Vietnam Suggestions Accomodation & Itin?

Question

We are planning a holiday to Vietnam in August this year. We are mid age, but enjoy doing our own thing. This is the itineary we have come with, talking to travel agents, reading guide books etc.

Has anybody been or know any hotels / stayed at them or make any suggestions on somthing we should not miss.. add-on to itin or change. Also looking for value for money .. any booking agents reccomendations.

Arrivie Saigon -5 nights at Grand Hotel Saigon

Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Transfer to Saigon Airport

Domestic flight from Saigon to Nha Trang with Vietnam Airlines

Transfer to Nha Trang Accommodation

3 nights accommodation at Ana Mandara Hotel Nha Trang

Trsf to Nha Trang Airport

Domestic flight from Nha Trang to Hanoi - Vietnam Airlines

Trsf from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi

2 nights accommodation at Hilton Opera Hotel Hanoi

Trsf from Hanoi to Halong Bay

3Days/2nights Dragon Pearl Cruise Halong Bay

Then 1 more night at Hanoi Hilton b4 flight to Saigon to connect to Intl flt.

Answer 1

Accommodation in Vietnam is as "cheap as chips" even at the highest quality levels.

All the hotels listed on this directory have been graded and are backed up by an international service desk. This may come in handy if you end up with customer service related issues later on.

My advice is to match up your itinerary to any special offers that correspond, and look out for location , free inclusions and facilities - time is probably best spent doing the things you wantto without the inconvenience of trying to find something when you are there.

Answer 2

I would cut your nights in Saigon/HCMC down to 3. Here are a few highlights to consider there:

War Remnants Museum - This is a must-see.

Reunification Palace - This building is a bit tacky, but the guided tour provides some interesting historical perspective, particularly of the closing days of the Vietnam War.

Cu Chi Tunnels - Sounds like this is already on your list.

Jade Emperor's Pagoda and Hindu Temple - Both are worth a short visit if you have some free time. Try going during the late afternoon when it cools down a bit--just be sure to find out their hours.

As for Nha Trang, I think two nights are enough there. The Long Son Pagoda (giant white Buddha on the hill) is worth a visit.

Hoi An is very touristy, but it's one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. Lots of cafes and excellent restaurants, as well as dozens--if not hundreds--of tailors to choose from. If you're up for it, rent bicycles and ride them out to the beach.

There's a lot to see in Hanoi. Some highlights:

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - It takes a while, but it’s worth it to stand in line and see Uncle Ho.

Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”) - Much of it has been torn down, but you can still visit part of this famous POW prison where John McCain and Pete Peterson were held.

Temple of Literature - This is a quiet, peaceful place to check out and relax at for awhile.

Final note: not all restaurants in Vietnam are equal. Find information on the best places to eat (for instance, Miss Ly Cafeteria 22 in Hoi An). Dining out is very cheap almost anywhere you go--so you might as well eat at the best places.

Answer 3

My suggestions:

Stay in HCMC for 2 or 3 nights only.

Fly from Nha Trang to Danang and spend a few days in Hoi An. Great ton for walking, eating, lots of history and cultural stuff. Plus a great beach.

All the hotels you have listed are great, especially the Ana Mandara and Hilton Opera!

As someone else suggested, an overnight tour of Halong Bay is probably enough.

Enjoy Vietnam!

Answer 4

You have had good advice,the hotels you have chosen will pick you up at the airport if you ask them,if not !0usd max into Saigon and 15usd to Nha trang.My only suggestion is 5 days in Hcmc is to much and 3 days in Nha Trang not enough,you will love the Anna Mandra,i live 20 meters from it.If you need any advice especially on Nha Trang please ask.

Answer 5

Most of things in Vietnam are very cheap, so no worry

Answer 6

May I kindly offer some random notes for you?? (^-^)

Vietnamese like brand new crisp US $$ .....  very many Vietnamese have US dollars hidden under their beds as they do not use banks or credit cards like we do .....  so I would bring brand new $1's and so on ......  check out the exchange rate ... it is amazing.  My point is .... the highest exchange rate with the locals is sometimes not to exchange your  money for theirs at all.

when leaving the airport you will come to a small booth (more like a podium) where you have to pay an airport tax in cash. I think the fee is $12. They do not take credit cards to the best of my knowledge. They take US $$ or VND (Dong) Have some small bills $$ in your pocket and be ready for that ....

Also ... as a foot note ... the country is loaded with Chinese knock-off products of all kinds. The locals hate it because they cannot buy things that are real (example ... like a real

sony CD player) ... DO NOT buy stuff like that there ..... not that you were planning to, of course ...... but just so you know ....

be very cautious of beggars ..... 98% are professionals ... including their small children  They are very excellent pick-pockets. A small girl can sell you a pack of gum and rip you off at the same time ... WATCH your pockets. This is not to say you will be in constant danger or anything .... ok?  Just want to make you aware .....

District 1 in Ho Chi Minh is loaded with police many of which are in plain clothes ..... it is considered to be the safest area in Ho Chi Minh

DO NOT ride on a "motor bike" taxi ... they are everywhere! The correct answer is NO ....

"F Taxi" was the most reliable, honest taxi company in Ho Chi Minh when I was there ..... their meters do not ever run fast. if I remember right, their number is 846-4646 .....

you will have a really good time ... I love it there alot ...... I have been 2 times in 5 years and also married a local girl from there .....   if you have any other questions ..... let me know .... I will help if I can ....  

enjoy your trip .... !!

Answer 7

I agree with heppee 2 nights in Halong Bay is enough.I also think a definite 'must see' is Hoi An. We loved this place. Full of history and the best part not so much traffic.We stayed at the Riverside resort, a little bit more expensive but worth every cent.The Riverside is a few k's out of town, but you can use their shuttle bus or hire push bikes from across the road. There is also a great little cafe/restaurant next door, only open at lunch time, worth going to. The laundry service across the road is also very good and heaps cheaper than the resort.When in Hanoi you must see the Water Puppets , a delightful evening.Enjoy your trip .

Answer 8

I just have a few random things;

-First of all I would reccomend only doing a 2 day/1 night cruise at HaLong Bay. While it is beautiful, one night was enough. HaLong Bay is way more touristy than you can ever imagine, there is a dock filled with boats and tourists are constantly coming and going. The boats are little and simple, but very fun. And HaLong Bay had the most amazing sunset I have ever seen.

-Secondly, be very careful of taxi drivers. Vietnam was the only place I ever had a problem with taxi drivers attempting to scam us. I thought that getting at taxi from the desk inside the airport would be the best way to not get scammed, however this didn't help.

  The first driver told us that our hotel was no longer there due to construction, however he would not drive us by it to see for ourselves. Instead he dropped us off in front of his friend's hotel. We ended up walking and finding the hotel we wanted in perfect condition after a stressful 20 minute walk. (this was in HCMC)

The second time we pulled up to a hostel we were interested in and someone on the street said something to our driver and he started taking us to a different hotel. We finally got him to stop and we ended up staying at the City Gate Hotel in Hanoi, which has one of the most helpful staff's ever. The hotel is a little out of they way, but the staff was amazing.

So BE CAREFUL OF TAXI DRIVERS AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!

-If you get the chance Sapa is an amazing place to see, as well as Hoi An (this is a great place to get things taylored for very very cheap) and it's a beautiful coastal town.

- I hope you have a great time in Vietnam, even though we had a few difficulties I really enjoyed my time there. PS be prepared for the craziest driving you have ever seen!