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Vietnam is a fascinating destination in more ways than one. Its conflicted history includes wars with the French, American, Japanese and Chinese in this century alone. Despite its struggling past, though, Vietnam has managed to raise above tragedy and become one of the most popular destination in Southeast Asia, both for ongoing tourism and as a retirement destination (which has started to rival Florida in numbers). The goods news is that Vietnam is accessible to almost anybody. As long as you're willing to find your way around and don't mind haggling for a better price, it's possible to travel all across the country for just pennies. Do keep in mind that locals prefer quoting prices in American dollars and while the practice of paying in dollars is not exactly legal, everybody will (very happily) take them without a question.
TRANSPORTATION Getting to Vietnam would be your largest expense. To save the most, try flying here in the low season, which goes from November to March. While there's no winter per se here (the whole country falls under the tropical line), rains, fog and typhoons are more frequent during those months. Flights will be cheaper, but so will hotels and tours, making discounts more than likely. Once you're in Vietnam, you have a myriad of transportation opportunities. The most common is to join an organized tour, which offers the convenience of being chauffeured around in air-conditioned buses (a must in the tropical heat) and offering an English-speaking guide. While these seem like practical reasons, the truth is that choosing an organized tour will cost you more and make you miss out on the adventure of discovering Vietnam on your own. If you're ready to brave the traffic, rent a small 150cc motorbike (they go for about U$5 a day), grab a map and take off. Or you can take a xe om (a bike taxi), where you ride as a passenger. Prices vary and you're expected to bargain. Regular taxis and buses are also an option. Again, beware of scams and double pricing for foreigners. Agree to a fare before you get in and refuse to pay anything else. You don't need to speak Vietnamese to do this. The locals are used to bargaining with foreigners by either signaling prices with their fingers or writing them down. 
ACCOMMODATIONS Thanks to the constant influx of foreign visitors, Vietnam has no shortage of luxury beds. Right in the center of Hanoi, for example, the Sofitel Metropole offers 5-star service and classic colonial beauty for U$250 and up a night. If that's a little out of your league, you can find much cheaper options just a few blocks away. The Hanoi Palace Hotel, for example, has comfortably-furnished rooms with wooden floor and great city views starting at U$50 a night There are dozens of smaller hotels offering rooms for under U$30. The same is true in Ho Chi Minh city in the South and the popular beach destination town of Danang. Everywhere else in Vietnam, options for luxury accommodations are more limited but you will still find hotels and guesthouses. You can expect rooms that are clean and comfy (although somewhat outdated) for U$10-30. When traveling to rural areas, homestays are possible, but you will need to arrange them through a travel agency. This is a good option if you don't mind basic accommodations in exchange for a chance to experience local life and culture. You'll be invited to fish, farm and trek the surroundings with your hosts, but you can always pass and go out on your own if that seems like a better option. SHOPPING AND PRICING Dual pricing for pretty much everything is the rule in Vietnam. Except in hotels and restaurants, foreigners are quoted prices that are 5-10 times higher than the locals would pay for the same product. Most shops don't have a sticker price on the item, so the employees make a choice right then and there of what to charge you. 
Haggling is expected and you would do yourself a disfavor if you don't bargain. As a rule, offer about 60 percent less than the quoted price and then go from there. After a couple of minutes of back and forth, you'll end up paying about half of the original quoted price. If the person doesn't seem to want to lower the price, just walk away. He will usually follow you and take your offer rather than losing business to the next shop over. The best places for shopping in Vietnam are the Old Quarter in Hanoi and District 1 in Ho Chi Minh city. Out of these cities, traditional outdoor markets are your best bets, as they offer handicrafts and traditional products and souvenirs. |
Travel Magazine 
