Transcript
Page 1: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan

Emma’s Trip To

Vietnam

North to South with

Vietnam Travel Plan

Page 2: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines introduced a direct route from London Gatwick to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city in December 2011, making it a quick and easy flight to nip over to Vietnam.

The flight to Hanoi takes around 10.5hrs and to Ho Chi Minh: 13.5.

The flights were pretty good- on time and good service.

The food options include both Asian and Western meals. There is adequate leg room and both flights were only half full so we had three seats between two of us which was splendid.

We got picked up at Hanoi airport and driven to our first hotel (about 30min away).

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Hanoi- Hotel

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Hanoi Hotel…

Nice Hotel, we stayed in a superior room which was great, very big, dark wood furniture and a massive bed and TV and fridge with mini bar.

Had a hair dryer and US power points

Large wardrobe and robes and slippers

Water took a while to heat up but this is typical of showers in SE. Asia.

Staff were very friendly and happy to help- even when I broke the key in the door and they had to wrench the lock off…

When we arrived back from Halong Bay they upgraded us to a VIP room which was even bigger (maybe cos I broke the other one?)

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Hanoi- what to do?

The hotel is based in the old quarter- a really nice area full of small shops, street markets and street food.

The weather wasn’t great, overcast and drizzly (end Jan), and around 10 degrees- bring layers!

We organised a tour locally for our first full day, it was $30 and included transport (with 10 others) to two pagodas, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a trip to the museum of Vietnamese Ethnic minorities, and lunch. All entrance fees were included and the tour guide was excellent.

To go when they were celebrating TET (new year) was amazing as there was a real feel of excitement in the air, and lots of incense/flowers/activities going on.

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Page 7: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan

Hanoi-Halong Bay

This trip was definitely a highlight.

You get picked up a your hotel around 8am and get driven in air-con minibus with other people to Halong Bay (around 4 hours).

You have a stop at a place that sells art etc. made by disabled Viet people.

You can get snacks (v £) and go to the loo (or Happy house!).

Once you arrive at Halong Bay you go to a waiting area and then they take you on a little ferry to your Junk Boat.

Once on the boat you have a set lunch- 3 course and all incl. Drinks are priced separately.

Caves- really nice surprise and atmospheric.

Viewpoint- good to take pics, steep climb though.

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Page 9: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan
Page 10: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan

Hanoi to Hoi An

Took an internal flight to Hoi An, just over a hour. Took a taxi to Hoi An- took about 40 minutes and cost 350,000 Dong (around $17.50/ £12)

Hotel about 8 minute walk to the town centre.

Lovely Hotel, room overlooked tropical gardens/rice paddies and swimming pool.

Big room, great bathroom, mossie net, tv, wifi (in lobby) and small balcony.

Lots to do in Hoi An, cooking classes (can book when there, cycling, boat trips, shopping, tailors and cobblers, great food etc etc.

Very holiday feel to the place, friendly people.

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Page 12: North to South Vietnam with Vietnam Travel Plan

Hoi An to Buon MaThout (via NhaTrang…)

Our flight was cancelled to Buon ma Thout, so re-routed us to fly to Nha Trang, and then organised a driver to take us the 5/6 hours up to the central highlands & Lak Lake. Usually you would take an afternoon flight to Buon ma Thout and drive an hour to the lake.

Scenery on the drive was great.

Lake is very picturesque, resort is quiet rustic, but as you are in the middle of nowhere there are not a lot of options!

Room includes mossie net, aircon, and wifi.

You WILL need strong insect repellent as you are right by the lake.

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Day 1: Elephants & dug out boat trip

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Buon MaThuot- Waterfalls

The waterfalls are about two hours from Lak Lake (1 hour to Buon Ma Thuot, 1 hour out of the city).

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Buon MaThuot to NhaTrang

Drive back from Buon Ma Thuot waterfalls took about 6 hours. Had lunch about 4.30 in Nha Trang. Then got taken hotel which was very central and 5 mins from the beach.

Hotel was really nice, big and clean with a balcony overlooking the city. Had a spa, restaurant and a rooftop pool and jacuzzi (both small). Nice bathroom!

I recommend the sailing club, it’s right on the beach straight down from the hotel and does ace food and cocktails, has a really laid back funky vibe, and a pool table!

Breakfast was a big buffet with Asian and Western choices.

Coastal town with lots to do, quiet but massive beach and lots of excursions to monkey island, local waterfalls etc. would have liked to spend a whole day there exploring.

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NhaTrang to Palm Island

Palm island is THE BEST.

About a 80 min drive from NhaTrang, about 20 minute ferry crossing to the island.

About 22 bungalows, (ours was a family beachfront) which meant we had a dbl and two single beds and a big wet room. Small sandy area outside where you can sunbathe, but the sea is about three skips from your door.

Bungalow is basic, but was my favourite accommodation- we shared it with lots of little lizards!

Friendly French guy runs it, he gave us a map and told us of all the things to do e.g. snorkelling/walking/eating. Most of staff are local Viet people. Very friendly & helpful.

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Food is good, a fusion of French and Vietnamese- you get 3 meals a day and the menu is set (although you can make small changes if you wish).

The water is very clear and nice for swimming

You can organise dives at the dive school on the island, or rent snorkels, windsurfy stuff and suchlike.

They do boat trips out around the bay at sunset.

I wish I had stayed 3 or 4 nights.

One thing to mention- the walk around the island is a bit crazy- you have to burrow through a lot of thickets and there are some steep hills so not advisable for the elderly or infirm. However there are some pretty butterflies.

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Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh…& Home

Left about 10am and took ferry and drive back to Nha Trang Airport (all included)

Flew to Ho Chi Minh, and had quite a long wait at the airport (about 7 hours. You can only check your bags in at 7pm but they do have luggage storage so you could pop into the city.)

Took night flight back to Gatwick about 11.30pm.

A brilliant taste of Vietnam!