loc_nguyen

1. Hotel room rate increase by 25% due to shortage in hotel room. Most 3, 4 stars hotel rooms are booked during high seasons.

2. The new international terminal in HCM City allows you to use metered taxis instead of the monopolized airport taxi...

3. I experience price increase of about 25% on restaurant bills... good thing liquor price remains almost the same...

jimbo99

You could always use metered taxis (on the meter) at the old terminal. The airport taxis outside were metered and charged similar rates to other meter taxis. The other meter taxi companies had stands nearby. I generally walked over to the yellow umbrella and got the vinataxis. Not the cleanest of taxis, but I've found their drivers less likely to give trouble.

The monopoly was in who was permitted to draw up right by the exit from arrivals. Perhaps also how the pre-pay voucher works (I've never used that so don't know if its changed).

flyer89

Hmm... You can also go to any jewelry store and exchange there. Since it is somewhat "blackmarket", expect the rates might varies from store to store. Maybe this store gives $1=16500 vdn, but two store down might gives 16700. And as someone mentioned go with the "yellow" taxi or VinaTaxis. Because they are less likely to "double charge" you and more trustworthy than other taxis. Even though it runs on the metered thing, but alot of drivers can "modified" it. Meaning you will pay more than what you should be. And yes there are cases where ATMs machines gave out fake money also. So my best bet, rather be safe than sorry, go to the bank. Or check every bills very carefully. It should be clear, unscratched images. If there's like an unclear picture of the person, it's fake. If the plastic part that that states the amount of money is scratched or unclear. It's fake. So watch out.

jimbo99

I just returned from Saigon having been away for almost a year (the longest since 1996.)

Could wobble on forever about the state of things (I'll spare you...) but a few things I would add relevant to travellers are:

1) Though taxi fares have gone up, I've heard that demand has reduced. Some Hanoi companies are reversing some of the recent increases. A Saigon taxi driver (for Vinasun) said he thought they'd soon be doing the same. Of course oil prices have reduced a little, so maybe that will help.

2) Hotel occupancy is still high but has perhaps now peaked - bookings are down on a year ago for the period Sep/Oct. This is for the $30 to $50 a night type establishments. They've increased their rates over the last year, but maybe more willing to discount over the coming weeks. This is from a hotel owner I've known for 10 years. The drop off is mainly because recent growth has come from VN travellers and regional travellers who are cutting back.

3) Apart from increasing prices, there's some obvious cost cutting. Eg in Highlands cafes you no longer get a biscuit with your espresso, or as many chips with your Tuna baguette. Places don't seem to be as well air-conned as they used to be.

4) Although inflation was headlined at 27% recently, many of the price rises have been recent and post-annual wage rounds. Back in February, local staff of one company I know were pretty content to receive a 10% pay rise, but are feeling the pinch now.

5) Some construction/infrastructure projects will soon be put on hold because inflated costs cannot be met or further investment may not now be forthcoming. So the pace of change may be set to cool - together with some other knock-on effects. If there's a general downturn, this could impact hotel rates at the more pricey establishments.

gleff

I arrive quite late into SGN. I know I should just change $$ on arrival, but would like to have just enough in my pocket for a cab to the Sheraton. Is there any chance of buying Dong airside in HKG? Or can I pay in US$?

loc_nguyen

The taxi driver will take your USD in a heartbeat. Offer him 10 USD for the ride to Sheraton, no more, no less. You can also have him stop by HSBC branch to withdraw some VND from the ATM on the way to Sheraton.

Tod E Tosser

Yes, most will agree to take $10 for a $5 ride.

If you want dong right away, there's an ATM in the arrivals terminal right before you step outside. Also, I'm pretty sure there's a taxi service selling prepaid rides in the same area. It's very reasonable, and you can pay in USD.

If you get a taxi on your own, avoid the touts who will try to extract $25 for themselves, and $10 for the driver. I never saw this at the old terminal. Look for a guy in uniform and insist you want a taxi with a meter. But if it's late at night and you don't feel like dealing with the b.s., the prepaid service is the way to go. Or if you want to avoid hassles and money isn't an issue, have the Sheraton send a car.

I seriously doubt you'll be able to get dong at a reputable money exchange. It's not a hard currency.

Daawgon

I always like to have my hotel meet my plane - they all do it, and it's so nice to have this taken care of late at night (when many long distance flights arrive). This way, you will also not have to exchange money, as the charge will be put on your hotel bill.

gleff

yeah, i'm ultimately being a wuss and just having the sheraton pick me up (for their unreal premium...) and not dealing with currency on arrival when i'll be exceedingly tired.

SaigonCyclo

The Sheraton charges around $35USD for a ride to the hotel. I guess if you're company is paying, its not a big deal. But as mentioned above, its a 75,000-80,000VND ride max using the meter. I know you can use points for a ride to the airport, but not sure about to the hotel. Hotel is only at 40% occupancy in the main building and just over 30% in the Towers (been here for 2 weeks). There have only been a couple people in the lounge during happy hour lately.

Once at the Sheraton, there's a couple ATM's on the first floor next to the casino. And if you have enough points to upgrade, I'd try out the Grand Tower. Rooms are very nice and the lounge is much better then the regular lounge.

GB

Even with this low occupancy, the lowest rate I can find for arrival in about 10 days is $225 per night. I would rather stay at the Sheraton, but have a reservation at the Legend for $150 night. Any offers I am missing?

Yaatri

The bid and ask rate is never the same. It's not unique to Vietnam. In times of uncertainty about the currency, the bid and ask spread gets larger.

SaigonCyclo

Your right, they aren't lowering their prices. It was $95 when I stayed here after they just opened in May 03. VN hotel prices are a farce.

$150 at the legend is a pretty good deal. They offered a deal in February where you paid $169 for the first night, then $109 for the remaining nights (including breakfast). You might ask them about it.

Tod E Tosser

What the OP noted is not a bid-ask; it's an official vs. unofficial (aka black market) rate. Official trading in the dong is restricted to a tight band. When the market decides that band isn't realistic, the unofficial rate deviates. You can keep a handle on this if you are able to find quotes on dong forward contracts.

Businesses will always sell you dong at the official rate, but will be reluctant to buy them back at the same rate if there's a big disparity.

Yaatri

No business or bank buys a currency at the same rate as the rate they sell it for. You go to any bank, you will see two rates, one for buying one for selling. This is always true.