Vietnam

universe

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hi gurus, trying to digest 100 pages of vietnam...
will be touring Vietnam from North to South in 18 days during december.
Places that I'll be going include: Hanoi (2 day), Sapa (2 day), Halong 2 (2 day), Hue (1 day), Hoi An (1 day), Danang (1 day), Dalat (1 day), Mekong (2 day), HCM (3 day) (rest of the days are lost in transit :()

As my trip will straddle Christmas and New Year, would like to ask how's the crowd and anything to take note especially during these periods? eg, do i need to book my accomodation and day tours (most likely from et-pumpkin or thesinhtourist.vn) beforehand due to the availability of the rooms/tours or can I just do it when I reach there?
 

beanstalk6

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Why are you in such urgency? Your plan is overly ambitious, considering that road travel is long and arduous in Vietnam. You will find yourself on the road most of the time. Note that it rains much of the time during that period in North Vietnam. Christmas is not a major festival except in Hanoi and HCM City. My memory of Christmas in Hanoi had the youths circling around Hoa Kiem Lake in their bikes in a festive mood all night. On New Year's Day, there would be fireworks in Hue.
 

universe

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hi beanstalk, thx for the reply.

i'll be taking flight between cities. The only long rides are:
Hanoi to Sapa (overnight train)
Hoi to Hue via Danang (~6-8hours, but since we'll be passing hai van pass and marble mountains to take in some view, the journey sort of pays off)

Rest of the journeys are likely ard 3 hours.

As for Hue fireworks, don't think i'll be able to catch that as i'll be in Dalat/HCM during new year's day.

still considering should i book my tours and hotels here first or go there then book?

btw, the flight's been already booked and the itinerary's worked out. What's left is the actual booking of the tour and accomodation.
agreed that the itinerary is a bit tight, basically, it's a 6am to 8pm type of itinerary for most of the days. been there and done that for different countries. so don't think vietnam will be any difference
 
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soyabeanmilkdrink

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Not trying to dampen your mood, but you have a really ambitious itinerary there. You will not be able to see much of each place, likely having only less than half a day at some towns. Some major attractions closes between 4-5pm, further shortening your day. Worse yet, some museums closes during lunch hours! If you get delayed, especially in Central Vietnam, due to the floods, your plans would be completely ruined.

I just came back and only managed Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang & HCM in 23 days, all travelling on overnight trains and buses. Even then, I had to skip some attractions due to time constraints. There were also times when it rained the whole day and ruined any plans to explore the attractions or sign up for tours.

Anyway, it's the peak period during Nov/Dec. Prices have just gone up for most hotels/guesthouses, and you're better off booking your accomodations in advance due to high demands. Extremely tight it may be, I hope you enjoy your trip though!
 

universe

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thx soya.
well, the flights've booked, so i can't change my itinierary. Keeping fingers cross that the weather's favourable. Worst case will skip certain places to visit.

Here's my itinenary with highlights (Most days starts from 6am or 7am, less those going with tour)
Day 1: morning arrive hanoi. check in and jalan, water puppet show
Day 2: Old Quarters and French Town (F&E)
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay, overnight at junk (Tour)
Day 4: Morning Halong Bay. Afternoon back to Hanoi, prepare to board overnight train to Lao Cai (Tour)
Day 5: Lao Cai to Sapa (Tour)
Day 6: Sapa. Overnight train back to Hanoi (Tour)
Day 7: Hanoi HCM West Lake + Ba Dinh (HCM Museum) area (F&E). Flight to Danang. Danang to Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An (F&E)
Day 9: Hoi An to Hue
Day 10: Hue (Tour)
Day 11: Hue to HCM, HCM to Dalat. Will have 6 hours between flight. Might be going to HCM for a short orientation.
Day 12: Dalat (via Easy Riders)
Day 13: Dalat to HCM. Tour HCM (F&E)
Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnels/Cao Dao Temples (Tour)
Day 15: HCM (F&E)
Day 16: Mekong Delta (Tour)
Day 17: Mekong Delta (Tour)
Day 18: Evening flight back to SIN


think i'll proceed to book my accomodation in a while. still short listing the hostels (hotels).
 

universe

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read that it's rainy season there during 19 Dec - 5 Jan. Would it be better to book tour based on the weather or should I proceed to book first, given that the period is also peak period?

What happen if it rains during the day of tour? I'm assuming that no refund will be given right?

P.S now only 10% through this thread...still got 90% more to go
 

XiaoZen

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just back from HCMC.. i just curious what is the tipping rates for massage ar? i gave 100k tips for a good massage.. is it too much? lols..
 

Boeing787

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Going to Ho Chi Ming City this coming 28th, just booked the hotel Equatorial , I have yet to start planning where to go, think should do some reading on it. Anyone is going during this period ?I am going from the 28th Nov to 1st Dec, flying on SQ, airfare is more expensive but I just want to fly their 777 before they are eventually retired. :)
 

XiaoZen

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Going to Ho Chi Ming City this coming 28th, just booked the hotel Equatorial , I have yet to start planning where to go, think should do some reading on it. Anyone is going during this period ?I am going from the 28th Nov to 1st Dec, flying on SQ, airfare is more expensive but I just want to fly their 777 before they are eventually retired. :)
dun worry lah.. B777-200ER consider quite new..
 

takuyazzz

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Going to Ho Chi Ming City this coming 28th, just booked the hotel Equatorial , I have yet to start planning where to go, think should do some reading on it. Anyone is going during this period ?I am going from the 28th Nov to 1st Dec, flying on SQ, airfare is more expensive but I just want to fly their 777 before they are eventually retired. :)

I'm going from 28th Nov to 2nd Dec :D
 

Techadd

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just back from HCMC.. i just curious what is the tipping rates for massage ar? i gave 100k tips for a good massage.. is it too much? lols..

50,000-100,000 is normal tip usually depending on the location and the facility and comfort...and "FACE"..?? :s13::s13:
 

Techadd

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read that it's rainy season there during 19 Dec - 5 Jan. Would it be better to book tour based on the weather or should I proceed to book first, given that the period is also peak period?

What happen if it rains during the day of tour? I'm assuming that no refund will be given right?

P.S now only 10% through this thread...still got 90% more to go

depending on the situation..if its a light rain..tour usually goes on as usual..even if its a little heavier, tour will usually also continue with umbrellas provided.. check with the tour operator to make sure...unless its an act of god "flash floods...earthquake...etc"...
 

Boeing787

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dun worry lah.. B777-200ER consider quite new..

Nope, their 777s are slightly more than 10 years, 777 (SQ and SR series (downrated Trent 884 engines), while the ER (SV series Trent 892 engines) are newer, being replaced by Airbus A330-300s temporary before the Boeing 787-9s arrive. :)
 

thee_boss

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Sg money changer quote 70cents SGD per 10k viet Dong.

can i get a better rate at vietnam HCM airport? or should i change at the above-mentioned rate in singapore?
 
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