yestravel

Hi odie -- loved your blog -- thanks for posting it. I remember you from your Patagonia trip, I think you went shortly after us quite a few years ago. Your daughter was young kid!

odie1

yestravel- indeed you are correct. She was 11 on our first trip. We have actually been there twice-once in 2013 and again in 2017 - as matter of fact there has been much recent talk in our house to go again this December (of course if all the stars align). I still remember your regret in not going to El Chalten - still one of our favorite places ever!

ethrush

I agree with those who said that you'll enjoy it more if you limit the trip to a few places. I was in Ho Chi Minh City- it was work, so I didn't have the luxury of staying long or visiting other parts of Vietnam, but I took a day trip up the Mekong and thought it was fascinating. We visited a Buddhist temple and a working farm, and had lunch in a small village. It was great to see things other than the big city. Angkor Wat is VERY difficult to get to- have you researched that? But I loved Thailand, and Singapore- the Disneyland of Asia - is worth a visit for the contrast.

Larsay

The latest Corona news from Vietnam are ; very few new cases, immediately taken care of ; no new deaths since mid-2020 (35 victims).and people living in Vietnam can travel throughout the country . On another side, the borders are still closed to foreign visitors (they were closed on 22 March 2020) except diplomats and officials, experts, investors, and skilled workers , many touristy-sites hotels are closed, ; in Hanoi, all the best restaurants are closed except 2 or 3, some for good, because of high rent . There are talks about the Government opening the borders to vaccinated foreign tourists in September, but absolutely nothing certain.

xyz99

Thank you for the update on the Covid situation in Vietnam, but unfortunately, as of now, the trip is on hold. We'll look into it after the borders reopen, and the hotels/restaurants too.

ethrush Yes, logistics for this trip seems to be the big issue. Angkor Wat is a must see, so easy or not we'll get there. Everything else will have to be planned around it. We loved Thailand too, and plan to return someday, but not this trip. We'll see what new ideas I might get in a year or so, probably for Jan-Feb 2023.