Vietnam - All of September

PompeyPete

Just came across a few cautionary newspaper articles...

- Speeding buses...

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/bus-driver-arrested-after-crash-that-killed-6-in-family-in-central-vietnam-42810.html

- Afloat on Halang Bay...

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/48-tourists-rescued-after-boat-sinks-off-vietnams-ha-long-bay-42818.html

- Theft on tourist boats...

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/captain-crewman-arrested-for-stealing-on-ha-long-tourist-boat-39876.html

and a good reason to keep your 'bling' out of sight..

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/robber-snatches-necklace-from-pedestrian-on-saigons-new-walking-street-42811.html

PompeyPete

More food for thought. Some interesting stuff on this TA link about trips from Hanoi...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293923-i9984-k8265956-o20-Avoid_Halong_Bay_Tours_At_All_Costs-Halong_Bay_Quang_Ninh_Province.html

SkiPhil

If you would like to do Halong bay but fancy doing it a little different then you can take the seaplane from Hanoi.

It's more ££ but definitely one that I can recommend as worth it - you really get to see the full scale of it from the air and landing on the water is cool!

PompeyPete

That'll be way above our skinny budget!:(

totallybored

Definately go to Hoi An, it is the prettiest place I visited in Vietnam. I think I spent 3 nights there which seemed enough. I take it you're not a luxury hotel type but there are some nice resorts on the beach road from Danang to Hoi An.

I did a 1 night Halong Bay trip. I really enjoyed it, there were quite a few kiwis and Aussies on the boat who liked a few beers but it wasn't a party boat. I asked my hotel to arrange it and they sent me a list of boats to choose from.

I preferred Hanoi over HCM. Apart from the war museum I hated HCM. I found the traffic far worse than Hanoi and the people worse at trying to rip me off.

I took the train for my entire trip. If you have time I'd recommend doing an overnight one. I did Hanoi to Danang overnight. The morning part along the coast into Danang has fantastic views. I got my Hanoi hotel to arrange all my train tickets for me for a couple of extra dollars.

worried_jim

What no Turkey Pete? I am off in six weeks, exchange rate is 4.1TL in Gulluk today. I shall have an Effes for you- have a great time in Vietnam!

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

I took the train for my entire trip. If you have time I'd recommend doing an overnight one. I did Hanoi to Danang overnight. The morning part along the coast into Danang has fantastic views. I got my Hanoi hotel to arrange all my train tickets for me for a couple of extra dollars.

Did you stop in one of the Elegance hotels? I seem to remember someone on here recommending them and it might have been you. I don't usually trust hotels to organise trips and onward travel but these guys were absolutely fantastic. Even though I was booked in for 4 nights they didn't charge me for the night I was away in Halong Bay.

totallybored

Doshwaster wrote: »

Did you stop in one of the Elegance hotels? I seem to remember someone on here recommending them and it might have been you. I don't usually trust hotels to organise trips and onward travel but these guys were absolutely fantastic. Even though I was booked in for 4 nights they didn't charge me for the night I was away in Halong Bay.

I did! I think it was the Ruby Elegance. It was recommended to me on here too and it was really good. They arranged pick up from the airport for me, the Halong Bay trip and 3 train tickets. I'm sure they only charged a few dollars commission for them.

PompeyPete

worried_jim wrote: »

What no Turkey Pete? I am off in six weeks, exchange rate is 4.1TL in Gulluk today. I shall have an Effes for you- have a great time in Vietnam!

Jim, already had my share of Efes this year. Bagged a cheap out-of-season AI deal at the beginning of February at Lara Beach (Antalya).

Stayed at the WOW Kremlin Palace...

http://www.thomascook.com/destinations/turkey/antalya/lara-beach/wow-kremlin-palace/

...and could use all the facilities, eat and drink, next door at the WOW Topkapi Palace...

http://www.thomascook.com/destinations/turkey/antalya/lara-beach/wow-topkapi-palace/?gclid=CKrtrNK5p8UCFeiWtAodAy0AEQ

Really enjoyed it, £270 for ten nights AI, including flights and transfers.

Back to the Vietnam homework.:beer:

bylromarha

My advice:

Dalat - far less time. I expected to spend the post flight half day there plus 3 more days. We left after 2 more days as we were so bored. Had already pre booked the hotel night, so money lost there, but didn't care. Crazy house was fun and a real experience, but otherwise it was a couple of non impressive waterfalls which you can see in a morning, flowers, a lake and a cable car. Nearly got ripped off by a Easy Rider, but I stopped the tour midday and paid him a fare rate for the morning work. He was not happy at all, but neither was I when he told me his plan for the afternoon was to take us to 3 places I'd told him we'd already been too. If you do go with Easy Riders, get the itenerary in writing before committing is my advice. The reason Dalat is popular is because the climate is cool for Vietnam, so a holiday destination for locals. It's okay, but it's not worth 4+ days at all.

Hoi An is beautiful beaches and old waterways. If that's your thing, then you'll enjoy that many days there. If not, then cut it shorter. We did a trip to Bana Hills whilst we were there as the cable car is the longest in the world - goes over some beautiful mountain scenery. We stayed at Prince Hotel 15 minute walk into the town, but far enough out that it was a great rate for a hotel with a pool. They arranged our airport transfer by car - for 3 passengers it was the same price as the bus, and they arranged our trip to Bana too.

Absolutely go to Halong Bay - it is stunning. We sailed with Indochina Sails - top end boat, but I figured it was a once in a lifetime thing. Food + 1 drink with food all included in the price. 2 daily happy hours. Cabins top spec. Staff very attentive. No beery crowd at all.

Starters which felt criminal to give to my kids!


Restaurant with floor to ceiling windows


We booked with Halong Sapa Tours. I can't recommend them highly enough. By emailing them directly rather than going through their website (or the Indochina website) we got money off the advertised price PLUS a cabin upgrade PLUS a free return minibus transfer to Halong PLUS free airport transfers to and from Hanoi PLUS a pack of coasters to thank us for our custom. The couple who run it are absolutely lovely and can't do enough to help. They are passionate about Vietnam and visitors' impressions of it. They do trips to other places as well, so if they work their reduction magic in those areas too, you'd be laughing! You can book Halong cruises in a multitude of places in Hanoi but there are so many cruises with so many companies offered in so many places! The TA reviews speak for themselves about this company. I preferred it this way rather than trying to compare whilst in Hanoi - didn't want the stress on holiday TBH.

Can highly recommend the Aranya Hotel in Hanoi - 15 min walk into the central old town. Staff are SO friendly and their breakfast is anything you could wish for. Fresh cooked pineapple pancakes :T

Personally would give HCMC more than a day and half - but no more than 3 days.

We flew everywhere, but I didn't fancy an overnight train with my 2 kids. If OH was with me, think it'd have been fine, but Vietjet Air so cheap that it was worth the time saving to me.

Can't comment on the rest of your choices as we didn't go to them. We found Vietnam a bit meh TBH. Loved Halong, loved Hoi An but won't be returning to Vietnam.

Am slightly jealous that you can up on holiday on a whim, you lucky thing.