Vietnam travel plan/itinerary - help needed

juniper_berry

After finally deciding to take the plunge and book our flights to Vietnam I'm now faced with the challenge of planning a two week trip there. We going to be heading over for the last two weeks of March and flying in and out of Ho Chi Minh.

A bit of background info and what we're looking for...

It's my partner and I travelling, looking to stick to South and Central Vietnam, comfortable taking a flight or two, hoping to fit in Hoi An and maybe the island(s) Phu Quoc. Ideally like a few days on the beach and to see a bit of the culture too.
We're not backpacking but it won't be a full luxury trip either - we're middle of the road I guess.

Any recommendations on the best route to take to fit these in and also any places definitely worth seeing??

Any help would be massively appreciated.

PompeyPete

This current thread on Trip Advisor might put you off Phu Quoc beach...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g469418-i10303-k8516026-If_this_is_true_everyone_ought_to_boycott_PQ-Phu_Quoc_Island_Kien_Giang_Province.html

bylromarha

Avoid Dalat

Hoi An beautiful and the beaches there are stunning. Mekong Delta worth a visit. Lots of culture in Ho Chi Min - we did a cookery class there which was fun.

Doshwaster

A recent thread on Vietnam
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5229923

If you have 2 weeks to play with then that probably means visiting 3 different places once you take into account travel time. If you try to do any more then you'll just spend too much time travelling and getting frustrated.

Last year I did a loop through northern Vietnam an planning on doing the south of the country in the next few years.

I loved Hoi An but opinions on it vary. Some people think that it is too quiet, fake and touristy but I'd happily go back for longer.

It's easy to do Vietnam on a "mid-market" budget. It's amazing what you can get for £20-30 a night.

PompeyPete

bylromarha wrote: »

Avoid Dalat

We've got 5 nights booked in Dalat, and we're looking forward to it...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293921-i8432-k8486144-JBR_from_the_wonderful_Dalat-Vietnam.html#66628995

I like marmite!

paulfarrugia

I am a travel blogger and my advice is less is more. Don't try to fit too much in. As you are landing in Ho Chi Minh, definitely go to the mekong delta. It is a bit touristy but still fun. My highlights of Vietnam was Hoi An and Ha long Bay.

http://globalhelpswap.com/vietnam-north-to-south/

Have a great trip. Vietnam is amazing. The food is delicious and so cheap.

bylromarha

PompeyPete wrote: »

We've got 5 nights booked in Dalat, and we're looking forward to it...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293921-i8432-k8486144-JBR_from_the_wonderful_Dalat-Vietnam.html#66628995

I like marmite!

I know - I did see I was posting after you.

That TA post sums up our Dalat experience too - Crazy House is the only thing of substance worth writing about. Cafes, wandering round, a cable car/pagoda visit.

My Easy Rider yelled at me after I called him on trying to rip me off.

Hope you enjoy it, but never going back there myself and will continue to advise others to steer clear as I found it a waste of travel time. Far more interesting places in Vietnam to be and see IMO.

PompeyPete

bylromarha wrote: »

Hope you enjoy it, but never going back there myself and will continue to advise others to steer clear as I found it a waste of travel time. Far more interesting places in Vietnam to be and see IMO.

We will enjoy it.

I always tend to ignore statements like you mentioned earlier, "Avoid Dalat". Unless you can justify a bland statement, then why should the reader take any notice of it?

bylromarha

PompeyPete wrote: »

We will enjoy it.

I thought I would too...