options on 2 potential itineraries

Old May 20th, 2016, 08:48 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
options on 2 potential itineraries

For my second trip to Vietnam these are 2 potential itineraries I have worked out. For the of you who have been recently, which do you think makes more sense? Arrival and departure is from hanoi and that cannot be changed. This will be from Feb. 22 to March 8, 2017

1.North to South
Feb. 21 arrive late ON Hanoi
Feb. 22 Hanoi touring ON Hanoi
Feb. 23-27 drive tour Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, etc
Feb 28 return to Hanoi ON Hanoi
March 1 fly Hanoi-Dong Hoi in am, drive to Phong Nha, afternoon cave tour, ON Phong Nha
March 2 all day Paradise cave tour ON Phong Nha
March 3 drive Phong Nha-Hue ON Hue
March 4 drive to Hoi An ON Hoi An
March 5-6 Hoi An
March 7 late afternoon flight Danang-Hanoi to connect with midnight flight home, stay at airport during connection

2. South to North
Feb. 21 arrive late ON Hanoi
Feb. 22 fly Hanoi-Danang am, drive to Hoi An ON Hoi An
Feb. 23-24 Hoi An
Feb 25 drive Hoi An-Hue ON Hue
Feb. 26 drive Hue-Phong Nha, afternoon cave tour, ON Phong Nha
Feb. 27 all day Paradise Cave tour ON Phong Nha
Feb. 28 morning flight Dong Hoi-Hanoi, drive to Nihn Binh ON
March 1-5 drive tour area Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, etc.
March 6 return to Hanoi ON Hanoi
March 7 tour in Hanoi, after dinner transfer to airport for midnight flight

Concerns: how much time to allow for a connection @HAN from domestic to int'l? What to do with luggage all day if last day is spent in Hanoi before going to airport for midnight flight?

Thanks for the input, Susie
susiesan is offline  
Old May 20th, 2016, 12:35 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I havent been to central or south VN, so can't help with those places, or the travel logistics, but can say "well done" to your 4 days/5 night trip to Mai Chau and Ninh Binh!!! Both very interesting and beautiful areas! I had only total 4 days and would have been glad to add another,as you have.
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 20th, 2016, 05:52 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For the Ninh Binh and Mai Chau driving tour I'm in touch with 2 agents who have suggested trips, Ethnic Tours and Griswalds Vietnamese Vacations. I haven't settled on either one yet or an exact plan.
susiesan is offline  
Old May 20th, 2016, 07:11 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Option 1" would make me nervous--I think I remember that you have award tickets in and out of Hanoi, right? Well, then, Susie, you are not protected for that same-day flight from Danang to Hanoi. I remember, when I was planning my trip to Vietnam, reading trip reports of FLOODING at Danang airport. For "Option 2", you arrive in Hanoi the day before.

Regarding luggage storage, any hotel will keep you luggage on the day you depart Hanoi at a late hour, for "Option 2". In fact, my hotel kept my luggage and let me use their shower. It may even be worth paying extra for a very late check out, which in Vietnam, couldn't amount to much money at all.
CaliforniaLady is offline  
Old May 21st, 2016, 06:05 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, I have award tickets for this trip.We leave VN on a JL flight to Narita then on to the US. Because we are in business class we will have use of a lounge at HAN for a shower before the flight, if the JL lounge has one. Or the late check out from a Hanoi hotel would work. For option 1 I could stay only one night in Hanoi after arrival before taking off on the driving tour and then return to Hanoi one day earlier to spend one more night there. Or shorten the time in Hoi An, which we have been to.

Would anyone know the driving time from Phong Nha to Hoi An without the overnight in Hue? Is it too far for one day? I'd fly it but there are no flights between Dong Hoi and Danang. The only way to go by air is VDH- SGN-DAD as bel0w::
5:00 pm – 6:35 pm
Dong Hoi (VDH) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
VietJet Air 261 · Airbus A320
1h 35m

Layover in Ho Chi Minh City SGN1h 00m

7:35 pm – 8:50 pm
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Da Nang (DAD)
VietJet Air 652 · Airbus A320
1h 15m

or this
1:20 pm – 2:55 pm
Dong Hoi (VDH) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
VietJet Air 263 ·
1h 35m
Layover in Ho Chi Minh City SGN1h 25m

4:20 pm – 5:35 pm
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Da Nang (DAD)
VietJet Air 634 ·
1h 15m
I guess this takes less time than driving and spending a night at Hue which I also have already visited. I'm not too concerned about the cost of flights more about maximizing time.
susiesan is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2016, 10:16 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Susiesan, for Mai Chau and Ninh Binh--in fact, all of my trip to North VN--I worked with Susan Hien Nguyen at Custom Vietnam Travels. Great help,super-patient, great advice (which I wish I'd have listened to more of!). Had two different excellent drivers, and one fantastic guide. Check out their website for itinerary ideas--there are Mai Chau and Ninh BInh trips listed-- all of which of course are totally flexible. No doubt the other two you mentioned are excellent--Crellston highly recommends Ethnic--but i like to get three to compare, if i'm using agent on trips.
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 24th, 2016, 12:06 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Calinurse, I am currently working with 3 agents, Ethnic Travels, Griswalds Viet Vacations, and Indochina Odyssey. IO has the highest prices as I'm not sure they actually have their own drivers and guides. I may use different companies for different parts of the trip. Maybe Ethnic for Ninh Binh/Mai Chau, as the north is their specialty. And some one else for central area. I don't need a company for Phong Nha; the homestay/guesthouses can help book the cave tours. I may need some help with having a local agency get the domestic VN plane tickets for me.
I will need to find a driver for Hoi An to Hue to Phong Nha.

I am still undecided as to whether to go north to south and return to hanoi same day of flight, option 1 or start south to north option 2. Advice on TA is to not risk a same day int'l connection due to frequent delays and cancellations of VT airlines.
susiesan is offline  
Old May 25th, 2016, 08:35 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My trip to the North (including to very remote areas...which i personally would not recommend for assorted reasons--purely my experience) was with a fantastic guide who taught me so much and was able to communicate with the local people...and the same company plans trips all over VN I think using different companies for different segments seems kind of confusing,and time consuming, but again, that's just me.
There are many companies with great reputations in VN---Ethnic, the one I used, the ones you mention, numerous kudos for there companies on this and other travel sites. One company should be able to address all your needs, other than what you want to book yourself (local tours, etc).

I'm no expert on VN...only one two week trip to the north...but
I'd take the advice of those who say not to risk same day connection from domestic onto international flight--not just in VN, but in India and no doubt
other Asian countries I've not been to.
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 26th, 2016, 05:54 PM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Calinurse:I contacted Custom Vietnam and am working with Liliana. She has already come up with an itinerary starting in Hoi An and going north, ending in Hanoi.The price is great, $600 less than IOT similar trip. I need to do some fine tuning and look at the hotel's they suggested. I may want to use different ones. Can I send you the itinerary to get your comments and opinion? What is your email?

I will send this itinerary to Ethnic Travel and ask their price for their version to see who has the best deal. I don't mind paying d a bit more for better service and to be dealing with the agent who actually provides the drivers and guides. Trying to avoid the middleman. I may also make some of my own arrangements and pay for hotels or plane tickets separately.
susiesan is offline  
Old May 26th, 2016, 06:41 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Susiesan--maybe post your itinerary here too? ALL the hotels that CustomVietnamtravel recommended were GREAT.Smiley, the director, is a well -known tour guide in VN before starting the company. The hotels were all very reasonably priced! As I said earlier, I wish I had taken ALL the recommendations to heart, instead of insisting on some I wanted.
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 26th, 2016, 06:44 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Susie, the reason I say post it here, rather than via email, is that I was ONLY in the north, and you are traveling throughout the country. So I would have limited feedback , and know nothing about the central or south areas.
Ask for Mai Chau EcoLodge in Mai Chau--you'll love it and it is worth it!!
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 27th, 2016, 09:35 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here is the suggested itinerary:

Feb. 21 arrive late ON Hanoi
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will be warmly welcome by Custom Vietnam Travel’s guide and driver. Then get transferred to downtown for check in your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Feb. 22: Hanoi tour [B, L]
Have breakfast at your hotel. At 9:30am, our guide will be back and take you out to visit Hanoi city. The sites include of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Followed with the Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple over the Red Bridge before your street food dinner. Together with the tour guide, you will start the walk through different narrow streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Led by your local guide hear stories of the ingredients and history of Hanoi’s food culture and sample Northern Vietnamese cuisine. The menu will be chosen together between you and the guide and we will start with some light food such as crispy Hanoi “pillow” dumplings, varieties of sticky rice, yoghurt with fermented wild rice, fried sour spring rolls … and end the day at a nice coffee shop famous with the “egg coffee” in the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.
Feb. 23: Hanoi – Flight to Danang for Hoi An [B]
Take a morning flight from Hanoi to Danang. Get picked up from Danang airport and transfer to Hoi An town for check in hotel. Free for rest of the day.
Feb. 24: Hoi An free [B]
Today is free at leisure. Overnight at the same hotel in Hoi An.
Feb 25: Hoi An free [B]
Today is free at leisure. Overnight at the same hotel in Hoi An.
Feb. 26: Hoi An – Hue [B, L]
This morning, take a 2.5 hour drive to Hue via Hai Van pass with optional stops on the way for taking photo and sightseeing at Dragon Bridge, Cham museum, Non Nuoc Beach and Hai Van pass. Upon arrival in Hue, check in hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be visiting the Royal Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established highest offices of Vietnam's feudalism and sanctums honouring the cult of decreased Emperors. Together with your personal guide, you will take a walk throughout the complex and enjoy the beautiful constructional works divided many sectors. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Overnight in Hue.
Feb. 27: Hue tour – Dong Hoi [B, L]
To start the day, you will embark a dragon boat at a little dock by the bank of the poetic Perfume River for a short cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda, constructed in 1601; the 21-meter stupa tower is the masterpiece of this charming pagoda. Thence getting back to your private vehicle and drive out of the city to visit Minh Mang King’s tomb. This imperial tomb is without doubt the best-combined natural landscape and architectural complex. It was designed on a symmetric axis. Visiting the tomb, you will be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. After that, you will enjoy a beautiful lunch at a nice garden restaurant. Thence take a drive to Dong Hoi with a stop to visit Hien Luong Bridge. Overnight in Dong Hoi.
Feb. 28: Paradise Cave [B, L]
After breakfast at your hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up for a drive to Paradise cave. Spend the day visiting this amazing cave. Paradise Cave is the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features, Paradise Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive. Back to your hotel for overnight.
March 1: Phong Nha Cave – Dark Cave [B, L]
Today, you will have whole day explore the impressive Phong Nha cave and Dark Cave. Upon arrival, take 25 minute boat trip to Phong Nha cave and spend a couple hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Lunch at a local restaurant then continue to visit Dark Cave with optional activities such as kayaking, zip-lining, mud-bathing.
March 2: Dong Hoi – Hanoi – Ninh Binh [B, L]
Take early morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, get picked up and take a drive straight to Ninh Binh. This afternoon, you will be taken to Thung Nang boat dock for a sampan boat ride. The ride takes about 1, 5 hours which is up and down a narrow river, rowed by a nearby villager. The boat ride is absolutely beautiful as we are moving in between the limestone cliffs, gentle and quiet! It also includes the row through two tunnel-like caves. Late in the afternoon, check in your hotel and rest. Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh.
March 3: Ngoa Long Mountain & Van Long Nature Reserve [B, L]
After the breakfast in the hotel, we start our day with a short drive to Hang Mua where we will hike up Ngoa Long Mountain. The summit is the highest point in the region which offers you a great 360-degree view over the karst country. It is rather hard in the hot and humid day (Old folks are not recommended on the hot day as there are 500 steps to hike). This is followed by a flat-ground walk to a rice field, see domestic animal farms. Lunch is at a quiet restaurant which belongs to a kind of small retreat. After lunch, we move on our walk to the main road, get on our private transport and head for Van Long Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, we will hop on a sampan boat for another 1, 5-hour ride. This reedy wetland is calm and environmentally beautiful. It is worth boat riding through this island-like landscape of karst limestone mountains. Get back to your hotel and spend the second night in Ninh Binh.
March 4: Ninh Binh – Mai Chau [B, L]
A smooth drive will take you along beautiful rural scenery of green paddies, forested hills and karst formations. Stop for a visit to a village of Muong minority people located in an evergreen valley. Wandering around to learn about their typical lifestyle and tradition then have lunch served in a local house. Cruise on Hoa Binh lake and enjoy the picturesque scenery then take a short drive to get to Mai Chau. Check in home stay and dinner is served with local specialties and followed by a traditional music and dance performance (Optional). Overnight in the local traditional stilt-house.
March 5: Mai Chau [B]
After your breakfast at the homestay, go for a soft trek about 2, 5 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some villages, rice paddies and gardens. Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles. This is the best time for you to learn the daily life of the country rustics, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts. Afternoon is free at leisure. Today you will stay at Mai Chau Eco Lodge.
March 6: Mai Chau - Hanoi free [B]
This morning is free for relax and enjoy your lodge’s facilities or having more explorations to the area on your own. Check out at noon time when our staff comes and transfer you back to Hanoi. Overnight at the same hotel in Hanoi.
March 7: Tour in Hanoi, after dinner transfer to airport for midnight flight [B, L]
Today, if you can wake up early (5am), our guide will lead you to visit Quang Ba flower market and Long Bien market to witness hundreds types of flowers and thousands types of products brought from everywhere are for sale. Then back to your hotel and have breakfast. Free for the rest of the morning. In the afternoon, visit more places of interest inside Hanoi city such as Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Tran Quoc Pagoda and walk around West Lake. Dinner at your own account before get transferred to the airport for your flight off. End of service.

❖ Package price in USD: $1387 per person for private group of 2 people:

City Hotel Name
Hanoi Essence Hanoi Hotel, Deluxe
Hoi An Essence Hoi An Hotel, Deluxe
Hue Eldora Hotel, Deluxe City View
Quang Binh Phong Nha Lake House Resort, Deluxe Lake View
Ninh Binh Ninh Binh Legend Hotel, Superior
Mai Chau Homestay
Mai Chau Mai Chau Eco Lodge, Superior

ROUTINE PRICE PER TICKET
HANOI – DANANG $90
DONG HOI - HANOI $85
Total airfare $175 USD/per person
susiesan is offline  
Old May 27th, 2016, 11:34 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Essence Hanoi Hotel is excellent!! Sartoric, another post-er, stayed there recently too and recommends it! I'm sure any of the Essence Hotels --including Hoi An--would be fine. If you want smaller place in Hoi An, Susan Nguyen at CustomVietnam also suggested Betel Garden Homestay, where she'd been. Check it out as an alternative. Btw, i wish I HAD gone to Hoi An before deciding to stay focused on just the northern region.

Booking Mai Chau Ecolodge to follow your stilt-house exoerience is a great idea. You'll be ready for some luxury after the homestay! IF you are at Mai Chau Ecolodge on a weekend, be prepared for Hanoi weekend-trip families with kids! if you want peace and quiet, have the agent specify a room AWAY from the pool. CVT requested a quiet corner room, so instead of pool view, I had gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains ad rice fields. (Pix are on my tripadvisor reviews, using same name as here.)

I would change Ninh Binh Legend Hotel.The reason: if is the one I'm thinking of, it is a new and modern hotel , no doubt good value-for-money if that is what you want, but not a particularly "local" feel, or in an especially scenic area. There are soooo many lovely little inns and homes in the area surrounding the city. Check TA under "B and B'"AND "Specialty Lodging" for Ninh Binh. For example, i just saw a new, small one called "Garden Homestay that piqued my interest. I stayed at Nguyen Shacks but did not care for it (despite its rave reviews on TA)and wish i'd have gone with Limestone View Homestay instead--my first choice).
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 27th, 2016, 11:41 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ps--not sure of weather in your timeframe, but if it is hot and humid, check that your places al have AC!! (Forex, Garden homestay mentioned above does not ,per airbnb)
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 11:00 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
calinurse: I will be in country from from Feb. 21 to March 8. Weather should be perfect, not too hot in center, cool in north and not rainy season. This a few weeks after Tet and VNY so crowds should be down.

This plan is an outline, a starting point. I have 9 months to tinker and fine tune it. I asked Ethnic for their price on the same thing and they came back with these hotels, price of $1095 pp:
MK Hotel in Hanoi
Hoi An Hotel in Hoi An
Saigon Morin Hotel in Hue
Quang Bnhh Phong Nha Lake House Resort
Yen Mo Homestay Lodge in Ninh Binh
Mai Chau Homestay Lodge in Mai Chau

I asked CVT to make a modification and this past has changed, one more day in Ninh Binh area:
Feb. 26: Hoi An – Hue [B, L]
This morning, take a 2.5 hour drive to Hue via Hai Van pass with optional stops on the way for taking photo and sightseeing at Dragon Bridge, Cham museum, Non Nuoc Beach and Hai Van pass. Upon arrival in Hue, check in hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be visiting the Royal Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established highest offices of Vietnam's feudalism and sanctums honouring the cult of decreased Emperors. Together with your personal guide, you will take a walk throughout the complex and enjoy the beautiful constructional works divided many sectors. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Overnight in Hue.
Feb. 27: Hue tour – Dong Hoi [B, L]
To start the day, you will take a 5 hour drive to Dong Hoi with stops on the way for taking photos, visit Hien Luong Bridge and have lunch at a local restaurant on the way. After lunch, back to your car and head to explore the impressive Phong Nha cave. Upon arrival, take 25 minute boat trip to Phong Nha cave and spend a couple hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Overnight in Dong Hoi.
Feb. 28: Paradise Cave [B, L]
After breakfast at your hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up for a drive to Paradise cave. Spend the day visiting this amazing cave. Paradise Cave is the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features, Paradise Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive. Back to your hotel for overnight.
March 1: Dong Hoi – Hanoi – Ninh Binh [B, L]
Take early morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, get picked up and take a drive straight to Ninh Binh. This afternoon, you will be taken to Thung Nang boat dock for a sampan boat ride. The ride takes about 1, 5 hours which is up and down a narrow river, rowed by a nearby villager. The boat ride is absolutely beautiful as we are moving in between the limestone cliffs, gentle and quiet! It also includes the row through two tunnel‐like caves. Late in the afternoon, check in your hotel and rest.
Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh.
March 2: Ngoa Long Mountain & Van Long Nature Reserve [B, L]
After the breakfast in the hotel, we start our day with a short drive to Hang Muawhere we will hike up Ngoa Long Mountain. The summit is the highest point in the region which offers you a great 360‐degree view over the karst country. It is rather hard in the hot and humid day (Old folks are not recommended on the hot day as there are 500 steps to hike). This is followed by a flat‐ground walk to a rice field, see domestic animal farms. Lunch is at a quiet restaurant which belongs to a kind of small retreat. After lunch, we move on our walk to the main road, get on our private
transport and head for Van Long Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, we will hop on a sampan boat for another 1, 5‐hour ride. This reedy wetland is calm and environmentally beautiful. It is worth boat riding through this island‐like landscape ofkarst limestone mountains. Get back to your hotel and spend the second night in NinhBinh.
March 3: Cuc Phuong National Park
This morning, we take a drive to Cuc Phuong National Park. This forest reserve contains a wonderfully rich ecosystem. The rocky outcrops are covered by dense rainforest and make it ideal place for nature lovers to come and visit. At the park’s gate, after paying the entrance fee, we keep driving into the park’s center to embark on a loop trek on a small forest trail. The trek takes almost 3 hours. Your late lunch is served at the park’s restaurant. In the afternoon, before our return journey, we will pay a visit to the park’s primate rescue center where you will learn something about
some of the special Langurs (Monkeys) and the park’s rescue program before releasing them back to the wild. Back to your hotel for overnight.
March 4: Ninh Binh ‐ Mai Chau [B, L]
A smooth drive will take you along beautiful rural scenery of green paddies, forested hills and karst formations. Stop for a visit to a village of Muong minority people located in an evergreen valley. Wandering around to learn about their typical lifestyle and tradition then have lunch served in a local house. Cruise on Hoa Binh lake and enjoy the picturesque scenery then take a short drive to get to Mai Chau. Check in home stay and dinner is served with local specialties and followed by a traditional music and dance performance (Optional). Overnight in the local traditional stilt‐
house.
March 5: Mai Chau [B]
After your breakfast at the homestay, go for a soft trek about 2, 5 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some villages, rice paddies and gardens. Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles. This is the best time for you to learn the daily life of the country rustics, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts. Afternoon is free at leisure. Today you will stay at Mai Chau Eco Lodge.
March 6: Mai Chau ‐ Hanoi free [B]
This morning is free for relax and enjoy your lodge’s facilities or having more explorations to the area on your own. Check out at noon time when our staff comes and transfer you back to Hanoi. Overnight at the same hotel in Hanoi.

The cost is now $1423 pp. I like how lunches are included. Do you remember if the restaurants you were taken to were acceptable?
susiesan is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 12:15 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
All the meals were great. It's hard to have abad meal in VN!

What i liked is that they took me to cry local places The guide knew the great places it seemed, in every little village!

and the coffee places...wonderful! I went o a search for the best iced coffee to help me cool down.
VERY smart to MNT go when weather his hot.
I can't weight in on the other hotels--dont know any. i HOPE crellston or someone else who has used Ethnic can comment on the accommodations/prices.

ASK CVT if they can exchange the hotel in Ninh Binh for a recommended homestay. This should lowe the price a bit. I asked about Limestone View Homestay, and Susan knew the village where it is, and would have booked me there had i not requested Nguyen Shacks, Wish i hadn't--but that is just me.
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 12:19 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sorry for typos. meant it is had to haVe a bad meal in VN.they took me to local places, but remember, my route was quite different from yours. Still, i would trust them to know the good places. I was traveling alone and often the guide and driver ate with me but you will be with someone. You can still ask them to join you--it was fun.
meant --very mart to NOT go when weather hot
CaliNurse is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 05:47 PM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So you had both a driver and guide? I figured the drivers did double duty. We love to eat at local places. Last trip we usually fed our guide because it was so cheap. Since I can't eat spicy food it was good to have him with us to help order and avoid chilis or spicy food.

I have already asked to have CVT hotel in Phong Nha changed to a homestay, Phong Nha Mountain Home. I will research their hotel suggestions and may make some changes. The hotel in Hoi An is a big one and I'd prefer a villa or small b&b.

I'm wondering if 2 full days is enough time for Hanoi? Since we have been before and seen the big tourist places maybe so. I did want to do a street food tour and they have one planned for the first night for dinner.
susiesan is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 07:27 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I spent 3 nights/4 days with Ethnic Travel earlier this year in April. We stayed at Yen Mo homestay, it was comfortable and welcoming. The rooms had an attached wet room style bathroom, there was wifi. Cold beers were available in the dining room/kitchen. They offered a cooking class for those who were interested, or you could watch.

The earlier lodge we stayed in was much more basic, although eating on a cushion on the floor with the family and guides/ drivers was great. The views here are spectacular over rice paddies to mountain. That's a mitigant for dealing with tiny rooms, remote bathrooms and no wifi.

Our guide and driver were great fun. The driver spoke little English, so the guide would translate and we'd all be enjoying friendly banter. We ate together every meal except one. The meals were delicious and different every time, except for rice, there was always rice. The guide will help you avoid spice.

This was our second trip to Hanoi as well. We'd seen many of the popular sites, still saw some others that we'd missed first time. We easily filled three full days.
sartoric is offline  
Old May 28th, 2016, 10:19 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had a driver and guide. Unlike in India, or many places in Africa , where the drivers are the guides and vice versa ll (narrating along the way) in VN according to my research, this is rare. The two drivers spoke little English, although that was fun, and as Sartoric said, the guide translated what was being said--not only by the driver, and the people we met, but by the local tribes people who seem to have their own dialect/language!

Sartoric, Yen Mo homestay sounds positively luxurious!!! I was at two homestays--neither was like Yen Mo , to put it mildly. Love how you phrased it: the mitigant factor...so true! Or watching the lady of the house squatting in front of the fire as she cooked dinner, or seeing four generations of a family doing their thing.

Susiesan, re Hanoi---I ended up there six nights total, at different times of the trip. Two of those days were two too many, although i suspect that had a lot to do with the horrid heat. It is, as you know, a great walking city, and the the heat affected the enjoyment of that. If i were returning, I'd book as you have--two full days, and in milder weather!

As sad earlier for Hoi An, check CVT Ms Nguyen's recco of Betel Garden Homestay, which is far from rustic! The homestay term is loosely used (not just in VN!) and it seemed that some places describing themselves as such are more like small inns--not an actual home.
CaliNurse is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -