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!
Re cash, you cannot really convert cash in your own country. VND is not an export currency and you won't be able to convert in your home country. Also you mentioned you like to drive a scooter - do you have a license? Getting from the airport - just use the bus - easy and convenient. Great video.
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. 👌
Love the video mate. Have watched quite a few others of arriving but your hands down the best 👍 Off to Vietnam 🇻🇳 from Sydney tomorrow and will re watch this on the plane.
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 :)
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.
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...
Damn-it. I'm flying into Da Nang or Hanoi, not sure yet. Hey, can you fly up there to both airports and do a travel guide for them, that would be great? ...Just kidding. :) Thanks for your time. :) UPDATE: Did SafetyWing get your money back when you lost your gear about a month ago?
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
Nice video, very helpful. I was wondering about the Grab pick-up point. The pick-up for Grab cars is just across the street, but for motorbikes if a 10 minute walk. Or is the pick-up point for cars also a 10 minute walk ? Thanks !
He's so right - double check your Visa to ensure the passport names and numbers and dates are all 100% correct and aligned. I applied online for a $25 visa, from Viet government website. When I arrived my passport number and tne number they issued didn't match by a swapped digit. I cut & paste my info, so not my error, but my problem. They issued me new emergency $170 visa or leave the country. Not much of a choice for a mistake or theirs. So I assume its a scam. Lots of cash, stress and delay after receiving a visa - so check for this Viet visa scam done by the official government website. Then there were about 4 of us in similar situation, so I don't think its a mistake.
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.
Hi David ! We are going to Vietnam next March so as first timers this airport video is great ! Thank you ! Can you suggest any decent places to stay in district 1 ? We are hoping to keep our hotel rooms between $20 and $30 a night. It’s a bit mind boggling when you go online to search !
These 2 were decent for a good price and location from memory, Asian ruby boutique and 60 Inn Saigon. Jump on booking.com and use the filter function, this is my go too. I find airbnb quite good as well, use the same filter functions.
heyy David, love your content and been watching for a few weeks now. I'm going myself to vietnam in November for a 28 days trip and you've helped me a lot already with foods, traditions, culture, respect. I'm planning to go with only a carry on luggage. Could you refer me a good backpack that you like? I'm asking since you got tons of experience now and I don't 😅
Hi David I’m David also bud just wondering if your in Vietnam or da nang at the moment I’m heading over on the 25 th of septa’s wondering about some advice
![Distress + raiden S(A)T[U]RN [FULL EP STREAM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/C5_2Hm59jWI/mqdefault.jpg)
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
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!
Re cash, you cannot really convert cash in your own country. VND is not an export currency and you won't be able to convert in your home country. Also you mentioned you like to drive a scooter - do you have a license? Getting from the airport - just use the bus - easy and convenient. Great video.
Heat - Noise - Pollution - Congestion - love it all 👌💪💪
Yes siiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrr 🫡
😂
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. 👌
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.
Thanks man, im going for the first time in August by myself. This has all been really helpful.
Love the video mate. Have watched quite a few others of arriving but your hands down the best 👍 Off to Vietnam 🇻🇳 from Sydney tomorrow and will re watch this on the plane.
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 :)
Nam number 1!🇻🇳
Great video as always, thanks‼️💖
Welcome back 2 Viet Nam ...
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
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...
Thanks for the info, im flying there from Melbourne in just under 2wks! I always forget where everything there is lol
Safe travels!
How did the visa process go? Did they look your visa up online or did they require you to have a paper copy?
Damn-it. I'm flying into Da Nang or Hanoi, not sure yet. Hey, can you fly up there to both airports and do a travel guide for them, that would be great? ...Just kidding. :) Thanks for your time. :) UPDATE: Did SafetyWing get your money back when you lost your gear about a month ago?
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
Thank you, this is very good content!
Nice video, very helpful. I was wondering about the Grab pick-up point. The pick-up for Grab cars is just across the street, but for motorbikes if a 10 minute walk. Or is the pick-up point for cars also a 10 minute walk ? Thanks !
Yeah it’s about a 10 minute walk for bikes, but from memory cars are where the taxis are too. But 1 or 2 lanes over
@@davidkhai Thanks !
He's so right - double check your Visa to ensure the passport names and numbers and dates are all 100% correct and aligned. I applied online for a $25 visa, from Viet government website. When I arrived my passport number and tne number they issued didn't match by a swapped digit. I cut & paste my info, so not my error, but my problem. They issued me new emergency $170 visa or leave the country. Not much of a choice for a mistake or theirs. So I assume its a scam. Lots of cash, stress and delay after receiving a visa - so check for this Viet visa scam done by the official government website. Then there were about 4 of us in similar situation, so I don't think its a mistake.
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 :)
Hi David ! We are going to Vietnam next March so as first timers this airport video is great ! Thank you ! Can you suggest any decent places to stay in district 1 ? We are hoping to keep our hotel rooms between $20 and $30 a night. It’s a bit mind boggling when you go online to search !
These 2 were decent for a good price and location from memory, Asian ruby boutique and 60 Inn Saigon.
Jump on booking.com and use the filter function, this is my go too. I find airbnb quite good as well, use the same filter functions.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🙏
Excellent Video ! Thank you David.
heyy David, love your content and been watching for a few weeks now. I'm going myself to vietnam in November for a 28 days trip and you've helped me a lot already with foods, traditions, culture, respect.
I'm planning to go with only a carry on luggage. Could you refer me a good backpack that you like? I'm asking since you got tons of experience now and I don't 😅
I just use a basic travel backpack, you can find them anywhere. Mine has a laptop holder and zips inside that separates items.
Do you know if you are supposed to have a paper copy of your visa, or do they look it up online?
I’m not clear where grab taxis are. Can you explain?
Outside the airport but a crosding walk over
David great video. Back again for the second time was in central Vietnam.
How do we get around setting up grab account with a foreign credit card?
They take foreign credits, have had no problems
THANKS David. Great tip
Can I connect my laptop to the Viettel sim card data?
If you mean hotspot through your phone, then yep
Hey man thx for your video, any update to this or pretty much the same recommendations? Thx
Pretty the same still
I love your content
Can you do a video on immigration? I heard they ask for drinking money. What do you do
lol what I’ve never heard of this…
What is best district of HCM to stay for first time?
District 1 or 3 probably
🙏🏼
You're back with new haircut 👍
Hi David I’m David also bud just wondering if your in Vietnam or da nang at the moment I’m heading over on the 25 th of septa’s wondering about some advice
How was your process with the Visa? Mine is accepted, but I noticed it repeats my name twice on the Visa. Did you come across this issue?
Hi Ben I had easy process no problem but my son did mine 😊
You dont need visa if you have vietnam passport as a second passport right?
Not sure about this one
Thank you 🙏.
Another vlogger posted this:
ATMs in Vietnam
o MB Bank - Vietcom Bank (3.64%)
o Techcom Bank (3.3%)
o Sacombank (4.0%)
o Agri Bank (4.0%)
Best to use TP or VP bank, no fees thankfully
Nice 👍
good 👍 idea guide
Trân trọng thế hệ trẻ sống ở Mỹ ko chống đối đất nước mà yêu mến Việt Nam như bạn
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
😂🤣😝 Pushy = Hound , same shit.
😂
Saya lihat vidio kamu bagus sayang❤🎉😢❤❤
5:43 An international flight between Melbourne and Saigon would charge extra for a piece of checked in luggage? That's ridiculous.
Thanks for sharing 🙏