Hi guys,
Was hoping someone could help me out please.
Am travelling to South East Asia for 3 weeks the middle of August. Will be spending 2 weeks in Vietnam and so far the itinerary is looking something like this:
HCMC - 3 nights icluding overnight trip to Mekong Delta. Want to see temple and tunnels whilst in HCMC.
Fly from there to Dalat - have 2 nights there.
HoiAn - 3 nights, want to chill at this point on a beach.
Hanoi - 4 nights take in water puppet show, the culture and city.
Halong Bay overnighter. From reading posts on this forum I can see that 6 hours will be spent travelling there and back so it looks like staying overnight is best option. Maybe 2?
Basically this leaves a day spare. Flying into HCMC and out of Hanoi so travelling the country is necessary.
Want to take a few internal flights so try to minimise travel time.
I am still researching this trip. However at this point any sensible advise would be really appreciated!
Does anyone think I am staying too long in one place or missing out by not seeing other places?
I know I can't do it all but want to at least see the highlights
Thanks a lot!

Hey guys,

Check this out:

Day 01…HO CHI MINH
Arrival day. Transfer to hotel
Hotel: Majestic / Duxton / Metropole / May

Day 02…HO CHI MINH
City and Cu Chi tunnel:
Excursion to Cu Chi, 70km north of Sai Gon, famed for its 200-kilometre-long tunnels, an incredible underground network built by the Vietcong during the Vietnam war. An afternoon tour round Sai Gon features the Notre-Dame cathedral , war museum, Thien Hau temple and a lacquer workshop
Hotel: as above

Day 03… HO CHI MINH
MEKONG DELTA TOUR:
7.30, Morning departure from Ho Chi Minh City and drive overland to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.
10.00, On arrival board a sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River and its multiple canals to Vinh Long. Visit Cai Be floating market, an old colonial house, a rice corn factory and taste local specialties for lunch.
16.00 continue to Can Tho, the main town of the Mekong Delta.Arrive Can Tho at 17.30, dinner and overnight in Can Tho
Hotel: Sai Gon Can Tho / Victoria

Day 04…HO CHI MINH
7.30, After breakfast board a Sampan to visit Cai Rang floating market and a family run noodle-making factory. Witness the rural life and the beautiful vegetation along the riverbanks. Discover Can Tho’s market.
10.00 drive back to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon in the afternoon.(around 16.00) Overnight in Saigon
Hotel: as before

Day 05…HO CHI MINH – DA LAT
Flight HCM – DA Lat. Free the rest of day.
Hotel:

Day 06…DA LAT
Free day.
Hotel:

Day 07…DA LAT – DA NANG – HOI AN
Flight DA Lat – Hoi An.
Hotel:

Day 08…HOI AN
My Son holyland:
Transfer to My Son, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1999. Here was the site of the biggest Cham intellectual and religious centre which also served as a burial ground for Cham monarchs from the 4th to the 13th century. In the afternoon, return to Hoi An that is not only well-known as a World heritage site, but also famous for its tranquil countryside and endless sandy beach. Spend the half day exploring the surrounding countryside including a transfer by motorbike to Tra Que village, a stroll around vegetable gardens. There you can plan the vegetable as a real farmer
Hotel: Life resort / Victoria resort / Golden Sand resort..

Day 09…HOI AN
Free day
Hotel:

Day 10…HOI AN – HA NOI
Flight Hoi An – Ha Noi.
Hotel:

Day 11…HA NOI
Ha Noi city tour:
Option 1:
8.30, van and guide meet up at hotel. Spend a full day touring the capital and visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagodas, Temple of Literature. Lunch in local restaurant. Visit Enthnology Museum, water puppet show late afternoon. Back to hotel.

Option 2:
8.30, van and guide meet up at hotel. Spend a full day touring the capital and visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagodas, Temple of Literature. Lunch in local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Bat Trang ceramic village(13km), water puppet show late afternoon . Back to Hanoi
Hotel:

Day 12…HA NOI – HA LONG
Breakfast at hotel. 8.30, Leave Hanoi by car/shared van at 8:30am arriving at the jetty around 12:30pm. Our crew welcomes you on board, enjoy welcome drink, check-in to your cabin. Lunch with fresh seafood is served at 1:00pm, start a 3.5 hours cruise into miysitc Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster’s face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave, floating fishing village, with its unique way of life. Then head to Luon cave, enjoy swimming, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panorama view of Halong bay. Dinner and overnight aboard junk

O/N on boat – Lagoon

Day 13…HA LONG – HA NOI
Early risers can enjoy a morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee with breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. After breakfast explore Sung Sot cave (8:00 to 9:00), swim and relax at Soi Sim beach. At 9:30 boat starts cruising back to the jetty while brunch is served from 10:30 to 11:30. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Checkout is at 11:45. Boat arrive at habour by 12:00 for the drive back to Hanoi
Hotel:

Day 14…HA NOI
Departure day.


I know Vietnam, really, as your plan, I built an itinerary so that you can have an idea of what you should do.
But here is my suggetions:
1, Aug is a boring month in Da Lat, you should skip it to go for Nha Trang - consider as the nicest beach in Vietnam or spend more time in Hoi An, very relaxing and lovely small town.
2, Things started to get busy, so for domestic flight or some hotels about 3* or above: book them in advance, so you will not have to change your plan.
3, You want to see the culture, should go to Hue as well. Want to go to the beach: Mui Ne and Nha Trang. Want to spend more time in the north: the 3 must-done are: go to Ha Long bay, visit Sapa and have "Pho" noodle soup.
4, In Hoi An, this month, many resorts and hotels have promotion such as staying 3 nites pay for 2 nites or honey moon promotion .. depends on where you like to stay.

It still depends on your hobbies to chose what activities you should take, but there are definitely some places worth going on a tour, with a guide who tells you stories..

For more question, prices or more advices or more details, please feel free to email me, I would love to help.
I'm actually new in this forum, so I don't know if anyone would feel about my post, I'm really nervous : ))

Hi Vinci
Thanks a lot for this I really appreciate it. Interesting your comments on Dalat. Funny I was thinking of Hue after I posted my itinerary. As I said it is at initial stages but am going shortly so I need to plan. Your advise is very good, I didn't realise that possibly there might be issues getting hotels etc. Maybe we will book some of our definite locations just incase. I will revise my plan and might e-mail you for some advise on prices etc.
Do you know if you are better booking flights before you go or whilst there?
Also I have already done a search on hotels in HCMC - in your opinion any recommendations? Also if we skip Dalat - is it possible to fly to Nha Trang or HoiAn from HCMC?
Thanks alot.

I like your original plan better than Vinci's as you get some real time in Hanoi. I'm guessing that Vinci's agency must be located in HCMC, as he gives more time to that area than most people would.

Oh Kathie, I don't change his plan actually. I only advise that he should go to Nha Trang or Mui Ne instead of Da Lat, that's all. These tours I put in just some suggetion, they describe the highlight part or some popular activies that people often do.

BTW, I'm a girl, 24 ys at the moment. I'm really new in the forum, so I would love to hear your advise.

To travellingmart: yeah, you are welcome to email me, I'm happy if I can help. You can flight Ho Chi Minh - Nha Trang, or Da Nang - Nha Trang very easily. But honestly speaking, I still prefer the idea of having some flights booked in advance. And about hotels, about 3* or above, you should book as well. And intersting that I found sometime, booking through someone will be cheaper than book direct with the hotel. There are plenty of hotels, tell me your budget so that I can advise or give you some idea about the place. And about Ha Long bay trip, you should definitely book to get the one you like. Trust me, advance booking help you keeping the services with reasonable price and quality.

Cheers.

Hi Vinci. Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you are able to share your insights and advice on how to make a trip better. It's nice to hear from a professional in the destination one plans to visit.

Do be careful however, it's a fine line between offering advice/opinions and soliciting business.

Thanks for posting.

Hi,

I've used Frommer's suggested itineraries for other locations and I think their 2-week in Vietnam itinerary is pretty good. You can find it here: http://frommers.com/destinations/vie...403020795.html

I would shave a day off Hanoi to give you another day at Halong Bay but that's just me, I'm not a city guy, other people love Hanoi, to me it's just another big polluted Asian city.One day is enough in Hue if you just want ti visit the Forbidden Coity and perhaps take a boat trip up the river.

My favourite stop in the north was actuall Ninh Binh but you might be pressed for time in just two weeks.

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