Vietnam

[Andrew20]

Thanks! Also inclined ok booking them as they have good location and has complimentary airport transfer

Silverland

 

[shadow84]

Does anyone know as of now or till Dec, would the Hanoi Train Street be closed permanently? I still see some youtube videos uploaded last week that it is still accessible and can makan there.

Also, is there any cafe that i can sit down and admire Long Biên bridge? Looks rustic (rusty also, lol) and old school.

 

[Henabi]

Does anyone know as of now or till Dec, would the Hanoi Train Street be closed permanently? I still see some youtube videos uploaded last week that it is still accessible and can makan there.

Also, is there any cafe that i can sit down and admire Long Biên bridge? Looks rustic (rusty also, lol) and old school.

Afaik, the local police already ban selfie along that area... And as of now, it's still closed. So far no intention to re allow humans and foreigners to enter

Any videos uploaded recently were probably taken before the ban

Here are some latest updates

"One side agrees with the decision on safety considerations and others want the unique feature preserved to promote tourism.

Following a directive from the Ministry of Transport last weekend, ordering Hanoi authorities to remove selfie hotspots and makeshift coffee shops that allow customers to sit and enjoy their drinks just a few feet away from railway tracks, travel agencies and several foreign tourists have expressed their regret over losing a ‘unique’ destination that cannot be found anywhere else in the world."
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/experts-tourists-face-off-on-hanoi-train-street-closure-3993213.html

"Authorities cite danger to human life as the primary motivator for the shutdown. The boiling point apparently came on Sunday, October 6, when a train traveling through Hanoi was forced to re-route because there were too many tourists on the tracks, which were built in 1902 by the French."
- reported by CNN 3 weeks ago

Imagine you are on that particular train and it has to be re route due to such reason...

For long bien bridge... There are some restaurants and food stalls on the other side of the bridge (heading out of Hanoi) to admire the bridge

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[Henabi]

Do take note that Long Bien bridge has suddenly become the "new IG spot" in Hanoi after the train street was closed

So it might be crowded

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[shadow84]

Can also recommend good Pho stalls in central Hanoi? Preferably one that separates the veggies if possible. The main reason why i like Pho 2000 cafe at HCM. lol.

 

[Henabi]

Can also recommend good Pho stalls in central Hanoi? Preferably one that separates the veggies if possible. The main reason why i like Pho 2000 cafe at HCM. lol.

Pho in Hanoi is VERY different.
It is simple.

It doesn't have all those unnecessary garnish we find in hcmc

Try Phở Thìn
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
Phở Cuốn Hương Mai

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[shadow84]

Pho in Hanoi is VERY different.
It is simple.

It doesn't have all those unnecessary garnish we find in hcmc

Try Phở Thìn
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
Phở Cuốn Hương Mai

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Thanks a lot.

 

[123xyz]

Danang/Hoi An

Be visiting Danang/Hoi An next month. Anyone gt recommendation for local day tours or private driver for a family of 4? Be visiting ba na hills, marble mountains and Son Tra Peninsula, looking for value for money pkg

Thanks

 

[suangern]

Be visiting Danang/Hoi An next month. Anyone gt recommendation for local day tours or private driver for a family of 4? Be visiting ba na hills, marble mountains and Son Tra Peninsula, looking for value for money pkg

Thanks

Toyota innova, is it ok ? Can go around Đà Nẵng, up to Huế and Hội An.

 

[Henabi]

Toyota innova, is it ok ? Can go around Đà Nẵng, up to Huế and Hội An.

Probably should ask more specifically....
4 people + 4 x 30 inch luggages can or not?

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[Junken]

When to vivocity d7 saw potian wan ton mee, not many people Jia lol.

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i stay near there. on the weekends and typically at night, a lot of ppl eat there actually. i go quite often also, every time just left a few seats and have steady flow of customers. more successful than sinkieland one.

 

[suangern]

Probably should ask more specifically....
4 people + 4 x 30 inch luggages can or not?

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Should be ok lah, innova quite spacious.

 

[123xyz]

Should be ok lah, innova quite spacious.

Hi, you have recommendations for private driver. May i know the charges for hiring a driver for family of 4? Was thinking between this option or booking day trips at the local hotel

 

[mdnightinparis]

Hanoi / Halong Bay

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for
- 3* hotels in the old quarter. Budget around S$80/night. I have been searching and am overwhelmed by all the choices. It would be great to hear from those who have personally stayed at the hotels. My parents in their late 50s would be going so I would prefer nothing too 'budget' as I want them to enjoy their rare trip overseas

- Mid-range halong bay day tour. Safety is a top consideration and tasty food (doesn't have to be fancy) would be great. We would be staying in Bai Chay area in halong city so that we won't have to make the long trip from Hanoi on the day of the cruise. it would be our first time visiting Halong Bay and my parents' first trip to Vietnam.

- Tour agent to recommend. I read about Classy Travel and Madam Linh in this forum. Are there any others? Should I book the halong bay day tour through them or directly with the cruise company?

Many thanks!!

 

[Irenicis]

I am thinking of going to Ninh Binh for 3D2N and plan to DIY:

- Book own transport to and fro Hanoi
- Book a homestay for the 2 nights
- Rent bicycles to travel the area for sightseeing (hope won't take too long on bicycle around!)

Is the above recommended? Any homestays that you folks here have tried before and found good?

Thanks!

 

[saffronsatire]

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for
- 3* hotels in the old quarter. Budget around S$80/night. I have been searching and am overwhelmed by all the choices. It would be great to hear from those who have personally stayed at the hotels. My parents in their late 50s would be going so I would prefer nothing too 'budget' as I want them to enjoy their rare trip overseas

Hotel expectations are quite subjective but the mid-range Vietnam hotels imo quite a no. are boutique style. Not sure if that is acceptable to you.

I stayed noble swan hotel & spa, small hotel with maybe 20+ rooms or so. Breakfast included but not a big set up.

You can check if Essence is within your budget. It is nice and modern. Was one of the other hotels i shortlisted.

 

[mdnightinparis]

Hotel expectations are quite subjective but the mid-range Vietnam hotels imo quite a no. are boutique style. Not sure if that is acceptable to you.

I stayed noble swan hotel & spa, small hotel with maybe 20+ rooms or so. Breakfast included but not a big set up.

You can check if Essence is within your budget. It is nice and modern. Was one of the other hotels i shortlisted.

Thanks for the input and reco! Because there's five of us we are getting a triple room and a double room. Most of the time the cost for the triple/family room is out of our budget at the nicer mid-range boutique hotels If not I would love to stay at the essence, and the noble hotel looks good too.

 

[mdnightinparis]

I am thinking of going to Ninh Binh for 3D2N and plan to DIY:

- Book own transport to and fro Hanoi
- Book a homestay for the 2 nights
- Rent bicycles to travel the area for sightseeing (hope won't take too long on bicycle around!)

Is the above recommended? Any homestays that you folks here have tried before and found good?

Thanks!

Hi,

I previously did a DIY 3D2N in Ninh Binh.

I think there are shared minivan transport to and from Hanoi. You can also arrange for private transfer. Previously I stayed at a homestay in Ninh Binh and the host arranged the transport back to Hanoi for us. But the minivan dropped us outside the old quarter to avoid the jam and we had to take a taxi to our hotel...

Which area of ninh binh are you thinking of staying at and what are you planning to visit? Which month? Some attractions are closer to one another and within cycling distance. I've seen blogs featuring their cycling itinerary so it should be doable. Although level of fitness and the weather may be factors that affect how enjoyable your ride is. When I went previously I cycled from my homestay to Trang An on the first day and a motorbike guide took me around some other attractions on the second day.

- I stayed at An Phu homestay years ago when I visited Ninh Binh. Really cosy and clean homestay with great breakfast and tasty dinner. Just that the location isn't exactly near any attractions. The homestay is located in a residential area and there also weren't any eateries around (not that I was aware of) so we had dinner at the homestay. But it was really peaceful and I enjoyed my stay

 

[fortunehunter]

Seriously i compare to pontian with their viet wan tan mee.
Pontian are crap.

i stay near there. on the weekends and typically at night, a lot of ppl eat there actually. i go quite often also, every time just left a few seats and have steady flow of customers. more successful than sinkieland one.

 

[Henabi]

Seriously i compare to pontian with their viet wan tan mee.
Pontian are crap.

My favourite is bun bo xao

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