible @ where I stayed (Old Quarters). Hoan Kiem Lake is like a reservoir to me. Felt that they deliberately crafted the lake as a tourist attraction because there were no other places to go in Hanoi. Will not go Hanoi again unless I intend to go Halong Bay again (If there are better ways to get to Halong. 4 hours bus journey each way is really taxing).

Hanoi has her charm. HCMC is very city-like.

 

[beanstalk6]

I prefer Hanoi too. It is more authentic and has less of a big city aura to it. The Old Quarter itself is an attraction.

 

[buyer86]

has anyone did fansipan in one day?
was it really that tough?

 

[excalibur324]

has anyone did fansipan in one day?
was it really that tough?

from what i heard.
fansipan is impossible in one day.

not the easiest of climbs too.

 

[v3ng3anc3z]

junkboat company i would say mostly the same. do compare the prices at the tour agencies before booking. some can charge 40USD for 2d1n while some charges 75USD.

hanoi u can do trips to tam coc as well.

sapa is awesome. it would be a pity if you miss it.

hello, because ill be at hanoi for 6d5n, so 2d1n halong, 2d3n sapa(the shortest tours available after checking online) and that leaves me with 2d 1n in hanoi, do you think that's too little time in hanoi?

And what are some of the activities u recommnd in sapa? The adventure trekking ones or the market excursions?

Thanks!

 

[excalibur324]

hello, because ill be at hanoi for 6d5n, so 2d1n halong, 2d3n sapa(the shortest tours available after checking online) and that leaves me with 2d 1n in hanoi, do you think that's too little time in hanoi?

And what are some of the activities u recommnd in sapa? The adventure trekking ones or the market excursions?

Thanks!

6d5n practically leaves u with only the first day afternoon and evening and the last day before u leave Hanoi.

And that is provided u come back from halong bay(reach Hanoi 6pm) and transfer straight to train station (leaves around 9 or 10pm) still doable.

U can watch Hanoi water puppet show on first evening lor. Quite entertaining in my opinion. Old quarter need time to get lost and explore I would say.

Sapa u can try the Lao chai tavan trekking route. They say best for scenery and not tough trek.

 

[Pandule]

hi guys.. i'll be traveling to hcmc and will be staying at ngoc thai guesthouse.. they are offering us a car pickup at 20 usd/car. Is it reasonable or expensive?.. thanks!

 

[excalibur324]

hi guys.. i'll be traveling to hcmc and will be staying at ngoc thai guesthouse.. they are offering us a car pickup at 20 usd/car. Is it reasonable or expensive?.. thanks!

expensive.

cab can bargain till 10usd i think.

 

[Bongstar]

Guys can pls intro me places to eat like seafood, bbq, zi char in HCMC. Really appreciate ur inputs

 

[b|uebe||]

Hi ,im gg to Hanoi in May, could any one advice how to book the junk cruise at Halong bay ? how much is it ? any recommended booking agents?

thanks in advance~

 

[excalibur324]

Hi ,im gg to Hanoi in May, could any one advice how to book the junk cruise at Halong bay ? how much is it ? any recommended booking agents?

thanks in advance~

there are various agencies in old quarter to book halong bay trips.

even the hotel u stay will sell. BUT its better to book with tour agencies than hotel. (mark up is lower)

prices ranges from USD40 to USD75 for a 2D1N trip. (some claim that bigger boats better food blah blah blah)

i did a USD 36 with very normal food. but junk was good. (June 2011)

my friend paid like USD95 got very good food with good junk.

so compare around lor. if your wan credibility, go for sinhtourist. although definitely higher price.

 

[b|uebe||]

there are various agencies in old quarter to book halong bay trips.

even the hotel u stay will sell. BUT its better to book with tour agencies than hotel. (mark up is lower)

prices ranges from USD40 to USD75 for a 2D1N trip. (some claim that bigger boats better food blah blah blah)

i did a USD 36 with very normal food. but junk was good. (June 2011)

my friend paid like USD95 got very good food with good junk.

so compare around lor. if your wan credibility, go for sinhtourist. although definitely higher price.

hi bro, thanks for your feedback..did some googling
theres several like White Dolphin
White Dolphin Cruise 2 Days 1 Night 10 Cabins

or Calypso cruises Halong bay, Exploring Halong bay on Calypso cruiser
its pretty more expensive than what u have experienced.

 

[excalibur324]

hi bro, thanks for your feedback..did some googling
theres several like White Dolphin
White Dolphin Cruise 2 Days 1 Night 10 Cabins

or Calypso cruises Halong bay, Exploring Halong bay on Calypso cruiser
its pretty more expensive than what u have experienced.

very similar junkboat. haha.

but the route seems different. that is a possibility for the steeper price.

but halong bay itself is so scenic liao.. so i doubt it worth to pay so much more for the different route.

A USD40 trip will also have a complementary limestone cave visit too.

 

[b|uebe||]

very similar junkboat. haha.

but the route seems different. that is a possibility for the steeper price.

but halong bay itself is so scenic liao.. so i doubt it worth to pay so much more for the different route.

A USD40 trip will also have a complementary limestone cave visit too.

alright ..thanks bro.~ btw, is it preferred to bring USD or DONG to Viet ? cant seem to find forex with dong

 

[beanstalk6]

The VND is a controlled currency that cannot be legally brought out of Vietnam, thus it is rarely traded outside Vietnam.

 

[excalibur324]

alright ..thanks bro.~ btw, is it preferred to bring USD or DONG to Viet ? cant seem to find forex with dong

its preferred to bring both. cos they accept both currencies and u can pay the one that is to your benefit. but more importantly certain things cant be paid in USD, for eg admission fees strictly in VND.

but general rule of thumb is hotel, tours they charge USD. local markets, buses, cabs, admission fees are mostly VND.



VND can find in sg.. just that some money changer dont hold.

 

[b|uebe||]

its preferred to bring both. cos they accept both currencies and u can pay the one that is to your benefit. but more importantly certain things cant be paid in USD, for eg admission fees strictly in VND.

but general rule of thumb is hotel, tours they charge USD. local markets, buses, cabs, admission fees are mostly VND.



VND can find in sg.. just that some money changer dont hold.

ok thanks alot bro~

 

[Expert]

going hcmc on 26th apr - 6th may for work.. read from previous posts that prepaid cards with data plans can be bought at the airport? money changer also?

are their hotel safe from thief?

thanks!

 

[oonikx]

what is the Dong exchange rate against SGD now at HCMC?