JackGlasser

I have a few threads running already. I may need to be in HCMC airport for a number of hours. Has anyone been there? What to do, if necessary. Thank you

dogster

HCMC - taxi from airport? by jgmc
Most recent on Feb 24, 09 at 4:03pm; 9 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
HCMC airport by dinks
Most recent on Nov 5, 08 at 11:07am; 2 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
Oops! I messed up and we have 9 hour layover in HCMC airport by Chele
Most recent on May 10, 08 at 5:03am; 5 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
Taxi from HCMC airport by Reallyblessed
Most recent on Apr 7, 08 at 9:07pm; 6 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
HCMC airport layover - options? by mishkah
Most recent on Jan 28, 08 at 8:04pm; 1 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
Saigon/HCMC Airport Information by uclarobin
Most recent on Apr 11, 07 at 12:10pm; 4 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
Transport from the airport to town: HCMC and Hanoi by Alan
Most recent on Aug 5, 05 at 10:08pm; 3 responses
Tagged: Vietnam
HCMC Airport by tinkerbell825
Most recent on Apr 20, 05 at 6:04pm; 2 responses
Tagged: Vietnam

Maybe this will help. See that nice little search box above?

JackGlasser

thanks will try

DonTopaz

Jack,

You don't seem like an evil fellow, but you do seem to need some perspective on these forums.

It looks to me that, since you joined Fodor's, exactly 100% of your posts have been questions about a trip you might be taking, to Amsterdam or to Egypt or to Vietnam. It's OK to ask questions, but these forums work best when you view them as Socialist Co-ops: ask questions when you need to, and provide answers/feedback when you can.

The many people who have answered your questions have taken the time to share their knowledge and experience. Jack, I would suggest that you think about giving back to the forums, as well to taking from them.

How can you help make the forums better? First, limit the number of new topics that you start; too many topics clutter the board. You have started 7 topics in the past 4 days about this possible Asia trip, which is 9 months off. Next, do some legwork before posting. You can often find everything you want to know with a Google search. If that doesn't work, search here on Fodor's.

Finally, and this is important, be a source of information as well as a source of questions. When you come back from a trip that you've asked about, let people know about it. It's a courtesy to the posters who helped you out, and it's information for travelers who'll find themselves with the same questions that you had.

rizzuto

JackGlasser

I thank you. Since the air may possibly by frequent flier miles, the window may be closing. I do ask a lot of questions, frequently variations of the same to get clear explanations and trying learn by others mistakes. The most important aspect, I feel, is the sharing afterwards which would be most valuable. This I really feel is the gem that I have neglected. Jack

JackGlasser

I also forget to mention I have read particularly Frommers and parts of Fodor's: there are nuances that I just cant extrapolate from these books. Thank you. Jack

DonTopaz

Don't despair yet about using the FF miles. Although using FF miles is almost always something of a challenge, AA miles are, for the most part, much easier to use for international travel than are United or Delta miles. I just scored a business class trip for Thanksgiving time period using American miles, going from Boston to Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Lyon.

JackGlasser

great!

lcuy

To answer your original questions... The airport is only two years old, so clean, AC, and bright. There are a couple of places to eat and drink, with both western and Vietnames food. There are also some shops and, IIRC, a place to get a massage.

Be aware that everything in the airport is priced in US dollars, and the exchange rate is horrible. Same for exchanging money at the booth in the airport. Not only is the rate bad, but they round off what they owe you, sometimes to the nearest FIVe dollars!! Use ATMS or exchange your dong back to dollars at a bank in in town.

someotherguy

<b>lcuy</b> is describing the international terminal. The domestic terminal is separate, older, more crowded, and with fewer shops and other distractions. So what you can do depends on what kind of transfer you are making.

dogster

Tell us about YOU, Jack - and your companions and your travel history. That helps us to know how to answer you. I'm looking forward to your trip report on the Pyramids and Egypt. I believe you were there in March. Your report on Vietnam from last year I know will be appreciated in here.

And a special Gold Star to rizzuto, who managed to say everything brilliantly. Please Jack, just add your questions to an existing thread when you can, eh? As you know, we are all elderly travel tragics in here and have trouble working out which side of the toast to butter in the mornings - so we get easily confused. I had to ask the nurse this morning just what Fodor's WAS. I'd completely forgotten.

She smiled and patted my head.

'There, there, Mr. Dogster,' she said, 'don't you worry about Mr. Glasser...

But, of course, I do. So let's be friends. Tell us <i>all</i> about you.

ekscrunchy

I, too, am an elderly travel tragic!

JackGlasser

I am in the early sixtys, full-time work. My wife presently not so enthusiastic about spending 15-16 days away from my work. My collegues have a short version as well as the full version trip to vietnam: the difference is about 3 days and not covering Hoi An and Saigon, Hue. Both include Halong Lake but two days, and Ankor-Wat,etc. She does not want to rush into anything; says other places she woulld prefer to see like Turkey. These companions are a mix of physicians and atorneys, and others. I only went on the Egypt trip with them, but they have beendoing things for about 15 years. Some are retired and semi, I think those that are not are doing the shorter version; problem would be why not see the South while there. Presently I am hedging this trip. How it is confirguered leaving on a Monday for the long version, might as well leave on Friday and see HK. Short version would leave NYC Thurs for the start on Sat. Since my work is intense mon-fri and light on weekends, do not need to be around on weekends too much; should use them if to travel a distance.

dogster

Great. Thanks Jack. That helps us to help you. I reckon you better come to an agreement with your beloved pretty soon, tho'. No sense working it all out if she won't be in it. In my experience - she'll win. lol lol lol.

DonTopaz

Thank yoiu for the info jack, that will help us to provide you with more useful info.

First off, this board should change its name to the Alte Kakas' Forum.Every other board on the Internets everyone is 24 years old, but here everyone was born long before Ike became President. Whaddayagonnado?

The next First thing is that east Asia is an amazing series of places, each one a major eye-opener. And, for those of us who were in college, or in the army, or in college to stay out of the army in the late 60s, Vietnam has a very special (and probably personal) meaning. If the place calls to you, this is the time to go. If you put it off now, you might never get there.

Some general comments: Traveling to and Southeast Asia takes more energy than traveling to anywhere I know in Europe or North America. Plus, geezers like me (and maybe you) need a little bit more down time than when we were 25 or 45. So I'd certainly recommend building in some extra unscheduled time.

I would absolutely recommend a few days in Hong Kong on the way over. It's an amazing city, and a great introduction to south Asia. Also, if you want to get some shirts or suits tailor-made, Hong Kong is an excellent place. Finally, it is much easier to get frequent flier tickets to/from Asia for mid-week flights than for Saturday flights.

Now as for Your Beloved. I will not try to get involved here, neither will I share the solution that I found to a similar situation. However, you could point out to Your Cherished that there is some overlap between Egyptian and Turkish cultures, and that southeast Asian cultures are entirely different. But I will steer clear of this discussion.

ekscrunchy

Can you post the details of both tours?

I found only these from Kensington Tours; for the price of this tour for two people, which does not include airfare, you could do so much better on your own with a private guide:

http://www.kensingtontours.com/Tours...tnam-Exclusive


http://www.kensingtontours.com/Tours...tnam-Signature

dgunbug

Gonna put in my own 2 cents. We loved Turkey and highly recommend it for it's ruins, culture, beauty & beaches, but SE Asia calls to me more after only having been to Thailand and Cambodia. Based on my readings, Vietnam is definitely more foreign and likely to see more rapid changes than Turkey in the near future, so I would suggest going there first. As pointed out by other alte kackas (is this the proper spelling???), SE Asia is more grueling than Europe, so why not take advantage and go while you are physically capable. You may point out to your wife that the shopping opportunities are great and the costs of travel in SE Asia are relatively low. Don't miss out on life's wonderful opportunities. If the group is going, jump on the band wagon and go for as little or as much time as possible. I hope your wife comes around as I think she'll love it. We leave for Vietnam tomorrow for 25 days. June

JackGlasser

I apprciate all this: this tour of their's is a fait accompli. I like the SmarterTravel Vietnam thing: seems put together better. The tour spends two days on Halong in a very fancy boat (which I really dont need)-in mid Feb-when I am told there may be fog obscurring things. It does not do Cu Chi Tunnel. Some are doing the shorter trip. I definitely would not go otherwise. I just see a better put together trip with SmarterTravel with airfaire included, less frills which is ok, but would not go on own since there are other places I would want to alot my time to. This Kenningston trip ok but misses somethings that I would be interested in (could arrive earlier in the day prior to the tour in HCMC and do the caves, not so enthusiastic about chilling out at a beach part of the time when this Hoi An is nearby.

dogster

Well actually, Jack, the best trip will be the one you organise yourself. It's in your nature, I can tell, my friend - you have the disease! lol lol lol. There are a lot of us in here who plan and research just as obsessively as you. Worse.

So why not turn that into your OWN trip planning, go somewhere where you and your beloved want to go, and plan the whole thing yourself. 'Cos, I know, my friend, you'll enjoy that almost as much as the trip. I do.

DonTopaz

Dogster, I have an observation. When you type:

lol lol lol

it looks like 3 heads that have just been chopped at 3 guillotines.

lol.