Reply To: Vietnam [MASTER THREAD]

[LD27]

@Aston100. Just a few comments. Recently spent a few weeks in Vietnam.

Internal flight prices seem to change very little so we left it late to book. Had planned to stay in Nha Trang but as weather so bad flew to Saigon earlier. We thought IC Saigon was very good and excellent location. It was full so with late flight arrival and IC full booked Holiday Inn at airport which is about 10 minutes by shuttle bus. Emailed hotel in advance. Our flight was late as were so many on our trip and they waited. As diamond Ambassador got upgraded to suite. Could have slept entire family! Even had cooking facilities. Got Grab early next morning to IC. Although full, they let us check in and allocated room as soon as we arrived. We’d previously stayed at Voco DaNang (which was very good) and lots of guests seem to go from one to the other as do staff.

We booked IC Westlake in Hanoi and then cancelled. But Grab is so quick and cheap so if that’s all you can get take it. In the end we stayed at Aira Hotel which someone on HfP recommended. It was no cheaper but close to Train Street, Museum and other tourist sights.

We did one day trip to Halong Bay as 2 day itineraries were similar but with night on boat. If you want to travel further you need to stay for 2 nights.

We also stayed at Melia Vinpearl in Hue. Great location as easy walk to Citadel. We spent hours there. So much better than going on a tour. There were 2 or possibly 3 day tickets (can’t remember) which were cheaper than buying individual tickets but you need to know in advance where you want to go. All cash. If using bank card, Agribank by far the cheapest for withdrawing cash.

We used limo buses. Max 7 passengers. Good for long distance, eg 6 hours Hanoi to Sapa.

If you go to Hoi An for only a day, go early before the cruise ship passengers arrive if there is a boat in Da Nang or you will struggle to walk through the tiny city.

Hope you enjoy the salute at the end of your Vietjet flight. No bow like Vietnam Airlines! Shorts much shorter than Southwest!

We flew from Saigon to Melbourne and were pleasantly surprised. Got the 2 seats together down the back. Not sure what they use internally. Unable to do anything online and even got email to say our flight was cancelled, but it wasn’t! We then flew Qantas across the Tasman which was much more of a squash. Smallest seat pitch and width I have ever encountered for nearly 4 hours. Made us wish were on a BA plane!

First visit. We loved Vietnam and can’t wait to return.