Vietnam anyone?

[Matata]

Just starting research for possible trip there in 2020. Would it be better for us to go it alone or hire a tour guide or go with a group tour? Must see recommendations appreciated. Tour guide/group tour recommendations also appreciated.

 

[arkieb1]

I'd recommend breaking the trip into two parts the 2 major cities and then stay somewhere more relaxing on a nice beach at the end......

It's been over 15 years since I've been there (my husband used to go there for work) but the Sofitel Metropole In Hanoi was always my absolute favourite hotel. The food downstairs is also always amazing from any of their restaurants;

https://sofitel.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1555-sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi/index.shtml

There are temples, cooking classes, something for everyone - Things to do in Hanoi;

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g293924-Activities-Hanoi.html

I'd recommend looking at the war museum there and in Ho Chi Mihn if you are interested in history.

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vie...es-in-vietnam-to-learn-about-the-vietnam-war/

And while my husband used to go to meetings for work I'd pay for a Tuk Tuk to take me around and go to the streets in the cities with fabrics like silks, clothing, there is a jewellery street that has metal work, silver work, shops full of strings of pearls (beware a lot of them are cheap junk) and gemstones if you know where to look. The street that has the Lacquerware plates bowls and puppets (I bought a heap of very cool looking shadow puppets as gifts for people) is also well worth a visit.

We used to always stay in the Caravelle Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, which my husband loved, I thought it was overpriced, the food was overpriced, but he was in love with the rooftop bar there which in itself is well worth a visit especially cocktails at sunset.

There used to be the coolest fabric and a shop full of amber within walking distance of the Caravelle and a really nice jewelllery shop about a 5 to 10 minute Tuk Tuk ride away but I have no idea what is and isn't still there any more.....

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g293925-Activities-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html

The tunnels are cool...

Some of the general attractions;

https://www.asiatouradvisor.com/vie...MIxt-RzPa64gIVjgsrCh14zQCjEAAYASAAEgIg2vD_BwE

Halong Bay is a must see.... I've always been indifferent to the hotels near there a zillion tourists and prostitute central so I'd do a day or so there so you can go out in the Bay and then stay somewhere else on one of the 5 star beach hotels that are at a different location;

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/SmartDeals-g293921-zft9156-Vietnam-Hotel-Deals.html


https://originvietnam.com/tour/kong-skull-island-vietnam.html

That should probably be enough for a first visit.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Matata,

A couple of years ago my best traveling girlfriend and I did a Vietnam, Cambodia,Thailand trip. I'm happy to look for the itinerary and post if it you want. The downer was that the king of Thailand, who had been on the thrown for over 70 years, died the day before we were to arrive there. A lot of things were shut down, but we still had a good time there... except for the one day that was "Buddhist Lent" (???) and we couldn't get a drink anywhere in all of Bangkok.

 

[Dee*Jay]

We didn’t use a guide in Vietnam, but if you do go that route I recommend a one-on-one situation rather than a group if you can avoid it. We did have a guide in Cambodia and he was AMAZING. I’m happy to get you his info if you want it. He took care of EVERYTHING. Speaking of taking care of things, even if you don’t use guides I highly recommend you get someone to meet you at the airport in each of the countries and get you through the entry process. It is a LOT faster and definitely more efficient.

Hanoi
Stay three nights Oct 5-7; depart on 8
Sofitel Metropole Opera

Leave Hanoi on 8th and fly to Danang
Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
***This resort is FABULOUS!***
You can take a car ride (about 40 mins) to Hoi An / An Hoi

Leave Danang on the 10th Ho Chi Minh City
Park Hyatt

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia on 13th
Raffles Grand Hotel
This hotel is out in the jungle. There are other more modern hotels in the town area.

We went to Bangkok from there, but it doesn’t sound like that’s a part of your trip. If that changes let me know and I can post that too.

We did a ton of shopping -- I think I bought two dozen silk scarves! I also bought, on the Very First Day ( ), an antique hand painted platter. The plan was to ship it home but the shipping was going to be an absolutely outrageous amount so I ended up fashioning a carrier out of packing materials and cardboard and the strap from my duffel bag. That because my carry on luggage for the next five fights. The very first thing I did when I walked into my house was unpack the platter. If it had broken along the way I'd have been heartbroken! I treated it like a newborn baby the whole damn way!!!

 

[Matata]

Thanks for the info @arkieb1 and @Dee*Jay.