Vietnam

[idrinkecoke]

I spent 4D3N in Saigon and managed to cover Mekong, Chu Chi Tunnels, Chao Dai Temple, Post Office, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Basilica Church, a hipster coffee place and Bitexco Financial Tower. And still on the last day I just bummed around eating street foods and chatting with locals; even joined a group to play their version of chapteh.

Now I'm making my way to Mui Ne in the sleeper bus. Not the most comfortable experience so far but can't complain for the price.

Oh, that means if i stay in ben thanh market area, i can probably cover Post Office, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Basilica Church in half a day. They seems very close and within walking distance.

 

[Dropkickme]

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[idrinkecoke]

Which is a more common currency there? USD or VND?

Are money changers common in HCMC?

Easy to get taxi there?

 

[grapewall]

Which is a more common currency there? USD or VND?

Are money changers common in HCMC?

Easy to get taxi there?

Vnd is more commonly used. Maybe only in tourist D1 they like USD more, but Vnd is still more commonly used.
Money changers can be found in airport and D1 market area. Outside that,it will take some efforts to find one. If you are not changing a lot, like less than $500, then can save the trouble and change at the airport.
Taxis are cheap if you compare to Singapore, but the cheapest mode of travelling for short distance is the motor bikes.. and if you want to take taxis, only take the green ones such as Vinasun or Mahling.the other taxi companies are dishonest.

 

[audiovideo]

Which is a more common currency there? USD or VND?

Are money changers common in HCMC?

Easy to get taxi there?

can you speak vietnamese?
I visited hcm few times but still wonder if I dare to go alone without my "guide" ... but I was glad that I dare to fly alone since the first hcm visit.

for Ben Thanh market, just look see and ask for price only if you really really really keen. For clothing, try get it at night market outside ... at night of course. Those in the market can be quite pushy and even "hostile". Too tourist liao.

I only dare to visit countries with MRT if I cannot speak their language

 

[rayban]

can you speak vietnamese?
I visited hcm few times but still wonder if I dare to go alone without my "guide" ... but I was glad that I dare to fly alone since the first hcm visit.

for Ben Thanh market, just look see and ask for price only if you really really really keen. For clothing, try get it at night market outside ... at night of course. Those in the market can be quite pushy and even "hostile". Too tourist liao.

I only dare to visit countries with MRT if I cannot speak their language

intro your guide leh ^^

 

[idrinkecoke]

can you speak vietnamese?
I visited hcm few times but still wonder if I dare to go alone without my "guide" ... but I was glad that I dare to fly alone since the first hcm visit.

for Ben Thanh market, just look see and ask for price only if you really really really keen. For clothing, try get it at night market outside ... at night of course. Those in the market can be quite pushy and even "hostile". Too tourist liao.

I only dare to visit countries with MRT if I cannot speak their language

I cannot speak viet.

Me too want to visit countries with mrt but this time I heck care if I can get taxi easily. safety is my top concern.

 

[grapewall]

Vietnam is not dangerous... as long as you don't flaunt your wealth, don't venture into dangerous places like back lanes at night, generally its still safe.they are just dishonest eager to rip you off, that's all. If you scare,stay in the non tourists areas where the folks are more down to earth.

 

[WhiteAnt]

Food wise can be as cheap as bkk or cheaper, even japanese food also cheap and a lot over there..... hoot? more like coffee bean or powder.... clothes at ben thanh or saigon square is expensive but still affordable for us, but to local we are carrot, do bargain.....a lot haha if go ben thanh , sugguest go morning and night one time, there a different at night is pasa malam.....

Thanks I'm just back not long haha. Food wise, I think comparable to bkk. Yes, I bought 3in1 coffee back for parents lol! Good price and they say is nice.

The main ben thanh night market not cheap like you mentioned. Those older uncles and aunties across the road of night market have cheaper stuffs like slippers, so we bought 4 from them. Actually not exactly the cheapest because i can get it cheaper in bkk, but the clothes nothing to buy there so just buy a bit of stuffs back.

Overall shopping experience, bkk wins hands down in case for those who wanna go there for shopping. But for sightseeing, it is interesting esp if you're into wars and history.

Ben thanh nothing much to shop. Overpriced touristy area. A singlet going for 40k, can sell foreigners at 200k

True, I think they overquote tourists by a lot, thinking all of us are very rich. Go bkk platinum mall got aircon and friendlier, can get very fashionable yet cheaper clothings. Not the best shopping experience in hcm, but their history on wars and esp War Remnants Museum is pretty interesting. Vincom center not bad, i like it because it is less crowded haha.

I prefer go Saigon Square. The prices cheaper. But the rule of thumb in Saigon Sq is that u pay not more than 65% of the price they quote u

Haha went there they tiger open big mouth. Bargain also minus 50dongs for a 300k for sports apparels. End up no buy Ben thanh night market no need to say le... Someone said before in the thread that they are out to carrot chop us, which is very true. I thought bkk is bad enough.

I think go there relax and drink coffee in cafe, plus some sightseeing is good. Didn't see decent massage centres though. Got guys asking for women massage when walking pass the streets haha.

 

[smilingbuddha]

I think go there relax and drink coffee in cafe, plus some sightseeing is good. Didn't see decent massage centres though. Got guys asking for women massage when walking pass the streets haha.

I personally thought Quynh nhu 137 was pretty decent

 

[WhiteAnt]

I personally thought Quynh nhu 137 was pretty decent

not sure where issit lol

maybe they are not very massage type, most likely lup sup kind

 

[idrinkecoke]

Is Saigon square the best place for local made products? Is it something like MBK in BKK?

 

[audiovideo]

I cannot speak viet.

Me too want to visit countries with mrt but this time I heck care if I can get taxi easily. safety is my top concern.

what hotel are you staying?

 

[WhiteAnt]

Is Saigon square the best place for local made products? Is it something like MBK in BKK?

Mbk bkk is very very big as compared to saigon sq.

I've only been to saigon sq 1 and can tell you that it is mainly for clothings, sports apparels, slippers, shoes, bags, luggages, handbags, handphone accessories etc.. not a big building of 2 storeys, can complete within <2hours. more for ladies to shop imo.

On the way to Cu chi tunnel, the tour agency made a stop to an ornament factory selling paint works which is 100% made locally. They are created by the school of miserable (the handicap ones born with mainly walking disabilities). Similar art pieces are also sold at ben thanh night/markets but the ones they sold at the school has better quality. My friend wanted to buy one for his mom, but it is too expensive around $30+ ??

Probably someone else can advise what i cannot as not sure what is the best place for local made products either lol.

 

[idrinkecoke]

what hotel are you staying?

Don't know yet, have not decide at this point of time. But I am looking at those in ben thah market area.

 

[wyjswmw]

Ya, planning to go Vietnam end of Sep... looking forward to it

 

[idrinkecoke]

Anyone can recommend an operator for mekong delta tour?

 

[idrinkecoke]

Ya, planning to go Vietnam end of Sep... looking forward to it

Solo trip?

 

[beanstalk6]

Anyone can recommend an operator for mekong delta tour?

If you sign up at the guesthouses in Pham Ngu Lao, the operators consolidate their customers, so it makes no difference.

 

[idrinkecoke]

Anyone kenna snatch thief or robbers before in saigon?