Spotting at Tan Son Nhat

[irishair2001]

Good Morning , I am planning a trip to the Far East and I was wondering would any of the members have any tips as regards spotting ,hotels etc at SGN, KUL .

Thanks in advance

[Mr Mac]

Irishair 2001
I stay at the Hyatt in Saigon on business tripsbut depends on your budget, plenty of options in Saigon for all budgets and restaurants bars are not badly priced, and Vietnamese food is my own personnel favourite of all SE Asian Cuisine.
As for plane spotting that maybe a bit more difficult I am only SLF so have little knowledge. I notice A/C types, and indeed the wonderful old USAF Control tower and the fighter bomber shelters which were still there from the Vietnam War (American War as it is known there) though being demolished slowly on my last trip, but I have not see plane spotters. That is not to say that you can not go there and watch planes on approach but be aware that it is a communist state and waving telephoto lenses around an airport which is also used by some military A/C may not be a good idea. May I suggest you post something on the SE Asian web site for there are a number of ex pat aircrew working there who would be able to comment on the does and don'ts re spotting. Have a good trip and enjoy the country and people.

[irishair2001]

Thank you Mr Mac, I shall take on board everything you said

[galaxy68]

SGN spotting

I have been to SGN on four occasions, last time 2 years ago and am off again, exactly one month today. For photography/viewing then a cafe (Long Van) on the top floor of 602 Cong Hoa on the west side is fabulous. Tell the security man at the entrance that you want the cafe, then get the lift (the 5 storey building is mostly offices). They open early - I usually go around 0630... go upstairs, where they have an outside deck. They are very friendly, just buy a coffee now and then, and a simple lunch meal is only 1.50 or so. If the military are flying, it is normally early, like 0700 dep and finished by 0830. Bus 4 goes from the centre (Benh Thanh), and along Cong Hoa. Buses are great, they have a conductor and its a flat rate. Two years ago it was either 3k or 4k (VND) - this depends on the length of the route.
Just for spotting, plus a view of the parked up antonovs, there is a building/car park on the entrance road to the airport. Never been myself, but seen photos of the An26s in a line, taken from this spot. But its further away from the runway and the cafe I mention is the best - and the sun is behind you most of the day.
Any further questions, then fire away, cheers ste

[irishair2001]

Thanks Ste for your help, I have read about this café, but I believe it is now closed according to a recent report on spotters guide from someone who was there in January, I have also read reports online about customs and police at SGN seeking bribes and fictitious taxes from arriving foreigners.

Regards

[galaxy68]

Hi, thats a pain if true. Although I found 2 years ago, that the cafe at the other end - the eastern had closed... perhaps its this one you are refering to. Perhaps you can confirm or give more info on the reported closure (which website). Just found more details on it... it is in the Long Ma building on the 7th and 8th floors and their tel number is 38134012.
Have had no problems in VN - expect to get overcharged in markets where you have to haggle, and use good taxi companies - I can get you some names if you wish - but just use the buses instead, the only problem is they finish soon after 7pm, although the airport bus runs later. At restaurants all the prices are clearly marked, so there is never an issue there. At hotels, always ask to see the rooms first.
Cheers

[irishair2001]

Hi the website is Plane Spotting Vietnam Ho Chi Minh | Plane-Spotting-Hotels, is it The Moonlight Café in the CT Plaza

[galaxy68]

Hello - no not there, thats another one thats closed then! - that place was ok for spotting, not photography. I will try to check that my suggested place is still open. By the way, for any photographers, the cafe I suggested earlier, is ok whichever runway is in use.
There are some military aircraft (about 7 from memory) on display along Thang Long, about 1km SSW of the airport with free open access, and also to the south of this position the other side of Cong Hoa, there is a civvy Yak40 on display at a technical training college... you need to ask for access - see google maps.... cheers ste

[DaveReidUK]

Useful inks:

Originally Posted by galaxy68

There are some military aircraft (about 7 from memory) on display along Thang Long, about 1km SSW of the airport with free open access

Vietnam Air Force Museum Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

and also to the south of this position the other side of Cong Hoa, there is a civvy Yak40 on display at a technical training college... you need to ask for access - see google maps.... cheers ste

H?c Vi?n Hàng Không Vi?t Nam

[galaxy68]

I have just checked and the cafe I suggested earlier still exists and opens 0800-1730. For photographers a zoom up to 400mm (DX) is best. I remember that there were a couple of small hotels at the back of this office building, probably much cheaper than the more upmarket ones nearer the airport entrance and would obvously be handy for anyone using this viewing location. The advice for hotels in Vietnam is always ask to see the rooms first!

[irishair2001]

Please let me know how your trip went ,when you return

[galaxy68]

Hello again - trip went fine. The café I suggest is alive and well and open longer than reported earlier, 0630-2000. Its actually on the 7th and 8th (top) floors. There is shade available or stay indoors and nip outside if necessary. There is wi-fi, but I did not use or test it. Buses 4 and 28 pass the cafe into the centre, fares are now a flat 5k or 6k. There is a Saigon bus app... the Ben Thanh bus station closed whilst I was there and now all buses arrive and depart from Ham Nghi, which is a road just to the NE of Ben Thanh.
If you have any questions, then fire away.... are you spotting or taking photos and are you interested in military and museums?

[erik_R]

@ galaxy68
can you please contact me erikritterbach at gmx.net (without spaces of course) ? planning a spotting trip (taking pictures) to SGN in february.

just trying to find the cafe location you mentioned "Long Ma building" and the cheap hotel (as i am on low budget). think it is the same loaction this guy mentions in his post (sendond picture):
www. dus-spotter.de/index.php/Thread/17344-SGN-2017-Teil-1/

also of interrest are the 7 military planes at "Thang Long, about 1km SSW".
any links/google maps are highly welcome.