Help with Planning Trip to Japan via Vietnam

1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 11:06

Hi,
We are planning to explore Japan via stop over in Vietnam with a few families so it will be a large group of 10+ people. This will be during September school holidays so we are prepared for the price to be high. Just wondering if anyone has experiences with travelling during peak season and how much is a reasonable price for a plane ticket?

Can we negotiate with an airline, Flight Centre or online agent like I Want that Flight? I would love to hear of any tips for saving on the plane tickets. We will have a lot of under 12 yo for this trip so we are looking at Vietnam Airline with full service and less waiting time.

Thanks.

Travel Asia Japan Vietnam

Comments

  • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 11:14

    Hi, can you tell me your experience on Journeai? There’s not a lot of info on there. Thanks

    • BlackorRed on 12/05/2023 - 11:17
      +2

      Join Japan Travel Planning Facebook group, it's really helpful. I got lots of information from there. Also September is typhon season therefore it might be good to do your research to avoid disappointment

      • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 11:21

        Thanks for heads up on typhoon. Have you traveled yet or still in planning process?

        • BlackorRed on 12/05/2023 - 11:24
          +1

          just came back 3 weeks ago. It was really busy but that always happens in Japan anyway. If you plan to go theme parks, make sure to check crowds calendar (i went on Thursday which is mostly okay)

          • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 11:28

            @BlackorRed: Thanks. Good to know. It’s our first trip to Asia with lots of kids so hope to plan well. Crowd is something we’re hoping to have less of.

          • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 11:37

            @BlackorRed: What was your preferred credit card/ cash withdrawal method? Was about to open Citi Plus but still reading up and heard that they are transferring to Nab. Not sure if they will grandfather the card for those who open before 23/5/23.

            • BlackorRed on 12/05/2023 - 18:23
              +1

              @1bargain: i mainly used cash which i budgeted my spending and occationally used gold combank cc (complimentary travel insurance and fee-free international transaction - they used Mastercard exchange rates which almost the same as my cash exchange so its good)

              • 1bargain on 15/05/2023 - 10:54

                @BlackorRed: Thanks we have CBA too so won’t have to get Citibank Plus.

                • nightelves on 17/05/2023 - 14:24
                  +1

                  @1bargain: Citibank Plus is good for fee free withdraw at 7Eleven and trust me you'll need cash in Japan as it is still predominantly a cash society.

                  • 1bargain on 17/05/2023 - 19:25

                    @nightelves: Do u know much about them closing Citi Plus to new accounts? I don’t want to open one and they said it’s no longer in use. The cut off time is next Tuesday 23/5/23.
                    Is there another bank account that is like Citi Plus?

                    • nightelves on 17/05/2023 - 22:17
                      +1

                      @1bargain: I don't think they can close an account just like that. What about people who have hundreds and thousands of dollars stored in there.

                      • 1bargain on 17/05/2023 - 23:30

                        @nightelves: I tried to open Citibank Plus just now and there’s no application button. I think I missed the boat. However, I looked up for good travel debit card and found HSBC and Macquarie to be good. I haven’t travelled overseas for a long time so not too sure which one is better in terms of conversion fees/exchange fees. I’ll just open and trial them.

                        • nightelves on 18/05/2023 - 00:01
                          +1

                          @1bargain: It's rare to find overseas atm with HSBC and Macquarie hence why I have a combination of HSBC, Citibank Plus and ING. I have used Macquarie in VN before but was charged the atm fee which was at least $4. However I'm told that certain atm won't charge the operator fee but I do not know which one.

                          I've been VN many times so can tell you it's best to sign up for a Grab account as soon as you get to VN. As it'll work out cheaper and more convenient than buses. Also at the Airport, Grab pickup are in the centre median between two roads. The column outside outside the arrival gate are your reference point which you'll let the driver know to drive upto. Best to use a cc or debit w/o foreign transaction fee as a form of payment for Grab to avoid fiddling around with local currency.

                          • 1bargain on 18/05/2023 - 02:18

                            @nightelves: Thank you so much for your detailed info. I’ll use ING then. Grab sounds good. Will set up an account.
                            Where do you normally stay? We’re planning to stay in the city centre and walk around to explore. Don’t mind going for a bit of higher end for the hotels so the kids can enjoy. Any suggestions?

                            • nightelves on 18/05/2023 - 12:34

                              @1bargain: I normally stay with relos when I'm in VN but I have stayed at the Sheraton last time and they provided really good service so can only comment on that although it is a bit pricey.

  • dasher86 on 12/05/2023 - 13:26
    +1

    When you say stop-over in Vietnam - do you mean that you guys want to leave the airport or just stop-over on the way to Japan?
    Ho Chi Minh Airport is pretty bad to be stuck for long hours.
    I once did overnight flight from Japan to Melbourne and had to 6 wait hours. I have lounge access, even then it was a pretty piss poor lounge.
    Also if you're planning to go through VN immigration you will need VISAs (unless you are in an exemption category).

    • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 13:36

      Sorry, I’m starting to plan so I mean to say on return trip from Japan we will exit the airport and stay for a bit to explore.
      I have priority pass so planning to use that for a stopover. We can get food outside of lounge too with that pass. So there’s not much to do if stuck for 6 hours? We have more kids than adults so will need to find something to do. Might get visa with multi entry to sight see then.

      • dasher86 on 12/05/2023 - 13:55
        +1

        Yes, definitely not much to do at all at Tan Son Nhat SGN
        Make sure you look into VOA or E-Visa before arrival.
        Cost can be pretty significant for even single Entry ($72AUD e-visa, $25USD VOA by letter)
        Things may have changed since I last travelled so I urge you to do your own reading.

        Also be careful with Taxis at SGN airport. Many will try scam you (even with faulty metre, hacked metre), so try get a price beforehand… This can be overlooked with travelling as a group with children etc and getting off a plane.

        • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 14:51

          Thanks. Is it better to use Uber in Vietnam compared to taxi?

          I’m looking at Trip Advisor for review of Vietnam Airlines and it seems there’s more negative than positive reviews. Change flight with no notice 😬
          Did u happen to use them or prefer a Japanese airline?

          • dasher86 on 12/05/2023 - 15:00
            +1

            @1bargain: If flying direct to Tokyo from Melbourne I find Jetstar with stop off at OOL is the fastest and cheapest + (bags).

            I've had no issues with Vietnam airways either, both international and (domestic VN).

            • 1bargain on 12/05/2023 - 15:26

              @dasher86: Good to know. Sometimes online reviews can be err towards negative more.

  • Nebarik on 12/05/2023 - 19:45
    +2

    Wouldn't recommend stopping off in Vietnam for less than a day, especially not with kids. If you're going to spend a few days there as it's own holiday great, but it is not a good transit airport.

    It's been a few years since I was last there so some things may have changed. But from my experience:
    -The airport is super empty with nothing to do, its basically a large doctor's waiting room with a few convience style shops with way overpriced prepackaged sandwiches and water bottles. Overpriced even by Australian standards, like $10 each. No water fountains. You wouldnt want to stay here for any length of time.
    -Getting visas sorted to leave the airport takes forever, it's not just a stamp by a immigration guy like in Japan.
    -Leaving the airport you will immediately get mobbed by a hundred taxis wanting to scam you. If you do leave, recommend taking the bus (about $1 for a ticket), or you can do ubers (more like $20).

    Honestly this sounds like a nightmare to try and navigate with a bunch of kids. Way better off shelling out more for a direct flight. Or if you must stop at a airport for a few hours try and make sure it's Singapore, they have like little free cinemas and walkable gardens etc, very nice to spend time in.

    • 1bargain on 15/05/2023 - 10:52

      Good to know about the Dr’s waiting room 😂
      I guess, I’ll wait in the priority pass lounge - if there’s one. We’ll explore Vietnam on the way back and will take note of the $1 bus fare. Where does that go to? Just city centre or through main hotel drop offs? Would that be safer than Uber? Definitely want to avoid be hounded by taxis drivers.

      • Nebarik on 15/05/2023 - 16:54
        +1

        Yeah it was just a generic public transport bus. Modern and clean, same type of one you'd ride here. It stopped at normal bus stops on the way into the city centre.

        Can't speak for the safety of ubers and taxis. Didn't take any while I was there. But I'm the type of the person who hates it when theres a person on the street yelling at me to take their taxi or buy their product etc.

        Some extra info, there's two major uber choices you can make in the app. A normal car for like $20 (between airport and city), or uber-moto the same distance for about 20 cents. If you're feeling brave enough to jump on the back of someone's motorbike.

        • 1bargain on 15/05/2023 - 20:25

          Thanks. We will look into the bus and Uber, no Uber-moto. I can imagine not seeing my kids again 😅
          Being first trip with kids, should we stick with hotels and western establishments for food or quality should be ok?

          • Nebarik on 18/05/2023 - 15:10

            @1bargain: Depends on your budget of course. But even the pricey options should be cheap compared to Aus and Japan.

            You won't have any issues with food quailty, even with the cheap street food.

        • lgacb08 on 16/05/2023 - 12:54
          +1

          First, there's no uber in Vietnam. Grab has pushed them out of the South East Asia long time ago. There are a few other like Go Jek, Be which are better than old school taxi generally.

  • Sawtell on 13/05/2023 - 06:14
    +1

    Getting visas sorted to leave the airport takes forever, it's not just a stamp by a immigration guy like in Japan

    The E-Visa is US$25 and takes 3 days. Agree with your observations about Tan Son Nhat though.

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