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Vietnam looks like has some of the most least-risky entry requirements currently (test pre departure, nothing on arrival)
So looking for suggestions please – HCMC and then Hanoi or Da Nang+Hoi An.
I was told that Intercon Da Nang is good – but sadly looks like it’s closed until May – unless it opens sooner as restrictions are easing.
You might want to do everything independently but we have used Selective Asia for Vietnam and then Cambodia a few years later. They can make your trip totally bespoke so if you had some hotel nights you were paying for with points they will work around it.
For both of our trips we had redemptions into KUL and they sorted everything else. So connecting flights, hotels, tour guides.
Our tour guide from Siem Reap subsequently came over to do a Masters at Bouremouth Uni so we delivered him essential supplies for his arrival quarantine.You might want to do everything independently but we have used Selective Asia for Vietnam and then Cambodia a few years later. They can make your trip totally bespoke so if you had some hotel nights you were paying for with points they will work around it.
For both of our trips we had redemptions into KUL and they sorted everything else. So connecting flights, hotels, tour guides.
Our tour guide from Siem Reap subsequently came over to do a Masters at Bouremouth Uni so we delivered him essential supplies for his arrival quarantine.Thanks ZoeB – I’m visiting family in Singapore first, so most of my trip is already planned – then will leave Vietnam as a last minute – so don’t think using a triplanner is very fair on them if I might drop plans at last minute.
Looking now, it seems like the chain hotels are much more expensive than well-rated local hotels. (i.e. $50 per night vs $150) – so if anyone has any recommendations for non IHG/Hilton/Marriott – I’d equally be interested.
any hotels you recommend @zoeb ?
If you’re going in April the rates at The Nam Hai are low at the moment, but it depends on what you want, we also stayed at La Siesta in town and it was a lovely place.
I really enjoyed Hoi An and can recommend the reasonably priced boutique hotel I stayed at called the Little Hoi An.
Hanoi or Da Nang+Hoi An
I managed to do both after HCMC. However, if I had to pick one, it would be Da Nang+Hoi An. Hoi An is unique, and a complete contrast to HCMC.
If you do make it to Hanoi the InterCon was excellent a few years back.
IC Danang is outstanding. The best IC I’ve visited by far. In Hoi An we stayed in Hotel Royal by MGallery. That was a very nice option for a reasonable price.
IC Ho Chi Minh is one of the worst IC properties that I’ve visited. Nothing wrong with it but a bland business hotel.
Emyr can get you a good deal at The Reverie in HCMC which is very far from bland, with exceptional rooms (many with great views) and service. Whatever the terms say, upgrades to the ‘designer’ suites are possible. The lounge is of a different calibre to virtually any chain hotel.
Hanoi:
Would you consider apartments as well as hotels? I used to live in Hanoi and my view is that all of the decent hotels are ridiculously overpriced. But there are some amazing new build apartments on Airbnb, often with better furniture and air con than the hotels.
Let me know if you want a recommendation.
Hoi An:
I’ve stayed in plenty of places here and the standard is higher. But my favourite is the Savannah Hoi An Villas, a tiny place out of town and set in Paddy fields. Get a room with a balcony and you can watch the sunrise over the fields, plus it’s amazingly peaceful compared to staying in town.
Re Hanoi, agree some of the big hotels seemed very overpriced – they were building a Peninsula while we were there which is in a bit of an odd location and will add to the pricey end. Just before covid we stayed in the La Siesta Central (I think there is more than one) which is really good value – well located, has very good rooms many of which have big balconies and exceptional service. It has a really good rooftop bar and the restaurant is good and popular with locals. They organised tip top guides for as at a very reasonable cost.
If you’re going in April the rates at The Nam Hai are low at the moment, but it depends on what you want, we also stayed at La Siesta in town and it was a lovely place.
Thanks – I think La Siesta is more my budget! Four seasons does look nice though.
IC Danang is outstanding. The best IC I’ve visited by far. In Hoi An we stayed in Hotel Royal by MGallery. That was a very nice option for a reasonable price.
IC Ho Chi Minh is one of the worst IC properties that I’ve visited. Nothing wrong with it but a bland business hotel.
Thanks – yes quite a mixed view on IC in Vietnam.
Generally HCMC is not liked, Hanoi is nice, and Danang the best in the world!Sadly Danang does not open until April 28th
Thanks all – seems that generally prices are low in April as only just reopening – but some chains are still relatively expensive.
It’s hard to pay x thousand points when cash rates at nice, non-chains are $30.In Hanoi the IC is not in a great location. It may be better staying somewhere more central. I highly recommend the HanoiKids tour where local university students take you on a tour of the city. Book early for it as it does fill up quickly. And the Pho stalls behind the puppet theatre are incredible!!
Don’t forget to visit Ha Long Bay if going Hanoi, I’d say 2 nights on the ship is enough
Just had a look at prices and cannot believe how cheap they are. Cannot believe how much we have been paying the last 2 years when you look at those prices.
At hoi an, we stayed at hotel sincerity, but they have a hotel next door now called the Anio. I would certainly look at that.
I stayed at Hilton in da nang and having just put random dates in May, I can’t believe it’s showing at £150.
Just had a look at prices and cannot believe how cheap they are. Cannot believe how much we have been paying the last 2 years when you look at those prices.
At hoi an, we stayed at hotel sincerity, but they have a hotel next door now called the Anio. I would certainly look at that.
I stayed at Hilton in da nang and having just put random dates in May, I can’t believe it’s showing at £150.
How was the Hilton Da Nang? seems to be closed right now, but reopens just in time for me to visit – was the pool enough for a short dip, or somewhere you could sit and relax for a few hours?
Thanks for the tips on Hoi An. The Sincerity is £17 a night, and the Anio is outrageous at about £35!
Would you say its worth doing a few nights in Da Nang and another few nights in a diff hotel in Hoi An – or just do some day trips from Danang? (actually at these prices, could prob keep hotel room in Danang and do a few nights in Hoi An as well!)
Just had a look at prices and cannot believe how cheap they are. Cannot believe how much we have been paying the last 2 years when you look at those prices.
At hoi an, we stayed at hotel sincerity, but they have a hotel next door now called the Anio. I would certainly look at that.
I stayed at Hilton in da nang and having just put random dates in May, I can’t believe it’s showing at £150.
How was the Hilton Da Nang? seems to be closed right now, but reopens just in time for me to visit – was the pool enough for a short dip, or somewhere you could sit and relax for a few hours?
Thanks for the tips on Hoi An. The Sincerity is £17 a night, and the Anio is outrageous at about £35!
Would you say its worth doing a few nights in Da Nang and another few nights in a diff hotel in Hoi An – or just do some day trips from Danang? (actually at these prices, could prob keep hotel room in Danang and do a few nights in Hoi An as well!)
I would definitely recommend that you stay in Hoi An, then just have a night or 2 in Da Nang. From what I can remember, it’s around 20 minutes to half hour in an extremely cheap taxi. We also went to Hue and got a private car from there to Hoi an. The vinpearl in Hue is brilliant and was £150 for 3 nights last I looked.
We have stayed in contact with the staff at the hotels in Hoi an, who are the most wonderful hospitable people who can’t do enough for you. If you do decide to book, let me know beforehand. I’m pretty sure the four seasons for £500 a night close to it won’t be over 10 times as good.
I’m pretty sure the four seasons for £500 a night close to it won’t be over 10 times as good.
I’m sure you’re correct, although I haven’t stayed at the Vin Pearl, the Nam Hai is £300 this month but if and when I go back I wouldn’t return to it, the place is stunning but the Villa design is a bit off. Much preferred our stay in La Siesta.
- This reply was modified 54 years, 4 months ago by .
Just reporting back after the first part of my Vietnam trip – to HCMC.
I wasn’t sure how long i would be staying but booked the first two nights at Liberty Central Riverside on advice of colleague. (Don’t Google it – somehow Google has the wrong hotel – look on hotels.com instead). Booked through hotels.com and paid about 55gbp per night including breakfast.
Hotel was fine – modern, mainly clean, no problems. I wouldn’t rush back, but it was fine.
5 mins walk from Reverie, round the corner from Sheraton etc etc. I chose it because it was about 30-40gbp cheaper than most chain hotels.I then decided to stay another 2 nights, and the price of the Liberty Central was the same as the Marriott Renaissance next door, so swapped over. Was much better hotel. While in theory not as new (rooms older, bath instead of shower etc), overall it felt nicer, with more going on, and better lobby, dining areas etc. While I was there, there was an Indian parliamentary delegation, as well as the Elle International fashion award ceremony. Rooftop pool was ok – actually not as nice as the Liberty, but did the job.
I had a good walk around HCMC and looked at lots of other hotels. I would definitely say stick to District 1 – everything accessible from there. There’s no public transport, and the metro system is stil being built, so options are walk or take a Grab taxi car/bike.
Interestingly, there are a few new hotels being built, in different stages of readiness. There is a Hilton next to the renaissance – a big tower building – looks like it could be 6 months from being ready. There is also a Mandarin Oriental, next to the palace, but that looks further away. Then finally there is a RC which is really only a shell of a building. So if you are planning for next year, I would certainly think the Hilton would be my go to – modern hotel in good location, with what looks to be a rooftop pool as well.
Off to Da Nang next… in the end decided to go with the Hyatt Regency and will use taxi to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and play some golf.
Off to Da Nang next… in the end decided to go with the Hyatt Regency and will use taxi to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and play some golf.
If you get the chance, play Hoiana Shores, https://www.hoiana.com/golf/
Off to Da Nang next… in the end decided to go with the Hyatt Regency and will use taxi to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and play some golf.
If you get the chance, play Hoiana Shores, https://www.hoiana.com/golf/
Sadly, Hosanna was closed Mondays/Tuesdays, which were the only days I could play.
Played Montgomerie Links Monday, and VinPearl HoiAn (close to Hoiana) on Tuesday. Vinpearl was stunning – the best kept course I’ve played – although doesn’t really have the views that Hoianna appears to have.Off to Da Nang next… in the end decided to go with the Hyatt Regency and will use taxi to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and play some golf.
@tom1 – what did you think of the Hyatt Regency, and what room type did you have? I’m in the midst of planning a trip to Vietnam, and am thinking about staying here. We’re planning 5 nights R&R, having done Hanoi, Ha Long cruise and Hue, before we move onto HCMC. General requirement from the family is to be on the beach which I think rules out staying in a lot of the Hoi An places which I might otherwise have considered from this and one of the other threads. I might also be able to fit the Hyatt Regency into a BA holiday which also holds some appeal.What would you say are the pros / cons of the Hyatt Regency, and any other recommendations in the area for a beach hotel?
I would definitely recommend that you stay in Hoi An, then just have a night or 2 in Da Nang. From what I can remember, it’s around 20 minutes to half hour in an extremely cheap taxi. We also went to Hue and got a private car from there to Hoi an. The vinpearl in Hue is brilliant and was £150 for 3 nights last I looked.
We have stayed in contact with the staff at the hotels in Hoi an, who are the most wonderful hospitable people who can’t do enough for you. If you do decide to book, let me know beforehand. I’m pretty sure the four seasons for £500 a night close to it won’t be over 10 times as good.
@yorkshireRich I’m just about to book the VinPearl in Hue – any thoughts on the pro/cons of different room types? Is “…with views” worth the extra (presumably just a higher floor)? I can’t see anything specific about what rooms with “Level” in the name get – apart from access to private areas. I’m guessing lounge access, but the premium seems quite steep. Have you any experience of it?Also re Hoi An – we’re going to have 5 nights between Hue and HCMC which is our R&R phase to chill out. Family are adamant that it needs to be a beach resort type place, which rules out most of the hotels in Hoi-An , and those that are on the beach seem to be on An Bang beach which we’ve seen a lot of reviews mention is very dirty. We’re considering staying in a Da Nang beach hotel instead. Any recommendations from your experience of the area?
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