Traveling From Saigon to Danang?

Question

Leaving Saigon 21st Dec, have 9 nights to get to Danang. Have booked 2 nights in Phan Thiet, 1st stop. Then I am stumped. Don't know if it is worth visiting Dalat or just going straight to Nha Trang. Then on to Danang, or maybe on to Hue and then back to Danang. Is it possible to get a flight from Danang to Siem Reap We have to be in Siem Reap on the 30th Dec. Any help with distances between places, traveling time etc greatfully accepted. Also would we hire a driver and car in Saigon to take us all the way to Hue or hire a different driver at each stop.

Answer 1

you can use same driver if he wants the job east to get another driver  you have to fly from hanoi or from saigon to go to seim reap  your itinery is ok you can change it as you go

Answer 2

After Phan Thiet, check out Nah Trang.  I would then catch the train to Hue.  Don't miss the old Imperial Capital.  After seeing Citidel (forbidden city inside it) the royal tombs, pagoda and cruse the royal barge on the river you can go back to Danang.  On the way back to Danang you could stop off at the old French Hill Station up in the Mountains called BacMa.  I am sure by that time you will run out of time to do more.  Danang has the Marble Mountain and China Beach close and the Hoi An is very close to there too.  Have a nice time.  Cheers

Answer 3

* Whether to visit Dalat: depend on what do you know and like about Dalat.  It is a small/peaceful city in the mountain part of Vietnam.  Because of the different weather, Dalat attracts many local Vietnamese (this city was made popular by the French during their occupation for the same reason.)  But the city itself is quite small, and there aren't many activities to do there.  There is a beautiful lake and surrounding scenery, XQ embroidery factory, a temple, a few places with historical ties, and not much else.  If you are into biking, however, you could take a bus/flight from Phan Thiet to Dalat and try to bike part of the way from Dalat to Nha Trang :-).  During my last trip there, I have seen many westerners doing this.

* Nha Trang: a nice city along the beautiful beach, similar to Phan Thiet.  I have been in both and enjoyed both places.  However, many tourists found both cities to be familiar.  Nha Trang has an interesting Pagoda (?) and a number of beautiful islands to visit.

* Da Nang and Hue: you can stay in Da Nang and take a same-day tour to Hue and back to Da Nang during your stay there.  Hue is a nice place for a one-day tour, but I'm not sure if it is worth staying much longer there.  Da Nang is a more developed city, with beautiful beach, and also a little bit of activities (though nowhere compared to Saigon.)

* Da Nang - Siem Reap: yes there are flights with Silk Air taking you from Da Nang to Siem Reap, one such flight a day, I believe (Silk Air MI632 @ 5:40PM everyday, pls check to be sure.)  I have never taken such flight; however, looking at the map, I estimate such flight to take around 1 to 2 hours.

* Saigon-Hue is a long long distance, especially with the road condition, to go by car (though it is quite possible to do it.)  Unless you have to go by car, I'd avoid it due to the possibility of accidents, etc.   Instead if you would like to go at least part of the way by car, my recommendation is to rent a car/driver from Saigon to Nha Trang, and then either take train (cheaper) or airplane to Da Nang.  Danang-Nhatrang airfare is actually not that expensive ($40 one-way?).  Danang-Hue tour is definitely by car.  If you have a group of three or more, a within-a-day tour is inexpensive ($100-$150 for the whole group, lunch included :-).)  For this round-trip, ask the driver to go one way over the Haivan pass and the other way through the new tunnel.  Arrange the Danang-Hue tour through your hotel's concierge.

Enjoy the trip!  Sound like fun :-).