Hello! We're thinking about taking a 2 week trip to VN in Feb-Mar of 2003. We haven't been before and we're just starting to plan it, but are considering spending a week or so in and around Hanoi with sidetrips to Halong Bay and Sa Pa, then maybe 5-7 days at a beach. <BR><BR>Is Feb-Mar a good time for this type of trip?<BR><BR>Any recommendations for good beach hotels that are near an airport (so we could fly from Hanoi) and also near a town and interesting sights? I'm sorta thinking about something near Danang so we could also visit Hoi An while there. Or would Nha Trang (excuse the spelling) be better?<BR><BR>Any recommendations for hotels in Hanoi in a good location for under $100 for a double?<BR><BR>Thanks for your help! I'll probably have lots more questions as I read more!<BR>

Anyone?

Paige, we were there in January, but think Feb-March would be a great time. We loved Sa Pa _ even though it was quite cold at night _ and it was our favorite part of the trip. Plan at least four days for that trip _ it requires two overnight train trips. We did not go to Halong Bay, but spent a couple days in Hanoi and liked it as well _ there is a lot to see there. Don't have specific recommendations for a hotel, but for $100 you should find something very nice. We spent about $20 a day and got clean, private baths, air-con and breakfast. Stay in the Old Quarter if possible _ it's fabulous for just wandering around. <BR><BR>If you want to go to Hoi An, you might consider just going to the beach there _ there are several beach resorts there, about a mile or two outside town. Hoi an is charming, worth a day or two. Hue is also great and only about three hours away. There are several pretty beaches between the two. We heard negative things about Nha Trang, that's why we didn't go there.

This year in January will be my third trip to Vietnam. Go to asiatravel.com and it is easy to make hotel reservations from this website. I just did it this morning for Hanoi and they will send you a confirmation within 24 hours by the internet. I have not been to Sa Pa nor Halong Bay. I would like to know the best sidetrip in a day to Halong Bay. Email me for other information.

Paige,<BR><BR>Feb-Mar is the middle of the dry season, nice but certainly warm. Of course, it's a bit cooler in the North than in the South. A decent place, not great but not bad, is the Eden Hotel on Tho Nhuom street (write on a piece of paper Khach San Eden o Pho Tho Nhuom and show it to the driver);it's about a 5 minute walk from the site of the former Hanoi Hilton POW site. Also within a very short walk is a decent Italian restaurant &quot;A Little Italian.&quot;a<BR><BR>Personally, I love Nha Trang. The ideal place to stay there would be the Ana Mindara hotel which is on the beach and very new. Da Nang should also be nice although when I was in the service, it wasn't so nice. You can get a direct flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.<BR><BR>While in Hanoi you should eat at a famous restaurant..cha ca la vong. Only one dish on the menu but it's great..fish.<BR><BR>Happy to answer any questions you have.<BR><BR>Gary

Paige<BR><BR>We just got back from an 18 day trip to Vietnam. We spent six nights in Hanoi and took overnight train to Sapa, spent one night in Sapa and then took overnight back. We were lucky as we had terrific weather in Sapa. We stayed in the Royal Hotel in Sapa - be sure and ask for a room with view. Very inexpensive and the place was spotlessly clean. We did a trek there with a guide, not too strenuous, that took about five hours. Also walked down to Cat Cat - beautiful but very steep hills coming back - be warned!<BR><BR>While in Hanoi, did side trip to Perfume Pagoda as well as to Halong Bay. Visit the museums in Hanoi. We really enjoyed the Army Museum, Ha Loa prison (may have that spelling wrong), several temples, and the Fine Arts Museum. The Old Quarter had great shopping. Restaurants were very inexpensive. We enjoyed walking around Hoan Kiem lake. Just a tip - the Vietcom bank changes American Express travelers checks free, no service charge as we experienced elsewhere. In Hanoi, we stayed at Somerset Grand, an apt hotel. We had a 2 bedroom apt which was extremely nice for $85 American per night. I know we could have stayed someplace else for less but this was a very nice place. Do not miss art galleries in Hano - we got a beautiful oil painting for $170. People were extremely friendly.<BR><BR>We then flew to Danang and stayed in Hoi An for three nights - wish we could have stayed longer. The shopping (especially clothing) was out of this world. Several of us had clothing custom made and were very happy. My dad and son each had cashmere sports coats made for $30 each. It was extremely hot in Hoi An and of course in Saigon but other than that it was great. We spent one afternoon on the beach outside of Hoi An - think it was called Cua Dai - beautiful with palm trees etc. Beach was about 3 miles from Hoi An - many nice hotels in Hoi An. The place we stayed at was Thien Trung and it was ok but in a noisy location. I would spend a few extra dollars and stay in one of the nicer ones. We took a private tour to My Son which was very interesting. It is worth it to take the private tour (costs $32 for five of us, including one hour van ride). WE enjoyed the conversations with our various tour guides throughout the trip. <BR><BR>Also went to Marble Mountains in Danang which we enjoyed. In Saigon, went on boat trip to Mekong Delta, a very long day but interesting and also to Cu Chi tunnels which I would highly recommend. It will give you a whole new perspective on what people went through during the war. Also did War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. Saigon is much more westernized than other places we visited. <BR><BR>Sorry for the length of this post. Let me know if I can answer any questions<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Hello Paige,<BR>Feb/Mar is an excellent time to travel to Vietnam. It will surely be a trip that changes your life. We stayed at a quaint hotel in Hanoi for $30 a night called the Phuc Loi Hotel at 128 Hang Bong Street. Spend the extra $10 and get a room facing the street. It's a nice, comfortable hotel at a reasonable price and comes with breakfast. Or you can spend around $100 and stay at the Hanoi Victoria Hotel. Their train is available to take you to Sapa which is delightful. The 10-hr trip overnight is worth it. <BR><BR>If possible, fly into Hanoi and out of Saigon. We spent a couple of days in Hanoi then went to Halong Bay. From Halong Bay we drove back to Hanoi and flew to Danang. The Furama is a beautiful beachfront property (~$125/night) in Danang. Next head to Hoi An and spend a night there. We found the shopping to be the absolute best in Hoi An!! Much cheaper than in Hanoi although it's all cheap compared to US prices. The Victoria Hoi An is also a wonderful escape. Again, a bit pricey compared to other hotels but it's a chain and they've got their act together. I consider it the luxury chain in Vietnam.<BR><BR>From Danang, we flew to Saigon. ($61) As most people say, skip Siagon and pick another side trip from the south. We had a driver take us to Can Tho which happened to be the very best part of our trip. A driver can be expensive ($100-$250) but to experience the flooded markets is truly a wonderful trip. We stayed at the Victoria Can Tho ($85/night). It was tropical paradise. $4 will get you a tour of the floating fruit markets in Can Tho. One of the highlights of our trips. <BR><BR>We've heard Phan Thiet is nice but have not made it to the beaches other than in Danang at China beach. <BR><BR>Another sidetrip from Saigon is Chau Doc, near the Cambodian boarder. The floating fish houses and fish farms are very interesting. Again, the Victoria Chau Doc can help you get from Saigon to their property. Good luck and enjoy your trip. Please email if you have questions.

Paige,<BR><BR>I just got back a week ago from a 30 day trip to Vietnam. We traveled all over the place from the South to the North. Others have said it all just one recommedation Mui Ne - Phanthiet is a very nice beach, it's a bit far from the South since it's located in the central region but it's a newly developed resort town with many nice, upscale hotels, private beach, Hawaii ambience. Just mention it to any tour operators, they will arrange the trip for you. Bon voyage.

Hi Paige,<BR>Just got back from Vietnam,Laos, &amp; Cambodia - all was so very special. The best recomendations I can give you - Sapa not to be missed, and the Mountain View Hotel - ask for corner room which has two walls of windows overlooking the mountains ($15).<BR>In Hanoi, we stayed at the Lucky Hotel in the old quarter, just off Hang Gai St. A great location for walking the city -wonderful, friendly staff, clean and with elevator ($20-35) depending on room and view.<BR>Don't miss Halong Bay or the Puppet theater.<BR>Enjoy the people and don't be afraid to talk about the past years and their hopes for the future.

Here is our itinerary for the trip that we took in May '01. We booked it through Exotisimo travel in VN- worth having them do the leg work.<BR><BR> Day 1: Apr 28th, 2001: Arrive in Hanoi<BR>&gt; Arrive in Hanoi. Meet your Exotissimo English speaking guide. Transfer to<BR>&gt; Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt; Day 2 - Day 3: Apr 29th - 30th, 2001: Hanoi (B)<BR>&gt; Breakfast at hotel. Full day free at leisure on your own. Overnight in<BR>&gt; Hanoi.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt; Day 4: May 01st, 2001: Hanoi - Halong (B,L,D)<BR>&gt; Breakfast at hotel. 08:00 AM: Depart Hanoi for Halong by road (200 km).<BR>&gt; Arrive in Halong at noon. Welcome on board (Huong Hai Junk), welcome<BR>&gt; champaign. Have lunch on board. Begin tour of Halong Bay, a World Natural<BR>&gt; Heritage. we explore the caves as Thien Cung, Dau Go, Tuan Chau and<BR>&gt; islands as Con Cho, Dinh Huong, Canh Buom and Ga Choi. Swimming on the<BR>&gt; Titop or Hoa Cuong Beach while enjoy the sunset on the Bay. Fishing with<BR>&gt; seine. Rowing bamboo boat. Drinking wine and sleeping on Huong Hai Junk.<BR>&gt; If time allows we try to visit Dau Nguoi Island, Con Rua Island, Luon<BR>&gt; Cave, Tu Long Beach and Con Coc Island.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt; Day 5: May 02nd, 2001: Halong - Hanoi (B)<BR>&gt; Breakfast on board while enjoying sunrise. Back to harbour. Return to<BR>&gt; Hanoi by road and transfer to airport to catching the flight to Danang by<BR>&gt; VN 313 HAN/DAD 14:00 15:45. Upon arrival in Danang, transfer to Furama<BR>&gt; Resort.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt; Day 6 - Day 9: May 03rd - 06th, 2001: Danang (B)<BR>&gt; Breakfast at hotel. Full day free on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt; Day 10: May 06th, 2001: Danang - Hanoi (B)<BR>&gt; Breakfast at hotel. Free untill transfer to airport for flight back to<BR>&gt; Hanoi.

Pam,<BR><BR>My sister and l are going to Vietnam in April, could l have the address of where your father got the cashmere coat made and did it take long to have made up, as l am going on an Interpid tour and we only have two days scheduled for Hoi An. If you have any other addresses or great bargains that can be had please let me know. Thanks