Vietnam Trip Report - A bargain paradise

It's 10pm and you've just landed in Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You blitz through the airport and in no time your on the street hunting down one of the safer taxis that whisk you off into the city - the adventure begins!

This is a quick trip report of my trip to vietnam with a 'bargain' focus. People here respond to price so ill just list out rough spendings on various things. As a general rule I found we spent more money in situations where we were lazy and wandered into tourist traps so planning and hunting down reviewed watering holes/eateries saved us particularly around some of the major sights.

Getting there:

Airasiax return flights to KL on sale: $300
Vietnam airlines (Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi): $200ish
Vietjet (Bangkok) : $50
Airasia (Back to KL): $60

All up around $600 for four major locations (we did spend a day in KL but I wont count that).

To from the airport

Saigon: Take a taxi by Vinasun and use the meter. They give you a recipt here becuase of the amount of taxi scams that take place. $8 to district 1

Hoi An: Orgainse a set fare to get you from Danang to Hoi An (about 30km away). Dont use the meter here until youre at your destination for short trips. $15

Hanoi: It was a $17 transfer orgainsed by our hotel to the airport but we went straight to Halong bay from the airpoty when we got there so can't comment.

Sleeping and Breakfasts

Depending on what comfort level you want you can spend anywhere from $4 to $200. We did a bit of a mix and went for the better reviewed hotels (which naturally were a bit more expensive). No regrets though as all our accommodation was fantastic.

HCM:
We stayed a street away from the backpacker street (bien vu?) in the AVA 2 hotel. Lovely staff and great rooms. I booked on expedia for 5 nights and found a $20 off over 100 spend so ended up being $80 for the 5 nights in a deluxe room with breakfast, wifi, free landline skype calls and laundry.
$16pn

Hoi an:
We splashed out a bit on this one. Essence hotel and spa at $65 pn for the basic room (which we were then upgraded) with breakfast, wifi and bike rental all thrown in. Best service in all of vietnam, staff were great. If I did Hoi An again I would go for a cheaper hotel as we were out and about too much to take advantage of the hotel.
$65pn

Hanoi:
We hadnt booked our hotel so upon returning from Halong bay we asked to be dropped in old town (at the suggestion of some fellow boat people). Went in a few hotels and managed to bargain down a $45 suite to $30 which we were pretty happy with being so tired. A1 Hanoi it was called I think. Basic accommodation but lovely staff as usual, staff even tracked down a lost mobile phone in a taxi for us like eager detectives.
$30pn

Bangkok:
We splashed out a bit again in our last destination. Id signed up to the GHA Platinum on here a while ago and found a 40% off flash sale for this hotel. Anantara Sathron Bangkok. It was something like $60pn, but we received a double upgrade a cake, and towels in the shape of swans. (because it was our honeymoon, wink wink wink). Stunning view and massive apartment. Location, although central, required travelling even to eat at small eateries so probably didnt suit our usual style of wandering out of the hotel to find some grub.
$60pn

Beer

A special topic for a beverage close to my heart (and liver). Just a collection of prices we paid for various local drinks. Depending on where you are the local beer is either Saigon (a basic lager), 333 or Hue. All fine. Tiger and Singhas also cheap. They are big on their belgium beers in the fancier places but as they are imported dont expect them to be cheap either ($5 to $10 depending).

HCM:
$1 on the street in most places for a 500ml saigon. 50cents for a 'fresh' beer which is homebrew (safer than drinking tap water!). Most expensive we paid was $3 in a cafe near the bizco tower but the staff spoke great english and was able to play tour guide for us so worth every penny.

Hoi an:
$1-2 a beer in most places. River front was a bit hit or miss.
25c street beer was a highlight for me; I dont remember where that was (cough cough)

Halong bay cruise:
$2 a beer. No complaints.

Hanoi:
50c - $1 beer. Fresh beer 25c.

Bangkok:
$1-6 a beer depending where you were.

Halong bay cruise

I think this deserves its own category because it was a tough decision for me as someone who likes to find the best value option. There are basically two categories of Halong bay cruises.
Cheap halong bay tours and Luxury halong bay tours. The cheap ones you can buy in one of the many tourist shops littered around Hanoi where as the luxury ones fill up and you really need to pre book.
The price difference is massive, about $70 for the cheapie on a 2night cruise and about $270 for the luxury. There isnt much room for haggling on the luxury either as they sell out almost every trip in the high season. We were lucky to get the last spot on one of the luxury Indochina Junks and it was absolutely spectacular. Managed to negotiate $10 off the price due to our late booking but wouldnt recommend waiting for such a puny discount. 7 course meals, stunning scenery, private port (away from the cheap tours), private dinner in a motherfucking cave!. Stunning.

$300pp with two way private transfer

Comments

  • +1

    i love a good "bagain"!

    • oh bummer!

      • -3

        Also, sorry to see that your apostrophe key broke.

  • +6

    My comment on VN prices is "dramatically inexpensive".

    We fed a family of six dinner with drinks for $12, and even a pretty flash restaurant was under $50.
    T-shirts $4 as an opening price.
    Cigarettes $1.50 a pack, beer sometimes 50c, always under $1.50. Bahn Mi for $1 (try op la, 'with egg' for breakfast).
    Day out at Vinpearl water/theme park was $130 for six.
    Only place I was disappointed with the price was a Starbuck/Gloria Jeans style coffee shop we stopped at in HCM. It basically was charging Australian prices.

    Tips:

    • Catch the train, cheap and fun. But have realistic expectations. This is the developing world, not the Indian-Pacific.
    • Stay in non-chain hotels. A high quality room is rarely more than $50.
    • Don't be put off by cheap prices. One of the nicest hotels we stayed in was $12 a dble.
    • Be adventurous in what you eat. The food is great.
  • +10

    Stuff the bagains, I want to know more about the airpoty.

  • +3

    Just got back as well… Love the place… To bad for all the rain tho :(

    SOoo cheap… Hanoi i was averaging $15-$20 a day including a bed… 15-20 beer hoi's, food 3X a day and a Tshirt ;)

  • +4

    Definitely some of the cheapest beer in the world if you're happy to drink the locally brewed 'fresh beer' Bia hơi. It's 4,000 Vietnamese Dong, which was less than 20 cents when I was last there. Ridiculous.

  • +7

    Ever since the Vietnam Top Gear special I have wanted to go to Vietnam.
    Looks awesome.

    • +2

      haha me and a few friends watched that after booking our trip to get hype!

  • If you're in HCMC, check out the Shri.

    http://shri.vn/

    Great fine dining restaurant. Their menu
    http://shri.vn/uploads/page/f772184.pdf

  • +4

    If you're in a tourist zone, like Hoi An, the taxis drop you off in a central location - just remember that everything is the most expensive where they drop you off…walk into the nearest stores and get an idea of prices, then try to walk out, they will almost appear to be cutting their own throats to sell to you but persevere and then go for a walk out to the other end of town (past the Japanese Bridge in Hoi An for example) and then start shopping backwards from there…you will be stunned at the prices! You think $1 is a cheap t-shirt? try 20c! Mind you, the thread count is not what you'll be used to…closer to mosquito netting than a t-shirt ;)

    But yes…any shops within 400m of a central drop off point I think must be paying kick-backs to taxi companies.

    • -1

      Yeah and they probably pay a lot higher rent to be there.

      I know someone who went there and was attacked by thugs. I would consider my safety above saving money. Maybe ozbargain can go as a group

      • +17

        OMG! I know someone who was attacked by thugs right here in Australia! Don't leave your house. Consider your safety above saving money!

        • -5

          Lol your so funny.

        • +5

          Sure, but do you think the media storm in India when those students got assaulted in Melbourne was fair and reasonable? Do you think it is sensible for them to say "Don't go to Australia, your safety is more important."?
          I don't, and you just did the same thing to Vietnam.
          My direct experience is that the vast bulk of people were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and that the country is very safe (except maybe motorbikes!).
          Your acquaintance was attacked, so you think it is a country to avoid.
          If you looked at it objectively, who do you think is likely to be closer to the truth?

        • Where did I say avoid the country?

        • Oh, you mean your friend was attacked away from a tourist centre? I misunderstood, and thought you were saying avoid going to Vietnam altogether.

        • Because you took what I said out of context.

        • +1

          Who says staying at home is safe? Just look at the splat of houses that were sprayed with bullets lately. ;)

        • +8

          I've been going there for decades and rarely stay where the western tourist stays. I have never been attacked though once and only once, someone did try to pickpocket me. I caught him doing it and another Vietnamese guy gave chase for a minute and then came back and apoligised to me for his countryman's actions
          I have had more crime against me in Australia.

        • +3

          I have never been attacked though once and only once, someone did try to pickpocket me.

          Well but you have the Daleks, so…

  • +2

    Lol in Malaysia I went on a taxi tour. Petrol taxi tour guide included for the whole day. We ended up visiting all the main attractions with him dropping us off and waiting while we did the touristy stuff. All up was about 30 AUD for a whole day tour of KL for 4 people.

    • +1

      Pretty standard price for most of SE Asia (Bali, Thailand, Philippines, etc.). Great way to travel as you don't get lost and it's much safer than hiring a scooter/car for yourself.

  • +1

    I travelled from HCM to Hanoi over a month on an indirect route. (Then lived in Hanoi for 6 months) As there are not too many fixed prices around bargaining is a daily ritual. On a level of 1 to 10. 1 being so tight that every time you buy something you argue over the price for 10 minutes and level 10 being the person who pays the first price every time. I travelled on a level 2-3. I paid $5-$6 per night for private double rooms the whole way up the coast. Apart from HCM, Hanoi and Hoi An where it was $10-12.

    It took some work to travel cheap and I was always cautious that people were over charging me. This comment may offend some oz bargainers.. I would like to go back, relax a bit more and travel at a level 5-6. Pay $7-8 for my accommodation instead of haggling them down to $6!

  • +1

    This is great. I'm planning on going there in January. I'll have to be extra careful though because I'm travelling there alone and I'm 18 years old.

    • +4

      You'll be fine, great thing to do at your age. There is heaps to do and the best thing about Sth East Asia is that whatever you want to do there will always be loads of people ready to help you and or sell you something! For general travel and accommodation there is no need to book anything before you go over. You will pay way more if you do and you will be greeted with a plethora of options on your arrival.

      If you stick to the main towns along the coast there is a full sized bus network that is really safe and costs about $5 for a 4-5 hour journey. As soon as you start using the local minivans anything can happen. Like any keen businessman the minivan drivers never say no to work. This means chucking an extra local in the van at random occasions on route until there is 30 people in the back of a 12 seater!

      One actual minivan company that was really good and straight up for me is Mai Linh.

  • How much was your tourist visa for Vietnam?

    • http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/123689

      That might have some answers for you :)

    • Got mine for $85 each I think.

    • I got my initial visa in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. I can't remember why but for some reason it is really cheap to get it from the embassy there. I think it was only $30 for three months.

      The reason for the low price is probably because you get the visa on the spot and it doesn't travel through multiple sets of hands where money goes to agents etc

    • I actually did my VOA.

      $20 for the letter and $45usd to get it stamped at customs.

      If youre polite and have all your shit filled out, cash and a photo ready to go youll skip the line. We waited 5 minutes tops and skipped a good 30 people waiting there. Then again it was 10pm so factor in the time, rush hour id probably opt for getting it stamped in Australia.

  • If you call the embassy (which I did last year for a transfer visa) I was quoted 150 USD per person…

  • This is great! Heading to Vietnam in two months. Yosh!

    Any tips to not get AS scammed? Will be doing the Hanoi —> Halong Bay —> Hoi An leg.

    • Good question, and good leg. It can be tough as there are no prices on display. I used to look at it that I was happy to pay a little premium for being a foreigner but didn't want to pay way more.

      Everyone resells almost anything. It might cost you $6 to book a bus through your hotel and $5 to book direct with the bus company.

      The real key to paying a fair price is to understand the market rates for things. That takes time and talk to locals that you trust + other foreigners that u meet on your travels.

      A bit of etiquette:
      Don't bargain for something unless you actually want it as if the seller accepts your price they will be very angry if you change your mind.
      Be friendly, some sellers are very skillful at using emotions to encourage your purchase!

    • Heres a simple tactic when bartering at a market:

      Ask for the price while smiling, looked shocked and say so expensive!
      They will then say something like "how much you pay?"
      Offer a third, they will do the save and say "ooooo too low!"
      And youll eventually agree at somewhere in the halfway mark.

      Youll still pay more than a local but they wont budge and why waste your time over 50 cents?
      Have fun and remember its not worth getting all depressed over not achieving the best possible prices, its just how it is for foreigners.

    • What time are you budgeting for your trip? Id squeeze in HCM if you can: less relaxing but more interesting than Hoi An IMO.

  • +1

    Visa, I use these guys every time, never a problem and beats getting one from the emabassy where you have to post your visa off
    http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/vietnam/vietnam-visa.html

  • +2

    Airport "Taxis" are often guys with private cars that pretend to be real taxis. Charge a heap to drive you into town. if in doubt wait 'til you get outside to the rank and ask several real taxis for price.
    Don't bother with the Pho restaurants, not as good as street fare and A$$$$ prices. Also any Western-style fast food joints. (Macca's tray liners are interesting souvenirs tho'.)
    Ladies; Hoi An for clothing and shoes, (Also has a few blokes wear shops as well.) Great little restaurant in skinny building down by the river between Jap bridge and markets.
    Only "rip-off" we had was pedallo's agreed to take us around Hanoi for a set fee for 30min but stopped near the end and asked for more money. Unfortunately I had taken a walk around area near hotel (in old town area) so knew where we were. Pissed them off when I said no and walked family the 2 blocks directly back to hotel.
    Also ANZ bank has branches in Saigon District of HCMC and Hanoi plus others. Sort of funny to walk down the street and there's an ANZ ATM glaring at you. Might be worth it to stick some cash in an ANZ account with debit card, although Cirrus cards work fine.
    Don't stop walking (at a measured pace) when crossing roads in HCMC, the motorcyclists are much better riders than you are a pedestrian. You'll appreciate this when you see courting couples at night riding along on their m'cycles holding hands.

    • Had two different cyclos try to rip me off.
      One was quoting 15 thousand, then swore blind he said 50.
      The other quoted a set price for a trip around Hue, then asked for more at the end. He was very very insistent and angry I would give him no more.
      It went so far that I probably would have given him extra to get rid of him, but I had no cash left so he missed out.

  • Saigon: Take a taxi by Vinasun and use the meter. They give you a recipt here becuase of the amount of taxi scams that take place. $8 to district 1

    What does take a taxi by Vinasun mean?

    • Vinasun and Mai Linh are reputable taxi company brands.

      • +1

        Oh ok so travelling district 1 to/from airport with these taxi companies is done via meter as opposed to fixed rate?

        • Yes,

          Going rate should be 160k vdn or $8 aud from airport to hcm district one

      • Who's the moron that neg this comment?

  • Anyone familiar with the term "boom boom?" In Vietnamese

    • Vietnam is not a near as sleazy as parts of Thailand. Only saw a few hookers in my two weeks in vietnam compared to the flood I saw walking the streets in Bkk over three nights.

      • +1

        And by 'saw' I meant with my eyes. I wouldnt go there even if I triple bagged.

      • +1

        It might have something to do with sex worker not being a legal job in Vietnam.

  • +1

    Added some more to the top post.

    • +1

      OP, do you know how difficult to get vegetarian/vegan food there?

      • +1

        My girlfriend doesnt eat seafood or pork, and in vietnam that is basically being a vegetarian.

        There are options for vegetarians everywhere, even just asking for a dish without the meat is a pretty good vegetarian option as the meat is rarely the bulk of the dish. You might need to research and preplan options for places that specifically cater but I wouldnt let being a vegetarian put you off.

        Vegan is nothing from an animal correct? You might have a bit more trouble there as the stock from soups would be beef/chicken and that writes fish and seafood off too.

        • Thanks for reply. Yes, you are right. For me, Vegan is nothing from animal and vegetarian is no fish,meat,egg,chicken,seafood,pork. I had tough time finding vegetarian food in Germany few years back and survived on margarita pizza and subway vege delite.

        • Youll find a lot of pizza places and a few subways scattered about.

          There are a few great garlic based local dishes that you could try too. If youve ever had morning glory (the food) youll know the type of dish. I had a morning glory style entree which was made from flowers (the bulb and the stalk fried in oil and garlic). Which was great but gave me terrible gas. Ironic, no?

      • I've been vegan for nearly 10 years, and I'd probably say Vietnam is one of the best places for veganism around! Absolutely incredibly. I'm dying to have some vegan pho when I go back in April!

        Whenever you travel, the bible of veganism abroad is Happy Cow.
        http://www.happycow.net/asia/vietnam/

        374 vegan/veg listings in Vietnam, with over 110 alone in Saigon.
        The choices are huge! Everywhere from tiny local places (which are awesome), through to fancy all vegan places, with vegan supermarkets above! Like Loving Hut Hoa Dang.

        If you haven't used Happy Cow before, it will become your savior on the road. I've been in the middle of nowhere and found vegan restaurants through it.

        Cheers,
        Wade

        • +1

          Thanks for taking out time to reply almost an yr old question. Thanks again..

        • What is the sub for fish sauce? Thats in everything./

  • With the violence happening in Thailand right now, good job for having the balls to go there.

    • +4

      I think the traffic is more dangerous than the demonstrations

  • +1

    Ha Long Bay.
    Agree with the works there is no middle ground. Cheap tours looked pretty rowdy, but the luxury ones are a bit sterile. They could really use a middle ground around 3 star!
    We used Paloma, and while it was costly, was very good.
    I used a Travel agent in Hanoi to book some things from Australia (the Paloma cruise, train tickets, VOA visa) and she was exceptional, to the point where she invited my family to her home for dinner. Having a local who speaks excellent English and will respond to email immediately was a huge bonus organising a complex itinerary. I recommend her unreservedly http://halongsapatours.com/

  • This post is a little old now, but as it was originally about prices in Vietnam, has anyone got any prices they can add from recent trips? being a dedicated bargain hunter, would love to know more, looking for prices on internal travel, day trips, tours etc? thanks

    • My experience is a year and a half old.
      Due to our circumstances (4 kids, 2 adults) it was economical for us to get a car and a driver rather than book on a tour bus to visit things like Cu Chi tunnels or My Son temples. A driver and van was around $80AUD for the day. We tend to seek out a driver to book with directly, to avoid the hotel desk mark up. To find such a person, I recommend chatting to a hairdresser, masseuse or similar tourist business. They always have a friend or family member who can fit the bill.
      To get an idea of prices for tours, the Sinh Tourist Cafe is probably a good pace to start:
      http://www.sinhtourist.com/

    • I just got back from Vietnam a week ago.

      Internal travel is cheap. Airfares between Saigon and Hanoi were about $60pp. Between Hue and Hoi An I hired a driver and an english speaking guide for about $90. Was worth every penny.

      But the prices vary depending on where you're going. A driver between Nha Trang and Dalat was $120.

      Sleeper aren't a very cheap way to travel but they're fun.

      Only use Vinasun and the Green taxis (I forget their name) - my friend forgot this rule when he got to Saigon and a 70,000dong taxi ride became a 250,000dong ride.

      Don't be shy to book 2 star places. Seriously, for $30 a night these hotels were like Australian 4 star places but the rooms were just a smidge smaller. They're modern, clean and you can find them in perfect locations.

      Always demand prices in dong. They like to quite prices in USD and then try to screw you on exchange rates.

  • I'm more fascinated on how non-Viet speakers get around

    • I'm as anglo as they come, but didn't have any real difficulties.
      All the hotels, down to very inexpensive levels had proficient English speakers.
      The rail system had plenty of signs in English, and on the odd occasion when something wasn't clear we were able to find somebody to help explain it to us.
      And ultimately, a bit of pointing and smiling usually gets the message across!

    • It's not that hard and if you're willing to pick up some of the language you get by.

      Don't be afraid to ask how to say words. After 3 weeks I was able to read and understand a viet menu.

  • My bit…
    Wife and I went in Aug/Sept '14. Fabulous time.
    We picked the nicer hotels, A$60 a night in Hoi An and A$40 in Hue. Both with free wifi and breakfast. Both excellent, the Hue place was stunning — almost new, great staff and a rooftop pool with bar overlooking city. Cocktails there $6, beers 50c to $2, depending on where you were. Happy hours all over the place for cheap drinks.
    The food is ridiculously good and crazy cheap. Street food, which is often a huge pot of something with tiny little stools, is amazing. We never got sick or felt worried about our safety. Try the banh mi wherever you are (around $1, though they seem to be 50c for locals).
    Many people speak English, and if they don't, point-and-smile usually does the job. Be prepared to haggle. Watch out though, do your maths with the currency and pay attention.
    Get your inoculations early, get travel insurance so you don't have to worry.
    Stunning country, great people (usually), we will go back when we can.

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