+3 regarding avoiding connecting at at China at all costs. And avoiding big chain hotels too.
Agree that spending 2 weeks in Saigon is too much. Vietnam offers way more to be contained at one place and Hanoi and Da Nang/Hoi An are really good suggestions.
Couple of warnings, some of them are specifically for Saigon:
- read about taxi situation in Vietnam and in Saigon particularly. If possible, simply avoid getting taxi on your own - let locals do it.
- DO NOT flash your cash, camera, phone and anything expensive in public. I would suggest leaving expensive smartphone home and getting something for $50 to take with you.
- When/if walking at sidewalks, stay away from traffic side - walk close to buildings.
- If taking photos, hold your camera/phone firmly with both hands and again - stay away from moving traffic.
- Pay with VND, not USD and don't take/carry too much cash with you. If needed, you can withdraw money from ATM
- Most hotels will request to keep your passport during the duration of the stay. Ask them to take copy and request to give passport back - tell them that you need passport to extend your visa. Keep your passport/cash at room safe.
- If paying with credit card, don't let your card to be taken away from your sight and DO NOT use debit card for retail transactions at all.
- If you decide to fly to DAD/HAN, select VN - in this case possibility to cancel/reschedule your flight will be lower, but you still need to be prepared that it will happen - be flexible.
- Go read TripAdvisor forums and ask specific questions there - more information is available there and people are eager to help and answer your questions.
Good luck. And go and try local street food. It is amazing.
Last edited by invisible; Aug 11, 2017 at 2:39 am