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NEW proposed Itinerary: Need Comments/Feedback

NEW proposed Itinerary: Need Comments/Feedback

Old Jul 6th, 2016, 04:33 AM
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NEW proposed Itinerary: Need Comments/Feedback

I recently posted a proposed itinerary for our upcoming trip to Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand. With the many comments from fellow Fodorites I am now being proposed the following itinerary and would love feedback on the new and improved.

My husband and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary and taking a 15 day trip. We want to book everything as proposed but wanted to get the opinion from fellow Fodorites!

Arrive in Bangkok- Penninsula Bangkok Hotel 3 Nites
Fly from Bangkok to Hanoi
Hanoi- Soffitel Legend Metropole Hotel 3 nites
Halong Bay - Paradise Peak Cruise 1 nite cruise
Fly to Hanoi/Danang
Danang- InterContinentsl Danang 2 Nites
Fly Danang to Ho Chi Min City
Ho Chi Minh City-Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel 2 Nites
Fly to Siem Reap
Siem Reap-Park Hyatt Siem Reap 3 Nites
Fly to Bangkok for departure the next day



We love to sightsee. stay in nice hotels, go to great restaurants, buy local art, cooking classses, etc...

Would love comments and feedback!!
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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Definitely better. Still think Hue or Hoi An is better than Danang. Sounds like some travel agent is proposing this - have you looked at DIY?

I might put all the Bangkok time at the end if you are going back there to fly home.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 08:04 AM
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I think this is much improved.

You might want to consider putting all of your Bangkok time at the end, especially if you plan on shopping in Bangkok.

Enjoy your trip - Happy Anniversary!
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 09:08 AM
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thursdaysd and Kathie Thank you so much for your prompt feedback. The itineraries are being proposed by Abercrombie and Kent with their luxury private trip area. As for Hue or Hoi An they claim that the accommodations that are in town are more 4 star vs. the Intercontinental in Danang which is 5 star?? They indicated they could include Hue for 1 night and tour there and then continue to Danang/Hoi An area. The hotel in Hoi An -Nam Hai, which I would have loved, will be under renovation at the time we are going?? Let me know if are in agreement with them. I will ask them about moving Bangkok to the end as you both suggested which makes perfect sense to me.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 09:13 AM
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Is one star really going to make that much difference to you? What do you think you are getting for it that you would miss? And that would make it worth missing better sightseeing?
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 09:34 AM
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Lots of people love Hoi An. For me, it seems too touristy, cutesy. While Da Nang had long been vacant of attractions (except for the museum), recently there are a number of 5-star properties that have been built there. Friends of mine recently stayed there and loved it. It isn't a place where there is sightseeing or cultural experiences, but it will give you a beach break.

What time of year are you going?
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 10:57 AM
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To be brutally frank, I don't think Abercrombie and Kent have worked terribly hard for the commissions they are earning.

The just seemed to have picked the top TA ranking hotels in each location.

The Peninsula is a great choice, superb riverside location which is great for sightseeing and getting around. Have stayed there several times and enjoyed it, the main downside being that I find it to be a little anonymous and sterile. Choosing the right room is everything there. The suites are amazing!

The Metropole in Hanoi is very historic and atmospheric. Numbering Ho Chi Minh, Oscar Wilde, Graham Greene and Churchill amongst it guests. We stayed around 7 years ago when the service wasn't great but I understand it has improved immensely since Accor took it over. Nice location.

Not a great fan of Hyatts, again they tend towards the bland IMO. park Hyatt in Saigon is well located but there are much more interesting 5 * places to stay. The Continental is wonderful and there are many many smaller lux boutique type places springing up - one example
https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury...on-river?sgid=

The Intercontinental near Da Nang a great hotel but a little isolated and I doubt you would leave the hotel grounds as there isn't much to see. We stayed in Da Nang last year and China Beach was just a giant building site with new hotels being built all along the coast. If you are just looking for a place to rest up awhile, fine. But if you want something to see I would suggest Hue.

Despite what A&K say, there are 5* places in Hue La Residence being an excellent example http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-6139...el/index.shtml Loved our time there. It is a very stylish Art Deco building converted from the old French embassy. Definitely worth springing for a room with terrace overlooking the Perfume River.

Lots to see in Hue, the Imperial City, the many imperial tombs of past emperors are hugely impressive. Hoi an is quaint, pretty and full of tourists, but worth a visit and it could be done in a day trip.

Some photos and detail of our time in Hue and Saigon can be found in the Vietnam section of our blog from last year https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/

Overall, I think it is a much improved itinerary, I just feel the hotel choices are a little lacking
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 11:13 AM
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@Kathie - yes, Hoi An is touristy, but it is a good base for visiting My Son, and it has to be more interesting than a beach resort. I would certainly prefer to spend time in Hue. I actually enjoyed my visit to Danang, but I stayed IN town, over a decade ago, and enjoyed it because it was just a regular Vietnamese town.

@crellston - I agree, I can't see what A&K are doing that the OP couldn't have easily done themselves. The Hue La Residemce sounds very nice, and I have never seen the point of staying in a Hyatt overseas. But then I prefer to spend my money on more travel time rather than more stars.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 11:57 AM
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While none of us would ask Abercrombie & Kent to book a trip for us, the OP did. Had the OP come here before planning the trip, we would have given them advice on how to DIY or use a local agent to book. While I, personally, would be more interested in Hue than China Beach, I assume the OP wanted some beach time.

I'm not as put off by the hotel recommendations as you are, crellston. While I cannot comment on the Saigon hotel, the Park Hyatt in Siem Reap is the old Hotel de la Paix, a lovely, well-located hotel with well-regarded programs for training locals in the hospitality business.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 12:02 PM
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Oops - I just went back and looked and the OP originally posted in May. At that point, they said they were traveling in November. If this is till true - cancel your time in DaNang. November is very rainy in this part of VN, so there is likely to be flooding (often with loss of life) in this area.

Cutting DaNang will give you two nights to distribute elsewhere - I'd suggest an additional night in Hanoi and an additional night in Saigon.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 06:31 PM
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Hanoi- Soffitel Legend Metropole Hotel 3 nites
Good choice. Was not my favorite on my trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, but not much else to surpass it. Feels historical and special.

Halong Bay - Paradise Peak Cruise 1 nite cruise
Took a different junk for one night -- worth the drive IMO. Great time.

Danang- InterContinentsl Danang 2 Nites
Did not visit

Ho Chi Minh City-Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel 2 Nites
My favorite hotel in Vietnam. Superb on all fronts. Still talking about it.

Siem Reap-Park Hyatt Siem Reap 3 Nites
Loved! The location, the pool, the ambiance, the service. Great!

I like your changes. Cannot comment on Danang. I stayed at the Nam Hai in Hoi An. Liked the fact that it was close to town but on the beach. We needed beach time by that point. If you could swing Hoi An, I think you would like it.

Kathie, is the weather crazy there too?
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Old Jul 7th, 2016, 07:38 AM
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Lolazahra, all of the central VN area - DaNang, Hoi An, Hue is very wet in November. If it was just rain, that's one thing (some people are ok with rain at the beach), but the torrential rains at that time of the year cause flooding in the whole area.

I live in Seattle, so am pretty tolerant of rain. But I wouldn't go to that area in November.
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Old Jul 7th, 2016, 11:46 AM
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Thursdaysd- No the 1 star does not really mean a lot to me but that was the answer A&K gave me when I questioned why they were putting me in Danang. Totally agree that location is way more important.

Kathie- We are going beginning of November. It looks like Danang gets quite a bit of rain then so the beach wont be such a draw? Although A&K indicated that it rains for a short time and then stops?? Torrential rain and possible floods does not sound appealing to me!!

I have not booked with A&K yet. The reason I am not DIY on this trip is more for the guides and internal transportation than the hotels as I have seen on this site some really great hotels to stay in. A&K does seem pricey and to be perfectly honest they dropped the ball when I initially called them and I had to ask for a manager to get where I wanted to be. I contacted Tonklin in VM as well at the recommendation from other posts and wasn't thrilled with their proposal either. Any private tour company suggestions??
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Old Jul 7th, 2016, 12:52 PM
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Well, historically, that area gets flooding during November. Personally, I wouldn't chance it. While the typical rain pattern in SE Asia is on and off during the day or intense showers for several hours every afternoon,

You don't need A&K (or any company) for guides or transport. If you decide you need a guide somewhere it is easy to hire one on the spot or have your hotel arrange one. By far the majority of guides are free-lancers, so getting a guide from A&K does not ensure quality. In my experience, local companies can get you good prices, but often there will be some back and forth to get exactly what you want. The companies usually include everything they can think of in an initial proposal - airport transfers, guides, car and driver even though you may not need those things. When I am working with a local company, I tell them where I want to go, give them preference for hotel, transport, etc, When I receive the proposal I give them concrete feedback like "I don't need an airport transfer in Siem Reap" or no guide in Hanoi, etc, and await the second iteration. In addition to Tonkin, Vietnamstay (AKA Aurora Travel) has gotten good reviews here.

Your transport should be pretty easy as you can book flights online. If you want an airport transfer you can set this up with your hotels. Transport to Halong Bay should be provided by your cruise company.

I expect you will want a car and driver and guide in Siem Reap. I'd ask your hotel to set this up for you. Your hotel will have good recommendations. I also recommend some reading before you go: Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples.

Come back and tell us what else you need help with.
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Old Jul 7th, 2016, 02:00 PM
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Kathie- Thank you so much for all your help. Since this is our first trip to Asia I thought that having everything plotted out for us before hand would be easier?? I am going to look into Vietnamstay which I have not seen mentioned on this site. I will definitely go out and get that book, tonight actually!! That is the one main sight my husband is most looking forward to seeing!! I will be back to you when I finalize everything for your help!!
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Old Jul 7th, 2016, 03:29 PM
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Hi again.

I used Vietnam Stay and they were wonderful.

I did, however, do extensive research like I do for all of my trips prior to contacting them so I had a really good idea of everything I wanted to experience.

I was happy to use them for their guides who were all great and the transport. Being so hot, getting into an air conditioned van was a great relief after each sight, especially as I was traveling with young kids. But in addition, all of the guides were very knowledgeable and were added value. Additionally, Vietnam Stay booked all of our hotels. I told them where I wanted to stay and looked at pricing on all of the websites to ensure that the prices were comparable and in all instances they booked lower rates. Lastly, they recommended really fun, unique cultural activities in each city/country that my family and I found to be really memorable that were not on my radar.

On the way to our junk in Halong Bay, for some reason or another our confirmed junk decided not to sail. Within an hour, they had us booked on another junk. While it was not the small intimate junk we wanted, it was delightful and we received an immediate discount for the difference in fare. In Luang Prabang, I did not like my hotel. Again, because I was traveling with four kids it was just too small and was rather dark. Within 30 minutes of my call, they recommended another property, and while we were out touring, our stuff was moved and we literally walked into our new rooms.

So again, prior to calling I trolled trip reports, read guidebooks, asked lots of questions on this forum, and went on masses of websites and really had a good idea of the cultural experience I wanted. I then gave it to them and asked them to price it. This is how you can avoid a cookie cutter trip, while also enjoying the perks of using an agent.

Good luck.
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Old Jul 9th, 2016, 07:59 AM
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Nice comments from Lolazahra on how to use a local agent.

Since this is your first trip to Asia, I agree it makes sense to have everything plotted out ahead of time. That doesn't necessarily mean using an agent, but you certainly can. If you want to use an agent, I'd only consider local agents, not an agent based in another country.

If Angkor will be the highlight for your husband, you might want to add a day there. We spent a week at Angkor and didn't see it all. Dawn Rooney recommends three full days just to see the major temples. You would need to add a night to Siem Reap to get three full days.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 01:34 PM
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For the Vietnam portion of your trip I can recommend Custom Vietnam Tours. Another poster here, Calinurse, used them for her trip and I contacted them based on Calinurse's feedback. After spending a month or so getting quotes and plans from 3 other agencies, I decided to use Custom Vietnam Tours for my 2 week Vietnam vacation next February. I did get good suggestions from Ethnic Travel and Indochina Odyssey too but CVT was just a step above everyone else in terms of customizing a trip for exactly my travel style and budget.
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Old Jul 10th, 2016, 02:08 PM
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Hey Susiesan. Glad you've been pleased with CVT while co-planning, and am sure you will be equally happy with the trip they've arranged! I had wonderful guide for two weeks in North VN, including very remote areas where he was able to communicate with the non VN speaking local people. I've contacted "Smiley" and Susan again for a possible imminent trip to VN and Cambodia.

RJBriskin -I totally agree with others --use a local agent! that said, likely A&K contract out to a local company. and lacking experience in SEA, I can comment on only two of your places.
The Metropole in Hanoi. Great choice. Loved it! After four nights in the Old Quarter, i was ready for a change, and I love the French Quarter of Hanoi. Please, please, make time for Metropole's bunker tour. It is given every evening at 5 pm --they add on 6 pm too (but check when you are there). Open only to hotel guests, the group is small. You meet in the Historic Wing lobby.The guide movingly shared her experiences as a child. You go into the underground bunker used during bombings of Hanoi. It was discovered not long ago, during excavations for the poolside bar/restaurant, where you'll be taken after, served a cold drink..which is perfect after what I found to be a quietly emotional experience. Btw, the pool is lovely, and as soon as I sat down, someone came by with cold towel and "introductory" complimentary drink--great in the heat!

There are two sides to the hotel, with two different "feels": the Opera (newer) wing, and the historic wing. AlthoughI assume the employees go back and forth between the area, and all you meet there are professional and helpful, I found the warmth and down-to-earth friendliness in the Opera Wing much, much better. Maybe it was just that day. Somewhere i'd read the Opera Wing rooms are o.t.t. gaudy, but the room we had was gorgeous, tasteful, not too "gilt-edged" beautifully decorated, and had a small terrace opening onto a small lawn shared with just a few other rooms. The above mentioned agency, Custom Vietnam Travel, booked this room at a better price than I had found ONLINE--and I may have been upgraded to the terrace room baed on their booking.
You'll have two choices for breakfast, in one of two restaurants--VN or French style. I found the French breakfast buffet big but disappointing. It wasnt bad...just not outstanding. In three days, you'll be able to sample both!

Halong Bay; I know some FF folks question if it is worth the schlep factor. Imho: Yes!! The bus, with hotel pickup, was a minivan, had perfectly-functioning wifi (hurray) and did not seem like a long trip--maybe 4.5 hours, and that included a 45 min or so stop at a shopping "emporium" for bathroom, leg stretching, and ..buying (which few of us did). the time passed quickly, between wifi and conversations with other passengers. That said, each company has its own pickup service, so i don't know if this is the usual experience between Hanoi and HaLong Bay.

The company CVT booked me with was Indochina Junk, on the Dragon Legend, which was a beautiful (if somewhat ornately decorated) ship with delicious food and fantastic staff. This company's cruises go to Bai Tu Long Bay, a farther out section of Ha Long Bay, with less "traffic" and indeed, in the two days one night, the only other boats we saw were as we left and returned to the harbor, and a few passing fishing boats. I recommend that you check their site, see if it appeals, and perhaps switch to one of their boats. Dragon Legend is one of the few boats with metal frame--important for safety reasons--wood boats have caught fire recently).
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Old Jul 11th, 2016, 09:49 AM
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Kethie, Susiesan and CaliNurse- Thank you all so much for all your help. As per the recommendations here I went to Vietnam Stay and when I got back their proposal the hotels were none I had heard of here or from other agents. When I looked them up they did not appear to be 5 Star hotels but rather big commercial type hotels. I was not impressed. I will now contact Custom Vietnam Tours and see what they come up with. Knowing that you used them and they were so accomodating is very re-assuring!! I will be back with how this goes!! Do any of you have a Trip report that shows all the unique places you went to on your trips?
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