Vietnam

[Jim05]

Booked some flights in October to Ho Chi Minh City with a 3 day stop over in Hong Kong on the return for well under $700 on Cathay Pacific. Best news is that both ways we avoid the dreaded overnight flight. We’re gone for almost 2 weeks so we will stay South just out of Ho Chi Minh for a good period of the Vietnam leg.

Wise choice to come back via Melbourne and avoid the overnight flight.

[DOC]

Don't have to fly via Melbourne.

Cathay fly to Adelaide 3 times a week during the day departing at about 0915.

[Jim05]

Don't have to fly via Melbourne.

Cathay fly to Adelaide 3 times a week during the day departing at about 0915.

I had totally forgotten that they had started that time slot up

[Jimmy_041]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

[mighty hounds]

Heading to Vietnam in November and have booked the Interprid Vietnam southbound express. Has anyone been on this tour? Also ticking off Hong Kong, Macau and Cambodia throughout the 3 weeks.

[mighty hounds]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

That’s good to know. Which outlets did you use over there to exchange Jimmy?

[Jim05]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

Even immigration take AUD for visas despite all the published information saying US or VD only.

[Jimmy_041]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

Even immigration take AUD for visas despite all the published information saying US or VD only.

Don’t do that. You line up with 200 other people. Get your visa here before you go - it takes a week to send and return.

PS: tell your missus not to take any “toys”. Banned in Vn. We saw a lady get very embarrassed when they x-ray the bags going in to the country!
They made her remove her pet toy from her bag and confiscated it in front of everyone.
I’m not sure if you get it back when leaving.......

[Jim05]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

Even immigration take AUD for visas despite all the published information saying US or VD only.

Don’t do that. You line up with 200 other people. Get your visa here before you go - it takes a week to send and return.

PS: tell your missus not to take any “toys”. Banned in Vn. We saw a lady get very embarrassed when they x-ray the bags going in to the country!
They made her remove her pet toy from her bag and confiscated it in front of everyone.
I’m not sure if you get it back when leaving.......

We had a bit of a drama so had to go the VOA this time. Got in after midnight and were through in 5 minutes

[Jimmy_041]

Just got back from Viet Nam

Better exchange rate in VN than you get here
We got 1:14,600 from Travel Money Oz
In VN we were getting 1:+/-16,000

You dont need USD - they will take AUD. Also; get new notes. Some wont take old notes

That’s good to know. Which outlets did you use over there to exchange Jimmy?

Changers everywhere

Even restaurants were giving better rates than here

Do not use Travelex here! Rip off c***s
Travel Money Oz are best but you’ll still get around +10% better over there.
Get 2m Dong here just in case but the rest over there

[Magellan]

PS: tell your missus not to take any “toys”. Banned in Vn. We saw a lady get very embarrassed when they x-ray the bags going in to the country! They made her remove her pet toy from her bag and confiscated it in front of everyone. I’m not sure if you get it back when leaving.......

Fair enough, counterfeit currency is illegal. No wonder it was confiscated, trying to smuggle in a fake Dong.

[Wedgie]

I'm considering Vietnam for a mid year trip next year.
Did have a trip to Thailand planned with mates and the missus but the $AU seems so much better in Vietnam atm.

[Jim05]

I'm considering Vietnam for a mid year trip next year.
Did have a trip to Thailand planned with mates and the missus but the $AU seems so much better in Vietnam atm.

Personal opinion but Vietnam is so much better than Thailand in many regards.
We are going to give Thailand a miss for awhile

[Wedgie]

I'm considering Vietnam for a mid year trip next year.
Did have a trip to Thailand planned with mates and the missus but the $AU seems so much better in Vietnam atm.

Personal opinion but Vietnam is so much better than Thailand in many regards.
We are going to give Thailand a miss for awhile

I'm contemplating the same. The only thing that complicates it is I have some really good friends in Thailand.
Might do a holiday to nam with a couple of days in Thailand to catch up maybe.
One of my best mates lives in Malaysia too, I need a private jet!

Always appreciate your input Jim, thanks for your opinion.

[Jim05]

I'm considering Vietnam for a mid year trip next year.
Did have a trip to Thailand planned with mates and the missus but the $AU seems so much better in Vietnam atm.

Personal opinion but Vietnam is so much better than Thailand in many regards.
We are going to give Thailand a miss for awhile

I'm contemplating the same. The only thing that complicates it is I have some really good friends in Thailand.
Might do a holiday to nam with a couple of days in Thailand to catch up maybe.
One of my best mates lives in Malaysia too, I need a private jet!

Always appreciate your input Jim, thanks for your opinion.

As I said it all a matter of opinion. We have friends that swear Thailand is the best and didn’t like Vietnam but as I can honestly say there is probably no place in Asia we have been that I wouldn’t return to. Vietnam just requires a little more work than most of its neighbours as the infrastructure hasn’t caught up with the influx of tourists yet

[Wedgie]

I'm considering Vietnam for a mid year trip next year.
Did have a trip to Thailand planned with mates and the missus but the $AU seems so much better in Vietnam atm.

Personal opinion but Vietnam is so much better than Thailand in many regards.
We are going to give Thailand a miss for awhile

I'm contemplating the same. The only thing that complicates it is I have some really good friends in Thailand.
Might do a holiday to nam with a couple of days in Thailand to catch up maybe.
One of my best mates lives in Malaysia too, I need a private jet!

Always appreciate your input Jim, thanks for your opinion.

As I said it all a matter of opinion. We have friends that swear Thailand is the best and didn’t like Vietnam but as I can honestly say there is probably no place in Asia we have been that I wouldn’t return to. Vietnam just requires a little more work than most of its neighbours as the infrastructure hasn’t caught up with the influx of tourists yet

That appeals to me , not necessarily a bad thing!
My daughter also went there last December and loved it, she went from bottom to top but I'll probably be too lazy to do that.
She said it was interesting to see the changes in cultures in different areas.
Mind you she also went through Viet Cong tunnels and I definately wouldn't do that, I'd be stuck for months!