LODGING
The Hotel Stamp is getting more and more important for when you
leave Vietnam/apply for an extension (which is itself becoming
extremely hard to get). Only official hotels have a hotel stamp
and they charge official prices for you to stay there (in part
because they have to give half their foreign revenue to the
government over and above a substantial "foreign licensing"
fee). If you want the stamp but not the overnight then offer one
of the desk staff a few dollars to borrow their stamp.
It is almost impossible to find lodgings during Tet holidays.
Book in advance and sit tight through the holiday or you may be
spending some nights out on the street.
You are generally not charged extra for an extra person in the
room. You will probably be charged extra for a second bed, even
if you're not using it. To avoid confusion (and surcharges) over
the various interpretations of "single", "twin", and "double",
go have a look at the room to be sure you're getting what you
want.
TRANSPORT
Taxis with meters are available in big cities. The current price
is about US$ 0.5 per kilometer. A taxi ride from Tan Son Nhat
Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) to downtown Ho Chi Minh City costs
about US$4. A taxi ride from Noi Bai Airport (Ha Noi) to
downtown Ha Noi costs abouts US$15. Most metered taxi drivers
speak little English. In HCM City, Saigontourist runs a fleet of
red-painted cabs.The traditional means of transport in remote
areas is waterways. Ship of all types together with the river
and the wharf, are familiar in the Vietnamese geological and
humanitarian images. So if you want to make trips to such places
like Mekong Delta, be prepared to go by this means. Super trips!
SHOPPING
The following items are preferred by foreign travellers:
- Carved wooden furniture, fine lacquerware (these can be
shipped home upon request).
- Traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk dresses, kimonos,
embroideries, etc.
- Simulated antiques, fine ceramics, old watches or Zippo
lighters, etc.
- Copies of famous artist paintings
SECURITY
- As with any big city, do not bring items of value as you
go shopping or sightseeing on city streets.
- It is customary to give alms to beggars and to buy
souvenirs from street vendors.
- Foreign currencies should be exchanged at banks, or
authorized exchange facilities. Do not exchange money in the
street.
- It is advisable NOT to take pedicabs or "honda-om" on
your own.
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