Thinking about going to Vietnam?
It's a pretty good idea. We've sure enjoyed our holiday.
And from Darwin it's actually a pretty comfortable journey to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon (Sai Gon) as it is often still referred to. And from there, you are just a taxi.. bus or train ride from Ke Ga or Mai Ne.
Saigon is also the name of a really good local beer (bia)... but I digress.
We caught the evening flight out of Darwin to Singapore. Less than six hours later we were in Singapore. We got off the plane.. and as we were sticking with Jet Star, didn't have to go far at all. We just headed for the information desk by Starbucks and they pointed to a stairway leading to the Ambassador Hotel where you can book by the hour. As they wait is almost nine hours long, we took a six hour chunk and slept..
What a perfect way to do it!
We woke up with plenty of time for breakfast, and got on the plane to Saigon. Easy.
Customs and immigration at the airport was quick and easy. No line-ups or hold ups.. we just walked right through and out the door (we had carry-on only.. the only way to travel).
There in the waiting room was a fellow with a sign that said "Welcome: Vas Pergat".. he and his newer model Kia, with leather seats, manoeuvred us through the city, around the roundabouts, motorbikes and rickshaws.. dogs and people and roosters.. cars and trucks and... for four hours.. to the beach, and home for the next two weeks: Spa Village Resort.
There was nothing there.. just miles of beach.. one restaurant, a spa.. lovely little huts on the hill. Perfect for tired tourists, not interested in touring at all.
Once rested, we headed for the touristy town of Mui Ne: where sailboarding and food were what it was all about.
A night in Saigon: a visit to the market, and we are back at the airport.. already finished the first leg: an hour and half from Sai Gon to Singapore, where this time it is a quick coffee.. a bit of blogging, and back on the plane.
Vietnam is still not really tourist 'savvy' : which is good, or not, depending on what your expectations are. The hotels are relatively cheap: our first one was about $50 a night.. the second just $25 (with a pool and the ocean waves just outside the door) .. another one in the heart of Mui Ne was about $65. Sai Gon is a little more - but not much, and it was right in the heart of the city.
If you are like some of the people I know and want to understand the price of things a little better.. well, beer, in a pretty large bottle, is under a buck.
My tip for the trip: Saigon Lager.. Green Label.
It's a pretty good idea. We've sure enjoyed our holiday.
And from Darwin it's actually a pretty comfortable journey to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon (Sai Gon) as it is often still referred to. And from there, you are just a taxi.. bus or train ride from Ke Ga or Mai Ne.
Saigon is also the name of a really good local beer (bia)... but I digress.
We caught the evening flight out of Darwin to Singapore. Less than six hours later we were in Singapore. We got off the plane.. and as we were sticking with Jet Star, didn't have to go far at all. We just headed for the information desk by Starbucks and they pointed to a stairway leading to the Ambassador Hotel where you can book by the hour. As they wait is almost nine hours long, we took a six hour chunk and slept..
What a perfect way to do it!
We woke up with plenty of time for breakfast, and got on the plane to Saigon. Easy.
Customs and immigration at the airport was quick and easy. No line-ups or hold ups.. we just walked right through and out the door (we had carry-on only.. the only way to travel).
There in the waiting room was a fellow with a sign that said "Welcome: Vas Pergat".. he and his newer model Kia, with leather seats, manoeuvred us through the city, around the roundabouts, motorbikes and rickshaws.. dogs and people and roosters.. cars and trucks and... for four hours.. to the beach, and home for the next two weeks: Spa Village Resort.
There was nothing there.. just miles of beach.. one restaurant, a spa.. lovely little huts on the hill. Perfect for tired tourists, not interested in touring at all.
Once rested, we headed for the touristy town of Mui Ne: where sailboarding and food were what it was all about.
A night in Saigon: a visit to the market, and we are back at the airport.. already finished the first leg: an hour and half from Sai Gon to Singapore, where this time it is a quick coffee.. a bit of blogging, and back on the plane.
Vietnam is still not really tourist 'savvy' : which is good, or not, depending on what your expectations are. The hotels are relatively cheap: our first one was about $50 a night.. the second just $25 (with a pool and the ocean waves just outside the door) .. another one in the heart of Mui Ne was about $65. Sai Gon is a little more - but not much, and it was right in the heart of the city.
If you are like some of the people I know and want to understand the price of things a little better.. well, beer, in a pretty large bottle, is under a buck.
My tip for the trip: Saigon Lager.. Green Label.
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