Vietnam

[natsuoto]

This depends on the match between what you are seeking and what Hanoi has to offer. For example, if you want to see more scenic places, you may opt to go to Halong Bay or Sapa from Hanoi, and either of this will take up at least 2 days of your time already. If you want to stay within Hanoi and visit places of interest, maybe 4 days will be sufficient. If you are the type to take things slow, you can easily fill 6 days.

Thank you for your reply! Ya I like to take things slow, planning to go to halong bay and sapa, after that what are the interesting places to visit in hanoi? never been there before..

 

[beanstalk6]

Thank you for your reply! Ya I like to take things slow, planning to go to halong bay and sapa, after that what are the interesting places to visit in hanoi? never been there before..

Taking things slow does not appear to be in your plan. In any case ->
Hanoi travel guide - Wikitravel

 

[god_of_shawn]

Change at any GoldSmith Shop in HCM lah...

I won't be going to HCM when I touchdown...will be going to Binh Duong first. So figured that I would change some Vietnam Dong first.

 

[natsuoto]

Taking things slow does not appear to be in your plan. In any case ->
Hanoi travel guide - Wikitravel

You mean going to those 2 places is very hectic?

 

[~大.芒.果~]

HCM airport got money changer right? Change at HCM airport or Changi airport better?

viet dong is worthless outside Vietnam. You'll have better chances changing it in Vietnam...the rates no matter how "bad" at the airport will still be better than here.

for me, since i had to pay the hotel $$ when i arrived, i paid in usd and asked them to give change in vnd. The rates the hotel used were fair...

 

[god_of_shawn]

viet dong is worthless outside Vietnam. You'll have better chances changing it in Vietnam...the rates no matter how "bad" at the airport will still be better than here.

for me, since i had to pay the hotel $$ when i arrived, i paid in usd and asked them to give change in vnd. The rates the hotel used were fair...

Ah I see. Will the money changer open on Sunday? Since I will be arriving at HCM airport on Sunday, read a few pages back there's someone saying that only big flights then the money changer will open? I'm taking tiger airways...so I'm not sure whether is that flight considered big or not

 

[Bishio]

Ah I see. Will the money changer open on Sunday? Since I will be arriving at HCM airport on Sunday, read a few pages back there's someone saying that only big flights then the money changer will open? I'm taking tiger airways...so I'm not sure whether is that flight considered big or not

open everyday and 24 hrs no worries. got alot of money changers inside the airport.

no such thing as big flight then open.

 

[god_of_shawn]

open everyday and 24 hrs no worries. got alot of money changers inside the airport.

no such thing as big flight then open.

Ah ok thanks for the info!

 

[suangern]

I won't be going to HCM when I touchdown...will be going to Binh Duong first. So figured that I would change some Vietnam Dong first.

can change VND at HCM airport, there are a few shops, rates are ok de. Binh Duong is 1 hour journey from HCMC.

 

[lrwonline]

I preferred to change some VND here before going there, just in case

 

[beanstalk6]

You mean going to those 2 places is very hectic?

The 2 excursions will take you at least 4 days in total, and Sapa should not be a touch-and-go affair after the long journey there.

 

[Bishio]

those that like starbucks, 1st starbucks to open in vietnam HCM city. beside AB tower near Ben Thant Market.

Half price compared to sg! i drank my green tea latte until song song. largest size in sg cost ard 8-9 bucks plus. in HCM is 4 bucks plus only!

 

[natsuoto]

The 2 excursions will take you at least 4 days in total, and Sapa should not be a touch-and-go affair after the long journey there.

Wah I still thought they are one day trips.. Thank you.. Will give sapa a miss then..

 

[alanjw55]

Train tickets for going to sapa need to book in advanced?
Or off counter can buy?

 

[9a0xing]

Hi all, I've finally saved up some cash and booked a return flight to Hanoi to spend my xmas over there. I'm going to spend 12 days in Hanoi and will need some help in planning my itinerary!

This is the rough plan I have on paper, and I want to explore the scenic places and experience the local culture.

Day 1: Arrival / Walk around Hanoi
Day 2: Scenic places in Hanoi / Catch the overnight train to Sapa / Laocai
Day 3: Sapa
Day 4: Sapa
Day 5: Sapa / Leave for Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi / Leave for Ninh Binh
Day 7: Ninh Binh
Day 8: Ninh Binh / Leave for Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi / Leave for Halong Bay
Day 11: Halong Bay / Leave for Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi / Depart

As you can see, I've no sense of direction for travelling to which places at which juncture. Please feel free to give your suggestions and I'll appreciate any help!

Cheers!

 

[beanstalk6]

This itinerary is fine. Well-spaced out and you certainly have to use Hanoi as a base as the 3 destinations are in different directions from Hanoi.

 

[jonchong]

Great itinerary- wish i have that many days to spend there. for me it's only hanoi and ha long bay!

 

[alanjw55]

just checked the weather...its like 18degrees...

 

[guitar123]

Vietnam as cruise stop

My visits to Vietnam have been very brief as they were part of cruise ship stops.

This was a visit to Ho Chi Minh city last year. We were on a cruise (Voyager of the Seas, Royal Caribbean). While the stop was very brief, we got to see very interesting sites, including the Presidential Palace and the War Remnants museum.

More pictures and descriptions in my blog:
Guitar 123 Singapore Food and Travel Blog!

Guitar 123 Singapore Food and Travel Blog!

 

[excalibur324]

Hi all, I've finally saved up some cash and booked a return flight to Hanoi to spend my xmas over there. I'm going to spend 12 days in Hanoi and will need some help in planning my itinerary!

This is the rough plan I have on paper, and I want to explore the scenic places and experience the local culture.

Day 1: Arrival / Walk around Hanoi
Day 2: Scenic places in Hanoi / Catch the overnight train to Sapa / Laocai
Day 3: Sapa
Day 4: Sapa
Day 5: Sapa / Leave for Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi / Leave for Ninh Binh
Day 7: Ninh Binh
Day 8: Ninh Binh / Leave for Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi / Leave for Halong Bay
Day 11: Halong Bay / Leave for Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi / Depart

As you can see, I've no sense of direction for travelling to which places at which juncture. Please feel free to give your suggestions and I'll appreciate any help!

Cheers!

ninh binh u can do 1 day tour from hanoi if you have no time. can stretch ha long bay abit.