HANOI ROCKS -- Our Spring Break Visit to Vietnam
Apr 28th, 2011, 07:34 PM
#82
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Thank you SO much for posting this! My boyfriend and I will be making our way to Vietnam in a couple weeks. I am even more excited now than I was before, especially about our Halong Bay cruise (we also booked via IJ). Thanks!
Jul 7th, 2011, 01:17 AM
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Your word pictures carried me right back; Hanoi is a great city! I really enjoyed the Perfume Pagoda boat ride, too--that scenery is gorgeous. True, the cave itself is somewhat anti-climatic, but the journey is amazing. Thanks for the great details.
Jul 7th, 2011, 06:18 AM
#89
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Thanks so much, Amy! As I mentioned up-thread, our next trip (and report) will be from Tuscany... but we will be returning to SE Asia in early '12. Specifically, Siem Reap/Angkor, Luang Prabang (Laos), and BKK. Stay tuned.
Jul 7th, 2011, 01:35 PM
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sf7303--this evolved (very quickly) out of a discussion about taking a weekend trip to Toronto. Don't ask!
Actually, when we realized Allie's university doesn't start second semester until later in January, we decided to jump on a rare opportunity (for us) to travel after the holidays...and this was high on our wish list and seemed like a logical choice for that time of year.
Actually, when we realized Allie's university doesn't start second semester until later in January, we decided to jump on a rare opportunity (for us) to travel after the holidays...and this was high on our wish list and seemed like a logical choice for that time of year.
Jul 17th, 2011, 08:59 AM
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Thanks!
auntlisey, I'm ready to jump on the next plane, too! Actually, I'll happily take recommendations for Vietnamese restaurants in San Francisco. Allie and I will be there for 4-5 days next month for Outside Lands and were hoping to find one--not that we won't have plenty of food choices at the festival, itself.
auntlisey, I'm ready to jump on the next plane, too! Actually, I'll happily take recommendations for Vietnamese restaurants in San Francisco. Allie and I will be there for 4-5 days next month for Outside Lands and were hoping to find one--not that we won't have plenty of food choices at the festival, itself.
Jul 17th, 2011, 12:34 PM
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We leave for Hanoi on June,2012. Thank you so much for your trip info. I appreciate the visa advice but knowing now the situation at arrival, would you wait and get your visa at the airport? Would you recommend 1 or 2 nights to Halong Bay? I am susceptable to motion sickness so my concern is a rocking boat at night. We are also going to Thailand and Cambodia, where did you stay in Bangkok? Thank you!!!
Jul 17th, 2011, 01:23 PM
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nokomis, I'm glad it was helpful.
Others here can comment on the visa on arrival process, but I was happy to have done it in advance (one less thing to deal with when arriving jet lagged)--and it was very easy.
One or two nights on Ha Long Bay? At the time of year we went, one was sufficient for us due to the weather and temps. June may be different, and I think there are some more kayaking opportunities, etc., with a two-night trip--but I'd probably make the decision more on how much time you have relative to other things on your agenda. Our daughter has had issues with motion sickness in the past, but she had no issues here. It was pretty still.
We stayed at the Peninsula in Bangkok in '09 (it was a 20th anniversary trip). Of course we loved it--so much that I've talked the family into splurging for one night there on our upcoming trip in January
sf7307, thanks! That sounds perfect. And not too far from where we're staying.
Others here can comment on the visa on arrival process, but I was happy to have done it in advance (one less thing to deal with when arriving jet lagged)--and it was very easy.
One or two nights on Ha Long Bay? At the time of year we went, one was sufficient for us due to the weather and temps. June may be different, and I think there are some more kayaking opportunities, etc., with a two-night trip--but I'd probably make the decision more on how much time you have relative to other things on your agenda. Our daughter has had issues with motion sickness in the past, but she had no issues here. It was pretty still.
We stayed at the Peninsula in Bangkok in '09 (it was a 20th anniversary trip). Of course we loved it--so much that I've talked the family into splurging for one night there on our upcoming trip in January
sf7307, thanks! That sounds perfect. And not too far from where we're staying.
