bargaining
by ronrsommers
The thing I enjoyed most about HCMC was the shopping and bargaining. Whether visiting Ben Thanh Market, Cholon, other markets or even street stalls, if you are not Vietnamese, you will be quoted the tourist price. Look at the item and decide what you would like to pay. That will be your midpoint between what they are asking and what you will offer.. Ask "how much", but ask in Vietnamese. They will be happy you took the trouble to learn a few words in their language and warm up to you. For example: The shopkeeper wants 400,000 dong (about 25 u.s. dollars). You decide that you would be happy if you got it for about 17 usd, or about 280,000 dong. T his is your midpoint between 400,000 and 160,000, which is what you offer. She wants 400,000, roll your eyes, let your jaw drop, act incredulous, and say "mac qua" pronounced "mack qwawh" which means "too expensive". She will probalblly find this amusing, and also be impressed that you know FOUR words in Vietnamese. Then you offer 160,000. She will have a handheld calculator just for such negotiaions. .She will act as if you want to confiscate her house and take her first born child, but she will make a counter offer. Whatever she comes down, you go up by an equal amount. Do not be surprised as you approach the midpoint if she stops coming down. She is testing your determination. Repeat your last offer and say "final offer". As she looks at the number on the calculator, smile and say "Da, da. Cam on." - pronouced "Da, da, Kam uhn" smile broadly. She will usually take this offer. If she counters again and is very close, go ahead and let her have the extra fifty cents. If it is a little more that that, ask for a small gift from her to compensate, a small change purse or fan, or a pair of nail clippers. Everyone is happy.
Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
by volopolo
Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
The Christmans day all the people walk around the streets in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). But most of them are around the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica to celebrate the Christmans day all the night to the morning. If you be there you see how wonderfull is celebrated this day in Saigon.
Information
Name: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Attraction Type: Christmans day
Close to: City Center
City: Ho Chi Minh City
Last Visit: December 2010
My Photos
First Photo: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Second photo: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Third photo: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Forth photo: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Fifth photo: Christmans in Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
Line up....
by Fondest_Memories
Well, while I was in Vietnam I notice something I thought other travelers wouldn't like. Have you ever tried to stand in line to purchase a train ticket? I notice that people don't even have a line at all...Especially, when it's peak season. They just seem to pile up on each other at the ticket window. Everyone else seem to be okay with it, but I felt very uncomfortable having people breathing down my neck. Luckily, I had cousins who lives in Vietnam, so they did all the lining up for me. So, if this happens to you, just try to understand that it's an acceptable thing for the locals.
U$D
by muddybok
US Dollar are widely acceptable in Vietnam. Bankers will give better exchange rate on bigger note ($50 & $100).
If you happen to run out of VND for small purchase, small dollar note will be assumed as VND15.000 per dollar.
Vung Tau is a beach resort on...
by Unknownsu
Vung Tau is a beach resort on the South China Sea coast and has been a favorite - though hardly picturesque - getaway destination for Ho Chi Minh residents. Vung Tau is a party town, full of sun, sand, surf, good food, beer and even a disco or two. It is 128km (80mi) south-east of Ho Chi Minh City, and can be reached by bus or - better - hydrofoil from central Ho Chi Minh.
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Terrace Cafe @ Saigon Center
Nice big roads inside and outside the city
War Remnants Museum
River barge
