Hello Everyone,

I am presently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next week I am going to go to Saigon, Vietnam.

1. What is the best means of transportation? Can you take a Van apposed to a Bus? Is there double Decker buses? I look for the safest method and not the cheapest. (If there is a safe method, laugh) Can you go by hired car? Also how much for each? If you go by bus is there a central bus station in Saigon and what is the best method to get to the hotel.

2. What area is the best District to stay in Saigon? (quiet and safe) I would like to be close to the sites and like to walk.

3. Can you give me some recommendations on Guesthouses that are in the $10.00 to $30.00 range. I ask this to get feedback from people experiences from staying at Guesthouses. Do you have a favorite. I just need clean, quiet, safe, friendly and close to the attractions. Not going to be staying in the room long.

Note: I am in my early 40's my speed is going to a cafe and people watch not drinking and partying all night. Been there and done that now I want to see the world. Don't get me wrong I like to meet people and have fun but I go to sleep around 10:00PM and like to sleep and get up early and go explore.

4. Do you have to leave your passport with the Guesthouse owner when staying in Vietnam? If so can you leave a photocopy? I hear rumors about this not to clear. (I would think it is the same as Cambodia and Laos. Not a big process.)

5. Can you hire a car to take you from city to city? If so what is the best method to do this?

6. Do they have good markets in Saigon like Russian Market in PP? Where Westerners (larger size then asians) can buy shoes, shirts, etc.

Thanks!

1. What is the best means of transportation? Can you take a Van apposed to a Bus? Is there double Decker buses? I look for the safest method and not the cheapest. (If there is a safe method, laugh) Can you go by hired car? Also how much for each? If you go by bus is there a central bus station in Saigon and what is the best method to get to the hotel.

there are buses which run from Phnom Penh to Saigon and they drop you within walking distance of where all the guesthouses are. we bought our tickets from one of the travel agents near Number 9 guesthouse (near the lake) in PP. Buses are very safe.

2. What area is the best District to stay in Saigon? (quiet and safe) I would like to be close to the sites and like to walk.

dont remember the area but it was where most tourists stayed. it was convenient (i am not into partying etc as well) and close enough to walk to places. everything else was a moto ride away (which was a LOT of fun!)

4. Do you have to leave your passport with the Guesthouse owner when staying in Vietnam? If so can you leave a photocopy? I hear rumors about this not to clear. (I would think it is the same as Cambodia and Laos. Not a big process.)

-- yes you do have to leave your passport with the guest house owner and you cannot leave a copy, they need your passport to register all the foreigners every evening! i got kicked out of a guesthouse in the mekong delta because i forgot mine in Saigon while on a two-night tour of the Mekong Delta (they put me up discreetly in a large hall meant for hotel staff). they couldnt risk a raid by the cops- it would mean a huge fine.

5. Can you hire a car to take you from city to city? If so what is the best method to do this?

best method in vietnam i found is to take the sleeper buses and all guesthouses will know about them. i tried going for local buses but found it was more inconvenient than just taking a sleeper bus.
never looked into a car, but in vietnam, which is really geared for tourists, buses were more comfortable than anywhere else i went in asia.

Have fun in Vietnam. I was there in 8/07 for a month, traveling alone, and I am also over 40 and had a slightly bigger budget than many ($35-40/day USD). My advise for transportation is to get off the coast road and all the tourist buses and take the trains! I took one from Saigon-Nha Tran, and another one from Hue-Ninh Binh further north. Relaxing, beautiful, less stress, and very friendly locals who will practice their English with you while making you feel very at home with them. A great experience.
I also did a 5 day motorcycle tour (Easy Rider) through the interior along the Ho Chi Ming Trail that was one of the highlights of my 15 month trip. I expanded the budget to about $60/day for that trip, but soooo worth it. Cheers.

i heard great things about the moto trip on the ho chi minh trail as well.. its on my list when i visit vietnam next.. i had friends who did that and according to them, (as FlackAttack said) one of the highlights of their trip.