AboutAl Slagle Expertise I can answer questions about the following places: Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hue, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. I can answer questions about accommodations, transportation, food, and sightseeing spots.
Experience I traveled from Cambodia into Vietnam and then made my way up the coast of Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi by train and bus.
Question Would be greatful for the following info please: driving time from Phu My to Cholon in HoChiMin City? Taxi cab or bus costs to make the trip? Approx costs of river trips from Phu My area and your suggested time required minimum to experience the river, but not longer than one day maximum????? Distance from port to where river cruises leave?? And lastly, reasonable driving time by car from HaLong Bay to Hanoi city and back??? Costs to hire driver and car for this trip??? Many many thanks for your kind attention to these quesitons please, very truly yours, David
Answer Hello David,
Sorry for the delay in my reply. Not sure about the exact driving time between those two particular spots but any drive in HCMC will be 30-60 minutes depending on the traffic. Taxis are cheap and it should be no more than US$10 one way but probably more like $5. A bus would be cheaper. I haven't done the river cruises but I ran a search and there are day trips which last 9-10 hours and cost around US$79-$119.
It takes about 3 hours by car from Hanoi to Halong Bay one way. If you go "by the book" you can hire a car and driver for about US$30/day. You might be able to bargain that down a bit with some aggresive negotiating. It sounds like you want to do the trip on your own but you can always book tours for relatively good prices through the local travel agents in Hanoi and they'll handle all the transportation for you.
I hope I could be of some help to you. Have a wonderful trip!
