G'day

This will be our first time in Vietnam next year. We have travelled many times to Thailand and will return there at the end of this trip. I have posted many times before on the Phuket forum and have received some great pointers, so i hope maybe someone out there may be able to do the same for Vietnam... Many thanks in advance. normally i don't take any clothing and baggage with me, i just buy it all there, is this smart for Vietnam? we will be starting in Ho Chi Minh for 4 days then to Hanoi for 4 days. We are currently booked in the Metropole and internationale hotels respectively ???? any comments

* are there any good trips you may suggest.
* What prices can i expect to pay for clothes, beer, etc
* Is there anywhere to stay clear of
* Where is the best shopping
* Any good contacts for taxis and tours etc
* What should we do about money? are there plenty of exchanges on the streets similar to Thailand and do they prefer cash (AUD, USD)

Thanks again i am sure i will annoy everyone for a while yet.

Hi Steve haven't been there for two years but I have all my just back reports in this section. Hope they help.

shway.

If this is the first time you come to Vietnam, I think that you should prepare necessary clothes and baggage before, because it will take you much time to buy in Vietnam and take more money (it’s hard to find the original label here unless you know exactly the company’s showroom).

At the North of Vietnam (Hanoi) (I have no idea in Ho Chi Minh City)
1. About the trips: there are nice trips here.
Firstly, It’s Halong Bay – the place you should visit. It’s so beautiful and fanciful scenery
Sapa is also nice place for you. You can go trekking to the villages of ethnic minorities, the climate there is so nice for relax

2. You should bargain before you buy any things here (should bargain even than 50% or more!!)
3. In Hanoi, I think you should book room before to get good service. I stayed at Indochina 2 hotel, the room is clean and the all staffs are friendly. The location is nice, the hotel is near the lake and in the center.
4. shopping: Van Phuc ( HaTay Province) – where you can buy silk with cheap, hang ngang, hang dao, etc…. Coffee of Vietnam taste well by the way, should buy for your friend before come back your country- Trung Nguyen coffee, G7 is good label
5. Taxis: Mai Linh taxis. Tours – I booked at the hotels where I stayed ( http://www.indochina-hotelgroup.com)
6. Money: You can exchange on the streets or at the hotel is ok
I hope my experience is helpful for you. Have a good time.

thankyou

your assistance is great