Job Discussion Forums

[dtomchek]

Hello everyone:

I am going to Vietnam in a couple of weeks and was wondering if someone can give me some info on trains from HCMC to Hue. How much are they? Can you take an overnight one with a couchette? Are buses better/cheaper? Thanks for the reply...
Dave

[Robin2657]

Check these out

http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm

http://www.vr.com.vn/English/index.html

[dtomchek]

Hello:

That was a great site...I got all the info I needed but it did raise one question...I noticed that the trains from Saigon to Hue were quite a bit cheaper if you just bought them there (as suppose to ordering them outside the country where the price goes up about 250%)...

Is it feasible to order a sleeping berth just one or 2 days ahead of time or is this out of country price necessary? I will be going on the 20th of December so it might be too late anyway but would like to know...thanks for the replies...

Dave

[Robin2657]

Glad it helped..

I have only ridden the train once so far, but booked 2 days in advance...no problem. It would be infinitely cheaper to book it here. I'm not sure because of the timing, whether you would have any trouble getting a berth. Even if you do, and you have the time, it would be better to stay an extra day or so in HCMC cost wise. They take cash only at the train station, and you have to wait in line a pretty long time. The English is adequate. There is a booking station in the backpacker area that is easier on the language barrier. Just go there, and ask, someone will tell you where it is.

It's really easier than you think...the trains are good, I took S2. I was the only Anglo I saw on the train, and the people were great to me. Don't try to carry to much like I did, the trains are small. Don't miss the car with the food, it's great, as opposed to the food they bring to your car...adequate, but the dining car is really good.

Good Luck...

[Micro67]

[dtomchek]

Hello:
thanks a bunch...that really help me alot...I am flying into Tan Son Nhut and get in about 730pm...can someone tell me what is the best way to get to "District #1" where my hostel is is the Hai Duong Hotel on 82 Bui Vien St...are taxis the best way to go (how much and how long...do you bargain) or is there a service...I tried to email them directly but the email came back to me...thanks for the replies...
Dave

[jojoni]

have the hostel address written in Vietnamese, demand the taxi driver to turn on the meter, and do not put flash out too much cash for anyone to see.

[Paul John]

First of all, take an Airport taxi, *not* an unbranded one. Like jojoni says, make sure the meter is turned on. Flagfall should read "12.0" meaning 12,000 dong

The fare should be in the range of 50,000-60,000 dong. If it's a bit more don't sweat it. If it's a lot more there isn't much you can do about it anyway.

Change about USD50 at the airport. This will give you enough for taxis, Hotel for a night or two and walking around money for your first evening. Make sure you get a few smaller notes: 20,000 or 10,000 dong. Taxis often "have no change".

The current exchange rate is around 15,755 vnd to the US dollar. It's been hovering around that for months now.

Hope this helps.

Msg me if you have any other questions. I'm down in De Tham once or twice a week. If you ply me with beer, you can pick my brains. (*grin*)

[Micro67]

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Try saying hello in Vietnamese to the taxi driver (xin chao) & do your best to give the impression that you know HCMC well, usually makes sure they behave themselves

...or you can get the airport bus for 1000VND, goes to De Tham.

[jojoni]

Where do you catch the airport bus?

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Sorry if "at the airport" sounds like a facetious reply but that's all I know! Think it leaves from in front of the main international terminal, maybe someone else here knows more...

[Paul John]

If you don't know the city, travelling from the airport to De Tham/Pham Ngu Lao is probably not a good idea. The problem is that the street signs are peculiar here - only one sign per intersection and only printed on one side - and hard to read. You stand a very good chance of missing your destination altogether. Add to that the hassle of lugging your baggage on and off the bus, which may be packed depending on your arrival time.

The taxi fare is only about USD3-4. I doubt if there's another major city in the world where you can travel from the airport to the center of town for that price.

Oh, yeah - the most reliable taxi company in HCMC is, IMHO, Vinataxi. These are the yellow cabs and there are often a few of these at the airport as well. However, these are usually parked about 50 meters from the International Terminal exit, past the waiting line of Airport Taxis.

[dtomchek]

Ok everyone:

This is great info...one last thing though...since I live in Japan, is it ok to take Japanese Yen into the country to exchange or is is better to get Americanos Greenbacks in Thailand and then exchange those...I heard in theory that you can use Yen but for all practical purposes, the dollar is still numero uno in Vietnam and the ONLY currency to have...thanks for the replies and looking forward to the trip which starts tomorrow night
Dave

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Personally I'd take dollars, as the VND is tied to the dollar so the exchange rate is generally consistent. Even if you find taxi drivers willing to take Yen, you almost certainly won't get a good rate. There is an ATM at the airport if you want VND straight away.