Ho Chi Minh City Travel Forum

Hi All,

I will have a very short trip to HCMC; my arrival in HCMC is late night on 11/26 and departure will be early in the morning 11/29; namely, two full days!

Currently I am planning to spend my first day in the downtown and rent a motorcycle; the next day I will want to take a local trip. Since this is my first trip there and I have rather little knowledge about that city, could anyone give me a suggestion of where I should go for my second day?

Many thanks!

Cheers,
THLIN

1)Is going to Cu Chi Tunnel from District 1 by taxi expensive? How much would it cost?

2)Or are there any good reliable and cheap tour that goes to Cu Chi tunnel?

Hi! I am passing by Ho chi Minh this December and have only 1 1/2 days. Can anyone please recommend the must must sees in Ho Chi Minh so I can maximize my stay there? How do I get to those places? How much will it cost me? I heard the food in Ho Chi Minh is very delicious. Can you please recommend any cheap restaurant that serves good food? We want to be able to try their authentic cuisine.

Thanks!

Hi
We are going from Hanoi to HCMC, by train and plane, with Danang as the mid way point. Anyone have any views on whether the train would be best for Hanoi to Danang or for Danang to HCMC. Only got 8 days in vietnam, so flying half of it, flights are same price whichever leg we book. Also, any idea how convenient it is to get to/from Danang Airport. From Googlemaps it doesnt look to be too bad.
Cheers.

Hola everyone. I will be to Ho Chi Minh end of next month. Im looking for a budget guesthouse around Ho Chi Minh with moderate facility. Will be much appreciate if there's any few recommendation.

Many Tks...

I saw some wonderful stores in Vietnam where artists made paintings from client reference pictures. I have some photos that I want copied. Could you give me some email addresses for this business?

hello

can someone explain why there is sinhcafe.com and sinhcafevn.com.....what is the difference between the two. They both have their own website. has anyone had personal experience with either one. thank you Justin

Can anyone advise me whether Vietnam have good quaility prescription glasses please or would I be better off buying them in Australia.
Thank you in advance.

I'm visiting Vietnam for the 1st time next month. 1 week in Nha Trang and 1 week in HCMC. I've read some horror stories about Cyclo Drivers in HCMC, but have received a response from a VT member who had a terrific experience with a particular Cyclo Driver who proved to be invaluable and highly recommended.
I had already formed a view after reading VT comments that I would either walk or taxi around. After having a bad experience with Tuk Tuk drivers in Bangkok, I've probably formed a jaundiced view....."I take you to tailor shop..." I actually wanted to go to my tailor to pick up a jacket. "...no,no,no, I take you to good shop..." I formed the view that he was on YaBa (speed) and he was becoming agressive, so I just jumped out and caught a taxi. I realise people need to make a living and I always carry around money to tip everybody for services rendered) which I do. Really it's nothing compared to tipping in Australia where I live, but it does put food on the table for people in Asia where there are no Social Security benefits...but I object to being conned.I would like to think that there are plenty of user friendly cyclo drivers out there. I am willing to be enlightened.

Hello everyone,
Is there anyone out there that can point me in the right direction - I am looking for a half-day trip out to the tunnels, but need an afternoon departure. All of the trips that I have found so far leave in the morning.

We are staying in Pham Ngu Lao (packpacker area) and only have that morning to find a tour, so were hoping to try & tee something up before we leave.

Thanks for all replies!

Is it possible to take public bus from ho chi minh to mekong delta (my tho or ben thre or...) and cu chi tunnel, and do the tour on my own?
Because if possible, I dont want to take a tour since I try to skip the place included in organized tour i.e: coconut candy, rice paper industries,lunch, etc

Is it possible to take public bus to cu chi tunnel, and then from cu chi go to mekong delta, in 1 day?

Than you very much for any input

Hello. Anyone help with timescales for bus/train/taxi from Saigon to Bangkok, taking in Angkor Wat. We only have maximum of four days to complete this segment, so just wondering if we're being silly even to contemplate it and maybe we should get a flight from SGN to REP or REP to BKK.

Hello,

I am looking for some input on budget options for transportation from airport to backpacker district. Any input would be appreciated. First time visit to Ho Chi Minh and not using a guidebook. Just relying on VT members this time! Thanks.

Hi all,

Appreciate your help in planning my trip to HCM as I will be travelling with 2 elderies.

1 grandma who is at her 80s. And, my dad at his 60s.

I will be in HCM for 4 days 3 nights in Oct. Planning to visit Ben Than Market, Cu chi tunnel. I will be interested to go to Mekong Delta but wonder if it will be feasible to bring the elderies along? Will it be diff to get on the boat for the elderies? And, most importantly, are these boats or sampans safe?

Deeply appreciate any advice.

Does any one has any budget hotel to recommend that comes with lifts?

I am going to Vietnam in late December. I see rave reviews of Xuan Mai hotel on tripadvisor..but absolutely no mention of them on any other travel or hotel website or travel book. Wondering if anyone is familiar with this hotel. thx

I want to travel by bus between Saigon aznd Hanoi.
Can you give some details :
travel schedule;
price.
Thanks

I arrive late on October 18th. I will get inot the city at 11 pm or so. I leave on the 21st. Anyone wanna meet up for a beer?

Cheers

NYTim

Hi!

Can somebody please help me, we are arriving HCM past midnight but will be taking an early flight out 7am to Hue is there any inexpensive but clean hotels near the airport where we can get a few hours of rest before our next flight? Your advise will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jekie

I am looking for some recommendations for accomodation in district 1 HCMC. Currently considering Bich Duyen, any and all advice welcomed

Cheers
Bria

Hi VT's,

I know that a day trip to Mekong is not enough, but am wondering if I have flight at 7am if any of you have experience getting back from the delta in the very early am with a reputable tour operator.

eg leave HCMC on 8/10 for Mekong in am and have flight at 0700 9/10 to Hue for meeting, am I better to do day trip only on the 8th or stay down there.

Cheers
Bria

Hello,

I will be visiting HCMC in november for 4-5 weeks. Does anybody know where I can rent a holiday apartment for less than 1400 USD per month?
I have done a bit of research online, but the minimum price for this type of accommodation is over 3000 USD!!

Any suggestion highly appreciated.

Hi All,
How long will the visa be valid at the overland crossing to cambodia.And is it best to get an E visa .Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

any idea about a bus company running a direct bus from Ho Chi Minh to SR Combodia

Dave

Hello everybody

I m going to Vietnam soon, and I don't have so much time ... unfortunately.
I would like to know if it is possible to get a one-day trip (boat) to the Mekong Delta. Also, if you have good adress and any idea of the price, it would be awesome.

Thanks a lot
/-)

Hello, can anyone tell me if we can purchase a usb pre paid broadband in Vietnam. We have been told that there is no nextG so wanting to buy usb to connect to local internet if available.
Thanks in advance.
Audrey

Is it possible to buy a train ticket for the overnight sleeper from Hanoi to Hue, in Ho Chi Minh City, if so how does one do it?

Cheers

I will be arriving at 11PM at night at District 1.Do you guys think it is easy to find a guest house then.

And I am planning a one-day mekong delta trip the next day.Will the travel agencies be closed then?

appreciate your helps in advance

David

Hello all. Dougie here from Scotland. We leave to fly to Vietnam in 3 weeks, but have had so many conflicting stories about Visas. I gather that we do need one, however my problem is can I trust the website that we found that offers a ''letter of comfort'' This entails sending details by email to London with answers to various questions including our passport numbers. We pay a fee and then get a ''Letter of comfort'' this we print off and take with us. Upon arrival in Vietnam we take this to an office within the airport that will then issue us a Visa. We simply cannot afford the time to fly to London and back to do this manually (not to mention the overall costs). Has anyone ever heard of this method, and do you think we can trust this. (I know its up to us whether we do or not, but if anyone has heard of this being ok then will take the chance)... Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply. We really need help.

Sincere thanks



Dougie

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning to fly over to spend about 1 week in Ho Chi Minh City. I hope you can help me make some decisions. I like to see some historical sites, buildings, museums, centres, etc. My planned time is a bit short - planning to fly off this Sunday. I'm thinking of 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City and maybe 4 days in Hue, etc.

1) From Ho Chi Minh City to Hue, I'm thinking of taking Jetstar (cheaper travel). Anybody with good or bad experiences, compared with Vietnam airlines (more expensive)?

2) In terms of historical highlights, which is more worth it to visit - Hue, My Son or Hoi An ?

3) What's the recommended way to travel to My Son or Hoi An and is a day trip doable ? Of course I don't expect to see everything.

4) Any particular safety precautions for a single, lone traveller in these parts ? Assuming I use my common sense and avoid pubs at night, will I be safe?

5) Appreciate recommendations of good, clean, safe hotels - if there are safe deposit boxes - that will be perfect.

6) Any good local tours I can book in Hue and Ho Chi Minh City - or better to go round on my own ? Appreciate any suggestions.

Many thanks in advance!
E

I'll be staying in HCMC for a week in November. Can anyone tell me if there are reputable & good cooking clases available to learn some Vietnamese cooking without having to go through a travel company.Any advice would be appreciated.