Feedback on My Vietnam Travel Itinerary Jan/Feb

activ8newbs on 15/12/2016 - 02:37
Last edited 15/12/2016 - 06:59 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I've been planning for a while to go overseas for the first time; that too, alone.

Below are links to my previous Ozb forum posts which all received incredible responses from this amazing community:

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/277197 - Where to go?
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/279363 - I'm Going NZ!
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280354 - No I'm going SE ASIA…
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280631 - …OK I've narrowed it down to Vietnam Only

After weeks and even months of searching deals, researching and what not, I've finally put together the final itinerary. I'm not going through any tour company e.g. Top Deck, G Adventures etc. However, I've used them as reference points for planning my trip.

Day 1
Syd -> HCMC (Flight arrives at night). This day is a write off.

Day 2 - First full day in HCMC
* Cu-Chi Tunnels
* Sky Deck Financial Tower
* Binh Tay Market
* Bui Vien Street to Party

Day 3
* Mekong Delta, My Tho, Ben Tre Tour
* Watch water puppet show

Day 4
HCMC -> Da Nang -> Hoi An
* Go see tailors (I have been recommended A Dong SIlk)

Day 5 - Full day in Hoi An
* Half Day cooking tour with Lunch
* I have half day spare (Suggestions)

Day 6
* Half day Hoi An Countryside Cycling Excursion
* I have half day spare (Suggestions)

Day 7
* Half Day Marble Mountain & Linh Ung Pagoda Tour
* I have half day spare (Suggestions)

Day 8
* Free for a whole day

Day 9
Hoi An -> Da Nang -> Hanoi
* Half Day bike Tour (Second half of Day)

Day 10
* Full Day Halong Bay Tour

Day 11
* Full Day Perfume Pagoda Tour

Day 12
Hanoi -> Sydney

In fact, depending on flight prices/timings/visa requirements, I might spend a couple days in another country by extending the layover as I still have a few extra days I can afford to take off. Any recommendations? (Preferably somewhere where visa isn't required as I only plan to stay for a day or two)

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. As I said, I've never traveled. I have no experience. I've run some numbers and the whole trip including food, accom, activities, transport, visa is costing me approx $1800. This is just an approximate figure based on what flight prices I can see, though I'm yet to purchase flights.

Can anyone weigh in anywhere? Any help, really really appreciated.

Thanks guys, you've been incredible!

Unistudent1

Travel

Comments

  • BensonP on 15/12/2016 - 06:02
    +4

    Great itinerary! Makes me wish I was heading back :(

    The only things I would change is the Halong Bay day trip. You should definitely make it an overnight stay on a boat! Its a 3 hour one way trip out there, plus the bay is gorgeous.

    As for spare days, check out Urban Adventures. They are fantastic little tours with English speaking guides. The best part is they operate with a minimum of 1 person.

    Good luck :)

    • mskeggs on 15/12/2016 - 08:36

      I agree the Ha Long trip will be better if overnight.
      A single day would be a pretty long trip, overnight much more relaxed and you will get to see sunset and sunrise.

    • activ8newbs on 15/12/2016 - 19:08

      Thanks. I'll do an overnight trip though where can I book it? I've been using expedia for teh whole trip (Seems like a decent website)…and expedia doesn't seem to offer any overnight trips…can you suggest somewehre else please?

      Thanks

      • BensonP on 15/12/2016 - 19:58

        I did a Bhaya Cruise and it was fantastic! The people were very friendly.

        They teach you spring roll making, jelly fish catching and they let you swim off the boat.

        https://www.bhayacruises.com/2-day-1-night-halong-bay-cruise…

        It says 2 day, but you arrive back in Hanoi by about 1 or 2 o'clock the following day with private transfer.

        We also got the private transfer for about $50AUD for myself and the missus.

      • BensonP on 15/12/2016 - 19:59
        +1

        I'll also add, there are cheaper boats and more expensive boats as well. They all take roughly the same route and explore the same cave. It all comes down to food quality and sleeping conditions.

  • Heracles26 on 15/12/2016 - 06:41

    Try to make it to Ninh Binh, specifically the outskirts around Tam Coc. It is amazing there and was definitely a highlight of my trip!

    • Gribbles on 15/12/2016 - 07:36
      +1

      I agree, Ninh Binh has some amazing scenery.
      If you can get a copy/borrow 'Luke Nguyen's Vietnam S2 - Episode 3', this episode features Ninh Binh.

      Also, in some of your spare time just look around and absorb the culture. Go see the markets super early in the morning (each town will have one). Don't plan all your time, sometimes different experiences/opportunities will present themselves, and sometimes you may just need a bit of a rest :)

      In Hanoi, around Hoam Kiem lake, you can watch the Vietnamese do exercise or Tai Chi in the mornings.

      Anthony Bourdain has also done a few episodes around Vietnam. Vietnam has some amazing food, and all so cheap. Don't be afraid to eat 'Street Food' (where other people frequent). Some of the best experiences can be found here, and you can talk to the local people. I found them mostly all very friendly.

      In any case, have a great trip!

  • dasher86 on 15/12/2016 - 08:06
    +1

    Looking at your itinerary seems to be actioned packed and apart from Hoi-An doesn't seem to be a lot of down time.
    You may want a day to spend just hanging out in Hanoi and enjoying the city.

    In your spare time in Hoi-An go check out the beach.

  • pointnlarf on 15/12/2016 - 08:26
    +1

    Personally Id include a day in Da Lat between HCMC and Danang. Its a good change of pace and climate if ur going in the hot season. Nice French atmosphere in the right part of town.. Although,,,I did the same trip by bus and train and you are pushing it a bit..

  • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2016 - 08:46
    -3

    do contiki

  • CyberMurning on 15/12/2016 - 09:05
    +1

    where is the time to try magic mushrooms?

    • Heracles26 on 15/12/2016 - 09:43

      The entire "Vietnam trip" will be occuring in his consciousness :D

  • SkMed on 15/12/2016 - 09:23
    -1

    Things that stand out to me. (spent a month traveling solo and independently through Vietnam about 8 months ago)

    Day 3:
    Mekong Delta / My Tho.

    Pretty sure you need to spend a night here to experience the markets and river in the early morning as you have to go out around 4-5am!

    Day 4 to Day 9 -

    WOW!! No, I dont suggest this.

    I HATED HoiAn. I stayed 3 nights on friends suggestions and wanted to leave after the first. EXTREMELY Touristy and you get hassled by everyone on the street. Food is terrible and overpriced compared to the rest of the country. Buildings/old town is nice, but yeah I would have stayed one nigh if I had researched first. If you want something tailored they take like 3 days, or they can post it to you. I didn't get anything, seemed like a rip off to be honest. The candles/lanterns were gimmiky/cheap and just pouluted the river further. really hated the place. I quite enjoyed my time in Da Nang though, monkey mountin is amazing to take a motorbike up, monkeys everywhere, amazing views, no one around, ancient giant trees, amazing!~!

    With your spare time, get a motorbike and visiting My Son Sanctuary! Seriously, Its like a mini angkor wat without the people. If you cant motorbike then you can do a tour. its about a 2 hour ride/drive from memory and the best thing I did in Hoian (get out that is) haha. You will see some nice countryside too.
    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g4074589-d317…

    I would leave Ho an after a few days and instead go to Phong NHA. Its amazing. 3rd largest cave in the world is here. I spent a night sleeping inside it. Jungle trecks, caves, nature, kill your own chicken for dinner, and this place has only just opened to tourists in the last few years. so not touristy at all, AMAZING place. you ant to go here now before it gets overrun. seriously.

    Check out my photography page from Vietnam, Any Qs just ask!
    http://www.photography.skaremedia.com/travel/vietnam/

  • roddiw on 15/12/2016 - 09:39

    My comments:
    * Cu-Chi Tunnels
    Definitely worth going. Given an idea of how much the Vietnamese went through during the war.
    Also worth seeing the War Remnants Museum in HCMC to see that Americans aren't all that nice all of the time.

    • Go see tailors (I have been recommended A Dong SIlk)
      Yes, they're great. I suggest know what sort of clothes you want made before you go - have a look through magazines and cut of the photos.
      Otherwise you'll be looking through endless photos in the shop and not knowing what you want.

    Also, do your homework on taxi scams.
    http://hochiminhcityhighlights.com/scam-free-rides-saigon-ta…
    There are a couple of honest companies (Vinasun is the one I used), but lots of clone taxis try to look like them.
    Learn what a proper fare meter looks like (meter enclosed in sealed clear plastic box) - if the meter doesn't look right, don't take the taxi.
    Also, it's usually better to flag down a taxi yourself rather than get a ride from the drivers who throng around the various attractions - that's where the scammers hang out.

    Also, if you're staying in the old town in Hanoi, many attractions are walking distance.
    Cyclo (rikshaw) drivers will (repeatedly) off you a ride - unless you really want the experience it's better to politely decline, then ignore them and walk on.
    But if you get on, agree on the destination (point to a map) and price (write it on the map).
    The price often changes when you arrive :-/

    But it'll be great, you'll enjoy it!

    Day 10
    * Full Day Halong Bay Tour

    Day 11
    * Full Day Perfume Pagoda Tour

    Day 12
    Hanoi -> Sydney

    • dasher86 on 15/12/2016 - 10:50
      +1

      Cu chi tunnels…
      somehow the rifle range there doesn't quite fit in.

      • roddiw on 16/12/2016 - 11:34
        -1

        Given that the VC used the tunnels as well as civilians, and stored weapons in them, the rifle range makes some sense, and certainly adds acoustic atmosphere. And I got a great photo of my then gf firing an AK47. Don't wimp out and do the M16.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2016 - 10:00

    Dont know if it helps at all with getting to the tunnels but we took a boat there was really good as you get to see a bit of life along the river. Also we got there before alot of the buses.
    We used these guys below
    https://lesrivesexperience.com/tours/cu-chi-tunnels-tour/

    We also did the half day tour below
    https://lesrivesexperience.com/tours/can-gio-forest-tour/

    That was really cool feeding the crocks and was intersting getting there seeing the massive developments and normal housing.

    Hope the above helps a bit

  • Tickled on 15/12/2016 - 10:07

    For Day 11, I would recommend the Hanoi kids (http://hanoikids.org/). We used them twice in Hanoi. They are students from the area that can take you around the city as a guide and share some great knowledge. The students we travelled with were really smart and funny. They took us to a few museums, local attractions and eateries. Hopefully you have time.

  • donkeydoc on 15/12/2016 - 10:20

    Well planned trip, only suggestion would be to keep insect repellent on you and rolls of toilet paper! I'd recommend getting your vaccines from a doctor and a visa online.

    Also use the free days to stay an extra night anywhere you've enjoyed and feel you need more time.

  • SnakeCasablanca on 15/12/2016 - 13:44

    Everything on the list looks good. Just seems very jam packed to me.

    Day 2 & 3 look a little heavy and depending on the heat at that time of year you might be pretty exhausted at the end of day 1 if you get everything in that you planned.

    My suggestions for you half days off in Hoi An would be to just walk around the old quarter and relax. It is a beautiful little town. Plus you will have to make time for multiple fittings if you are getting clothes made.

    As per previous suggestions I would highly recommend an overnight in Halong Bay. The trip out there from Hanoi is about 2.5 hours each way so I dont know if you will get enough enjoyment. I have never done Perfume Pagoda though so have no real frame of reference for this one.

    My biggest advice to anyone going to Asia is to get your doctor to prescribe you a couple of courses of Azithromycin. They are quite expensive (approx $15+ for two tablets). But if you get stomach problems over there a dose of these will clear it up in most instances. And with such a tight itinerary a good stomach bug will put you out of commission for half of your trip!

  • ilikeradiohead on 15/12/2016 - 19:03
    +1

    +1 overnight in halong bay, maybe try to get in some kayaking on the boat while you're there.
    I was there for 3 weeks like 6 years ago. Other places you might want to check out (pending time etc) are:

    • Hue: Former imperial city and also the frontline for much of the Vietnam war. Lots of cool imperial temples and also lots of ravages of war like bullet pot marks and rubble.
    • Sapa: Up in the mountains west of Hanoi. There are native villagers up there and there is a lot of hiking and stuff to do.
    • Da Lat: Someone else mentioned this. It's up in the mountains too, and really chilled out and has a different vibe compared to the rest of the country.

    I didn't see much of the South of the country as we ran out of time, but I would probably spend more time in Hanoi, as I thought it was really cool with the old walled city and the lake in the centre of town. Maybe 2 or 3 days there.

    A dong silk is also where I got my shirt and a pair of pants made. The shirt is still going strong, although the pockets in the pants fell apart.

    Also make sure you try the pho (and the local beer) in each part of the country as they have regional variations. Also, you might as well eat it for every meal, that's what I did haha.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/12/2016 - 13:48

    if you're in Da Nang on a Saturday night at 9pm the dragon bridge spits fire then water from it's mouth, well worth the visit

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThSA6Qn7U0

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