Ask us about Vietnam
#211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,848
I’m currently in HCMC as part of a long Asia trip and I’m a couple days ahead of schedule. I’ve heard there are some scenic train rides in Vietnam but I’ve seen conflicting opinions on which areas are the best.
I’m already going from Danang to Hue by train. How are Danang to Nha Trang and Hue to Hanoi? Would you recommend either vs. the cheap flights? If so, which one? (I know I’d be doubling back to the south if I go Hue to Nha Trang.) Thanks.
I’m already going from Danang to Hue by train. How are Danang to Nha Trang and Hue to Hanoi? Would you recommend either vs. the cheap flights? If so, which one? (I know I’d be doubling back to the south if I go Hue to Nha Trang.) Thanks.
Nha Trang is a tourist trap IMO. I would stay/visit elsewhere.
#212
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
If I do any train rides, I’d want them to be during daylight hours. Flying into HAN is really that time-consuming?
#214
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
I’ve been bouncing around SE Asia for a few weeks now with only a carry-on, and I’ve had great luck with flights. A lot of the airports are basically in the city. Hanoi looks like it will be the farthest airport from the city center, so I see your point there.
#216
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Kam Leng; Two Dragons GH
Posts: 1,615
#217
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 423
Booked a 2D/1N on a cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay. This is in mid Feb. How cool temperature-wise does it get seeing how HAN and Halong is in north Vietnam?
As for Nha Trang, have 3 full days there. Staying along the main beac hroad. Read tripadvisor list of things to do. What would you recommend for those days?
As for Nha Trang, have 3 full days there. Staying along the main beac hroad. Read tripadvisor list of things to do. What would you recommend for those days?
#218
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
https://streetfoodman.com/
#219
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
These of you who live or know Hanoi, what would you recommend for group of three adults who will visit the city for four days at the end of December, inducing New Year Eve and Day?
All of us have been in Vietnam number of times, but not in Hanoi. Interests - street food, architecture, history, how locals live, live music (would be great for NY celebration spot, if possible), nature/parks, interesting, not well known museums or exhibitions.
No interest - propaganda/war museums of any kind, shopping, organized tours with NNN other people and going crowded tourist places.
One of our day will be for Cat Ba NP. For other three days I would be happy to hear suggestions/recommendations - walking routes, sites, etc.
Thanks in advance.
All of us have been in Vietnam number of times, but not in Hanoi. Interests - street food, architecture, history, how locals live, live music (would be great for NY celebration spot, if possible), nature/parks, interesting, not well known museums or exhibitions.
No interest - propaganda/war museums of any kind, shopping, organized tours with NNN other people and going crowded tourist places.
One of our day will be for Cat Ba NP. For other three days I would be happy to hear suggestions/recommendations - walking routes, sites, etc.
Thanks in advance.
#220
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
This forum and other traveller forums generally only talk about the Old Quarter of Hanoi. This is the part with the "culture" or whatever the latest buzzword is. Hanoi is a large city (over 8 million people), and the Old Quarter is just a part of the overall city. Hanoi definitely has modern buildings, large highways, and walkable sidewalks, you just won't find those in the Old Quarter.
An appropriate analogy would be Bangkok. Staying on Khao San Road or Sukhumvit will not give you an overall view of Bangkok, how locals live, history, etc.
#221
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: Delta Gold
Posts: 158
I'm looking for a company to book several airport transfers while we are in Vietnam in about a week. Does anyone have any recommendations? Here's the transfers I need (there are only 2 adults traveling):
- HAN to hotel in Old Quarter (one way)
- DAD to Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort (round trip)
- SGN to Le Méridien Saigon (round trip)
#222
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 85
Backofthebike is good
I just recommended Street Food Man on another thread - we used them in August and had a fabulous time! We did the walking tour as my husband wouldn't do a motorbike. No worries - still had a blast!! The guide picked us up at our hotel, we took a Grab to the first place, walked from there, then a Grab back to drop us off at the hotel (our hotel was in District 1 and I think most of the places we ate were in 3...)
https://streetfoodman.com/
https://streetfoodman.com/
#224
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
It's really not for certain. So be prepared for anything. But usually the airlines in Vietnam are more strict with name order for locals and lenient with foreigners. So assuming you're holding a foreign passport you're probably ok. If you have a Viet name or document you might get hassled.
Good luck.
#225
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,540
Suggestions for a two-week itinerary.
Hi all,
We are looking at a ~2 week trip to Vietnam sometime this summer - probably July. Our itinerary is wide open (to the point we haven't decided where we're even starting the trip), we have a bit of flexibility in length and we're looking for suggestions and ideas. Some information that might help guide:
- We're in our late-30s/early-40s.
- We're looking for cultural, historical and site-seeing activities - especially nature. We are not really into the party scene.
- We're fit, but not athletic (biking around town is great, biking across the country is not).
- At some point we'd like to enjoy a nice quiet beach for 2-3 days.
- Ideally we start or end the trip at a place that has easy access to Siem Reap (we'd like to either go US-Siem Reap-VN-US, or US-VN-Siem Reap-US.)
Any suggestions?
We are looking at a ~2 week trip to Vietnam sometime this summer - probably July. Our itinerary is wide open (to the point we haven't decided where we're even starting the trip), we have a bit of flexibility in length and we're looking for suggestions and ideas. Some information that might help guide:
- We're in our late-30s/early-40s.
- We're looking for cultural, historical and site-seeing activities - especially nature. We are not really into the party scene.
- We're fit, but not athletic (biking around town is great, biking across the country is not).
- At some point we'd like to enjoy a nice quiet beach for 2-3 days.
- Ideally we start or end the trip at a place that has easy access to Siem Reap (we'd like to either go US-Siem Reap-VN-US, or US-VN-Siem Reap-US.)
Any suggestions?