Vietnam Itinerary & questions, questions, questions
 

Thought we were all set for our trip, and now second-guessing.

1. Has anyone booked Vietnam Airlines on line for internal flights, or are we better off using a local travel agent? Not so much concerned about price as reliability. Don't want to show up at the airport and be told there are no seats, or the flight was cancelled without notice, or the price has doubled since booking. Have heard some horror stories about Vietnam Air.

2. We were planning on staying at La Residence in Hue, but after reading all the great reviews of Pilgrimmage Village, now thinking of switching. If we do, we're thinking of spending 3 nights, 2 and a half days in Hue instead of just 2 nights, 1 and a half days. If we do that we will spend 4 nights in Hanoi instead of 5. I think that should be fine since we're not going to Halong Bay or Sapa. What do you all think?

Thanks

We flew on VN Airlines several times and found them quite reliable.

CFW,
I am in Hanoi right now and have a flight to Hue this Friday and back to Hanoi on MOnday from DaNang. I tried to book online but had some internet issues because of where I am staying (university campus). So I contacted a local travel agent and they have been wonderful. They booked my tickets, accepted my credit card and even helped book hotels. In answer to your #1 question....I think booking online should be fine....but remember that you will need the original credit card you made the reservations with at the airport when you check in.

I can't answer about your second question....it all depends upon what you want to do. My husband and I have a four day trip set up....1.5 days in Hue...then driving over mountain to DaNang and on to Hoi An for 2 nights. Flying back the next evening to Hanoi. I think you will enjoy Hanoi but also sorry you won't see Sapa or Halong Bay. Both are wonderful.

Enjoy your trip....

dgunbug, did you reserve VN airlines on line or through a travel agent in Vietnam?

About Vietnam Airlines, for international routes, booking online is best way.

For Domestic routes, booking through a travel agent in Vietnam can save you cost.

You seem to be nature-oriented, so Pilgrimmage is a good choice. But La Residence is by the river, and Hue is a peaceful city, so staying in Hue wherever, you feel fresh. The best advantage of La Residence is that it is in city centre, so you can easily wander in the city especially at night. Pilgrimmage is about 5 km from the city.

Is this your first time to Vietnam?
If so, should not miss Halong, and 2 nights in Hue is fine.
Going to Sapa can take more time, but with 5 nights in Hanoi, you can go: Hanoi (2 nights) - Halong ( 1 night) - Ninh Binh (1 night) - Hanoi (1 night).

From Hue, you can easily go to Hoian by car, also a great destination.

We reserved our VN airline tickets on line prior to getting there. You may want to price it through an agent like Tonkin (we found them to be very reliable when they got our train tickets), but also compare their price to what you can get yourself on line.

Carol,
There is plenty to do in Hanoi but 4 nights will work as long as all of your time is spent in Hanoi.

I will give you some references for your 2rd question:
+ 2 nights in Hanoi: one day highlight city tour: old city, Hoan Kiem Lake, literature of temple, and the complex of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum....
+ Ha Long Bay is very beautiful, which you should not miss:2 days -1 night tour on boat to enjoy the beauty of the bay.
+ in Hue: 2 nights, 1 and a half days is enough. Royal highlight tour for visiting royal tombs, the citadel, holy lady pagoda, local market.
+ Take the best drive in Vietnam: the coastal drive from Hue to Hoi An to enjoy the countryside views, paddy field, lagoons, Hai Van pass (on dry day), cham museum, My khe beach - da nang beach and the marble moutains - this drive with visiting the sites will take you from 8:00 to 2:00.
+ The rests of your nights to enjoy ancient town in Hoi An with local beautiful lifestyle.
hope this can help you
Enjoy your trips!

For your hotel in Hue, La Residence is french style and a little modern design. Pilgrimmage Village is designed as oriental style, Vietnamese style. your choice now! Enjoy your time!

Thanks dgunbug and Craig for your great trip reports and Gailmo for on-line booking advice. We've booked Vietnam Airlines on-line & finalized our itinerary:

Saigon - 1 day plus 1 day Mekong Delta trip
Hanoi - 4 nights
Hue - 3 nights (we want to enjoy Pilgrimage Village)
Hoi-An - 3 nights
Saigon - 1 night and full day before flight home

Hoi An sounds like a wonderful idea....I was there many years ago...when Americans were first allowed to travel to Vietnam. I imagine I would see quite a difference. Where would you stay? I also note that the distance from Hanoi is 750 miles...quite a long way!

<<<quite a long way!>>>

But internal Vietnam flights on Vietnam Airlines are CHEAP!!

CFW: Do not switch hotels in Hue. La Residence is the best place to stay because it is within an easy walk or taxi to the center city. Pilgrimage Village is too far out of town, unless you ONLY want to relax. It IS a beautiful property, however. Having said that, you can always stay at PV and plan to taxi into the city..but I would prefer not to have to do that..

I reallly enjoyed our time at La Residence, a very elegant Art Deco style hotel with spacious rooms and great public areas. the restarant is also v.good. It is quite close to the centre of town (10 mins) and right on the river so ideally placed for sightseeing - We rented a couple of bikes from the hotel to get around town and the sights.

We booked a number of flights with Vietnam Airlines whilst we were there directly form the offices (Hue, Saigon and Hanoi) and found then to be as efficient as any other airline around the world. The prices were skightly less than booking through an agent. There certainly were horrorendous problems with VA 10 or 15 years ago but I really think that hese are a way in the past. I have flown with them many times over the years nad had great service.

Thanks everyone for input. It was a difficult choice but we finally decided on Pilgrim Village. We want some down time as well as sightseeing and we thought this looked like a lovely place to do it. The tombs and some other sights we want to see are actually closer to Pilgrim Village and we'll be able to take taxis into town to roam around, visit the citadel, etc. We'll have time in Hanoi & Saigon to be in the middle of things in the city so we thought this would be a nice change of pace.

I wasn't so much concerned about Vietnam airlines as I was about booking them on-line, but had no problems, received immediate confirmation by e-mail, and as we get closer to our travel dates I will keep checking about flight changes.

Any other tips and suggestions - restaurants, things to see & do -- are most welcome!

Here is a list of restaurants for hue & Hoi An that I put together for rhkkmk a few weeks back:

HOI AN

Brothers Cafe - http://www.brothercafehoian.com/
Easily the best restaurant in Hoi An. Great Vietnamese food and a superb location overlooking the river. They have a big a la carte menu and good set menus – (good idea to ask for recommendations). We were there on new years eve for the lantern festival where they float hundred of lanterns down the river – magical! I have a feeling that they also do this on a full moon so you might like to check this out.

Song Hoai, The Saigon Times Club
A fine dining restaurant (i.e. silver cutlery, fine china white tablecloths etc.) again down by the river, second only to Brothers, this one is a bit more formal but still great and elegant Vietnamese food. Upstairs tables are best as they have better views of the river.

Miss Ly’s Cafeteria
On Nguyen Hue Street, this is a basic restaurant, short on atmosphere but fantastic, freshly cooked food and a basic restaurant but level up from other “hole in the wall establishments”. Good place for lunch – we went back several times.

Thi Nhan
At least I think that is what it is called! It is mid way between the old town and the beach. One of the best places I have eaten seafood anywhere – huge prawns, crabs etc.

HUE
Lac Thien
This is my favourite place in Hue. Nothing to look at from the outside and certainly not luxurious but really great food, freshly cooked. The place (and the two either side) are run by a deaf and dumb family. The main man Trung is an amazing character and surprisingly easy to communicate with – he tried to sell me a motorbike tour of the imperial tombs. I wish I had taken him up on the offer as he would certainly have done a better job than most speaking guides I have met! – You have to buy one of his trademark bottle openers as a souvenir (a piece of wood with a bolt through it) – it works!

Ancient Hue http://www.ancienthue.com.vn/
Not sure how authentic it is but a good place to sample the Hue Imperial cuisine. Good buffet and set menus in a nice setting. Downside is that it is sometimes frequented by tour groups.

La Carambole - Pham Ngu Lao St
This gets rave reviews but really, I can’t see why. I was disappointed but probably the place to go if you feel the need for western food

Mandarin Cafe
Not far from the Saigon Morin hotel. A budget, one dish type of place but good for lunch. The owner sells his photos of rural Vietnamese life which make nice souvenirs.

La Residence Hotel - www.la-residence-hue.com/

I would not normally recommend a hotel restaurant but this is such a special hotel I will make and exception. Built in Art Deco style it was once the French ambassador’s residence. Beautiful surroundings – having a drink in the bar is like stepping back to the 1930’s. Excellent a la carte and buffet menus and great view as it is right on the perfume river. I think they also do dinner cruises on the river.

As you are not going to Sapa, have you considered the Mai Chau valley near Hanoi for a taste of the countryside. It is about 3-4 hours drive from the centre of Hanoi and could be done as a VERY long day trip but much better as an overnight in a homestay.
Some photos:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...8042/tpod.html

Great list -- Thanks, Crellston. We'll definitely have a drink at La Residence for the ambience since we're not staying there.

Do not change to any other hotel La Residence looks so pretty !

Crellston - great restaurant list. We loved Brothers. We walked by La Carambole and it looked totally uninspiring so we passed. We ate at Lac Thien in Hue and thought it was an interesting experience, enjoyed the food, although it wasn't one of our favorite meals.

In Hanoi we loved eating at the hole in the wall dive, Bun Bo Nam Bo situated close to the Hanoi Elegance 4 hotel. We hesitated to walk in, but were rewarded with one of my favorite meals in all of VN.