Vietnam

[kyshel]

I am taking a serious look at going to Vietnam. It's a bit of travel from the middle of the states, but sounds intriguing.
Has anyone had experience going to placesa like Na Trang and Dalat? I can find a lot of info on major cities, but so mcuh is mysterious to me. Any info to share? Please and thank you!

[jashermd]

Hello,

I'd also like to find out a bit more about Vietnam. I'm planning to take my mum on a cruise for her 65th birthday, and we're probably going to do an Asian itinerary which will most likely include Vietnam. I'd like to add some R&R time at the beginning and end of the trip and we were looking at some of the LL properties in Asia like the new Evason Hideaway in Vietnam. Insight from anyone who's travelled in Southeast Asia would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Julian

[kyshel]

I've been reading your posts and I'd like to know if I could adopt you? You could have 2 mums!! Such a lovely thing to take her on a luxury cruise. The Evason in Dalat is short flight from HoCity (6 hr drive) but the spa @ Na Trang looks/seems gorgeous.
They look like "night and day" properties. Keep us all posted whne you make your picks from cruise to land, please?

[jashermd]

Hello Kyshel,

If you agreed to pay half of my med school tuition, I'm sure my mum would say, 'Welcome to the family!'

It sounds like you've done some travelling in SE Asia -- how easy is it to get from place to place? Are there inexpensive flights like the ones available in Europe on Ryanair and EasyJet? The cruises we are looking at will probably start in China (Hong Kong or Shanghai) and end in either Singapore or Bangkok, so if we wanted to go to Nha Trang we'd need to find a way to get there on our own.

Cheers,
Julian

[kyshel]

I've only been to hong kong and guangzhou(went solo but met some biz people in China for a few days) Loved HK big time. I stayed at the bishop lei hotel (go to their website--the hotel photo has sunflash reflection from my hotel window.) Not overly luxurious by any means--on local bus route in a lovely little English community--on the HK side. I could not see satying on the Kowloon side--so so crowded. So much more character on the hills! I had fireworks shoot off the rooftop of bank bldgs one night(you know which ones--from all the pics like the one in CN Trav mag where are you?) dead even w/view from my room on the 22nd floor (small corner suite w/floor-ceiling windows. I thik I paid about $120 US.
there is a Mandarin Hotel as well as some really lovely properties on that side. Must do's are harbor overlook and boat trip, commuter escalator (unbeliveable), Lantau Island(sp?) and eating dim sum houses.
I had terrible jet lag and woke 3 am most nights--walked into city (1/2 mile?) to watch newspapers vendors and see the city getting started. Magical! I got an Octopus [tourist] card and used my eyewitness guide. When I got misplaced,I passed a local who turned around after seeing my distress and she walked with me to the turn to my destination. Very user-friendly city. I felt quite safe.

[kyshel]

sorry--I could only find Vietnam Airlines for national travel there, so I think I have to go back to bidding on Kupu Kupu Barong in Ubud, Bali. Besides, the $1 auction is going a bit too far for me. We don't have any agreement with their airline to get to Dalat, even tho from I can see, Na Trang is much more accessible by train. The Evason website has [pretty good info about getting there. I think I could spend my money better at Ubud. Maybe later for Vietnam.

[cruisinred]

Last year I visited Hanoi and Nha Trang. In short, I loved Vietnam. Hanoi is a charming city and the beach resort I stayed at in Nha Trang (Evason Hideaway) was amazing! Getting anywhere in Asia from the US is a schlep, but it is worth the trip if you are spending at least 2 weeks.



Please let me know if you have any other specific questions, and I'd be happy to help.



Crusinred

[cruisinred]

Hi Jasher-



I just noticed in the post above that you're considering the Evason Hideaway. Please let me know if I can help you with any questions about this resort. I spent 3 days there last year for my birthday. My husband and I have stayed in a lot of lux places, but we can't stop talking about the Evason....it was soooo relaxing to be able to go directly from the private villa pool directly onto the beach and into the beautiful lagoon.



Cruisinred

[claassenam]

Kyshel,

You and I are literally looking at the same places for a trip to August - want to travel together? Just kidding! But I've been following your posts regarding Bali, Thailand and now Vietnam. My husband and I keep going back and forth between the three. Travel time is no issue, it's really a matter of getting the best value (read: most luxurious accomodations) for the money. We're also debating about travel style: we've done a lot of very active multi-city tours through various countries lately, which we really enjoy! Thailand and Vietnam (and maybe Cambodia) would provide that kind of trip. On the other hand, maybe we're ready for a more relaxing resort vacation in Bali? Decisions, decisions. LL certainly has a lot of excellent sounding packages available right now in all three.

Cruisinred, you've been giving such good advice as I've wavered through all three countries (among others). What were your favorite parts of the various countries? How difficult is it to travel through Vietnam and Thailand? I was thinking I'd focus on Hanoi, Ho Chi Min and Nha Trang in Vietnam (yes, I'm eyeing the Evason resort!) and if we did Thailand we'd do Bangkok, Chiang Mai and maybe try to add Angkor and a beach resort. In Bali, we'd do a week in Ubud and a week actually at Nihiwatu (they are available!) I've been using tour companies on my most recent trips who handle all the connections and everything, but now looking to pick and choose LL properties and would have to book flights and trains on my own - is that process difficult to negotiate? I'm kind of overwhelmed by the process but feel that my husband and I could easily handle touring the Thai and Vietnamese cities on our own and we don't need to deal with tour companies this time around. Thanks in advance for your continued advice as we try to make some sort of decision!

[claassenam]

Okay, an update: I have reserved plane tickets to Vietnam, they were by far the best value. Now, just trying to fill in the itinerary. I am mulling over the two Ana Mandara resorts in Nha Trang, but I probably only want to spend 5 nights there (LL currently has packages for each but for 7 nights - too many!) Is the Evason Hideaway worth double the price of the Ana Mandara?

I'm looking at the following to fill a little over two weeks:
Two nights in Hoi An/Danang
Two or Three nights in Hanoi
A Three Night/Four Day Bike Tour of the Mekong Delta
The rest of the nights (four to five) probably have to be in Ho Chi Minh due to late/early flights and the bike tour itinerary

Does this sound like a fun, well-rounded itinerary for our first trip to Vietnam? Now, where to stay in all these cities? thanks for your help!