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I'm off to Vietnam in September and haven't had a chance to even think about what the plans are yet - so any recommendations and don't miss highlights would be much appreciated... Plus a good place to stay in Hanoi when we arrive is needed too?
I have just returned from Vietnam and had the most amazing 15 days. I haven't been to Asia for 6 years and I have forgotten just how good mind-blowing it is. I travelled with my wife and it was her first visit to the area - we're already talking about going back later this year! We travelled with Selective Asia (www.selectiveasia.com) and booked with a very useful guy called Lionel - I highly recommended both him and them to anyone. Don't rush through Hanoi it is fantastic and make sure you leave plenty of time for Hoi An - it was a real highlight.
Hi Tom... thanks for your tips - I can't wait just to go now... I've heard a lot of people raving about Hanoi... like you I haven't been to Asia for 5 years and really really can't wait to go back!
Hi,
Tom is right. Explore Hanoi, it is worth it. I was there in February last year. I stayed at the Golden Buffalo Hotel in Old Hanoi and was very satisfied. It is a budget hotel but I would recommend it. It is near everything. I was charmed by Hanoi.
And don't miss Hoi An either. Very quaint. Silk clothes can be made there. In Hoi An I stayed at the Cua Dai Hotel, another budget hotel but very nice and friendly. They even have a pool in the back.
Also, if you are going south to the Mekong delta, Can Tho has a very nice hotel in a garden (they are really deluxe huts) not too expensive: the My Khan Hotel. Check it out; I really enjoyed it.
Hi,
I would also recommend spending a couple of days in Sapa and visiting the Silver Waterfall (one of the largest in Vietnam).
I think we stayed at the Bamboo Sapa Hotel which had a restaurant balcony where we use to watch for the Rainbow appearing over the Muong Hoa Valley whilst having breakfast. You can also do some trekking around the native villages and hills. There are trains and tour packages available from Hanoi.
One of my personal highlights of visiting Vietnam.
Have fun, Zankhna
Hi,
I would say make a stop at Hue, there's lots to do (we did a motorbike tour which was brill - if youre interested I can give you some more deets) - also Hoi An I would concur with. Mui Ne is nice for beaches and you can do a good sand dune tour, although it is really geared towards just married couples and there isnt much to do other than the above.....a visit to Saigon (and from there Chu Chi tunnels) if youre interested in history.
As everyone else has said a truly amazing country, Im sure wherever you end up youll have a brilliant time.
I travelled through Vietnam in June this year and had a fabulous time. In Hanoi I stayed in the City Gate hotel ($10 - $15) in the old quarter (mentioned in LP) and also the Van Mieu Hotel (3 star) near the Temple of Literature. I'd recommend both.
Prepare yourself for Hanoi - the chaos of motorbike traffic can be quite alarming at first!!
I would also recommend the motorbike tour into the countryside around Hue - probably my highlight of the trip.
Another highlight was taking a cooking class in Hoi An - we went to Gioan on the river front. Also make sure you try Cau Lau (noodles) and white rose while in Hoi An. They're delicious local specialties.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi. You'll love Viet Nam. I stayed in the Lucky Hotel one street back from the top end of the Hoan Kiem Lake. That was in 2005 and it was US$17 per night for a twin room, air con, balcony, large bathroom, tv, twin beds...great place and so handy for the lake and Highland Coffee which serves the best ever hand made cheeseburgers!! Don't go cheap. My friend stayed in a place for $5 - it had no windows, no air con, no bathroom, etc. Sounded more like a cell!
I'm not sure how you are travelling from place to place in Vietnam, My husband and I travelled here in 07 as part of our RTW. There is a backpacker bus that will take you from Hanoi to Saigon (valid for 2 months) you stay where you want for as long as you like (with in the 2 months) recomfirm 24hrs before you leave and its $13 per person. All of Vietnam is lovely so enjoy it all.
Hey Daisy, You'll love vietnam. I was there last October and travelled on my own for 3.5 weeks from North to south. I stayed in a little family run place in the old quater of Hanoi and based myself there while exploring the city, the surroundings, and then Sapa and Halong bay. My first day there I'd pre arranged a private tour with HanoiKids. A great organization of students that want to improve their English. I spent the day with a young student and we went to several sights in the morning, had a fantastic lunch and then just wandered around the old quarter in the afternoon. I took an overnight train to Sapa and spent a few days there and trekked with a local guide. I also signed up for a junk trip on halong Bay and really liked it even though it was quite commercial. Hanoi is an incredible city with lot's to discover. I travelled south on an overnight bus and spent a couple of nights in Hue which was wll worth it and then went on to Hoi An. Agree with everyone else - it's just a fantasitc place. From here I continued south on an overnight bus to nha Trangh but purely to get another but inland to Dalat. From here I'd also prebooked a 3 day motor cycle tour with easyriders. this had to be the highlight of my trip as we glided around the Central Highlands stopping off in little villages and plantations etc., where my guide Naam, explained life there. the scenery was incredible and the food brilliant. I eventually continued south to Saigon where I stayed about 3 nights and visited the Chu chi tunnels and Cao Dai temple. I then continued through the Mekong Delta for a few days and on to Cambodia.
All in all a fantastic trip, no bad experiences, meeting wonderful people from start to finish. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. Have a fab time!
