Asia - One Week in Vietnam -- Where to Go

Hi All,

It looks like I will be able to spend a week in Vietnam this October (21st to 28th). I would love to get some feedback on going to both SGN and HAN in this trip. I also would like to visit Hue, but it seems that SGN, HAN and Hue would be too much for a week.

If I was to visit either SGN or HAN, which one should it be?

Is Hue worth a visit?

Is there anywhere else in Vietnam that I should visit on a first trip?

Thanks!

You can go to Hue, Hanoi and Saigon in one week if you fly and keep a tight schedule. I've done the follwoing trip 3 years ago:

Flight to Saigon
- 1 day Saigon
- 1 day Mekong
- 1 day Cu Chi Tunnels
Flight to Hue
- 1 day to visit some mings and the Hue center with the palace
Flight to Hanoi
- 1 day Hanoi
(continued the journey to Halong bay for an overnight stay and then via Hanoi to Sapa and crossing the boarder to China)

Saigon, Hanoi and Hue are totally different:

Saigon
Much traffic, more Western style, but very interesting (including surrounding with Mekong and Cu Chi)

Hanoi
More traditional style, a tour to Halong bay is wonderful (if you are interested in nice landscapes)

Hue
Journey back in history to old mings and palace.

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Pictures from hotel stays (http://www.e-traveller.net/lh738/triprep/hotel.php)
Basic Hotel stays/nights/points calculator (http://www.e-traveller.net/fgp/fgp01calc.php)
Short overview: KLM FD, LH M&M (http://www.e-traveller.net/ffp/kl01.php)