Vietnam

[djc206]

Where possible fly in Nam. Go through skyscanner and the internal flights are normally less than £40 one way. We did use private buses last year, if memory serves Mui Ne to HCMC was £100 ish which between the 6 of us couldn't be scoffed at.

[SBQuattro]

Thanks guys this is all great info !!

[Old Merc]

SimonV8ster said:

Currently in Hanoi -its nuts !! Drink the local draught beer on the street corners for 14p in the evening and have a laugh watching the nightlife.
Good thread this, thanks for starting it OP !!

I too was fascinated just people watching and would often wonder away from our guide.I would have loved sitting at a local bar? trouble is at 14p a beer i would have soon got dodgy eye sight??
Here are the local health & safety/food hygiene team at work.

[Old Merc]

And another example of crazy Vietnam.

[whoami]

SimonV8ster said:

Currently in Hanoi -its nuts !! There are quite a few museums and monuments here but don't believe you need to see them all to get a flavour of things, do a couple then gaze at the traffic and locals. I've been here 6 days and haven't got tired of the place, you only really need 2/3 days here as has been said. Drink the local draught beer on the street corners for 14p in the evening and have a laugh watching the nightlife.

Off to Sapa tonight for a few days, i'll report back in a few days on what its like.

I've heard about Hue and Hoi An so i'm going there after Halong Bay.

Good thread this, thanks for starting it OP !!

What's the weather like at the moment?

[SBQuattro]

whoami said:

What's the weather like at the moment?

Good question.

Talking of the weather, we are looking at going in late Sept or early Oct. What kind of weather can we expect this time of year ?

[havoc]

Went 7 years ago:-
- Halong is a must-see - one of those places that just takes your breath away (even in fog...)
- Hoi An was our favourite place...very chilled little town, very pretty...just a nice place.
- Preferred Saigon to Hanoi - people friendlier, easier to get around. Hanoi feels more 'European city transplanted' in terms of architecture, IYSWIM. But more than that, the north Vietnamese seem almost rude, and are a lot more reserved, whereas the southerners (inc. Hoi An) are more typical of SE Asia.

[V8LM]

Been looking to book our holiday there today in fact; indeed as I tried last weekend and the weekend before. Only going for 10 days, but Hoi An and Hue are favourites. Is it worth staying in Dalat, or spending an extra night in HCM/Saigon?

ETA: There are 5 of us. What's the best way to get around? Mrs V8 is not partial to back-packing either so will have luggage.

Edited by V8LM on Sunday 27th April 22:15

[5potTurbo]

V8LM said:

Been looking to book our holiday there today in fact; indeed as I tried last weekend and the weekend before. Only going for 10 days, but Hoi An and Hue are favourites. Is it worth staying in Dalat, or spending an extra night in HCM/Saigon?

ETA: There are 5 of us. What's the best way to get around? Mrs V8 is not partial to back-packing either so will have luggage.

Edited by V8LM on Sunday 27th April 22:15

As before, look at internal flights - they're cheap.


I'm already looking for next year for my wife's 50th as a surprise - I went with my brother in 2008 - but applying for the Visa will ruin the surprise, I guess....

ETA: are these online Visa application online sites dodgy or legit?

Edited by 5potTurbo on Monday 28th April 07:53

[Fats25]

5potTurbo said:

I'm already looking for next year for my wife's 50th as a surprise - I went with my brother in 2008 - but applying for the Visa will ruin the surprise, I guess....

ETA: are these online Visa application online sites dodgy or legit?

The online sites are fine. This is the only way to do it as far as I am aware. I can't remember the exact site we used, but if you post a few examples up, I am sure that it will jog my memory.

With regards to doing it as a surprise, I don't remember my wife signing anything at all to get the Visa that we applied for on-line. She definitely signed it when we arrived in the country and converted the "permit to enter" into a visa, but nothing before then, so I think you can still do as a surprise.

[SimonV8ster]

Regards weather - quite ofter have a downpour during the day for an hour, had a couple of massive thunderstorms during the night. Still very warm, over 30 degrees and humid.

Regards visa - yes you have to get a sort of approval letter which cost me 18 dollars, sorted it out in 3 or so days, then you pick you visa up at the airport when you arrive.

I used Smilevietnam and so did others i know, good communication with them, some places might be a few dollars cheaper. Think you just have to scan the page of your passport with your photo on it, tell them arrival/exits dates and pay the money. You get a letter back saying you have been approved for entry which you have to show at the airport before you leave and bingo.

Heard from quite a few folk that Hue and Hoi An are must sees.

[Wolff]

I'm going to Vietnam on the 11th May - can't wait.

This Visa discussion has got me though... you can get your visa before you travel by applying through the Vietnamese embassy. You do NOT need a letter of introduction doing it this way. This also removes any hassle when you get to Vietnam such as the long queues to get the visa (which can take from 10 minutes to a couple of hours by all accounts). Oh and the Vietnamese embassy do not recommend the 'letter of introduction' as they cannot verify the authenticity, and will be unable to help should there be any issues when arriving into the airport.

It takes 5 days or so by post (you can do it quicker in person) - linky

[Fats25]

Wolff said:

I'm going to Vietnam on the 11th May - can't wait.

This Visa discussion has got me though... you can get your visa before you travel by applying through the Vietnamese embassy. You do NOT need a letter of introduction doing it this way. This also removes any hassle when you get to Vietnam such as the long queues to get the visa (which can take from 10 minutes to a couple of hours by all accounts). Oh and the Vietnamese embassy do not recommend the 'letter of introduction' as they cannot verify the authenticity, and will be unable to help should there be any issues when arriving into the airport.

It takes 5 days or so by post (you can do it quicker in person) - linky

That may well be the best way to do it - but I never heard of anyone doing it this way. FWIW we had our Visa before our luggage even came out on the belt.

[SimonV8ster]

Yes, you can get it at the embassy, depends if you're already travelling or not.
I got my visa within 15 minutes at the airport and was waiting for my luggage to turn up.

[V8LM]

So I think I'm getting close. Time is tight, so bizarrely won't be doing Ha Long Bay (this time).

With Mrs V8LM (and me for that matter) not wishing to live out of a rucksack we and the three once-little V8LMs are starting off in Saigon/HCM for 2 nights, then flying to Hoi An (Nam Hai, complete with butler) for 3 nights, then probably 2 nights a little further north in Hue, then fly to Hanoi for a night before returning via Singapore.

Biggest problem has been finding flights with decent connection times: Emirates wanted £48k if booked straight through. Singapore don't let you book more than four seats on line at once - not a huge risk here but would be if the flights were busy. BA and partners don't fly to/from Hanoi..... Ended up Emirates MAN to Singapore via Dubai (Emirates are bumping the market to such flights are cheap), then Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Minh, internal flights also Vietnam SGN - Da Nang, HUE to Hanoi, then Singapore Hanoi to Singapore with two bookings. Then Emirates back to MAN via Dubai.

[Fats25]

V8LM - sounds like you are all booked. However just FYI we ended up booking through Cathay from London to HKG - then HCM. Then return from Hanoi through HKG.

Considered Singapore, but I hate the idea of flying past my destination on the way out, or backwards to get home!!

Lots of internal flights between the destinations you mentioned are available. Danang is now a big airport, and only 20 mins from Hoi An. Train from Danang to Hue is approx 4 hours on train - and you could do on a day train. I admit with kids I would not have fancied the trains as a means of transport for overnight, but day time would be fine. Also fine for over 12's overnight - but any younger I wouldn't fancy it.

The other thing I would say is that if you saw Top Gear in Vietnam, they stopped at some point that had a stunning mountain view, and that is on the drive across from Danang to Hue. It would be worth getting a car for that leg, with picnic, and stop at the top of the mountain. We went by train, and it was a great view, but you are restricted by the side of the mountain you are on!

[V8LM]

Fats25 said:

V8LM - sounds like you are all booked. However just FYI we ended up booking through Cathay from London to HKG - then HCM. Then return from Hanoi through HKG.

Considered Singapore, but I hate the idea of flying past my destination on the way out, or backwards to get home!!

Lots of internal flights between the destinations you mentioned are available. Danang is now a big airport, and only 20 mins from Hoi An. Train from Danang to Hue is approx 4 hours on train - and you could do on a day train. I admit with kids I would not have fancied the trains as a means of transport for overnight, but day time would be fine. Also fine for over 12's overnight - but any younger I wouldn't fancy it.

The other thing I would say is that if you saw Top Gear in Vietnam, they stopped at some point that had a stunning mountain view, and that is on the drive across from Danang to Hue. It would be worth getting a car for that leg, with picnic, and stop at the top of the mountain. We went by train, and it was a great view, but you are restricted by the side of the mountain you are on!

Thanks. Looked at Cathay too, but didn't have any flights with decent connection times at a reasonable fee.

Flights sorted from HCM to Da Nang, and Hue to Hanoi.

Yes, the TG mountain bit is between Hoi An and Hue - we are planning of travelling by car between Hoi An and Hue, somehow.

[Tampon]

Wolff said:

I'm going to Vietnam on the 11th May - can't wait.

This Visa discussion has got me though... you can get your visa before you travel by applying through the Vietnamese embassy. You do NOT need a letter of introduction doing it this way. This also removes any hassle when you get to Vietnam such as the long queues to get the visa (which can take from 10 minutes to a couple of hours by all accounts). Oh and the Vietnamese embassy do not recommend the 'letter of introduction' as they cannot verify the authenticity, and will be unable to help should there be any issues when arriving into the airport.

It takes 5 days or so by post (you can do it quicker in person) - linky

I have been three times now, once on a rugby tour. There really isnt any difference which way you get them. We did it your way for the rugby tour because it saved us waitinv for each other but it is quick with the letter of introduction and simplier over all.

Horses for courses really, any 'issues' can normally be sorted with a few dollars. I ended up with 4 AK47 rounds in my luggage at the airport, that cost me a packet of fags and losing my visa completely on the return check in cost me 50 dollars, no receipt obviously as they had run out.

[V8LM]

Just back and thought I would say - what an absolutely fantastic place.

Everyone must go. And quickly, 'cause it's changing fast I believe.

[SimonV8ster]

Totally agree, just spent 8 weeks there - was just about to extend my visa again but had to move on. I prefer the north to the south but admit that the Mekong Delta is a fascinating area.