CAN YOU COMBINE A TRIP TO BALI AND VIETNAM?
Apr 19th, 2012, 06:55 AM
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CAN YOU COMBINE A TRIP TO BALI AND VIETNAM?
I was wondering if it was possible to combine Bali with Vietnam. I have no idea how to get to both of them, how long I would need, I would assume atleast 2 weeks and if this is even a good combination. I would just like to go to both of these places and it seems to me if I make the trip from NY I might as well try to do both 
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks so much fodorites!!
Any ideas or suggestions?Thanks so much fodorites!!
Apr 19th, 2012, 07:04 AM
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Sure, you can do it, but consider the logistics and your time. If you just have two weeks, stick to one place. If you have longer, you could visit both.
Usually, the least expensive gateway city to SE Asia from the US is Bangkok. Then you can fly to VN from Bangkok. To get to Bali from VN, you'd probably fly back to Bangkok and then on to Bali, back to Bangkok for your flight home.
Alternatively, you can use Singapore as your gateway city, and fly from Singapore to VN, then back to Singapore and on to Bali befoer rteturning to Singapore for your flight home.
Slightly better is getting an openjaw ticket flying into Bangkok and out of Singapore, as this will cut the time of your intra-Asia flights.
Frankly, I think VN and Bali aren't the best combination. I usually try to choose destinations that are in closer proximity to each other to cut intra-Asia travel time. So Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and VN are in a cluster. As this sounds like a first trip to Asia, I'd suggest you choose two from that cluster.
Or, Singapore, Indonesia nd Malaysia are close, and you could choose two. If Bali is the destination you want most, I'd suggest Bali, Java and a few days in SIngapore as a more efficient itinerary.
Usually, the least expensive gateway city to SE Asia from the US is Bangkok. Then you can fly to VN from Bangkok. To get to Bali from VN, you'd probably fly back to Bangkok and then on to Bali, back to Bangkok for your flight home.
Alternatively, you can use Singapore as your gateway city, and fly from Singapore to VN, then back to Singapore and on to Bali befoer rteturning to Singapore for your flight home.
Slightly better is getting an openjaw ticket flying into Bangkok and out of Singapore, as this will cut the time of your intra-Asia flights.
Frankly, I think VN and Bali aren't the best combination. I usually try to choose destinations that are in closer proximity to each other to cut intra-Asia travel time. So Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and VN are in a cluster. As this sounds like a first trip to Asia, I'd suggest you choose two from that cluster.
Or, Singapore, Indonesia nd Malaysia are close, and you could choose two. If Bali is the destination you want most, I'd suggest Bali, Java and a few days in SIngapore as a more efficient itinerary.
Apr 19th, 2012, 07:27 AM
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As Kathie said, if you are planning on only two weeks, pick just one destination. We spent 12 days on the ground in Bali one year and 12 days on the ground only covering northern Vietnam on another trip. This does not include the approximately 3 more days we needed to fly to and from these destinations.
Singapore and Bangkok are not good gateway cities for you. From NYC you can fly direct to Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul and then directly to either Bali or Vietnam. You can not fly directly to Bangkok from NYC and while there is a direct flight from Newark to Singapore, it is all business class and therefore pricey.
Singapore and Bangkok are not good gateway cities for you. From NYC you can fly direct to Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul and then directly to either Bali or Vietnam. You can not fly directly to Bangkok from NYC and while there is a direct flight from Newark to Singapore, it is all business class and therefore pricey.
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:01 PM
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craig has a good point about time spent... how about 10 days on bali and 3-5 in singapore....flying transpacific in and out of singapore...???
from jfk: korean air...finn air... united... singapore (newark too).. all the major airlines..
look at alam shanti hotel for ubud, bali..
save VN for another trip.. it is well worth 2 weeks or more..
from jfk: korean air...finn air... united... singapore (newark too).. all the major airlines..
look at alam shanti hotel for ubud, bali..
save VN for another trip.. it is well worth 2 weeks or more..
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:35 PM
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I read a wonderful post where someone did a 10 day trip from ny to VN. Is that really to little time? Did the itinerary I said sound too crazy? I think it would be best to fly to HK or Tokyo and than VN (or Bali if that ends up being the trip 
Thanks for the input it helps alot!
Thanks for the input it helps alot!
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:52 PM
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You can certainly do a 10 day trip from NY to VN, as long as you limit your itinerary to one area (like Northern VN or central VN). Many people like to go to VN and visit north, central and south - that's too much for a 10 day trip from NY.
Asia is best savored slowly. Rush from place to place and you'll check things off your list but miss it all.
And Craig is right about routing (I live on the west coast so routing issues are different). If you want to go to Bali, combining it with a few days in Singapore is a good combination.
Asia is best savored slowly. Rush from place to place and you'll check things off your list but miss it all.
And Craig is right about routing (I live on the west coast so routing issues are different). If you want to go to Bali, combining it with a few days in Singapore is a good combination.
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:57 PM
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Where would you stay in Bali? All the hotels look wonderful to me. I like luxury but the Aman is too pricey for me! Would you go to only one area or two?
Also this was a sample itinerary for VN (if not this trip possibly another)
Day 1-2 Hue Pilgrimage Village Hotel
Day 3-4 Hoi An Life Resort
Day 5-6 Nha Trang Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van
Day 7-8 Da Lat Da Lat Palace hotel
Day 9-10 Hanoi Sofite Legend Metropole Hanoi
I think I can be accused of wanting to do too much?
but the Aman is too pricey for me! Would you go to only one area or two?Also this was a sample itinerary for VN (if not this trip possibly another)
Day 1-2 Hue Pilgrimage Village Hotel
Day 3-4 Hoi An Life Resort
Day 5-6 Nha Trang Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van
Day 7-8 Da Lat Da Lat Palace hotel
Day 9-10 Hanoi Sofite Legend Metropole Hanoi
I think I can be accused of wanting to do too much?
Apr 19th, 2012, 03:09 PM
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mobile, I answered your other post, but to continue. Combining the two places is difficult in 10 days. If you just want a "taste" of both, Cathay through Hong Kong is also a good hub.
In Bali there are so many choices of accommodation at all price points. Let us know your budget and for how many people and we'll come up with some ideas. Prices will be inflated at the holidays, though.
I'd choose a few days in Seminyak and the rest in the Ubud area.
In Bali there are so many choices of accommodation at all price points. Let us know your budget and for how many people and we'll come up with some ideas. Prices will be inflated at the holidays, though.
I'd choose a few days in Seminyak and the rest in the Ubud area.
Apr 19th, 2012, 03:20 PM
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>>>I would just like to go to both of these places and it seems to me if I make the trip from NY I might as well try to do both<<<
Greetings mobilemoms (nice handle) and hope your planned SE Asia venture comes to fruition.
Replying to this thread, as not too many months back I played 'travel agent' in partially arranging a 50th birthday holiday for a cousin and his wife who live and work in Manhattan.
For their flights, I enticed them into flying SQ21 (EWR-SIN, all business class, non-stop service) with return via SQ26 (SIN-FRA-JFK, business class, upper deck on a serene A380). Upon return, they were most pleased with said flights. (In fact, they raved about the flights - and that in-flight service - as much as the three different Aman properties they stayed at on Bali.)
(I can personally vouch for the few SQ 21/22 all business class, non-stop sectors I've flown for work; sweet, memorable rides. As for flying business class sectors on SQ's A380s, I've yet to fly them in/out JFK, but have had the privilege of flying J-Class on those SIA 'WhaleJets' on SIN-HKG and SIN-NRT sectors for business. Rather peaceful -- and that service.)
Now, for on the ground reccos. My cousin and his spouse kicked off their SQ21 arrival in Singapore with a few nights at Raffles. Then, ~ nine nights on Bali (via SQ business class, thanks to my gentle suggestion) at those Amans. Wish I could help you with personal Bali Aman impressions, but my few times on Bali have been the two Four Seasons properties (via corporate rates and comped nights related to work) and a private villa holiday, thanks to a generous business colleague.
(And, can't help you with Vietnam, as it's not on my current Asia business travel loop and have yet to find time for holiday in country.)
Wherever you stay - and however you fly - have fun.
Warm morning and early weekend wishes from a lovely Singapore morning. Will be flying SQ again rather soon -- joyous flights and times to all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Greetings mobilemoms (nice handle) and hope your planned SE Asia venture comes to fruition.
Replying to this thread, as not too many months back I played 'travel agent' in partially arranging a 50th birthday holiday for a cousin and his wife who live and work in Manhattan.
For their flights, I enticed them into flying SQ21 (EWR-SIN, all business class, non-stop service) with return via SQ26 (SIN-FRA-JFK, business class, upper deck on a serene A380). Upon return, they were most pleased with said flights. (In fact, they raved about the flights - and that in-flight service - as much as the three different Aman properties they stayed at on Bali.)
(I can personally vouch for the few SQ 21/22 all business class, non-stop sectors I've flown for work; sweet, memorable rides. As for flying business class sectors on SQ's A380s, I've yet to fly them in/out JFK, but have had the privilege of flying J-Class on those SIA 'WhaleJets' on SIN-HKG and SIN-NRT sectors for business. Rather peaceful -- and that service.)
Now, for on the ground reccos. My cousin and his spouse kicked off their SQ21 arrival in Singapore with a few nights at Raffles. Then, ~ nine nights on Bali (via SQ business class, thanks to my gentle suggestion) at those Amans. Wish I could help you with personal Bali Aman impressions, but my few times on Bali have been the two Four Seasons properties (via corporate rates and comped nights related to work) and a private villa holiday, thanks to a generous business colleague.
(And, can't help you with Vietnam, as it's not on my current Asia business travel loop and have yet to find time for holiday in country.)
Wherever you stay - and however you fly - have fun.
Warm morning and early weekend wishes from a lovely Singapore morning. Will be flying SQ again rather soon -- joyous flights and times to all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Apr 19th, 2012, 04:09 PM
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So how much time would you have "on the ground" in Asia? Don't forget that travel time will lop off two days in transit. Also remember that you will have jetlag, and with the heat in many areas you'll be able to accomplish less than you think. Of course, in December, Hanoi will be chilly and perhaps rainy.
Yes, as you know, your sample itinerary is too much. Think about it this way, two nights in a place is just one full day. Depending on your travel arrangements you may get an additional half day - or not. I agree with Craig's rule. If you have 10 days on the ground, a maximum of three places. In 12 days you can squeeze in 4.
If you opt for Bali, I'd choose two different areas to stay in, one by a beach, the other inland, near Ubud. This would be a more relaxing trip, as you wouldn't be packing and moving every couple of days.
Yes, as you know, your sample itinerary is too much. Think about it this way, two nights in a place is just one full day. Depending on your travel arrangements you may get an additional half day - or not. I agree with Craig's rule. If you have 10 days on the ground, a maximum of three places. In 12 days you can squeeze in 4.
If you opt for Bali, I'd choose two different areas to stay in, one by a beach, the other inland, near Ubud. This would be a more relaxing trip, as you wouldn't be packing and moving every couple of days.
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