Sprig

We are planning a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in early February. Hope this is a good time to go. From my research it seems OK but if anyone has any comments before we book it would be great.

We are doing an independant tour, not a group, where we book flights and transfers and tours etc. in advance with quite a lot of free time.

The plan is 3 nights in Hanoi, with one full day included in that time to Halong Bay. The first full day is on our own but that is pretty much it for free time and with everything I am reading about Haoi wonder if that is a mistake.

Three nights in Danang which is really only two full days as we arrive late and this includes a side trip to Hoi An and one full day on our own in Danang.

Then a full day in Hue with an overnight.

Four days in Ho Chi Minh City which includes a trip to the tunnels and a boatride on the Mekong River. A day and a half with no tours. Is there anything special we should see in Ho Chi Minh city that is a little out of the ordinary from what we might see on our regular day tours?

Off to Siem Reap for one day and night.

Then to Pnom Penh for three nights or actually two days with a half day city tour and the rest time at leisure.

Does its sound like we are doing something we shouldn't waste our time on or actually much more importantly are we missing something that we shouldn't?

We purposely added free days with no tours throughout to augment a few free afternoons and most evenings of course. Should we cut the free day in Dangnang or Ho Chi Minh City or even Phnom Penh for an extra day in Hanoi?

Would love to hear your feedback. The Fodor community is always one of our best guides when planning a trip.
How about the weather in February? We are traveling north to south so anticipate some significant changes in weather.

connette

If it were me, I would not stay in Danang, but rather stay in Hoi An. At night they light everything up with lanterns and make the streets pedestrian only. Hoi An is magical and the food is amazing. There is not much to do in Danang except a small but good museum, China Beach, and Marble Mountain. You can do both in half a day and can be done on the way to Hoi An. A few people we met along our travels that stayed in Danang, wished they would not have.

I really enjoyed Phnom Penh, but it can really be done in 1 1/2 days. So you might want to adjust your schedule.

In HCMC we enjoyed the Reunification Palace (a literal time machine), Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum. On the way to the tunnels see a rubber plantation and the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

connette

P.S. Fly to Hue from Hanoi, rather than to Danang. Then, visit Danang on the way to Hoi An. Then fly onward from Danang. It is one hour or less travel time back to Danang from Hoi An. Also, free time in Hanoi is not a problem at all - if I am understanding you in questioning that.

Sprig

Really, really appreciate your help.

I have tentatively adjusted our schedule based on your comments. I went back to the guidebooks and see that your comments about Danang agree with theirs. I guess Danang is easy because it is close to Hue, Hoi An and My Son. Did you see My Son? Was it worth the trip. I have adjusted Hanoi to one extra night which gives us an extra half day free because I thought we should spend more time there and also to give us an early start to Hue in the morning.

That gives us 3 days in Hoi An.

We are planning to spend one night in Siem Reap when we go to Angkor Wat and then had planned 3 nights in Phnom Penh. But now I am doubting the third night and we may come home a day early unless there are any other suggestions.

We are totally flexible to add a day whererever we choose but on the other hand a free day before going home isn't so bad as it offers a morning to sleep a little late and gear down before the long flight home but that would mean 1/2 day city tour in Phnom Penh and 1 1/2 days on our own.
Again thanks for your help.

connette

Please add more time to Siem Reap. 3 full days would be the minimum there. We were there longer, but also went to Tonle Sap and Prek Toal bird sanctuary. We did go to My Son. Glad we did. It is a somewhat anticlimatic compared to Angkor, but we saw it first. Angkor is rapidly becoming so heavily touristed. See as much of it as you can before it gets any crazier.

Kathie

I think the problesm is that you are trying to do too much in too little time. In order to have even a minimum amount of time in each place to see and do teh things you want to do, you need to cut at least one location.

Hanoi certainly deserves more time. You have three full days, but one of those days in in Halong. One option would be to cut Halong and spent three full days in Hanoi. Many people feel that if you want to see Halong you should stay overnight. So either cut Halong or add to your time in Hanoi.

The minimum amount of time just to see the major temples at Angkor is three full days. PP can be seen minimally in a day or a day and a half.

I'd recommend you cut out HCMC entirely - save it for another time.

I count 15 nights for your trip. Right now you have 5 locations not counting the day trips (Hanoi, Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An, HCMC, Siem Reap, and PP). You will spend all of your time transferring from one place to another and little time in the palces you want to see. I'd suggest three main places in that time (Hanoi, Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An, and Siem Reap). You could add one day to explore PP.

Scotters

Yes add some more time to Siem Reap unless you are not into visiting old temples. Vietnam has nothing that can compare with Angkor Wat. Limit your time in Phnom Penh to a max of 2 days (you can see all the attractions in 1.5) but don't skip it as you can get a truer feel of Cambodia here rather than at the touristy SR.

WeiLong

It would make more sense to visit Hue before Danang and Hoi An, one or two days is enough. I would skip Danang actually and go directly to Hoi An. I thought My Son was worthwhile but it pays to keep in mind that it is in a fairly ruined state.

More time in Siem Peap, that is undoubtedly the main ttraction in the region.

http://www.travelsinasia.com/Cambodia/Cambodia.htm
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Vietnam/Vietnam.htm

Bisbee

Skip DaNang, other than to fly out of. And don't skip HCMC. It's well worth seeing. I would cut out PP if you need more time. Siem Reap/Angkor are the key places to see in Cambodia.

Bisbee

One more thing to keep in mind. The Tet Lunar Holiday starts February 17th in Vietnam. If you plan on being there then, you'll need to get all your transport/accommadation sorted out ASAP.

thursdaysd

I agree with Kathie's suggestion to drop HCMC - I would spend more time in Hanoi (try for an overnight for Halong Bay) and in Siem Reap - a minimum of two days for the temples, but three is better. An alternative would be to fly from Hanoi to HCMC and drop central Vietnam.

I spent one or two nights in Danang, as well as staying in Hoi An, and enjoyed it because it was so untouristed. Definitely see the museum there. Also, My Son is quite captivating, provided you explore it before the bus tours get there. Take a car and driver from Hoi An, but early. Or I suppose you could do it in the afternoon.

Clifton

I agree completely with what Scotters says about Cambodia. Not enough time at Siem Reap, but don't cut Phnom Pehn completely.

seeksocean

I am thinking of an itinerary much like this for mid-November 2007. Any feedback on the weather that time of year? How much time should I allow for a trip like this and what's the best and most economic route from San Francisco, with maybe a stopover in Bangkok? I tend to fly EVA Airlines.

Also, what about fitting in Bali at the end? Is that just too much flying and expense? I know it's a personal choice, but what would you do?

Kathie

Seeks, how much time do you have?

In November, you are better off to skip central VN (Hue, DaNang, Hoi An) due to monsoons.

The problem most people have is trying to do too much in too little time. It sounds like that will be your problem as well. Going to Bali doesn't make a lot of sense unless you have lots of time. I wouldn't go unless I had a full week there.

seeksocean

Thanks Kathie. I am not sure how much time we'll have. Half of us work and the other half are retired. Maybe three weeks total?

The reason I want to include Bali is that it is a favorite of all of ours, but I don't want to miss countries I have never been to. How about Cambodia for a week, Thailand (we've been there) for a week and Bali for a week?

Any other suggestions?

SueHuml

We were in Hanoi this February and we never saw the sun at all. In fact it was very dreary, drizzly and quite cold. The weather was so dull and depressing, I really think it gave us a dull misterable view of Hanoi as we didn't enjoy it nearly as much as we expected to. Our daughter was simply amazed that our time in Hanoi was the least appealing of our 06 SEA trip. (She loved Hanoi) I do think everything would have been so much better viewed in sunlight, and wish I'd had some cold weather clothing with me so that I was not shivering all the time.
Sue

Kathie

seeks, you could do a week each in Cambodia, Thailand, Bali. I think it's important to decide what are the most important things for you to do/see/experience and make a plan that means you won't spend all of your time moving from place to place. In three weeks, I would chose 4 locations at most.

javiergiraldow

For a unique high-end experience in Halong Bay, book passage aboard the
Emeraude -- a copy of a French steamer that once plied these waters in the
early 20th century. Certainly the largest boat at 55m (180 ft.), the elegant
Emeraude has 38 cabins, a fine-dining outlet, and plenty of room to stretch
your legs. The luxury trip comes with a price tag, of course, but the 2-day,
1-night cruise is well worth it.

Leaving Hanoi at 8am, you'll check in at the private Emeraude pier and be
shuttled to the boat. Before checking in to your cabin, you'll enjoy welcome
drinks and a quick orientation. Compact, as ship cabins always are, onboard
rooms are decked out in hardwood, with nice fixtures like air-conditioning,
a private reading lamp, slippers for shuffling about the decks, and a tidy,
compact bathroom area with toilet, shower, and a separate room for a small
sink stand. Everything onboard is retro, which means pleasing hardwood,
brass, and fine linens. The oversize wicker chairs on the top deck are cozy,
and you'll find shaded areas as well as sun-worshipping space. A casual,
friendly atmosphere pervades, especially when the corks start popping.

Dining onboard is a delicious buffet, and most guests find themselves
sharing a meal with new friends. Lunch on day 1 is followed by a stop at the
Surprise Cave, then an afternoon of cruising and great views of the islands.
The boat docks in a quiet harbor and guests have an opportunity to, on their
own or with a guide, explore nearby Trinh Nu and Hang Trong, the Virgin Cave
and the Cave of the Winds, or take a dip in the bay. The back of the boat is
low in the water and there is a sturdy ladder making it easy to get on and
off (the adventurous will join the crew for dives off the upper decks).
Dinner is a sumptuous affair of fine local cuisine (heavy on seafood) and
good Western options. Enjoy drinks on the upper deck as you watch the
moonlight glisten off the bay.

Day 2 starts with tai chi classes on the sun deck as a brilliant sunrise
paints its colors on the arching canvas of high limestone peaks jutting from
the glassy waters. Blissful. After your exercise, tuck in to a hearty
Western-style breakfast. The boat returns to the dock by 9:30am, and a
direct transfer finds you back in Hanoi by lunchtime. The trip is quite
memorable, and a ride on this retro ship, outfitted to the nines, is unique
to Halong Bay. The price for the overnight cruise is $290 for a luxury cabin
for two and $490 for the one-suite room, but discounts for larger groups are
available. Transfer from Hanoi costs $100 for a four-seat vehicle. Check the
website at www.emeraude-cruises.com or call the offices at the Press Club in
Hanoi (tel. 04/934-0888; fax 04/934-0899).