Thinking of traveling to Vietnam this Dec/Jan for 2-3 weeks. Would like to see all the major sites.?

Question

We are in our thirties and do not want to be stuck on a coach with 50 middle aged tourists, but don't want to have to organise all the flights, trains, taxis, tours, hotels either..... Has anybody been on a tour that they would recommend, or web sites that can help. I don't want to spend most of the time trecking up the side of a mountain either (far too lazy for that). I would like to see Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta and maybe spend a few days on a beach somewhere in Vietnam (or elsewhere in Asia).....

What is the weather like at this time of year. How cold does it get in Hanoi at night or is it too humid in Ho Chi Ming City?

What is the food like?

Is it possible to get asleep at night with all the noise?

Any suggestions or responses that help are much appreciated....

Answer 1

Get yourself a good Tourguide.  I can recommend Hung, he is totally honest and reliable.  See him at: www.picturetrail.com and enter hungsaigon

Answer 2

Please pay no attention to the first two answers. You'll have a great time, I'm sure; and it's far less touristy than Thailand.

I've been to VN once, a few years ago, and am hoping to return next year. I stayed in HCM city, and went on a tour around the Mekong delta - yes it was on a small coach, but it wasn't as bad as you might imagine.

If you want to do it cheaply, you can organise it all as you go along. There's always someone willing to show you around, or drive you somewhere on a bike. Just ask around! The people are very friendly.

Food's great - fresh and light, cheap, thought sometimes v.spicy.

Hope that's of some help!

Answer 3

Don't forget to buy good trip insurance.  And, to avoid conflicts of interest, do not buy it from a tour operator - get it yourself independently.  There are an amazing number of things that can go wrong on a trip half way around the world.  TravelGuard is the industry leader for this kind of insurance.  To check it out, go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/i... and click on the red phone booth next to the name TravelGuard.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

you can get around fine on your own in viet nam .plane, bus ,train[ you should use all means of transportation .. its part of the adventure.. you picked most of the spots to see... find some time to spend in nha trang, easily the best place to go in viet nam.  there are organized tours you can go on to the mekong and cu chi out of sai gon.. thats the best way for a 1st timer to go , but traveling between cities is best done on your own by plane or overnight train.. there are tour shops and your hotel desk to help you get booked [ its very easy]... food is just great , and pleanty of it , western and viet namese .. try both... its also VERY cheap.... again take a company tour from ha noi to ha long.. its more fun w/ a group.. but go to sapa on your own[ over night train and bus.. dont be intimidated .. everyone does it .. its easy to find out how once you get to ha noi...[ sapa does involve a bit of walking , its small but hilly and if you want to enjoi the nearby villages .. its best done on foot] read a lonly planet or other guide book on vn.. they are extreanly accurate in their info... also check out the "resolved questions" in this catagory  you'll pick up plenty of good tips ... weather wise .. its been a long time since i been there in those months... but it should be getting nice... and the weather doesnt stop anybody in viet nam anyway... just get some rain gear [there] if necessary... oh , ps i'll be going in dec myself... hope to see you around... i look just like my avetar !... oh ps. ger up early , at least once in awhile, viet nam comes alive at 5am..be there.... take a siesta in the afternoon, then enjoi the night life , esspecialy in sai gon , nha trang and ha noi.  make sure you are strong and healthy BEFORE you go.. you WILL put a strain on your body "burning the candel at both ends"

Answer 5

Good luck on that one

Answer 6

Hi there,

We are DirecTravelAsia based in Vietnam. We arrange travel services for travellers around the globe travelling to Vietnam in particular.

With 2-3 weeks, I would like to propose the following itinerary for your reference:

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, welcome by our guide and transfer to the train station for overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight on board a tourist train in a private 4-berth cabin (a/c soft sleeper)

Day 2: Arrive in Lao Cai (Breakfast)

Arrive in Lao Cai, welcome by our guide and transfer in for breakfast at a local restaurant. Check in time is at 14h00. Hiking in Sapa to visit the ethnic minority village and the local market. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day hiking + jeep transfers in Sapa to visit the ethnic minority villages. Packed lunch is included. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa-Lao Cai-Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)

Another trip in Sapa before transferring to Lao Cai Station for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi-Halong Bay (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning, welcome by our guide and transfer in for a bowl of Pho (Vietnamese instant noodle) for a simple breakfast and then, transfer to Halong for a 2 days 1 night overnight cruise package in Halong Bay. Overnight in a private cabin on a shared wooden junk.

Day 6: Halong-Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)

Continue to cruise and disembark at midday to return to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi (Breakfast)

City tour of Hanoi including one-hour cyclo tour through the old quarter and water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi-Hue (Breakfast)

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Hue. Hue visit. Overnight in Hue.

Day 9: Hue (Breakfast)

Tour of Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue-Danang-Hoi An (Breakfast)

Drive to Hoi An via Danang. Visits of Danang & Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11: Leisure (Breakfast)

Full day free at leisure in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An-Danang-Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

Transfer to Danang Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels & city tour (Breakfast)

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels and city tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 14: Day trip to the Mekong Delta (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day trip to the Mekong Delta with lunch. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City-Long Hai (Breakfast)

Drive to Long Hai, 120km from Ho Chi Minh City for beach relax.

etc,....

Re visa into Vietnam,

We can arrange visa on arrival for you! This will save you lots of time and money. Cost for this is USD 60 total per person including visa stamping fee.

RE flights into & out of Vietnam,

Please feel free to contact us if you need us arrange this. Our partner in the USA will book & deliver the ticket to you if you are from the USA.

RE Testimonials,

If you need our past clients' contacts for their remarks on our services, please feel free to let us know.

For further information, please visit us at www.directravelasia.com or email directly to me at [e-mail]

Best regards,

Truong. Aug 11

Answer 7

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.. I lived there for 12 years. Trying to see it all in 2-3 weeks is really rushing. I would suggest you pick out some sites(5-7) and do just that. There are too many sites to mention. I would recommend HUE.. for beach activity.. that would be Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province. If you have time, Phu Quoc Island is incredible.. a world to itself.. The food.. The best food in the world is Vietnamese.

Answer 8

i was in hanoi for a few days last year and it was brilliant

id advise u to book tours once u were there as its so much cheaper than any of the online tours. if u land at hanoi airport tel a taxi driver u need a hotel and he'll take u round a few till u find one u like and most hotels operate there own tours.

plus if u book day trips rather than a full 2 week tour ull be with diff people each day so ur not stuck with people u dislike and u can pick and choose which tours u go on. 3 day tour of halong bay is highly recommended tho, i did the 2 day tour but wished i did 3. hanoi doesnt get cold, ever.

lol

tho i wasnt in ho chi ming i do know it is really humid.

food is really nice and not too spicy, is pretty basic too. if u dont know wot ur eating try not to think about it tho as it may b dog or snake

lol

really nice resturant in hanoi called something like jimmy chans or jimmy choos, about the poshiest in the city and still really cheap compared to over here.

didnt have time for beaches tho we went to phuket straight after to make up for that

have fun

top tip have a pen handy at the airport of the visa forms

Answer 9

Are you really, really sure that you want to go there?

  Anywhere out of the country anymore is kinda ...suicidal, almost?

Answer 10

Why are you going to Vietnam? Thailand is so much better