BeccaD

Wondering if anyone knows if November is a good time to visit vietnam. Also, we'd like to stay at mainly 5 star hotels and hoping that these are affordable. Just got back from a trip to Thailand where we stayed at The Peninsula and The Chedi. Anywhere in Vietnam comparible to this level of luxury?

Lyndie

Vietnam has several weather zones-Hanoi can be cool-HCMC hot. Dec 2nd 2003 in Hanoi was glorious, then rainy, cool and warm all in a day. Sorry don't know about November-do a google search for weather sites & check it out. Five star hotel we stayed in Hanoi was Sofitel Metropole- lovely colonial hotel not in same class as Pen in BKK but great. Furama Hotel in Danang has good reputation and Victoria Hotels (Sapa, Hoi An) are pretty nice. Check out vietnamstay.com-they are great for cheap prices in Vn-used them for hotel, train and air-take the hassle out of organising on the ground.You can email and ask for recommendations for best hotels. Not as many as Thailand imho.

Kathie

November is the rainy season in the middle of VN - the Hue and Noi An area. About one year out of every four thay have not only lots of rain, but severe flooding. In 2003, there was flooding in that area that killed many people.

Kathie

Oops! I just noticed that my typing was bad last night when I responded to your question! It's Hue and Hoi An were they had flooding in November. I should add that I was in Hanoi in November and the weather was fine.

Neither the facilities or service in VN will come close to what you experiienced in Thailand.

BeccaD

Thank you all for your insights. Still don't know where we are planning to go - a little worried that the weather may not be the best in November.