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I know this is long so please be kind. I’m new here just trying to get some information on my upcoming trip. It probably doesn’t matter but I’m from the United States, Kansas to be specific. I will be flying to Ho Chi Minh City the first week in June for approximately a week stay. I’m going to be flying out of Las Vegas because I’m going there first for a week or so. I originally had planned on flying with a friend who’s been to VN many times but his scheduled just does not work for me. We were/are going to meet a third friend there. I have decided I’m going to go by myself to meet that friend. I checked the State Department website and I know Vietnam is a safe place for US citizens to visit so I’m not worried about that. What I am worried about is I do not speak the language I have no idea how to navigate or get things that I will need when I’m there. I’ve got several questions I’m hoping to get answered in this group.1st I know I need to take some cash with me and exchange it I just don’t know how much I should take or where the best places to exchange it or the easiest. I’ve been told not to exchange at the airport because the rates not very good. For things I’m not paying cash with can I pay with a credit card how does that work. I have been told PayPal operates in Vietnam and have a PayPal account with a PayPal debit card2nd I’ve also been told that getting through customs/screening can be a little bit tricky and I should have a few five or $10 bills to slip them which will make getting through easier, not sure if that info is correct or not. Other than the standard things you can’t get on a plane is there anything I shouldn’t take with me or I should take with me how do they view medication that you take mostly just vitamins, over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or ibuprofen and one or two prescription drugs. 3rd I’m sure at airport there are many people who speak English or can translate and help me navigate the language barrier and of course I’ll have a translation app on my phone with me. But once I get out of the airport it may get a little more difficult. Although it’s a safe place I’ve been told that the biggest threats are pickpockets and places that take advantage of tourists, so I want to get ahead of that from the start4th My friend I’m meeting may not be able to meet me at the airport I’m not sure on that yet so I will need to be sure I know how to get transportation to whatever hotel I pick. It will be late when I get in so I really don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to get to my hotel, I’m sure whatever motor transportation I pick will be plenty long enough as it is so don’t need to complicate it by not knowing what to do.5th I also don’t know much about how their power grid works over there I know things are different in Europe than the are the United States so the real question is will I be able to take my cell phone charger and will I be able to take my corded 120 volt razor with me. 6th. I know my phone won’t work over there and I need to do something to make the Internet work or make my phone work when I’m there so any help on what I need to do with that would be great to. I read someplace about purchasing a Sim card or something but need to make sure it’s going to be compatible with my phone before I get over there 7th I know there are services that help navigate the airport both for arrival and departure Fast Track is the one that was recommended to me I just want everyone’s opinion on it and the other ones like it. They sound like a good services and are worth the money but I would just like everyone’s opinion on them. I know this was a long post, but I really would appreciate any help and info I can get.
I know this is long so please be kind.
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last Saturday, it took me 20 minutes to get through immigration, hotels almost always have pick up service, otherwise I use the app Grab, there you can choose a fixed price, and then you know what it will cost, if you live in the city center about 100,000 – 200,000 dong. I usually exchange some cash before I leave home to have a start, then I withdraw money from the ATM, and use my regular Mastercard for card payments.
Install a Xanh SM app on your phone, registering with your phone number, and order a Xanh Taxi to your hotel. Or simply follow the signs at the airport to where to catch a taxi and if you see a Xanh Taxi, hard to miss with its fleet of turquoise color, show the driver your hotel name and address. He/she will get you one if he/she is not available. Xanh works like Uber and you will pay the exact amount quoted so you would never be scammed.
A week is NOT enough time to see or do anything. Find a Vietnamese travel agent who can arrange your flights and handle your passport and visa issues. You can now fly via Phoenix Az to HCMC via Taipei. Have your agent arrange for Handy Cap or Fast Track service. This will help you navigate the Air Ports and get you to immigrations. Down load the GRAB app onto your phone and also set up for direct billing to a dedicated credit card. Have the names and address you wish to visit in your phones Contacts before hand. If useful & can provide more details if you request. … j.o.
Just a statement… I feel the ‘bribe comment’ is condescending to Vietnamese and customs people. Though I don’t point this statement at the OP, I just feel when I’m on travel groups or actually anywhere in the world this is said, that there is an assumption or blanket statement made on people as greedy, corrupt, etc.
Don’t worry so much. You will have more trouble in Vegas than here. It will be like you won at the tables instead of lost! Ignore aggressive solicitations, atm if you run low on $, Grab app to get around and you can walk lots of places. Phone will work ok, figure out eSIM if it doesn’t, not hard. Have a great time.
We came here with dong ($500 Canadians worth) to have cash on hand. That goes a long way here. We used our credit card a few times.
1. Get cash -cash is king here. Cards are charged a 3-6% rate for usage.
Contrary to what everyone say the exchange rate for USD is set by the govt and is the same rate everywhere. Other currencies vary by market demand but USD is fixed. Xanh SM is similar to Grab or Uber but cheaper and the blue cars are electric. A lot of your misplaced fears are just rumours from 15 to 20 yrs ago so no money left in your passport.
At the suggestion of someone who lives here, we signed up at Klook for front of line immigration assistance. It as apx $15 each, and went super smooth and we would do it again. The upgrade Klook offers is not necessary. Our point of entry as Da Nang, which is probably the easiest, fortunately, it is where we started our trip. You should be fine using Klook immigration assistance in Hanoi. my husband as worried about prescriptions, too many youtube videos. Original bottles, do not bring more than a 90 day supply, and if you are concerned bring your pharmacy print out. Esim is the easiest and most reasonable at the airport, Vietel has probably the best coverage for rural areas. Although, my husband would argue it is better to pay a bit more and have the esim set up before you arrive so you do not need to deal with it at a busy airport. I won on that one, we got it in Vietnam. Most important thing make sure you have your visa in order. Verify you passport number against the visa. Brought both the digital and paper copy to be on the safe side.
#2 is a big NO. 🤬🤬🤬