Returning To Vietnam
Apr 17, 2014 00:34:32 #
My wife and I will be going to Vietnam next October to visit the places I served at or passed through in 1969. The places we are scheduled to visit are Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoian, Quy Nhon, An Khe (where I was stationed), and on to Saigon.
I know some of you have done something similar and if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared i would greatly appreciate hearing them!
thank you,
Ron
I know some of you have done something similar and if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared i would greatly appreciate hearing them!
thank you,
Ron
Apr 17, 2014 00:50:13 #
Apr 17, 2014 01:15:50 #
ronsipus wrote:
if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared.
thank you,
Ron
if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared.
thank you,
Ron
Ron, what an exciting trip! SE Asia is SO photogenic.
And in no way do I mean any disrespect to you or any of our veterans that served in Vietnam. But let's not forget, that Saigon, is now Ho Chi Ming City.
Have a great trip. ;-)
SS
Apr 17, 2014 02:33:27 #
Apr 17, 2014 06:39:58 #
KotaKrome wrote:
For advise on touring the north part of Vietnam contact Jane Fonda.
Semper fi,
Kota
Semper fi,
Kota
She did seem to make a lot of friends there.
Apr 17, 2014 06:57:44 #
Vietnam is beautiful although I spent 2 weeks in the Mekong Delta where I was an advisor for 6 1/2 years.
The residents of Ho Chi Minh City call it Saigon at least 99.9 % of them do. Road structure is fantastic, Saigon was CLEAN and people very friendly. Do your bargaining for purchases by all means.
Cash exchange when I was there (Feb 2013) was 120,000 dong to the dollar so $100.00 is a million plus Dong. My hotel in District 1 in Saigon was $13.00 a night with TV (2 English speaking channels) free WiFi and a computer, clean room and free breakfast (american, Vietnamese, European styles available).
I rented a cyclo and driver in Saigon for 50,000 dong for the day (9am to 4pm agreed upon) to tour the city (About $45.00). I'm not cheap but don't recommend paying more than a Vietnamese for service. I got away with a lot because I speak Vietnamese (no writing or reading) from being an Advisor. I will try to go back in 2015 for more visits to the southern part of the Mekong Delta like Bac Lieu, Ca Mau areas.
I know you'll enjoy your tour.
Sarge69
The residents of Ho Chi Minh City call it Saigon at least 99.9 % of them do. Road structure is fantastic, Saigon was CLEAN and people very friendly. Do your bargaining for purchases by all means.
Cash exchange when I was there (Feb 2013) was 120,000 dong to the dollar so $100.00 is a million plus Dong. My hotel in District 1 in Saigon was $13.00 a night with TV (2 English speaking channels) free WiFi and a computer, clean room and free breakfast (american, Vietnamese, European styles available).
I rented a cyclo and driver in Saigon for 50,000 dong for the day (9am to 4pm agreed upon) to tour the city (About $45.00). I'm not cheap but don't recommend paying more than a Vietnamese for service. I got away with a lot because I speak Vietnamese (no writing or reading) from being an Advisor. I will try to go back in 2015 for more visits to the southern part of the Mekong Delta like Bac Lieu, Ca Mau areas.
I know you'll enjoy your tour.
Sarge69
Apr 17, 2014 07:16:28 #
ronsipus wrote:
My wife and I will be going to Vietnam next October to visit the places I served at or passed through in 1969. The places we are scheduled to visit are Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoian, Quy Nhon, An Khe (where I was stationed), and on to Saigon.
I know some of you have done something similar and if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared i would greatly appreciate hearing them!
thank you,
Ron
I know some of you have done something similar and if you have any suggestions for me to be better prepared i would greatly appreciate hearing them!
thank you,
Ron
Please post some photos when you return. Have talked to my wife about a similar trip at some point. Spent 18 mo there in '68-'69. Would love to go back. Really must start scanning my slides from back then. You might want to go to Google Maps and check the satellite views of the places you plan to visit, if you haven't already.
Apr 17, 2014 07:45:22 #
sarge69 wrote:
I got away with a lot because I speak Vietnamese (no writing or reading) from being an Advisor. I will try to go back in 2015 for more visits to the southern part of the Mekong Delta like Bac Lieu, Ca Mau areas.
I know you'll enjoy your tour.
Sarge69
I know you'll enjoy your tour.
Sarge69
What's the situation for English-only speakers?
Apr 17, 2014 09:08:34 #
A General Rule of thumb for those shopping in a different country and you dont speak the language: You are gonna get screwed.
Sorry kid, but that the truth.
Sorry kid, but that the truth.
Apr 17, 2014 09:16:49 #
jerryc41 wrote:
What's the situation for English-only speakers?
Wasn't a problem back in '68-'69. I know things have changed since then but the Vietnamese are intelligent and born capitalists. If it means making a buck they will find a way to communicate with you. Not only that, but they have had extensive exposure to both English and French.
Apr 17, 2014 09:19:18 #
That dosent mean they are going to jack up the prices. I'm will to bet that if you and a national of that country buy the same item from the same vendor, yours will be significantly higher.
Apr 17, 2014 10:20:01 #
Very easy to bargain. Most Vietnamese speak English or French. If you see or are told 100 dong (example) chuckle and offer 70. After a bit you'll hear a lower price and work from there. Rich Tourist is thought of everywhere and the orient is a great place to barter for stuff. Try to keep it fair and listen for the final price when you smile, say thank you but no and start walking away. Always smile.
You will enjoy it. Don't try it in restaurants though. :D :D
Sarge69
You will enjoy it. Don't try it in restaurants though. :D :D
Sarge69
Apr 17, 2014 11:21:07 #
Thank you. Interesting, the person who is organizing the trip for us, a native Vietnamese, called it Saigon.
Apr 17, 2014 11:33:21 #
ronsipus wrote:
Thank you. Interesting, the person who is organizing the trip for us, a native Vietnamese, called it Saigon.
Probably because he knows that's how many westerners refer to it.
Apr 17, 2014 13:12:40 #
ajarnbill
Loc: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
Most of what was said is true. Saigon is how the locals refer to District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. Th rest of the city is Ho Chi Minh City. This is the part of the city that most westerners will frequent. As far as being cheated, that is world wide. If you are out of your element, people will try to take advantage of you. Just apply common sense. If the price is excessive, walk away. Make sure taxicabs use the meter. In October, my last trip, the exchange rate was 210,000 Dong to the dollar. Have a good time.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.