SGN overnight layover
Aug 21, 2015, 2:32 am
#16
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Aug 21, 2015, 5:49 am
#18
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I would opt for an even $100. Taxi from the airport to hotel will already be $15-20, so roundtrip is $30-40, leaving you with $60-70 to spend.
I forget how late it runs, but there's the night market outside of Ben Thanh you could go check out for late night eats, beer, and random gifts. It's virtually on the way to Bui Vien, where stuff is definitely open later.
I wouldn't walk on the way back, all you'll get to see are shuttered storefronts, not very attractive. A taxi from Bui Vien back to the Ren should be in the neighborhood of $1-2.
One more word of caution: There are counterfeit taxis out there that are colored like the big companies, so make sure the exact words "Vinasun" or "MaiLinh" are on the cab, as well as their respective phone numbers (Vinasun: 38 27 27 27; MaiLinh: 38 26 26 26).
Also, Vinasun only runs two types of vehicles: A Toyota Innova (7pax minivan) or Toyota Limo (5-pax compact car). Anything else is fake. MaiLinh runs the same two models plus a couple other different ones.
Finally, always make note of the cab number and/or driver's ID.
I forget how late it runs, but there's the night market outside of Ben Thanh you could go check out for late night eats, beer, and random gifts. It's virtually on the way to Bui Vien, where stuff is definitely open later.
I wouldn't walk on the way back, all you'll get to see are shuttered storefronts, not very attractive. A taxi from Bui Vien back to the Ren should be in the neighborhood of $1-2.
One more word of caution: There are counterfeit taxis out there that are colored like the big companies, so make sure the exact words "Vinasun" or "MaiLinh" are on the cab, as well as their respective phone numbers (Vinasun: 38 27 27 27; MaiLinh: 38 26 26 26).
Also, Vinasun only runs two types of vehicles: A Toyota Innova (7pax minivan) or Toyota Limo (5-pax compact car). Anything else is fake. MaiLinh runs the same two models plus a couple other different ones.
Finally, always make note of the cab number and/or driver's ID.
Id venture to say $100 is way too much unless the OP is gonna be downing top premium booze. The good thing is there are exchange booths I used airside that gave me back almost what I paid for my dong
OP its still nice to check out even thou closed both The Palace and Post Office and your ride to The Ren can accomplish that by asking the driver they both should be lit up
Aug 21, 2015, 6:20 pm
#20
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The taxi from SGN to The Ren cost me 150k and with the recent 1% deval Id say $8 US tops $16 r/t it cost me in Jan to catch the same UA flight out 135k I landed at 1am and left at 5am
Id venture to say $100 is way too much unless the OP is gonna be downing top premium booze. The good thing is there are exchange booths I used airside that gave me back almost what I paid for my dong
OP its still nice to check out even thou closed both The Palace and Post Office and your ride to The Ren can accomplish that by asking the driver they both should be lit up
Id venture to say $100 is way too much unless the OP is gonna be downing top premium booze. The good thing is there are exchange booths I used airside that gave me back almost what I paid for my dong
OP its still nice to check out even thou closed both The Palace and Post Office and your ride to The Ren can accomplish that by asking the driver they both should be lit up
If OP really is coming back to Vietnam sometime soon, I think whatever is left over from that $100 will be a good running start for that next trip. I have 500,000d left over for next time so I can arrive, pay the taxi, check into the hotel, and grab lunch/coffee before having to worry about hitting an ATM. Personal choice though.
Aug 21, 2015, 7:18 pm
#21
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Aug 26, 2015, 3:03 am
#22
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I would avoid Bui Vien if you are trying to get a vibe for the city. You are better off walking around district one, if you still want to see a market check out Cho Ben Thanh's night market (Closes around 10 or 11 I believe). Feel free to PM me if you want some details or other ideas.
Aug 27, 2015, 9:14 pm
#23
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i have an almost identical layover at the ren as OP in a month (although i have a full 24 hours), so i didn't want to start a new thread. a couple questions:
i arrive SGN at 2330 on a sunday night. should i spring for the $15 "fast track" immigration service that my VOA company (vietnamvisacorp.com) offers? i'd like to be at the ren before the lounge closes, but i don't think that will happen regardless.
where should i change USD/HKD to dong? i would take GB's advice and just use USD, but i'm going on a vespa tour the next day and don't have to be back at SGN until almost midnight. would dong be more convenient in my case? TIA!
i arrive SGN at 2330 on a sunday night. should i spring for the $15 "fast track" immigration service that my VOA company (vietnamvisacorp.com) offers? i'd like to be at the ren before the lounge closes, but i don't think that will happen regardless.
where should i change USD/HKD to dong? i would take GB's advice and just use USD, but i'm going on a vespa tour the next day and don't have to be back at SGN until almost midnight. would dong be more convenient in my case? TIA!
Aug 27, 2015, 11:03 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2005
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i arrive SGN at 2330 on a sunday night. should i spring for the $15 "fast track" immigration service that my VOA company (vietnamvisacorp.com) offers? i'd like to be at the ren before the lounge closes, but i don't think that will happen regardless.
where should i change USD/HKD to dong? i would take GB's advice and just use USD, but i'm going on a vespa tour the next day and don't have to be back at SGN until almost midnight. would dong be more convenient in my case? TIA!
There are ATM machines at the airport. I usually withdraw from ATM after arrival. Otherwise, your hotel or even your tour operator will gladly change your USD.
Aug 29, 2015, 6:27 pm
#25
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The only reason I would pay for fast-track is if you were in the way back of the plane... then you pay to cut in front of everyone else from your flight picking up their VOA.
Also, last time I found the exchange rate at the Ren to be very reasonable and worth the convenience if you're already there.
Aug 29, 2015, 11:16 pm
#26
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thanks for the help!
my tour gets done around 3p, so i figure i'll take up the pool at the ren for a couple of hours and then grab noodles at the place just north of ben thanh that IceTrojan mentioned.
would the walk from the ren to the airport be advised around 9pm? my flight to NRT leaves at midnight - i'm thinking i'd sleep a lot better in Y if i got in a good walk before the flight.
my tour gets done around 3p, so i figure i'll take up the pool at the ren for a couple of hours and then grab noodles at the place just north of ben thanh that IceTrojan mentioned.
would the walk from the ren to the airport be advised around 9pm? my flight to NRT leaves at midnight - i'm thinking i'd sleep a lot better in Y if i got in a good walk before the flight.
Aug 30, 2015, 12:15 pm
#27
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I wouldnt even think of doing that walk,especially when cabs are $8 max, and you are gonna get all sweated up. Id say walk around Dist 1 and then grab a shower at the Ren and head to the airport. If you would have already checked out, I would ask the FD to hold my bags and offer to pay alittle something to use the pools shower or better book a massage and shower afterwards
Aug 30, 2015, 12:35 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
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I wouldnt even think of doing that walk,especially when cabs are $8 max, and you are gonna get all sweated up. Id say walk around Dist 1 and then grab a shower at the Ren and head to the airport. If you would have already checked out, I would ask the FD to hold my bags and offer to pay alittle something to use the pools shower or better book a massage and shower afterwards
Aug 31, 2015, 10:10 am
#30
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thanks for the help!
my tour gets done around 3p, so i figure i'll take up the pool at the ren for a couple of hours and then grab noodles at the place just north of ben thanh that IceTrojan mentioned.
would the walk from the ren to the airport be advised around 9pm? my flight to NRT leaves at midnight - i'm thinking i'd sleep a lot better in Y if i got in a good walk before the flight.
my tour gets done around 3p, so i figure i'll take up the pool at the ren for a couple of hours and then grab noodles at the place just north of ben thanh that IceTrojan mentioned.
would the walk from the ren to the airport be advised around 9pm? my flight to NRT leaves at midnight - i'm thinking i'd sleep a lot better in Y if i got in a good walk before the flight.