TIP: The best exchange in HCMC is near Ben Thanh market (just outside). There's a jewelry store with crowds of people exchanging money. Majority of the grab drivers will know about it. Very good rates. I go there every time i'm in HCMC Also with GRAB don't use your card. Always pay with cash. There's a scam that happened to me where you'd book the grab with your card and the driver will wait somewhere near by claiming to be stuck in traffic. After 5 minutes the driver will cancel the booking due to "passenger not arriving on time". Your card will get charged a cancellation fee and there's really nothing you can do about it. Pay cash, that way if the driver wants the money then s/he will show up. It's not a common scam, but it has happened to be once-twice.
I can never get my card to be approved and connected with Grab app when i'm there for some reason because my bank always block it for some reason....so i always have been paying with cash.
For taxis, just take a Mai Linh or Vinasun. they are typically metered and usually no problems. Just walk left to the end after exiting the airport. Grab can be a mess with getting driver and language barrier. Sometimes some scammers even take your phone and cancel the ride ask you to go with them. Metered taxis aren't much more than grab. Use grab in the city center, just much easier.
I arrived by commercial air to VN only once, near the end of April 1975 to rescue my in-laws before Saigon fell. The other times I cam by military aircraft. In 1975, the terminal was tiny, more like what you might find in a very small city in USA, and despite Saigon falling to the VC 4-5 days in the future, it was very quiet with no sounds of war. One of the most memorable incidents in my long live of nearly 83 years. Thank you for the tips. I speak Vietnamese so that is no problem but I need to learn how to use my Android phone. Ha! ha!
Don't bring jackets or jumper, it's really, really hot!! Bring some face masks as well, it's polluted and smokers are everywhere, so masks will filter out some of the toxic chemicals.
Welcome to Vietnam again David, VN has everything amazing to offer tourists except snow... time to travel from one place to another in short distances, I think you've planned at least a month to stay in VN so you can make the fantastic travel videos :)
Great video. Once bitten twice shy with using taxis from the airport. My first trip to HCMC I was charged 1M VND. The next time I used the desks near the currency exhange which was alot cheaper. Will try grab on my next trip in Sept. 👌
I think everything definitely still applies for families, the only thing I could think of is staying super close to the city centre of places. Being a solo traveller it’s easy to hop on a bike and get around. But for families you’d have to get a car most likely, so it’s easier to stay in walking distance of places and potentially pay a little bit more for accommodation.
Hey, ur back to HCMC, cool. If u wanna grab a coffee or a quick bite, lmk, l live here now. Btw, I m not looking for any sort of collaboration, or investing, or anything related to money, Maybe I can share some local places w u, street foods, restaurants, bars, nightlife, etc... or vice versa...
Great tips! I agree with all them...I agree, stay away from Taxi drivers that approach you....go with Grab.....I was approached by a taxi driver after i had exchanged my money at the airport and they told me one price but 5 minutes into the ride they came up with a reason to tell me that the price is a bit higher....Also, how about phones that use esims? What's the best way to get an esim?
I haven’t personally used e-sim, but some goods ones I hear are airalo and holafly. I’d just google best e-sims and then compare a few of the options. They seem easy to use
TIP: The best exchange in HCMC is near Ben Thanh market (just outside). There's a jewelry store with crowds of people exchanging money. Majority of the grab drivers will know about it. Very good rates. I go there every time i'm in HCMC
Also with GRAB don't use your card. Always pay with cash. There's a scam that happened to me where you'd book the grab with your card and the driver will wait somewhere near by claiming to be stuck in traffic. After 5 minutes the driver will cancel the booking due to "passenger not arriving on time". Your card will get charged a cancellation fee and there's really nothing you can do about it.
Pay cash, that way if the driver wants the money then s/he will show up. It's not a common scam, but it has happened to be once-twice.
I can never get my card to be approved and connected with Grab app when i'm there for some reason because my bank always block it for some reason....so i always have been paying with cash.
@@xdgs567z cash is better
Jewelry stores all day long. We go to one near the pink church and the famous Banh Xeo spot. Excellent exchange rate.
I never have change only 500ks lol
My rate was trash cuz my bill was not crisp lol
Welcome back 2 Viet Nam ...
For taxis, just take a Mai Linh or Vinasun. they are typically metered and usually no problems. Just walk left to the end after exiting the airport. Grab can be a mess with getting driver and language barrier. Sometimes some scammers even take your phone and cancel the ride ask you to go with them. Metered taxis aren't much more than grab. Use grab in the city center, just much easier.
I arrived by commercial air to VN only once, near the end of April 1975 to rescue my in-laws before Saigon fell. The other times I cam by military aircraft. In 1975, the terminal was tiny, more like what you might find in a very small city in USA, and despite Saigon falling to the VC 4-5 days in the future, it was very quiet with no sounds of war. One of the most memorable incidents in my long live of nearly 83 years. Thank you for the tips. I speak Vietnamese so that is no problem but I need to learn how to use my Android phone. Ha! ha!
Heat - Noise - Pollution - Congestion - love it all 👌💪💪
Yes siiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrr 🫡
😂
Thanks man, im going for the first time in August by myself. This has all been really helpful.
Nam number 1!🇻🇳
Great video as always, thanks‼️💖
Cheers David really informative, we fly into Saigon in 2 weeks time from Melbourne never been to Vietnam before 🙏🏻
Don't bring jackets or jumper, it's really, really hot!! Bring some face masks as well, it's polluted and smokers are everywhere, so masks will filter out some of the toxic chemicals.
Happy to help! Safe travels and have a blast
Welcome back to the motherland dude, when i was there i took the bus out, the bus system in vn is very good, you can go anywhere by bus inside saigon.
I love your content
Thanks for sharing 🙏🙏
Thank you, this is very good content!
Thank you 🙏.
Welcome to Vietnam again David,
VN has everything amazing to offer tourists except snow... time to travel from one place to another in short distances, I think you've planned at least a month to stay in VN so you can make the fantastic travel videos :)
Nice 👍
Thanks for the info, im flying there from Melbourne in just under 2wks! I always forget where everything there is lol
Safe travels!
Great video.
Once bitten twice shy with using taxis from the airport. My first trip to HCMC I was charged 1M VND. The next time I used the desks near the currency exhange which was alot cheaper.
Will try grab on my next trip in Sept. 👌
good 👍 idea guide
Thanks mate super helpful, any tips for traveling families?
I think everything definitely still applies for families, the only thing I could think of is staying super close to the city centre of places.
Being a solo traveller it’s easy to hop on a bike and get around. But for families you’d have to get a car most likely, so it’s easier to stay in walking distance of places and potentially pay a little bit more for accommodation.
@@davidkhaiHelpful tips 😊
Try and get a hotel with a pool to keep the kids busy :)
Hey, ur back to HCMC, cool. If u wanna grab a coffee or a quick bite, lmk, l live here now. Btw, I m not looking for any sort of collaboration, or investing, or anything related to money, Maybe I can share some local places w u, street foods, restaurants, bars, nightlife, etc... or vice versa...
I’m not clear where grab taxis are. Can you explain?
Outside the airport but a crosding walk over
Great tips! I agree with all them...I agree, stay away from Taxi drivers that approach you....go with Grab.....I was approached by a taxi driver after i had exchanged my money at the airport and they told me one price but 5 minutes into the ride they came up with a reason to tell me that the price is a bit higher....Also, how about phones that use esims? What's the best way to get an esim?
I haven’t personally used e-sim, but some goods ones I hear are airalo and holafly. I’d just google best e-sims and then compare a few of the options. They seem easy to use
What is best district of HCM to stay for first time?
District 1 or 3 probably
🙏🏼
Trân trọng thế hệ trẻ sống ở Mỹ ko chống đối đất nước mà yêu mến Việt Nam như bạn
Saya lihat vidio kamu bagus sayang❤🎉😢❤❤
You're back with new haircut 👍
😂🤣😝 Pushy = Hound , same shit.
😂
Your video is bias. The new Hcm airport (long thanh province) is not even operates in your pic.
Nó đang được xây dựng để thay thế cho sân bay TSN đã cũ và lâu đời
Thanks for sharing 🙏