taxi in Vietnam, Bangkok?

[konalee]

Would it be practical to plan day tours of Vietnam and Bangkok using local taxi services for the day?

[John Bull]

Picking up a taxi or sharing a van on-spec at the port works fine at minor ports in Vietnam, but not the two main ports.
Saigon - if your ship is berthed in Vung Tau or Phu My you'll need to pre-book either a private or ship's tour or ship's "Saigon on your own" transfer, since the city is about 2 hours away. Do consider booking an overnite city hotel. If your ship berths in the city (small ships such as Azamara) you can pick up a taxi or (Nha Rong port) its a 15 min walk to the centre, and there are plenty of (much cheaper) liveried metered taxis for the return. Once in the city centre, the main sights are very walkable subject to just a little research.
Halong Bay - if you want to go to Hanoi, again pre-book a private tour or ship's tour, the city is about 3 hours away. If you want to take a junk cruise in Halong Bay, you can fix this up at the pier. Its not worth taking a taxi tour of Halong City or bay, we found little of interest on the mainland & most drivers don't speak english.

Bangkok - if you berth at Laem Chabang, its about 90 mins from the city & a cartel operates the taxi rank in the port - with rip-off prices. Best to pre-book a private tour or transfer, or ship's tour or transfer. With a little research you don't need a tour, the city is easy to get around by the Skytrain, express ferries, taxis, tuk-tuks. As with Saigon, consider a city hotel if your ship overnites.

Just MHO.

JB

[scapel]

Originally Posted by John Bull

Picking up a taxi or sharing a van on-spec at the port works fine at minor ports in Vietnam, but not the two main ports.
Saigon - if your ship is berthed in Vung Tau or Phu My you'll need to pre-book either a private or ship's tour or ship's "Saigon on your own" transfer, since the city is about 2 hours away. Do consider booking an overnite city hotel. If your ship berths in the city (small ships such as Azamara) you can pick up a taxi or (Nha Rong port) its a 15 min walk to the centre, and there are plenty of (much cheaper) liveried metered taxis for the return. Once in the city centre, the main sights are very walkable subject to just a little research.
Halong Bay - if you want to go to Hanoi, again pre-book a private tour or ship's tour, the city is about 3 hours away. If you want to take a junk cruise in Halong Bay, you can fix this up at the pier. Its not worth taking a taxi tour of Halong City or bay, we found little of interest on the mainland & most drivers don't speak english.

Bangkok - if you berth at Laem Chabang, its about 90 mins from the city & a cartel operates the taxi rank in the port - with rip-off prices. Best to pre-book a private tour or transfer, or ship's tour or transfer. With a little research you don't need a tour, the city is easy to get around by the Skytrain, express ferries, taxis, tuk-tuks. As with Saigon, consider a city hotel if your ship overnites.

Just MHO.

JB

If you plan on a Red Taxi, talk to him first and see if you can understand him. They talk fast. Many have certain rehearsed sentences and really can't speak English. Ask them some questions that they couldn't have rehearsed answers.
Like, have you ever been on a cruise. Where have you traveled? Don't be in a hurry. Have a list of places you want to see and maybe some pictures. Possibly you may have used Google translater to type out some. We did ok but couldn't communicate well in Saigon.
http://www.cruisemates.com/gallery/view.php?id=1278

Go to the bottom and see the snake wine. Good conversation piece.