Vietnam help planning please

Leanne1812

I take it there's no such thing as the green man in Saigon? I'm off there too in october, hope I don't spend my 3 days trying to cross the road!:rotfl:

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Don't forget to allow LOTS of time to cross the road in Saigon in particular, you'll find out why if you don't know already, but you'll have a great trip.

Bob_the_Saver

Leanne1812 wrote: »

I take it there's no such thing as the green man in Saigon? I'm off there too in october, hope I don't spend my 3 days trying to cross the road!:rotfl:

EVERYONE in Saigon rides a motorbike, not big cc's or anything just small economical ones. They don't ride fast in fact at a constant steady pace.
The problem (for us) is they never actually stop. Not for traffic light not for anything. All you can do it watch the faces of the riders as the come towards you and walk across without flinching or stopping (that's fatal). look out for the ones with an odd number of riders. If there's two one will say to go left of you and one will say right but three five or nine might not make their minds up in time. But they will be the most polite and pleasant of people if they do run you over.

PS. If you see a bus coming RUN! Vietnam will be light on your Dong!
Highly recommended.

Leanne1812

Cheers Bob,

I'm so looking forward to what sounds like it's going to be the most terrifying experience of my life!!:eek: It's always good to know that if someone runs you over they will be most polite about it :rotfl:

I too have watched a video of the traffic and it just goes on and on and on...................What about if I wave a red flag while frantically running across? Do you reckon that might work?

Just kidding, I am so excited but think I may just take a cab to cross the road! Sounds like the easiest option me thinks.

Leanne

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

EVERYONE in Saigon rides a motorbike, not big cc's or anything just small economical ones. They don't ride fast in fact at a constant steady pace.
The problem (for us) is they never actually stop. Not for traffic light not for anything. All you can do it watch the faces of the riders as the come towards you and walk across without flinching or stopping (that's fatal). look out for the ones with an odd number of riders. If there's two one will say to go left of you and one will say right but three five or nine might not make their minds up in time. But they will be the most polite and pleasant of people if they do run you over.

PS. If you see a bus coming RUN! Vietnam will be light on your Dong!
Highly recommended.

Bob_the_Saver

gemma_8_1 wrote: »

Hi, I was just wondering where you found the hotels? Im looking at doing something similar in November.

https://www.hostelworld.com not just for HOSTELS as we think of them.

bestyman

Leanne, just checking but have you got your Visas sorted? If not you better post a cheque of for £88 ( assuming 2 ) sharpish!

Leanne1812

Just filled out the forms today, will get pics done and have them posted for next week. I emailed the embassy in London and they told me they process in 3-5 days so I figure i'm ok for time. Not leaving the u.k till 5th october. Bleeding expensive isn't it!

Leanne

Leanne1812

Bestyman, Where you staying in Saigon? Think I made a boob. Iv'e booked Windsor Plaza in district 5 but really feel I should have gone for somewhere in district 1. The hotels are so expensive and this 1 had a pool and promotion so I went for it.

Bob, was it a bad choice, or will it be ok? Done some research on tripadvisor and locals say it's ok but some of the surrounding districts are dangerous if I go wandering. Apparently it's the chinatown area and I know what the one in KL is like.............

Leanne

bestyman

Hi,
We are staying at the blue river. Cost was 30$ for room with balcony or 25$ for room without. It is in district 1.
Airport pick up was $15 which we booked, didnt fancy chances with the taxi sharks after 18 hours travelling.
No deposit required. I hate wiring deposits to hotels ( although done it twice today) in case its bye bye money.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293925-d676046-Reviews-Blue_River_Hotel-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html

Leanne1812

Your hotel looks nice and friendly and a good location too.

We paid £40 a night with breakfast. I have emailed them to request an early check in and a high floor as there's a disco downstairs.............my worst nightmare!

That's what happens when you make a rash decision when you see a promotion............

Bob_the_Saver

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Don't count on the 6p beer.

I spent about a fortnight in Vietnam for work, and I don't remember the drink being particularly cheap.

I remember paying 6p for the first few then I don't remember anything. Not
that cheap in bars but the 'roadside plastic chair places' are very cheap and friendly, from what little I remember.:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer: