Hi,

Just wondering if anyone had some advice for me. My girlfriend and I reserved tickets to go to Bangkok for 18 days. Wondering if people know the best/cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh and back for 3-4 days in the middle of the trip, and whether people think this would be worth it. Think we are best off buying a round trip ticket from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh or split it up into bus rides stopping in Cambodia? Any words of wisdom would be heavily appreciated. Thanks!

In a word fly. It isn't the cheapest way, but it is the safest and the most efficient considering your timespan.

Flying is the correct answer. It is NOT that expensive. I generally to it on Thai Air and, booking in business class, it's only a bit over $400 round trip. The visit to Vietnam (either Saigon or Ha Noi, or both) is definitely worth it. Good luck.

P.S. You may also want to check rates on Vietnam Airlines. I've flown it internally in Vietnam (very reliable), but have never flown it to and from Bangkok.

I agree, I fly. Is there a special reason you want to go to HCMC? If not, you might want to consider some other options, like Hanoi if you want to experience VN, or a side trip to the temples at Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia for instance.

My best mate is in Vn at present-she bought a return ticket from Toon Travel (they have a booth on Khao San Rd in BKK) for 8500 baht. We paid 9600 baht in July for open jaw air with Vietnam airlines BKK/Hanoi/Saigon/BKK. Also www.olavi.com will quote you by email for tickets from BKK. I would see Hanoi if I were you-it is a far nicer city than Saigon. You can catch a train to Cambodian border from BKK then a car to Angkor or organise a cheap but tiring mini-bus trip on Khao San Road when you arrive in BKK. Check out www.talesofasia.com for Cambodian info.

I,too, enjoy Ha Noi very much; look forward to returning each time I do so, but, at the same time, I love Saigon (HCMC, to be PC). Saigon is alive and vibrant in a way Ha Noi is not. Bottom line: each of the two places is compelling; don't discount Saigon just because it is "different" from Ha Noi.

Hi WSL-we found most Vietnamese call Saigon-Saigon-only govt officials/airlines use the name HCMC.

Hi Lyndie: Could not agree more that "Saigson" is the name the locals use. (That's why I referred to it as I did in my email.) If you happen to be meeting with government officials, then "Ho Chi Minh City" is the politically correct name.