Vietnam trip

[samuttodd]

Hey everybody,   My wife and I were considering doing an excursion into Viet Nam,   but after reading more information about how travelers are treated (particularly western ones)  I've got to say I am reconsidering.

 

My wife is Thai, and I am a rakishly handsome man from the Pac.NW.  Old enough to be interesting, but young enough to look good/ Ha.

\After reading up on the subject,  it sounds as though westerners are viewed as easy marks for ripping off, and taking advantage of in transactions involving money, or barter.   It also apears that not just westerners are viewed with much contempt by the Viet people.  

 

Have any of you been there and what sort reception did you encounter?    Please advise.

 

Happy new year

[baansgr]

Phoney Tony said there was WMD in Iraq.....Vietnam is the fastest growing tourist attraction with millions of visitors every year....enjoy the experience and relax

[kingdong]

1 minute ago, baansgr said:

Phoney Tony said there was WMD in Iraq.....Vietnam is the fastest growing tourist attraction with millions of visitors every year....enjoy the experience and relax

Just don,t mention the war.

[ezzra]

VN is indeed a highly dangerous place for handsome dudes to walk around there.. lol... fear not by good looking friend, i have just been there myself for 10 days and the place is ok to visit, if you don't minds the shocking lack of spoken english, the long wait at the airport to enter and the mediocre food to my big disappointment... other than that, it's not bad place to visit just don't expect much because you will not get much...

[Hans007]

We ( chinese gf and i) were in vietnam last september for 8 days....visited Saigon ( HCMC) and Vung Tau. No problems at all.....allthough must say the matresses in all hotelbeds were realy hard!!! Not seen ripoffs....Vietnam remarkebly cheaper as LOS. Friendlier too....

 

What i do see are rip offs in Thailand!!! And many....starting with tuktuk driver abd ending with real estate agencies. Thank you.

 

Happy stay in Vietnam.

 

Hans.

[metisdead]

Moving to the Vietnam forum. 

[Hans007]

2 minutes ago, ezzra said:

VN is indeed a highly dangerous place for handsome dudes to walk around there.. lol... fear not by good looking friend, i have just been there myself for 10 days and the place is ok to visit, if you don't minds the shocking lack of spoken english, the long wait at the airport to enter and the mediocre food to my big disappointment... other than that, it's not bad place to visit just don't expect much because you will not get much...

Food in Vietnam " mediocre'...mmmmm i thought it was vokking good!!! Secobd the fact that english is badly spoken...but that also goes for Thailand imho.

 

Waiting for visa took 1.5 hrs at airport....i had letter of recomendation on forhand...with pics. I have been waiting longer sometimes at bkk airport...haha.

 

Hans.

[NanLaew]

28 minutes ago, samuttodd said:

My wife is Thai, and I am a rakishly handsome man from the Pac.NW.  Old enough to be interesting, but young enough to look good/ Ha.

But enough about you, is your wife a stunner?

 

She (and you) should be prepared for a lot of the locals ignoring your Cary Grant looks and choosing to chat with her as they will assume she's a local. This will be wait staff, sales staff, hotel reception, taxi drivers and the like.

[ChristianBlessing]

My (American) wife and I will be traveling for our third trip to Vietnam. Our previous two trips were lengthy and fun. Never once were did we feel taken advantage of or treated disrespectfully. We enjoyed the local cuisine both on the street and in the restaurants. And, as always, we learned a few useful words and phrases and had our phone apps at the ready. Attempting the language is a nearly sure-fire way to evoke a smile or more. Enjoy your trip.

[samuttodd]

OK, We have elected to do an exploratory run into Viet territory.    I will provide a complete written report with updates when we have been placed in theatre. 

[kingdong]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

But enough about you, is your wife a stunner?

 

She (and you) should be prepared for a lot of the locals ignoring your Cary Grant looks and choosing to chat with her as they will assume she's a local. This will be wait staff, sales staff, hotel reception, taxi drivers and the like.

Are you insinuating that the locals will chat up your wife in your presence after a bit of naughty?

[samuttodd]

I think she's outstanding,   I am uncertain of what others might think.   

 

I am used to being ignored after introductions,  as I do not speak Thai, or Vietnamese.   I'm a quick study though,  and can figure thigs out pretty quick.

 

[Assurancetourix]

6 hours ago, kingdong said:

Just don,t mention the war.

Which war ?

 

They are still in war against China since more tham 2,000 years ..

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

5 hours ago, samuttodd said:

OK, We have elected to do an exploratory run into Viet territory.    I will provide a complete written report with updates when we have been placed in theatre. 

 

Good idea. I think you will like it.

 

Now, you seem to be focusing on rip-offs. To wit: The taxi ride from Saigon airport to downtown should run 130,000 - 150,000 VND depending on traffic. Only take Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis at the airport lineup just outside the customs hall exit. Insist on it with the touts, who will be wearing taxi uniforms in company colours. They speak English.

 

If you need VND on arrival, just outside the customs hall are kiosks for mobile phone SIMs and Viet bank exchanges desks. Go to Exim Bank on the far right. They tended to have good rates. Pick up more VND later downtown at the gold shops or actual exchanges. I always have Exim or ACB Bank for-ex tables up and ready on my phone to check what the rate should be. You can check the rates via the SGN Airport free wi-fi. I've never been quoted outrageous exchange rates. But then, I don't shop in the markets.

 

After that, I really don't think you're going to be a price victim unless you insist on going to the Ben Thanh market or other places where you have to negotiate prices. However, your wife is used to this kind of thing so let her do the talking. Vendors are very likely to have good English speaking staffer or two, after they discover your wife's not Vietnamese, as noted by Nan Laew above.

 

There have been many good threads on all the VN issues in this subforum.

[CNXexpat]

My Thai wife and me have been in Hanoi for a week this year. No problems. And no rip-offs, also not in tourist places with an entrance fee - no double pricing.

 

We liked it so much, that we´ll travel in upcoming April/May again to Vietnam: Saigon - Hoi An - Hue - Da Nang.  

[BritManToo]

7 hours ago, samuttodd said:

Have any of you been there and what sort reception did you encounter? 

Been there 5x in the last 18 months.

Every trip was great, no problems, going again next week. Beer $1 a small bottle in bars and restaurants.

Do a student food tour if you don't know what local food you like, around $15-$20 each including food and drinks.

 

Lots of sights to see.

I've visited Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Saigon.

Hoi An was a bit of an overpriced tourist trap, but women like the pretty lights.

Hanoi was the best place for sight seeing.

Da Nang had a great beach and sea, about a 10Km long beach front.

Saigon was very busy, hustle and bustle.

 

Always use the airport bus, Hanoi 35kVND, Da Nang 5kVND, Saigon 20kVND.

(The Da Nang bus stop is a bit naughty as it's hidden outside the Domestic terminal)

Edited December 28, 2019 by BritManToo

[charlie farnsbarns]

No. I've toured the whole country and Vietnam is quite friendly and good for visitors. Quiet-spoken, law-abiding people. Never been scammed (except by the immigration 'stamping fee'). Love the no tipping policy.

 

Just back from a trip to Dalat and for this place didn't even need the visa approval letter and stamping fee as there is no VOA process at the airport - just went straight through immigration on a Brit passport with everyone else on the flight. I was simply asked 'how long are you staying?'. I said 'five days' and was stamped in with a smile.

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by charlie farnsbarns

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

17 hours ago, charlie farnsbarns said:

No. I've toured the whole country and Vietnam is quite friendly and good for visitors. Quiet-spoken, law-abiding people. Never been scammed (except by the immigration 'stamping fee'). Love the no tipping policy.

 

Just back from a trip to Dalat and for this place didn't even need the visa approval letter and stamping fee as there is no VOA process at the airport - just went straight through immigration on a Brit passport with everyone else on the flight. I was simply asked 'how long are you staying?'. I said 'five days' and was stamped in with a smile.

 

 

Let me understand this: You and the passengers arrived in Da Lat straight from another country and didn't have to show a visa upon entry?  That's quite a loophole, if I'm reading your report correctly. Brits and several other Euro nationalities can enter visa-free. But what of the others who arrived?

[Ron jeremy]

I've always been treated very well in Vietnam, great dining options, wide variety, cheap beer, stunningly woman. Happy to have me there. Found the people to be very honest, taxi drivers use the meter, but rarely use them as they have great public transportation to and from the airport. I'll be back shortly, can't wait. Skipping Thailand this year.

Edited December 29, 2019 by Ron jeremy

[Proboscis]

On 12/28/2019 at 7:54 AM, kingdong said:

Just don,t mention the war.

I lived in Vietnam for 5 years. THey are quite happy to discuss the war. In fact, there is an official program where the authorities will put GIs and their officers in touch with their opposite numbers - so if you were dug into "Razor Back," the Vietnamese soldiers firing at you will be contacted and will meet you for dinner to discuss the war and everything else. The view is that you were all soldiers together and only fate put you on one side or the other.

[thrilled]

I thought the people were ok. They like money.

[roquefort]

14 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

I lived in Vietnam for 5 years. THey are quite happy to discuss the war. In fact, there is an official program where the authorities will put GIs and their officers in touch with their opposite numbers - so if you were dug into "Razor Back," the Vietnamese soldiers firing at you will be contacted and will meet you for dinner to discuss the war and everything else. The view is that you were all soldiers together and only fate put you on one side or the other.

What a great idea. Do you have any contact details for this official program?

[bangkoken]

Been coming to Thailand for 18 years. I'm from NYC, USA. Have visited Saigon 6 times, visited Hanoi 6 times. Never ever had even a remote problem. The hotels staff are great wherever you stay. The restaurants wonderful and so cheap. This coming year will make it to DaNang which I have been told is great to foreigners. Act properly, get back to your hotel at a reasonable hour and you will love it.

[Dustdevil]

I've been to Saigon twice and Hanoi once. I was very well treated as an American, and over the years from 2009 to 2018 was visiting three consecutive gfs. My closest gf told me that the Vietnamese people love Barack Obama. (Part of the reason may be that he didn't mind stopping by a local noodle joint when he was president and having a beer with Anthony Bourdain--something most heads of state wouldn't bother with). Compare that to the mentally challenged Malaysian bastards who called Obama a "black monkey." I've unfortunately had extensive ties to malaysia so I'd say avoid that sh*thole and head for Vietnam. Saigon is a mess, though, with the millions of motorbikes everywhere. Hanoi was more of a livable experience, and friends of mine like to visit Hoi An.

[madmen]

Doing a tour of Thailand is 1000 times more fun especially for singles. Vietnam is OK for couples but boring as for singles... couldn't Wait to get back to LOS!

[Sujo]

I didnt visit any major cities. Only to da nang and surrounds. Loved it. 

 

Great people, easy for a single guy to chat up locals. Very honest and nice people.

 

Im not a late nite person but if i remember correctly the bars in da nang close quite early.

[bkkgriz]

Been to Vietnam multiple times. If you have any common sense, you will have no trouble there. But that's the rub, isn't it?

[geisha]

I had no problems, good food , and nice locals. Found the younger generation to speak English quite well. Been 4 times. Enjoy.

[CNXexpat]

Right now Da Nang has a perfect air quality.

[alex8912]

22 hours ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

 

Good idea. I think you will like it.

 

Now, you seem to be focusing on rip-offs. To wit: The taxi ride from Saigon airport to downtown should run 130,000 - 150,000 VND depending on traffic. Only take Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis at the airport lineup just outside the customs hall exit. Insist on it with the touts, who will be wearing taxi uniforms in company colours. They speak English.

 

If you need VND on arrival, just outside the customs hall are kiosks for mobile phone SIMs and Viet bank exchanges desks. Go to Exim Bank on the far right. They tended to have good rates. Pick up more VND later downtown at the gold shops or actual exchanges. I always have Exim or ACB Bank for-ex tables up and ready on my phone to check what the rate should be. You can check the rates via the SGN Airport free wi-fi. I've never been quoted outrageous exchange rates. But then, I don't shop in the markets.

 

After that, I really don't think you're going to be a price victim unless you insist on going to the Ben Thanh market or other places where you have to negotiate prices. However, your wife is used to this kind of thing so let her do the talking. Vendors are very likely to have good English speaking staffer or two, after they discover your wife's not Vietnamese, as noted by Nan Laew above.

 

There have been many good threads on all the VN issues in this subforum.

Use grab taxi. My cab ride 2 weeks ago from District 1 to airport was 75,000 dong. You overpaid. Bus is 20,000 I took it from airport to District one. I preferred door to door service in a/c taxi of course.