Need assistance with itinerary
Dec 31st, 2003, 04:20 PM
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Need assistance with itinerary
We are going back for our second trip -- last year was a very short trip tagged onto a BKK visit. Our primary mission last year was to visit Chu Lai where my husband was stationed 34 yrs ago. This year he wants to go back to see more of that area and we have time for a few other things. We would appreciate comments on what we have lined up. We are 45- 58 yrs old, like a clean hotel with a few nice amenities - it doesn't have to be 5-star because we know that isn't always the best value -- US standards/expectations are so outrageous that 2-4 star in VN may be just perfect and at a more reasonable price. We certainly like ambience but don't like stuffy. We are adventurous but not into hardcore trekking/killing ourselves. Here is our preliminary plan.
Arrive in Hanoi - stay 2 days -- we loved it last year.
Fly to Hue - stay 2 days -- What should we see, where to stay?? Is this too little/too much time here??
Onto to Hoi An for 1 day/night. Last year we stayed at the Hoi An Riverside Resort, which we loved but have also heard the Victoria Hoi An Resort is nice -- can anyone comment on which is nicer? I will stay here to shop while my husband takes day trip back to Chu Lai -- he wants to explore more on his own.
Next stop is Dalat -- any suggestions on how best to get to there? Should we fly into Dalat from Danang or fly into HCMC and take a chauffeured car/mini-bus there? If we drive - what else should we see along the way? I understand it's about a 3-hour ride. Where would you recommend staying?
Should we spend one day/night in Phan Thiet beach?
Last stop HCMC for about 3 days - - thoughts on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour - both being 2 day trips -- any other ideas for two days in HCMC? One day to hang out in the city/shop, etc.
As for airfare -- are flights within VN readily available and cheap to get or should we book prior to getting there. We booked ahead last year and it seemed rather expensive but we at least knew we had flights!
I know I have a lot of questions - we will appreciate any help.
Happy New Year!
Arrive in Hanoi - stay 2 days -- we loved it last year.
Fly to Hue - stay 2 days -- What should we see, where to stay?? Is this too little/too much time here??
Onto to Hoi An for 1 day/night. Last year we stayed at the Hoi An Riverside Resort, which we loved but have also heard the Victoria Hoi An Resort is nice -- can anyone comment on which is nicer? I will stay here to shop while my husband takes day trip back to Chu Lai -- he wants to explore more on his own.
Next stop is Dalat -- any suggestions on how best to get to there? Should we fly into Dalat from Danang or fly into HCMC and take a chauffeured car/mini-bus there? If we drive - what else should we see along the way? I understand it's about a 3-hour ride. Where would you recommend staying?
Should we spend one day/night in Phan Thiet beach?
Last stop HCMC for about 3 days - - thoughts on the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta tour - both being 2 day trips -- any other ideas for two days in HCMC? One day to hang out in the city/shop, etc.
As for airfare -- are flights within VN readily available and cheap to get or should we book prior to getting there. We booked ahead last year and it seemed rather expensive but we at least knew we had flights!
I know I have a lot of questions - we will appreciate any help.
Happy New Year!
Dec 31st, 2003, 05:15 PM
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We spent 10 days in Vietnam in January 2003. I wish I was going back, but we're expecting a baby in February 2004, so I probably won't get there again for a while.
We booked our flights when we got to Vietnam, there was only one flight that we didn't get the time we preferred (had to do an afternoon flight instead of morning, but it was no big deal). The flights were very inexpensive, I'd recommend waiting and booking them there through your hotel or a Vietnamese Agency. Our flight from Hanoi to Danang in business class on Pacific Air was $67 each, we booked that through our hotel in Hanoi (we stayed at the Anh Dao Hotel). The flight from Danang to HCMC we booked through Buffalo Tour's office in Hanoi. I think we paid $60 or less.
When you're in Hoi An, be sure to try Cafe des Amis run by Mr. Kim. It's along the riverfront in a yellow building. There is no menu, but he'll serve you a delicious 4 or 5 course dinner. He used to be a chef in the South Vietnamese Army for one of the generals. We stayed at the Cua Dai Hotel in HoiAn, it was $25 per night.
We stayed at the Majestic Hotel in HCMC and were very happy with it. We booked it through http://www.planetholiday.com/ and had a rate of $71 per night including a great breakfast. We booked our day trips in HCMC with Ann Tours. They picked us up at the airport and we went directly to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The next day we did a day trip to the Mekong Delta. I would highly recommend them. I dealt with Tony, their web site is http://www.anntours.com.
Have a wonderful trip!
We booked our flights when we got to Vietnam, there was only one flight that we didn't get the time we preferred (had to do an afternoon flight instead of morning, but it was no big deal). The flights were very inexpensive, I'd recommend waiting and booking them there through your hotel or a Vietnamese Agency. Our flight from Hanoi to Danang in business class on Pacific Air was $67 each, we booked that through our hotel in Hanoi (we stayed at the Anh Dao Hotel). The flight from Danang to HCMC we booked through Buffalo Tour's office in Hanoi. I think we paid $60 or less.
When you're in Hoi An, be sure to try Cafe des Amis run by Mr. Kim. It's along the riverfront in a yellow building. There is no menu, but he'll serve you a delicious 4 or 5 course dinner. He used to be a chef in the South Vietnamese Army for one of the generals. We stayed at the Cua Dai Hotel in HoiAn, it was $25 per night.
We stayed at the Majestic Hotel in HCMC and were very happy with it. We booked it through http://www.planetholiday.com/ and had a rate of $71 per night including a great breakfast. We booked our day trips in HCMC with Ann Tours. They picked us up at the airport and we went directly to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The next day we did a day trip to the Mekong Delta. I would highly recommend them. I dealt with Tony, their web site is http://www.anntours.com.
Have a wonderful trip!
Dec 31st, 2003, 05:47 PM
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You may already have a preferred hotel in Hanoi, but if not, I'd recommend the De Syloia. It was lovely and the staff were wonderful and helpful. I booked through asia-hotels.com which I use often.
Dec 31st, 2003, 06:58 PM
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Hi, in HCM we stayed at Bee Saigon Hotel at District 1 on Pham Ngu Lao St,a very famous backpacker's area in SEA. It was a great experience and well worth the try. We chose the 'penthouse suite' on the 4th floor which was USD25 per night plus breakfast. The room has a lovely balcony that overlooks the city. Very clean room with western style ensuite,aircond/satellite TV. The only thing we didn't like was the spiral staircase leading up to our room which our friend didn't warn us about but I'm glad coz we wouldn't have given it a go then.
The inn is a family run business with very friendly staff. You can also book a driver(he took us to the Cu Chi Tunnels) with them for US20 for a full day. There is a cheap hair salon across the hotel and you can also request a massage in your room from them. I remember paying US5 for 1 hour.
Places you have to go to are : Reunification Hall(the underground bunkers are awesome), War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Boat ride. For shopping you have to go to Ben Thanh market, Le Cong Kieu(antiques and flea markets) and Dong Khoi for more upmarket stuff.
Remember to try Vietnamese iced white coffee, excellent stuff!!!! You can buy the coffee beans in Cho Lon (chinatown). You can even buy the coffee strainers. You will see what I mean when you order one.
Enjoy.
The inn is a family run business with very friendly staff. You can also book a driver(he took us to the Cu Chi Tunnels) with them for US20 for a full day. There is a cheap hair salon across the hotel and you can also request a massage in your room from them. I remember paying US5 for 1 hour.
Places you have to go to are : Reunification Hall(the underground bunkers are awesome), War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Boat ride. For shopping you have to go to Ben Thanh market, Le Cong Kieu(antiques and flea markets) and Dong Khoi for more upmarket stuff.
Remember to try Vietnamese iced white coffee, excellent stuff!!!! You can buy the coffee beans in Cho Lon (chinatown). You can even buy the coffee strainers. You will see what I mean when you order one.
Enjoy.
Jan 5th, 2004, 10:56 PM
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Hi Khiem,
HCMC is definitely not a tourist ready place as the country is just now climbing out of a century of foreign domination and war. But they are doing a very job considering it ranks as one of the world's poorest nations next to Bangladesh.
With that said, I feel Vietnam is truly one of those destinations where the inconveniences pale beside the remarkable, and where the beauty of the people and culture seduce all. No doubt there will always be money hungry and ruthless few trying to make a quick buck out of us but the honesty and humbleness of the people of Vietnam is unrivalled.
I remember asking a hawker selling dragon fruits (you must try) how much they were and his wife said US$2 each and he gave her deadly stare and then told us it was about 500 Dong for 3 which was about US .50c.
HCMH is both depressing and at the same time fascinating. You will see little kids having a poo at the side of the roads together with stray dogs and cats. There are countless child beggars crying and tugging at you, usually with an infant on their back trying to sell you postcards and chewing gum. No matter how pitiful they look, please DO NOT buy from them. My friend who is a Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) went back to visit and she made a mistake of buying from them and in a second from nowhere, about 10 other kids appeared and started screaming and pushing their way thru shoving things in her hands. My friend's aunt had to toss some money on the opposite direction to get them away.
If you are not familiar with Vietnamese food, be sure to try the beef noodles (pho bo) fried spring rolls (cha gio). The fresh rice paper spring rolls are really good too, the best when you get them from street hawkers. One other thing you have to try is soft shelled crab. They are caught when they are shedding their old shell thus leaving a very thin layer of skin. It is deep fried in light batter and it is excellent with a cold beer.
HCMC is definitely not a tourist ready place as the country is just now climbing out of a century of foreign domination and war. But they are doing a very job considering it ranks as one of the world's poorest nations next to Bangladesh.
With that said, I feel Vietnam is truly one of those destinations where the inconveniences pale beside the remarkable, and where the beauty of the people and culture seduce all. No doubt there will always be money hungry and ruthless few trying to make a quick buck out of us but the honesty and humbleness of the people of Vietnam is unrivalled.
I remember asking a hawker selling dragon fruits (you must try) how much they were and his wife said US$2 each and he gave her deadly stare and then told us it was about 500 Dong for 3 which was about US .50c.
HCMH is both depressing and at the same time fascinating. You will see little kids having a poo at the side of the roads together with stray dogs and cats. There are countless child beggars crying and tugging at you, usually with an infant on their back trying to sell you postcards and chewing gum. No matter how pitiful they look, please DO NOT buy from them. My friend who is a Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) went back to visit and she made a mistake of buying from them and in a second from nowhere, about 10 other kids appeared and started screaming and pushing their way thru shoving things in her hands. My friend's aunt had to toss some money on the opposite direction to get them away.
If you are not familiar with Vietnamese food, be sure to try the beef noodles (pho bo) fried spring rolls (cha gio). The fresh rice paper spring rolls are really good too, the best when you get them from street hawkers. One other thing you have to try is soft shelled crab. They are caught when they are shedding their old shell thus leaving a very thin layer of skin. It is deep fried in light batter and it is excellent with a cold beer.
Jan 7th, 2004, 12:55 AM
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Hello Khiem,
No probs...just a reminder...the locals love US currency as a form of payment and they love it new and crisp!! They don't 'trust' dirty old notes.
Don't be offended if you see 2 entrance fees to tourist places - one for locals and one for foreigners. The locals pay almost nothing and I guess it is fair since the average wage per annum is US$250.
Have a wonderful time and I would love to hear of your adventures when you return.
No probs...just a reminder...the locals love US currency as a form of payment and they love it new and crisp!! They don't 'trust' dirty old notes.
Don't be offended if you see 2 entrance fees to tourist places - one for locals and one for foreigners. The locals pay almost nothing and I guess it is fair since the average wage per annum is US$250.
Have a wonderful time and I would love to hear of your adventures when you return.
Jan 8th, 2004, 01:24 AM
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I will keep you updated on my adventures Ladyice...I am a want-to-be writer, and always write bad poetry before, during, and after...along w/ photos...if you want, give me your email...and i'll send them to you along with my other friends 
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