Vietnam (again). North to Hanoi and Halong

voteoften on 02/04/2016 - 01:42
Last edited 02/04/2016 - 01:43

Thanks to everyone who helped me with my Hoi an questions. I've been back in oz for a few days and am thinking about heading back to the north. This time solo, so I can travel rougher. ☺️

My first thought was I'd go to Saigon and there is a cooking school in the outskirts where you can stay as long as you like. This really appeals to me. I was originally thinking I'd spend 7-10 days there.

But I might as well go to Hanoi. And Halong. Any idea how long I should allow. I was thinking I'd go for about two weeks.

As a tip, I had empty prescription drug bottles and was able to get partial refills. Instead of a bottle of 50, they'd sell in strips of 10 or 15. At the end of the day, not cheaper than oz, but very helpful. One sold me a strip of ten and would sell no more even though they had more. Others sold me all they had - ten strips.

I used the visa service that advertised free express service here and they were very god. Private car service and taxis were good.

Travel

Comments

  • Marcsie on 02/04/2016 - 07:42
    +1

    April is the hottest month in Saigon,if I were you I would travel from North to South,so the weather starts from cooler to warmer,you need at least 3 weeks,and don't forget to visit Sapa in the North and of course Halong Bay,if you are travelling to Vietnam very often,you can get 5 years Visa that will cost $100 ( Back in 2012),not sure how much does it cost now :)

    • voteoften on 03/04/2016 - 15:31

      Thanks for the visa tip. If I were to get a multi- visit visa through one of the places that provide letters for visa on arrival, would I only need to wait the first time? On subsequent visits would I just go to the immigration line?

      Thanks

  • SirFlibbled on 05/04/2016 - 10:35

    Honestly Halong is only a 2 (ie overnight) or 3 day (2 nights) trip. Personally I found one night was plenty. There's only so much kayaking and looking at scenery one can do.

    I'd second also heading south to Hue (only a 2 day thing at best) and then onto Saigon.

    BTW how did the Hoi An visitor ticket thing go? Did they make you pay every day or was it like I said and you could just walk in.

    • voteoften on 06/04/2016 - 01:53

      They screamed at us the very first time and we bought tickets. Sometimes we would old them in our hands. Other times we didn't. Never asked for them again.

      The vendors, particularly the greeting card vendors were very aggressive. We told one we were going to eat and might look later. Every time there was a break he would come into the restaurant wanting us to handle the cards. We were eating, it was annoying and I sensed a potential scam if he were to claim we got food on his merchandise. We heft the opposite way but he bailed us up and really abused us. It was a very basic course but the taste of Vietnam cooking class was a nice diversion. It was upstairs in a purpose built educational food court where they demonstrated noodle making, etc. the highlight for me was being able to taste small portions for free of stir fried silk worm, frog with lemon grass (very good way to make frog) and duck embryo in the egg which I did not try.

      I am returning to Vietnam mostly to cook for many days in the country side. I can stay there as long as I like and stay in the village. I am thinking from 10 -16 days of full time cookery. I will have the driver stop off at a pharmacy and get some relaxing pills and I have no doubt there will be plenty of lukewarm or cold 333 in the evenings.

      Apparently I'll be learning about 12 dishes a day, since it's so long I'm going to bring my steel cap chef boots. Best thing in the kitchen when u are going long hours.

      Is Hanoi itself very interesting? I don't feel motivated to go. Lots of hours in buses to get to sapa and Halong. All I want to do is cook and lie n a hammock.

      • SirFlibbled on 06/04/2016 - 11:40

        lol I just ignore the hawkers or simply say 'Khong' and ignore them there after.

        They yelled at me to pay as well and I just said "You know I don't have to" and that was it. No one ever chased me.

        I liked Hanoi. It was much more interesting than I expected. I spent 4 days there but felt a couple more would have been good. Halong is definitely worthwhile even if it's a 4 hour bus trip but I think 1 night is good enough. Going to Vietnam and not seeing Halong is like going to the US and not visiting the grand canyon, except Halong is much prettier.

        Sapa is a train ride. Do an over nighter and you'll be asleep for most of it :)

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