Thailand and Vietnam - February 2017

vegasvisitor

Will be keen to hear how you get on, however as you're planning for February 2017 I might even make it to Hanoi before you.

Haven't been to Hanoi, but it's on my list. Have done Bangkok and Hua Hin a few times (have stayed 8 nights in Bangkok on a previous trip and see no harm in staying in one place for quite a bit as it allows for relaxation etc too). Did Ho Chi Minh City this year and really enjoyed it. Would love to go back and maybe combine with Hanoi. Maybe a beach too? Not sure.

PompeyPete

HANOI KIDS TOURS

Looks like a worthy cause, and good way to see some of the sights...

http://hanoikids.org/

The website also links to other might come in useful stuff.

Doshwaster

Ballard wrote: »

For my trip in November I've had to make some definite plans because accommodation is reasonably scarce where I'm going but there's something to be said for getting off a bus and looking around for a hotel (certainly in SE Asia anyway).

I've never liked the idea of trailing around a strange town looking for a somewhere to stay straight after getting off the bus/train/plane - I'm too old of that kind of thing. However, locking down an itinerary down 6-9 months in advance does seem to be overly restrictive.

Now I tend to just book things 1-2 days beforehand as I travel around. Unless you are in very high season, such as Christmas or Full Moon parties (which I avoid like the plague), you will always find plenty of availability. With free wi-fi everywhere you can just book from your phone or there will be several travel agents on every corner. That way you can keep the flexibility to change your plans while still knowing in advance where you will be sleeping each night.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

However, locking down an itinerary down 6-9 months in advance does seem to be overly restrictive.

I know exactly where we want to stay, so can't see the problem in making sure we get what we want. Our itinerary [as opposed to accommodation] everywhere is fluid and will remain that way until we arrive.

I'm leaving 4 nights [20-23 Feb] in Hanoi unbooked until we've been there a couple of days [10-14 Feb] and got a feel for the place. We might want to stay at a different hotel or area, or even be tempted to do something that's currently been shelved.

Quy Nhon is [apparently and hopefully] one of those places you don't want to leave. I've been given a nailed-on guesthouse recommendation.

Doshwaster wrote: »

Now I tend to just book things 1-2 days beforehand as I travel around. Unless you are in very high season, such as Christmas or Full Moon parties (which I avoid like the plague), you will always find plenty of availability.

I've made sure we avoid TET in Hanoi, and the week after it.

thestens

We were in Hanoi this Feb. be aware that it may still be a bit nippy weather wise. Also rainy. We stayed for 3 nights which was enough. Got fed up of the incessant traffic. Food very good. Beer St a bit of a tourist ghetto. We took a bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island which we liked as it was very quiet, still low season. Took a 1 day trip into Ha Long Bay, which we found good as we wanted to see it but not go for a cruise. Also went to Sapa, scruffy town but good views, hard muddy hiking. If yo do go, book guide and accom on arrival so you can choose rather than in Hanoi. Train travel in V is good, Saigon we didn't like, traffic is appalling. The delta area is interesting. We enjoyed our 4 week trip but probably won't revisit, generally a. It too developed (v badly in pRts) for us.

PompeyPete

PompeyPete wrote: »

Update on costings, all are totals for two people...

- Return Emirates flights from LGW to Bangkok...£794.62

- Return NOK Air flights from Bangkok to Hanoi...£167.87

- New Siam Palace View [Bangkok] - 3 nights. 3,4,5 Feb. Room only, swimming pool ...£68.97

- Sky Resort [Kanchanaburi] - 3 nights. 6,7,8 Feb. Room only, swimming pool...£46.05

- 3B Homestay [Hanoi] - 5 nights. 10,11,12,13,14 Feb. Bed & Breakfast... £85.00

I'll add to them as and when.

I've made a bit more progress. Been waiting ages for the Vietjet flight schedules to come out for February. When they did come out they never released the really cheap seats, so I gave it another 3 weeks and still didn't liked the prices. Then had a look at Vietnam Air, and scored both with their latest prices and flight times. I booked straight away. Return flights from Hanoi to Quy Nhon for 2 of us inclusive of up to 30KG cost £143.66.

I've been given a nailed-on recommendation for accommodation in Quy Nhon by several people on Trip Advisor. Fortunantly the hotel,
called Ngoc Anh has recently started selling rooms on Booking.com. I've booked 6 nights room only, total £56.

All I have to account for now is accommodation in Bangkok [9 Feb], Hanoi [21 to 23 Feb inc], accommodation in Bangkok [24 to 26 Feb inc]. But I think I'll book those on the spot, and reckon £100 will cover that.

Overnight accommodation at Premier Inn Gatwick North Terminal also booked on 1 Feb @ £81.48 [inc dinner & breakfast].

I'l have a few taxi fares to account for totalling about £50.

All that lot, all flights, all accommodation, taxis totals just under £1,600. I'll allow £1,000 to cover meals, drinks, and anything else. Obviously I'll take more than £1,000 just in case.

Hopefully the grand total for almost 4 weeks will come in around @ £2,600 for two of us, which I think is very MSE.

dickydonkin

littlereddevil wrote: »

I couldn't be bothered with all that moving around!

Nobody is asking you to.

The thoughts of arriving in one destination, unpacking and getting frazzled and boozed up for two/three weeks does not appeal to me at all - but I respect other peoples preferences.

My upcoming trip to Asia over Christmas involves around 20 flight sectors - although some of those are positioning flights, and I expect such a trip would put many people off, but that is my choice.

Enjoying yourself and seeing as much of this world before you leave it is what matters.