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  • Vietnam and CS

    I am trying to get about 3 weeks at least; to go to Vietnam around Dec 2010 / January 2011.


    What have I got so far...


    From Brisbane to ?? TBD

    Expect 3 but would like 4 weeks

    Wife and self

    Mid range as to accommodation ?

    Some tours ???

    Some self managed trips

    Some short walks ?

    Need access to coffee and or coffee people

    Some shopping

    Willing to try any food... Wife may not be quite so happy

    Have been advised to book the first night or two from Australia and to manage all other bookings from in country... Better deals and service ? ?

    So any and all comments and recommendation welcome.

    Please feel free to post and or PM.



  • #2
    Re: Vietnam and CS

    If you havnt seen it you MUST watch Top Gear in Vietnam on Scooters

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    • #3
      Re: Vietnam and CS

      Originally posted by 5C5B5F505852475750593E0 link=1273147696/1#1 date=1273149119
      If you havnt seen it you MUST watch Top Gear in Vietnam on Scooters
      Seen it  

      The wet does not impress me..

      I am too old and the bones wont take it...  Besides my wife broke her back years ago in an accident and getting her on a 2 wheeled bike theses days, is a no chance...




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      • #4
        Re: Vietnam and CS

        I wasnt suggesting scooters but there is some great spots shown to add to your itinerary I reckon if you have a car for the duration. I watched the rerun again the other week just for the scenery.

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        • #5
          Re: Vietnam and CS

          Have a look into Sa pa, were doing a 5 day trek out and around there, its a small village deep in a valley halfway up the country, our trek accomadation is home stays, staying in mountain peoples houses, home cooked vietnamese meals breakfast lunch and dinner for 5 days......meals, tour and accomadation including transport around $250 each.......thats what im talking about!!!

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          • #6
            Re: Vietnam and CS

            Sapa is a fantastic place to visit, with a few minority groups decked out in their traditional costumes.  It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip, though the overnight trains from Hanoi can be tiring.  So jealous of WSully.... we only went for 3 days and loved it!  The only downside though was that it was really hot and humid when we went and the hotels we stayed at had no air-conditioning or fan!

            I booked all the accommodation before I went via the internet, and the prices were very reasonable with places costing $50-$60 being very nice.  I would recommend booking the tours through reputable tour operators (such as Kangaroo Cafe or Sinh Cafe) over there as it would be much cheaper.  If booking in Hanoi, watch out for dodgy tour operators - the more reputable ones are copied.  For example, there are only two real Sinh Cafes in Hanoi (as far as I know), but every other tour operator will have a Sinh Cafe sign outside.

            Since youre travelling with your wife, I think shed like a stop by Hoi An, which is well-known for made-to-order clothing.  Some shops even have made-to-order shoes.... my wife had a pair of boots and sandals made.  The clothes will be ready in around 24 hours, but stay a little longer as adjustments may need to be made.  Plus, Hoi An is a beautiful place and one of our favourite places in Vietnam, especially as you wont have to watch out for those crazy motorcycles!  

            Oh, and if you like your food, Id highly recommend Bobby Chinns in Hanoi which has fantastic food for around $15-$20.  In Hoi An, The Secret Garden was pretty good as well.

            If you want any more info, feel free to ask.  I was just there in July last year and can pass you our tour guides details in Hoi An if youre interested.

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            • #7
              Re: Vietnam and CS

              Sorry to hijack AM but thanks heaps for that info griffster! If you dont mind, can i PM you about stuff were planning on doing, just to see what ya think? Inside info is worth its weight in gold! Thankyou heaps 8-)

              PS, Kerrie and I can be your Recon team AM ;D

              PPS. I have a copy of the Vietnam special BF is talking about AM, i can drop it round on my days off if ya like.....its gold ;D and shows some great scenery too

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              • #8
                Re: Vietnam and CS

                Originally posted by 585C7A636366796E610F0 link=1273147696/6#6 date=1273161965
                Sorry to hijack AM but thanks heaps for that info griffster! If you dont mind, can i PM you about stuff were planning on doing, just to see what ya think? Inside info is worth its weight in gold! Thankyou heaps 8-)

                PS, Kerrie and I can be your Recon team AM ;D

                PPS. I have a copy of the Vietnam special BF is talking about AM, i can drop it round on my days off if ya like.....its gold ;D and shows some great scenery too
                Ya not hi jacking...

                The forum is open to all


                Wsully, you and ya lovley partner need to drop and we can have a bbq or just nibbles and chat as to places and things to do.

                Griffster... Thats exactly the sort of stuff I wanted. And yes and contacts and or tricks as to Fakes and Real is an added bonus. I hear teh sleeping Train / Bus is an interesting experience.

                My gut feel is fly into Hanoi and then move out and around and return to Hanoi to fly out. I guess managing baggage is another issue to manage.

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                • #9
                  Re: Vietnam and CS

                  The Wife went over for a week and stayed with friends and she recons   HALONG BAY and stay on one of the Junks is a must do.....

                  Cheers Gra..



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                  • #10
                    Re: Vietnam and CS

                    Second that. Such a beautifully scenic place. I only did the day trip but the overnight trip would be worthwhile. The only thing that lesseneded the experience was that there are so many tour boats (the top pic gives a small idea) but the bay is large enough for it not to become crowded. For the island trek (the pic showing your wife) you have to wait a while for your turn to land, and it includes a cave tour with somewhat tacky lighting.

                    The island tour and seafood lunch at Nha Trang rated as a highlight of my first trip there in 93 but just about all food in VN was good.

                    Other places worth visiting are the Cu Chi tunnels outside HCMC, Cao Dai temple also near HCMC. May as well do the Mekhong delta tour. Those three are usually a day trip package.

                    Be warned that it is winter in VN in Dec - Jan and quite cool in the northern parts. I got off the train at Hanoi and had to buy a jacket. I found one - made in Australia, ironically.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Vietnam and CS

                      Originally posted by 484F4B444C465343444D2A0 link=1273147696/1#1 date=1273149119
                      If you havnt seen it you MUST watch Top Gear in Vietnam on Scooters
                      Hilarious.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Vietnam and CS

                        Spent 3 weeks in Vietnam in January this year and two weeks in HCMC in 2007. Stunningplace. The food, scenery and people are beautiful.
                        Must dos:
                        Halong bay, stay on a junk, tour the caves. Awesome.
                        ChuChi tunnels, slightly commercialised to cater for the tourists but still highly worthwhile. Good perspective of what the conditions were like during the war.
                        Making delta, do a home stay with a family to see how the locals live. Love coconut candy. Ate cobra and drank its blood and still beating heart with rice wine. Not for faint hearted.
                        Hoi An, beautiful place. Great for custom clothes and shoes.
                        Bobby Chinn in Hanoi is s top restaurant. Funny menu - read it carefully.4 of is spent $200 for a 3 course meal with 2 bottles of wine. Bobby is a funny man.
                        Food. Food. Food. Love the food. Pho the national dish is a noodle soup.
                        Beer is approx 80c for a big bottle, cocktails for the ladies are only a dollar or so and potent.

                        Hanoi in January is freezing, some days didnt reach double figures.

                        I typing on my phone at the mo, feel free to pm or email any qs. Also have a guide book that I can send to anyone.

                        Cheers

                        Dane

                        P.S. Mikes Hotel is the best place to stay on Hanoi.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Vietnam and CS

                          good thread. Im leaving for vietnam in about 4 weeks, and going for 6-7 months. havent been before, but pretty sure me & mrs doug81 will love it

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                          • #14
                            Re: Vietnam and CS

                            Originally posted by 737862702F26170 link=1273147696/12#12 date=1273217726
                            good thread. Im leaving for vietnam in about 4 weeks, and going for 6-7 months. havent been before, but pretty sure me & mrs doug81 will love it  
                            Sounds like ya need to leave ya contact numbers... Wsully and others may need to catch up with another CS person.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Vietnam and CS

                              My wife and I landed in HCMC (Saigon) and headed north, flying out of Hanoi.

                              Can recommend the Mekong Delta. Very interesting but wouldnt go back.

                              Hoi An was our favourite spot. If we went to Sapa I think that might have been mine. Clothes, clothes and more clothes.
                              The full moon festival in Hoi An is great if you are there at that time.
                              If the weather is good dont miss out on going to the beach. Closer to the beach is a nice river with some good restaurants lining it.

                              Near Hoi An is the marble mountains. Some amazing stone work shops there. The climb up the mountain is steep but worth it for some views and some stunning caves.
                              Also the Cham museum is worth checking out.

                              Hue was ok. The tombs and the Citadel were good to see.

                              The Phong Na caves looked great but the 7 hour round trip made it less worth while. Especially if you go to the caves at Ha Long Bay, they are pretty much on the same level.

                              Hanoi was just another city to us by the time we got there.

                              Ha Long bay was awesome. We actually went to Bai Tu Long bay then back to Ha Long. Bai Tu Long is a bit more expensive but there is far less boat traffic. We only saw about 2 other boats.
                              The Hang Sung Sot caves (Surprise caves) were nice.

                              Unlike other places a little bit more gets you a lot more. If you want to live it up Vietnam is the place.









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