Trips to Manila or Brunnei

If I depart from HCMC, which is the easiest way to book a short trip (3 to 4 days) to either Manila or Brunnei with a Vietnamese travel agency? and which one is better in terms of price, sight-seeing, etc..?

Trips to Manila or Brunnei

Hi Henry,

It%26#39;s a while since I was in Manila, so no comment. I often go to to Sabah, Sarawak (on Borneo) and on occassions into Brunei.

The Sultan of Brunei was once the worlds richest man. Its an oil based economy, tax free, and NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the country.

The country is fairly wealthy and there are some nice things to see. The capital is Bander Seri Begawan---quite nice.

BUT, if you are looking for some nice places to see down that way, I would recommend Kuching (in Sarawak) and its surrounds, and even better is Kota Kinabalu which has plenty to see and do ---famous for its Mountain ( of the same name), a good climb ( over 10,000 feet), good hotels, golf courses. It%26#39;s equally famous for its Eco parks and Orangitans!!

I cannot help you about the best way to get there ---I just use an LCC flight to get me there from Singapore. Maybe an LCC from HCMC to Singapore to Borneo is worth a try.

I use a very good chinese agent in Chinatown in Singapore called ';Misa Travel'; ( they have skype,can send an E- ticket, accept a credit card)---good reputation.

They have a tremendous website ---';www.airfares.com.sg';----Maybe you have a look.

Hope this is some help---its certainly a nice side trip!

plover

Trips to Manila or Brunnei

You don%26#39;t need a travel agent to arrange a trip to Manila or anywhere else in the Philippines. To get to Manila from HCMC, you can book a flight online at www.cebupacificair.com or www.philippineairlines.com.

If you plan to stay in Manila, I recommend staying at the Malate Pensionne (http://www.mpensionne.com.ph/). It is right smack in the middle of the restaurant and bar scene of Manila.

You can also check out hotels in Makati area through this website (http://www.makaticityhotels.com/) which caters to all budgets.

For sightseeing options, once you%26#39;ve had your fill of bar-hopping, I recommend that you book a walking tour here (http://www.celdrantours.blogspot.com/) and here (http://www.oldmanilawalks.blogspot.com/). I recommend the foodie tour of Binondo or Chinatown and the tour of Old Manila.

From Manila, you can take a trip to visit Tagaytay (where you will see Taal Volcano, a volcano within a volcano within a lake) or to Corregidor where McArthur made his last stand against the Japanese during WWII.

Don%26#39;t forget to do a bit of shopping as Manila is home to some of the biggest malls in the world. Flea markets are also quite numerous.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you Plover and Hino. Now, I have to decide which way I should go. Plover, we will transfer in Taipei, is it better to get to Manila or Brunei before going to HCMC?

Hi Henry,

I would like to help here, but I do not think I can give good advice. I think most USA travellers enter S.E. Asia via Taipai, Seoul, Tokyo.

Coming from Australia, I fly up to my '; Base Camp'; in Singapore, and any travelling I do to Vietnam,Thailand, Cambodia, Phillipines, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, India I have done out of Singapore.

So, I just do not know the deals that are available out of Taipai---so sorry!

I looked further on the '; Misa Travel'; website I posted yesterday, and I think you can get a good price on an LCC ---HCMC%26gt; Singapore%26gt;Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah.

I hope that someone else can help!

Whichever way you go, have a great time!

plover

Royal Brunei fly directly from Bandar Seri Begawan to HCMC, if that%26#39;s any help.

Plover, what%26#39;s LCC?

Hi WtQ,

LCC= Low Cost Carrier ( the '; Budget Airlines)---Tiger, Jetstar, Air Asia,etc----dozens of them out of the Asian capitals. Changi in Singapore has Terminals 1,2,3 AND an LCC terminal.

Many are owned by the big International Carriers , but offer lower onboard amenity, ( excellent safety records)----'; no frills%26#39;, low price and high Load Factors---usually good profit making divisions of the Big Boys!

plover

P.S. ---great idea for short legs , 1+ hours.

Thanks Plover