Going Vietnam any tips?

[postman]

I will be going to HCMC Vietnam this week.

1. I am wondering if it is safe to bring a dSLR there? Any safety precautions?
2. Is the weather there that cold that i need to bring a jacket?
3. Any good websites to reccomend to help me plan my itinery? Or any places to reccomend to go?

Will be going with my wife. Just 2 of us.

 

[astroboy]

1. I am wondering if it is safe to bring a dSLR there? Any safety precautions?
There has been reports of snatch thefts. Now they are in recession, so crime rate is expected to be higher. Try not to sling-carry cameras or handbags over your shoulder.


2. Is the weather there that cold that i need to bring a jacket?
Same weather as Singapore if not warmer.


3. Any good websites to reccomend to help me plan my itinery? Or any places to reccomend to go?
Nothing much to do in HCMC. I would recommend out-of-town excursions. Hanoi would be a better experience

 

[postman]

1. I am wondering if it is safe to bring a dSLR there? Any safety precautions?
There has been reports of snatch thefts. Now they are in recession, so crime rate is expected to be higher. Try not to sling-carry cameras or handbags over your shoulder.

That bad.... Will take note of this. So sad got dslr but scare lost

2. Is the weather there that cold that i need to bring a jacket?
Same weather as Singapore if not warmer.

Noted.

3. Any good websites to reccomend to help me plan my itinery? Or any places to reccomend to go?
Nothing much to do in HCMC. I would recommend out-of-town excursions. Hanoi would be a better experience

Stuck with HCMC. My CFO wants shopping there so gotta balance sight-seeing with shopping.

 

[peterpan1975]

just come back not long ago to hanoi. staying at old quarters hotel. Its a must to go to halong bay if u when to hanoi. The weather there is nice and cooling. For those who are a bit on the "skinny" build, best to bring jacket along. As for gear, if u go halong bay, and u are a bird shooter, some eagle might be greeting u along the way. U can choose to say at the chinese junky or at the island resort. Streets shots around hanoi old quarters is good but try not to stay too late. A map is a must cos its a bit "messy" on the roads and the traffic there is a killer .. lots of bikes then cars. If u want to do shopping, plan for ur trip on fri, sat and sun cos there will be night market along some stretch of roads. U can get lots of shoes, bags and other cheap stuff.

If u want to know more, can PM wibblo for some enquiry on booking the halong bay trip.

One last thing: Know the weather before going. Cos my recent trip almost screw up by the weather and the organizer fail to keep himself update on the weather but lucky lady luck smiling at us. its a clear weather that time.

 

[diver-hloc]

TS.... do post a outcome of your trip when you return.

I was planning for a year end trip to Vietnam too..... till my Dentist bleed me dry 4 mths ago. :bsmilie:

 

[Wibblo]

Just came back from Hanoi...

Places to go is definitely Halong Bay...I booked my Halong Bay 1nite stay from http://www.vietnamtripadvisor.com/

As for security, I brought my 400d with 17-85..no problemo...maybe its because there is 3 of us and we walk like sentries...Biggest size in front...smallest size in the middle while I take the back..lol

Its about 16degrees in Hanoi...ppl there wear Jacket..I wear T-shirt...

Weekend market starts from Friday 6pm until Sunday 10pm...

 

[postman]

Just came back from Hanoi...

Places to go is definitely Halong Bay...I booked my Halong Bay 1nite stay from http://www.vietnamtripadvisor.com/

As for security, I brought my 400d with 17-85..no problemo...maybe its because there is 3 of us and we walk like sentries...Biggest size in front...smallest size in the middle while I take the back..lol

Its about 16degrees in Hanoi...ppl there wear Jacket..I wear T-shirt...

Weekend market starts from Friday 6pm until Sunday 10pm...

i guess that means jacket for me. Too bad i am not going to hanoi

 

[leej0038]

i went to both hcmc and hanoi in june. generally quite safe to bring dslr but the hotel security staff in hcmc did remind tell us to try not to sling cameras by the side if possible because of motorcycle-borne thieves. hanoi was pretty ok too but we did get shouted at by some pasar malam neo print stall holder when taking photos of her weird looking stall.

halong bay was pretty nice but the hordes of tourists(mainly from china across the border) and the resulting armada of tourists boats spoiled the whole experience.

 

[jopel]

Sapa is another place you should visit while you are in Hanoi

 

[Wibblo]

Sapa is another place you should visit while you are in Hanoi

yes..Sapa is one other place we shd visit..however due to leave constraints...cannot go...

also...for street photography me and my 2 others do not shoot directly..i.e aim at the target..compose and shoot...we are hip shooters...we hold cam in hand and fire away while smiling at them..this way..we managed to capture them at their most natural state...

as for street vendors...agree that some are really rude..one even shoo us away while Peterpan1975 was trying the hat...:bsmilie:

 

[Lenscapes]

I will be going to HCMC Vietnam this week.

3. Any good websites to reccomend to help me plan my itinery? Or any places to reccomend to go?

Will be going with my wife. Just 2 of us.

try http://www.sinhcafevn.com/AboutUs.asp
and >> http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1746514 << very long thread.

 

[postman]

i went to both hcmc and hanoi in june. generally quite safe to bring dslr but the hotel security staff in hcmc did remind tell us to try not to sling cameras by the side if possible because of motorcycle-borne thieves. .

will note this. so i assume handheld it all the time and keep in bag if not in use safer.

 

[postman]

also...for street photography me and my 2 others do not shoot directly..i.e aim at the target..compose and shoot...we are hip shooters...we hold cam in hand and fire away while smiling at them..this way..we managed to capture them at their most natural state...

as for street vendors...agree that some are really rude..one even shoo us away while Peterpan1975 was trying the hat...:bsmilie:

. hanoi was pretty ok too but we did get shouted at by some pasar malam neo print stall holder when taking photos of her weird looking stall.

i think pple in thailand friendlier, never camera shy. Will try the smile-shoot-camera at hip level method

 

[postman]

try http://www.sinhcafevn.com/AboutUs.asp
and >> http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1746514 << very long thread.

thanks for the website. The hwz link really loooong