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So I have managed to book my first qatar avios booking for next year. Our original plan for sri lanka is on hold and its vietnam instead. We have crown plaza terminal 4 for the night before and flight to ho chi minh booked already plus the hotel indigo for ho chi minh. Melia had a sale on phu quoc so after 3 nights in ho chi minh we will be flying there for a week then on to hanoi for our last 3 nights, any recommendations for there would be welcome, then home with qatar via Doha. Thinking we might do one night in Doha due to timings of the flights,what do people recommend for Doha near to or at the airport? Water puppets in hanoi has been recommended but any top tips for the 3 locations would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.
I think you should look at the master thread and ask there instead:
https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/vietnam-route/7 nights on Phu Quoc might be a bit too long, is your Melia booking changeable?
7 nights on Phu Quoc might be a bit too long
Agreed.
If you definitely need a week in phu quoc, I’d suggest skipping HCMC and spending that time at Hanoi. 2 days for Halong bay, one for Ninh Binh and 2-3 days for local sightseeing at Hanoi.Would definitely prioritise Hanoi over HCMC. The former has retained much old world charm whereas HCMC is a badly planned modern city and you really could be anywhere. As for Phu Quoc, read the previous comments/threads on HFP. Emphasis is on the phu which the local farmed fish/shellfish are eating and the extraordinary volume of phu to be found with other detritus in the sea (plus box jellyfish) and on the beaches. The island is like one’s local municipal dump.
Hanoi is a wonderful city, especially the old Quarter, I stayed in the Hilton Hanoi Opera there 10 years ago, loved the property, I hope they don’t interfere too much with it, it’s currently closed for renovation, and it will be a Waldorf Astoria Hanoi upon opening this year, so it will be a fairly newly refurbished property when you arrive.
Would definitely prioritise Hanoi over HCMC. The former has retained much old world charm whereas HCMC is a badly planned modern city and you really could be anywhere. As for Phu Quoc, read the previous comments/threads on HFP. Emphasis is on the phu which the local farmed fish/shellfish are eating and the extraordinary volume of phu to be found with other detritus in the sea (plus box jellyfish) and on the beaches. The island is like one’s local municipal dump.
Strong agree on this. HCMC is one of the dullest cities I’ve ever been too while Hanoi is bursting with culture. Budget about a week there.
Don’t miss Hoi An, Hue, Ha Long and Ninh Binh.
Don’t miss Hoi An, Hue, Ha Long and Ninh Binh.
That’ll take 2 weeks! 🙂
OP has just one week outside Phu Quoc!HCMC was worth a visit for us last year – we would recommend a day tour on the Mekong, and an XO food tour if you don’t mind riding pillion xotours.vn. There was enough other stuff to keep us entertained for 3 or 4 days. Hanoi was smaller and nicer, but 3 or 4 days there was more than enough unless you’re counting time in Ha Long bay in that time.
Hoi An and (to a lesser extent) Da Nang were worth visiting as well.
We didn’t go to Phu Quoc, though this isn’t the first time I’ve seen time to avoid it.
Definitely don’t miss Hoi An. We could have spent a month there alone.
Aira boutique hotel was great in Hanoi. I got it as a recommendation from this forum. Just on the edge of the old quarter so not quite as noisy. We did a day trip to ninh binh with private driver rather a tour and totally worth it.
Just arrived in Hoi An. Just had a walking tip-off the centre, my favourite so far.
My fingers are more jet lagged than I am, that should read a ‘walking trip’. Just been back out at night, lovely town to explore.
@Tracey I couldn’t be more jealous. Everyone seemed so warm and happy, we left feeling really touched. We enjoyed the cookery course at Chickpea Eatery, the breakfast at Nourish eatery, and if you’re looking to really relax, the Four Seasons has a day pass and is probably among their most spectacular properties – pick a warm day to go and enjoy the beach / pools – granted this is not authentic!
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