Travel tales and tips for getting around in Vietnam by asiahotels.com

Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Vietnam

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M Huang	31 December 2003
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is extremely noisy, and crossing the road is a real hazard. One has to be brave, walk slowly (the motorbikes will avoid you) and keep going. Halong bay is a must, but in the winter months, one day trip is sufficient (too cold to stay overnight on the boat). Can be very misty especially in Feb and March (but even in late December, it was also misty). We enjoyed the water puppet show. Must buy ticket early in the day (for the cheaper 10000 dong) to get seats as far forward as possible (instead of the more expensive 20000 dong). Shops are more expensive (but more choices and perhaps better quality) than in Hoi An. Lanterns and custom-made clothes are better bought in Hoi An.
J Loo	30 December 2003
Stayed at Halong Bay Hotel - Halong, Vietnam.
There is nothing much in Halong City. We joined a tour from Hanoi who promised to take us to Cat Ba and to have a seafood dinner on boat. But, when the van picked us up, he told us we couldn't do that because Cat Ba island is too far and other excuses. So, please make sure whatever tour you signed up, make sure you insist they write full details on the receipt. The tour agent will promise the world as long as you signed up with them. Dont rush into it, look for a couple of tour operators and compare the prices first. PLEASE take the airport taxi and not some taxis who promised to bring you to the hotel. We fell for that and he will quote USD10.00 for the taxi fare but when you reach the destination he will insist you pay for his toll fare about USD20.00!! + USD10.00 for the cabfare. Ripped off!!! Normal airport taxi is only USD10.00 including the tollfare. We told him to take us to Dan Chu Hotel but he took us to Kim Tin (some crappy hotel) and told us it was Dan Chu. Since we paid everything thru asia-hotels.com, He said we need not pay anything as they are subsidiary of Dan Chu. Told us some stories that there are some sick guests in Dan Chu and we could not check in there. Their motive is to sign you up for tours. So, we insisted that they call Dan Chu so that we can speak to them, then out of the blue, they say now Dan Chu is available. So we fled as fast as we could. Guess what, when we check into Dan Chu, we related the story to them, they said it is very frequent that this thing happens to their guests. Another woman heard of our plight and she remarked, "You got hijacked too?
G Petursdottir	17 December 2003
Stayed at Sedona Suites Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam.
A trip to Halong Bay is essential, but perhaps one day is enough - the cost of a two day trip was more than the entire budget for our 4-days in the northern mountains. With an excellent local English speaking driver/guide, we took a 4-day trip to the Northern mountains, with a 10 hour drive to SaPa. A long drive, but worth it, because of the chance to stop in the villages on the way. SaPa is getting quite touristy with its "efficient marketing" of local handicraft. We visited a number of the local people. On Sunday morning there is a very colourful market in BakHa, about 3 hours drive from SaPa (past Lao Cai).
I Edwardes	14 December 2003
Stayed at Bong Sen Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
With some apprehension I boarded the early morning flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City. Having heard the traveler’s tales and read the guide books I was convinced I would be met by surly, anti-Western officials, hassled by the police, have my pockets picked and be swindled out of all my money within minutes of landing. The reality of my experience was quite different. I found the Vietnamese people very kind, courteous and friendly and never lost anything more than perspiration and calories while exploring the city alone on foot. Even if you are not a museum enthusiast I would recommend a visit to The War Remnants Museum, but be warned there are people who might find some of the photos and displays a bit upsetting. If that is the case, do not go into the exhibition rooms, instead wonder around the open-air displays. Vietnamese History Museum and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum are housed in architecturally interesting buildings. The displays are quite small but in most cases have explanations in English and French. An hour in each will give you a fairly comprehensive history of the country. For those who like more lively action try to visit D Dong Khoi on a Saturday or Sunday night. The road is packed with young people riding their mopeds around and around the block. It is a time and a place to be seen. There are plenty of good restaurants and cafe in this area too. Meter taxis can be easily found near the Bong Sen hotel. Remember there is an art to crossing the road. The trick is to be alert, step out and walk slowly, the bikes will then flow around you. If you try to run you stand more chance of being hit. If in doubt tag onto one of the locals and follow them as they glide through the endless stream of motorbikes. Ho Chi Minh City is an interesting place with friendly people and good food. If you take the same personal safety precautions as you would in any other metropolis you should have a trouble free visit. Be streetwise, relax then enjoy the delights of this quaint, colourful, laid back city.
K Chang	07 December 2003
Stayed at Majestic Hotel - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
I am glad to have visited Ho Chi Minh City. I find the people nice and the place definately very historical in nature. Plenty of tours and places of interests. Not to mention the good food. Payment can be in either in US$ or Viet Dong. I would recommend you change into the Viet Dong for payment. Taxi ride can be just US$1 or Viet 20,000 Dong within a short distant although the taxi driver would tell you US$2. Some taxi go by the meter so it would depend on which taxi you go into. If you need to go to the airport, it is cheaper to get a taxi yourself outside. You can pre-arrange with a taxi driver. Before I arrived, I was quoted US$25 for a 1-way airport-hotel transfer with pickup. But I called the hotel directly and they arranged a pick-up for US$12 (which I recommend as someone would be waiting outside for you and take you immediately to the hotel). However, for your return trip, I would suggest you pre-arrange for a taxi yourself. The cost would be even cheaper at US$7.00 without bargaining. I am sure you can bargain and get a lower amount but I think US$7.00 is reasonable and that the taxi driver is also out to make a living. In any event, I am not done seeing Ho Chi Minh City and will certainly return!
K Rispoli	29 November 2003
Stayed at Lucky Star Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We came from Bangkok to Hanoi, the traffic in Bangkok is bad but bearable. In Hanoi the constant beeping of horns can be a bit much. I have found that there are no road rules, every person for themselves and the biggest vehicle wins. It should be considered an artform to cross the road. Walk slowly and the masses of mopeds will hopefully go around you. You would be pretty insane to rent a motorbike in this city. I would recommend the Water Puppet Theatre, and trying the Pho Bo beef noodle soup which originated in Hanoi. If you're there for a while you could check out Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Temple of Literature. If you're on a budget stay away from the restaurants and cafes that display prices in U.S. Dollars, in one restaurant we paid about 34,000 dong (about $2 U.S. Dollars) for two plates of food and 3 draught beers, at another restaurant we paid about twice that for two nonalcoholic fresh fruit drinks. If you go outside of the Old Quarter you will find some places considerably cheaper.
M Maiwald	27 November 2003
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
In Hanoi, our favorite restaurants were Bobby Chin's, Le Tonkin, and Emperor. Bobby Chin, though expensive by Vietnamese standards, served superb and creative upscale fusion cuisine; food like this could easily cost 3-4 times the price in NYC. Don't miss out on the fresh fish dish stir fried at your table at the unlikely hole-in-the-wall, Cha Ca Van Long. This place is a real Hanoi institution, and the mixture of herbs and exotic ingredients is a perfect flavor harmony. Inside Hanoi, don't miss the wonderful Museum of Ethnography, even though it's a long cab ride from the city center. There's a bicycle there with 800 fish traps on it, the preferred means of commercial transport of a particularly industrious Mekong Delta entrepeneur. Also don't miss the Temple of Literature, am oasis of serenity in chaotic Hanoi. For trips outside the city, I recommend Kheng Ga for a scenic boat trip that reveals an untouched rural river life. You'll marvel at the Vietnamese women who power their rowboats with their feet while cutting up vegetable for dinner. Another "must-see" is Halong Bay. Try to stay out here at least two nights, and do some sea-kayaking amongst these serene islands.
J Lewis	01 November 2003
Stayed at Empress Hotel Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City is a culture shock - three million motorcycles in one city and I think we saw all of them! And that was just on one roundabout! Plenty of great food and cheap bargains. Be aware that few cab drivers speak English - carry a street map or guidebook with you to show drivers your destintion's address. Cabs from the airport rip you off - should cost $US4 or 60,000 VND - try to agree before leaving, or expect minimum 100,000 dong charge. Also avoid cabs adjacent to bus stops, tour companies etc - they have meters which run four times as quickly as normal cabs. But most locals helpful, friendly and fair.
P Regan (2nd call)	19 October 2003
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Shopping on the street of the Lucky was good, and around the corner near the church is the Mocca Cafe, which has good reasonable Indian and Western food, great coffee, and excellent Red Beer (if you like hoppy beer). The lake is nearby, where you can walk or jog and also where the water puppet theatre is. That is definitely worth an hour. Everything is close enough but can pick up a cyclo or moto or even taxi anywhere. We booked a 2 day Halong Bay tour thru ODC travel for $30 each, which is worth it. There were fourteen people on our boat, which had double rooms with own bathroom. Not luxurious, but comfortable enough. We also took the S train for two overnights (Nha Trang-Hue and Hue-Hanoi). One soft sleeper with A/C was terribly dirty and old (if you touched any of the wall or windows you got dirty). The 2nd was much newer and clean and had a western toilet at one end of the car. We heard the E trains were a lot better, but the schedule was only at night and we wanted to see the countryside.
M Casey	03 October 2003
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Press Club Deli and Terrace Restaurant were great. Nam Phuong Restaurant was very disappointing, but The Emperor Restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere and is highly recommended. Don't stay on Cat Ba Island when touring Halong Bay-it really represents the ugly side of tourism. Take taxis, which are extremely cheap, in Hanoi. This will save your sanity, and allow you to see the city in the best way.

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