Asia - Vietnam or Angor

My wife and I just found out we will be in Vietnam in December, first time, for some work in Da Nang. After spending about 12 days in that area we will have 3 days open before we head back home. We are interested in seeing Angor Wat but I have not seen any low air fares to there and back to SGN, where we will depart from late on the 21st. A couple of questions. Would a local travel agent have access to other fares that I don't see, and if so would someone have a good connection? Or would you recommend that we just take the 3 days and see more of Vietnam on our way back to SGN?

My wife and I just found out we will be in Vietnam in December, first time, for some work in Da Nang. After spending about 12 days in that area we will have 3 days open before we head back home. We are interested in seeing Angor Wat but I have not seen any low air fares to there and back to SGN, where we will depart from late on the 21st. A couple of questions. Would a local travel agent have access to other fares that I don't see, and if so would someone have a good connection? Or would you recommend that we just take the 3 days and see more of Vietnam on our way back to SGN?

There's enough to see/do in Vietnam that I'd do Angkor another time.

Travel by bus from Danang to Hue is fairly easy and Hue is also worth seeing. You could then fly from Hue to SGN. Saigon is worth a day or so itself (and, by the way, Saigon is a particular district of Ho Chi Minh city and is where the most touristic interest there is, which is why I used that term). You could do an excursion to the Mekong Delta for a couple of days.

By the way, while you're in Danang, you should try to find time to visit Hoi An (touristy, but interesting architecture and a great place to have clothes made) and, if you have any interest in archeology, My Son is worth a half day.

Thanks mhnadel, I was hoping that while we were in Da Nang we would be able to do some site seeing such as Hue and Hoi An. How long would it take to get to these places, is the bus the best option, and how much time would you alot in each?

Myself, I would go to Angkor with the extra days.

Last year I travelled SGN-DA NANG (via Hoi An) and on to Hanoi,
where I caught a not-so-cheap nonstop flight Hanoi-Siem Reap.

But if you stay in VN, consider taking the day long "DMZ Tour"
out of Hue city. Its a full day, but you go as far as Khe Sanh;
interesting to see the famous firebase site now mostly coffee farms.

There are no inexpensive flights from anywhere to Siem Reap, period.

There is plenty to see in Vietnam, and three days to go back and forth from Saigon to Cambodia is not going to be worth it.

Hue and Hoi An is more realistic given your constraints.

Thanks mhnadel, I was hoping that while we were in Da Nang we would be able to do some site seeing such as Hue and Hoi An. How long would it take to get to these places, is the bus the best option, and how much time would you alot in each?

Hoi An is 45-60 minutes from Da Nang. You can go buy bus, taxi or private car.

Seems like you'll only have 2 full days for Angkor. That for me wouldnt' be enough. I'd head for Hanoi for your last 3 days, then fly to SGN to depart.

SaigonCyclo sounds like you would do Hanoi over Ho Chi Minh for a couple of day. Is there something specific to see up north?

Agree with others, the cost and logistics of getting to Siem Reap for such a short time isn't worth it. You also don't want to introduce the possibility of needing another visa (or a double-entry). Save Angkor for another trip.

Depending on what you are going to be doing in those 12 days in Danang, you may be able to see Hoi An from there if you can find chunks of free time. By road Danang-Hoi An is very close--only 45 minutes, so it's possible to do as a day trip or a couple of day trips, though staying at least one night in Hoi An is preferable. If you want to see the Cham ruins at My Son near Hoi An you'd need to devote a day to that as well. (I was so-so on that site, and I'm normally a ruins freak. I wouldn't take up one of the free days at the end to do it).

I liked Hue, but it's about 3 hours by road or train (I took the train), so maybe this is where you should put those extra days at end. Hue + surroundings can be done in a couple of days, even 1.5 days. If you are interested in the DMZ, that needs another full day, and I wouldn't do the DMZ unless you can get a private car with GOOD guide (i.e. older fellow who was there during the Vietnam War) OR same on back of a motorcycle. I'd fly back Hue to HCMC.

If for some reason you get to see both Hue and Hoi An within those 12 days and need additional ideas for the extra time, then you might consider DaLat which is in the highlands north of HCMC. You'd need to fly there and I'm sure there is some sort of connection from Danang to Dalat. I really liked this town and it's a contrast from the other parts of your itinerary--but be warned, it gets VERY cool there weather-wise compared to coastal Vietnam.

Alternatively, if you prefer to see tropical river life, after your 12 days in Danang, fly directly south (to HCMC or if available, directly to the Delta) and go to the Mekong Delta for at least 2 days/1 night (as opposed to the daytrip out of HCMC). Whatever free time you have left spend in/around HCMC. I like Hanoi also, but I'd save it and other far north attractions like Halong Bay, etc. for a future trip when you have more time.

Thanks to all especially jiejie for the detailed thoughts. Given our time issues I have been leaning toward staying in Vietnam although Angkor Wat is really tempting. What ever we do I think we will enjoy it and will have to plan a return trip to see other sites some other time.

Thanks mhnadel, I was hoping that while we were in Da Nang we would be able to do some site seeing such as Hue and Hoi An. How long would it take to get to these places, is the bus the best option, and how much time would you alot in each?

You need at least a full day for Hoi An, assuming your focus is on sightseeing. I was there for 3 days, which included a day trip to My Son (half day ruins, plus a boat trip to some crafts villages) and a half day cooking class. The other people I was traveling with spent pretty much all of their time shopping.

It took us most of the day to get from Hue (which needs a full day to see, or more depending on how many of the royal tombs you hit) but that was because the van we were in broke down. It's probably about 4 hours normally and is reasonably scenic.

Someone else mentioned Dalat, which is, indeed, an excellent choice. Another possibility is Na Trang, where you can take a boat out to ia fishing village (including a ride in a local basket boat).

...Angkor Wat is really tempting.

I'll be in the minority here and suggest you do whatever it takes to get to Siem Reap (and I really respect the insightful advice jiejie repeatedly offers on a variety of FT boards).

We were there for two days, arriving about Noon on day 1.

Day 1 PM: Angkor Wat

Day 2 AM: Angkor Thom, then Ta Prohm
Day 2 PM: Siem Reap market, Artisans D’Angkor, etc.

Day 3 AM: Banteay Srei, then Preah Kahn and Ta Som
Day 3 PM: Final stroll around Siem Reap, depart 4:00 PM

Some will say this is too rushed, but we saw the temples we wanted to and still had time to explore REP.

The temples are awesome and truly a must see. Sure, you may have plans to be back in the region, but stuff happens and maybe you have to put it off repeatedly. Seize the moment. You won't regret it.

I'll be in the minority here and suggest you do whatever it takes to get to Siem Reap (and I really respect the insightful advice jiejie repeatedly offers on a variety of FT boards).

We were there for two days, arriving about Noon on day 1.

Day 1 PM: Angkor Wat

Day 2 AM: Angkor Thom, then Ta Prohm
Day 2 PM: Siem Reap market, Artisans D’Angkor, etc.

Day 3 AM: Banteay Srei, then Preah Kahn and Ta Som
Day 3 PM: Final stroll around Siem Reap, depart 4:00 PM

Some will say this is too rushed, but we saw the temples we wanted to and still had time to explore REP.

The temples are awesome and truly a must see. Sure, you may have plans to be back in the region, but stuff happens and maybe you have to put it off repeatedly. Seize the moment. You won't regret it.

Though I generally am an advocate of slow, unrushed travel, I have to agree with Chapel Hill Guy.
Angkor is one of the great wonders of the world, a fascinating destination even if only for a quick visit. Go for it!

I will share all of these thoughts with my wife this weekend and see what she thinks, although I am pretty sure she wants to go to Ankgor Wat. Does anyone have the name of a reliable travel agent in Vietnam that could help with these travel arrangements, or is that even necessary?

I will share all of these thoughts with my wife this weekend and see what she thinks, although I am pretty sure she wants to go to Ankgor Wat. Does anyone have the name of a reliable travel agent in Vietnam that could help with these travel arrangements, or is that even necessary?

Great Vietnam TA. We've used them several times:

http://www.anntours.com/

tony@anntours.com

(and, by the way, Saigon is a particular district of Ho Chi Minh city and is where the most touristic interest there is, which is why I used that term).

Where on earth have you got that from ?.

Where on earth have you got that from ?.I read the same thing in many sources
when researching a trip to Vietnam last year.

The point may be that some people try to correct you
if you use the term Saigon, saying the name has changed.
I think it is a useful clarification that HCMC and Saigon are not synonyms.

I think it is a useful clarification that HCMC and Saigon are not synonyms.

I am confused. Saigon is the name of a city in southern Vn and the name was changed to HCMC after 1975.

The so-called 'touristy area' is District 1. HCMC (aka Saigon) has 9 districts.

The point may be that some people try to correct you
if you use the term Saigon, saying the name has changed.


This has just not been my experience at all. Nobody cares what you call it. Most residents say "Saigon," not "Ho Chi Minh City," or "HCMC." They know what you mean, whichever you say. You don't have to look around to see if you are still in District 1, or whatever.

Nothing at all is named "HCMC," except public and government stuff. Any hotels or restaurants including the city name all say, "Saigon." At least as far as I noticed, I'm sure someone can dig up a contradictory example.

Nobody will ever bat an eye if you say, "Saigon." You are expected to call it Saigon. I think maybe I bought a bus ticket that actually said, "Ho Chi Minh" on it, but that's about it.

I was trying to be correct, but after awhile, saying "Ho Chi Minh City," felt somewhat like referring to Sixth Avenue as "The Avenue Of The Americas." It felt contrived and awkward and out of sync. Like something I had read in a book that I was making a big deal out of, but in the real world, just not that important.

I am confused. Saigon is the name of a city in southern Vn and the name was changed to HCMC after 1975.

The so-called 'touristy area' is District 1. HCMC (aka Saigon) has 9 districts.

The locals tend to call D1 Saigon.

This has just not been my experience at all. Nobody cares what you call it. Most residents say "Saigon," not "Ho Chi Minh City," or "HCMC." They know what you mean, whichever you say. You don't have to look around to see if you are still in District 1, or whatever.



My experience was that Americans who had never been to Vietnam were likely to attempt to correct me. All of the Vietnamese people I dealt with referred to Saigon.

Most of the tourist activity is, in fact, in District 1, and I suspect that other than passing through to get to places outside the city, the only other district tourists are likely to see at all is District 3 (Chinatown).

The locals tend to call D1 Saigon.

Thanks, always glad to learn something new :)

I read the same thing in many sources
when researching a trip to Vietnam last year.

The point may be that some people try to correct you
if you use the term Saigon, saying the name has changed.
I think it is a useful clarification that HCMC and Saigon are not synonyms.

Where did you read that, Wikipedia ?. :rolleyes:

I am confused. Saigon is the name of a city in southern Vn and the name was changed to HCMC after 1975.

The so-called 'touristy area' is District 1. HCMC (aka Saigon) has 9 districts.

Don't be, your understanding is correct.

The locals tend to call D1 Saigon.

Some do yes. The locals also have some interesting names for other things and people that frequent the city...:)

Most (probably all in fact) locals I know in Saigon call it Saigon rather than HCMC, whereas most locals I know in Hanoi and Haiphong call it HCMC.