Kathie, Crellston or Others: Loops in Northern Vietnam?
Oct 16th, 2006, 09:05 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie, Crellston or Others: Loops in Northern Vietnam?
I leave for my trip in less than two weeks and I just changed my mind on where I am going!
You two have provided some great info on doing the DBP loop so I thought I would pick your brains. Anyone else with info and suggestions can pitch in too!
I was originally going to spend my 5 weeks between Thailand and Laos (spent a month in Thailand already this year). It is a last minute decision for me to also include Vietnam for about 10 days.
I plan on flying from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, hanging out there for a couple of days to explore and do some research. From Hanoi I will either do the DBP loop, the Northeastern Highlands loop or the Northeastern coast. I am leaning toward one of the loops as I know my boyfriend wants to see Hanoi and Halong Bay at some point within the next few years.
I am 41 and a female traveling solo. I love adventure and stunningly beautiful scenery. As much as I enjoy large bustling cities I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in small villages and towns and trying to communicate with locals while soaking in the culture.
I am considering renting a scooter but it does sound a bit too risky even for this adrenaline junky! I will probably take a bus and maybe rent a scooter from a town along the way to explore the area for a day.
What were the highlights of these areas for you?
Which one of the three options would you recommend for the best scenery?
I will be there in November. Will a fleece pullover be warm enough over a couple of thinner layers along with a warm hat for the evening chill?
Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Tamara
You two have provided some great info on doing the DBP loop so I thought I would pick your brains. Anyone else with info and suggestions can pitch in too!
I was originally going to spend my 5 weeks between Thailand and Laos (spent a month in Thailand already this year). It is a last minute decision for me to also include Vietnam for about 10 days.
I plan on flying from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, hanging out there for a couple of days to explore and do some research. From Hanoi I will either do the DBP loop, the Northeastern Highlands loop or the Northeastern coast. I am leaning toward one of the loops as I know my boyfriend wants to see Hanoi and Halong Bay at some point within the next few years.
I am 41 and a female traveling solo. I love adventure and stunningly beautiful scenery. As much as I enjoy large bustling cities I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in small villages and towns and trying to communicate with locals while soaking in the culture.
I am considering renting a scooter but it does sound a bit too risky even for this adrenaline junky! I will probably take a bus and maybe rent a scooter from a town along the way to explore the area for a day.
What were the highlights of these areas for you?
Which one of the three options would you recommend for the best scenery?
I will be there in November. Will a fleece pullover be warm enough over a couple of thinner layers along with a warm hat for the evening chill?
Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Tamara
Oct 16th, 2006, 04:22 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tamara, I'm not going to be much help to you on this question. When we went ot Hanoi a few years ago, I did lots of research on that whole area, but we ended up deciding not to go. Instead, we spent our time in Hanoi and did a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda and added the Golden Triangle to our itinerary.
I'd highly recommend you post this question over on Thorntree, as there are a number of real VN experts there who know that area like the backs of their hands. When I'm going "off the beaten track" I always post there as well as here.
PS - are you trading your Northern Thailand time for this area?
I'd highly recommend you post this question over on Thorntree, as there are a number of real VN experts there who know that area like the backs of their hands. When I'm going "off the beaten track" I always post there as well as here.
PS - are you trading your Northern Thailand time for this area?
Oct 16th, 2006, 05:28 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Kathie. Yeah, I may go to Vietnam and do one of the loops there rather than the MHS loop. I will spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong though!
What days are you in Bangkok? I thought I flew out on Nov. 30th but I just realized I don't fly out until after midnight on Dec. 2nd!!
What days are you in Bangkok? I thought I flew out on Nov. 30th but I just realized I don't fly out until after midnight on Dec. 2nd!!
Oct 16th, 2006, 06:51 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Halong Bay is nice and Sapa is interesting too but for me the real highlight was a place called Ninh Binh, a rural centre a few hours south of Hanoi.
There are a number of world class attractions near to Ninh Binh which include the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, floating village at Kanh Ga and you can take a boat trip through some limestone caves at Tam Coc. Also further out are the Cathedral at Phat diem and Cuc Phuong National Park.
I got around all these attractions by motorcycle. I would be hesitant to drive anywhere in Hanoi, frankly but the traffic was a bit less daunting around Ninh Binh.
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Vietnam/NinhBinh.htm
There are a number of world class attractions near to Ninh Binh which include the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu, floating village at Kanh Ga and you can take a boat trip through some limestone caves at Tam Coc. Also further out are the Cathedral at Phat diem and Cuc Phuong National Park.
I got around all these attractions by motorcycle. I would be hesitant to drive anywhere in Hanoi, frankly but the traffic was a bit less daunting around Ninh Binh.
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Vietnam/NinhBinh.htm
Oct 17th, 2006, 08:14 AM
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have only done the DBP loop and found the on the loop to be spectacular scenery to be absolutely spectacular although travelling through the mountains between Sapa and Lai Chau in thick fog with a lunatic driver was not something I would wish to repeat!
Highlights:
The walks around the hills and valley around Sapa itself - I wish we had spent more time there. Some say they found the minority tribes aagressive in Sapa. I can't say I noticed this apart from one time when a local women took exception to having her photo taken by a tourist - can't say I blame her myself.
Mai Chau the pepole are great and the scenery amazing.
DBP although it has some fascinating history, the town itself was a bit of a let dowm- just another provincial asian town. We did have some nice walks out around the village outside of the town and these would be easy to reach by motorcycle. (Don't even think about a motorbike in Hanoi!!
I haven't been there myself but the area around Ba Be lake in the North East looks spectacular - we met a lady in Mai Chau whou had done both loops and she loved it.
As far as the weather is concerned we had a couple of days of 75f and blue skies in Sapa but the day we left it was freezing and foggy so I guess you just take pot luck. The rest of the time is was around 65f but cooler at night. Apart from the day we left sapa we wore just T shirts and a light fleece at night.
Final tip get as far off the main road as you can to experience true village life
Have great time
Highlights:
The walks around the hills and valley around Sapa itself - I wish we had spent more time there. Some say they found the minority tribes aagressive in Sapa. I can't say I noticed this apart from one time when a local women took exception to having her photo taken by a tourist - can't say I blame her myself.
Mai Chau the pepole are great and the scenery amazing.
DBP although it has some fascinating history, the town itself was a bit of a let dowm- just another provincial asian town. We did have some nice walks out around the village outside of the town and these would be easy to reach by motorcycle. (Don't even think about a motorbike in Hanoi!!
I haven't been there myself but the area around Ba Be lake in the North East looks spectacular - we met a lady in Mai Chau whou had done both loops and she loved it.
As far as the weather is concerned we had a couple of days of 75f and blue skies in Sapa but the day we left it was freezing and foggy so I guess you just take pot luck. The rest of the time is was around 65f but cooler at night. Apart from the day we left sapa we wore just T shirts and a light fleece at night.
Final tip get as far off the main road as you can to experience true village life
Have great time
