Ho Chi Minh City Travel Forum

Hi guys,

Our trip to Vietnam is still towards October but would like to start planning as early as now. I've been to HCM in 2006 but will be with 5 other people who havent been there so please check out the IT I've planned if this is ok or if you have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks!

Day 1
1230am arrive at HCM
fly to Hue mid afternoon

Day 2
Hue/Hoi Ann

Day 3
Hue to Hanoi by Plane

Day 4
Halong Bay

Day 5
Hanoi - HCM plane

Day 6
HCM

Day 7
Depart HCM at 12mn

Is it advisable to go to Hue and Hoi Ann or should we skip and just proceed to Hanoi? We have to start and end our trip in HCM as thats the only direct flight back home. Also, is it wiser to travel by plane or would traveling by bus/train be less expensive and well worth the savings?

Thanks so much!

When I did Vietnam, I found the flight from Hanoi to HCM was inexpensive and well worth spending a few bucks for the time savings (I think it was just under $100?). We booked it fairly last minute as well, from Hanoi the day before.

I haven't done everything you're proposing, but I did do HCM, Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa (we rented scooters here, which was a blast. Sapa was terrific!) I highly recommend all of those places.

I'm still trying to compile my travel pages here, but if you wanted to see what I did in Vietnam (it was a GREAT trip!) you can check out my blog. http://deniseesser.com/travelblog/?tag=traveling-in-vietnam

for me the best part of Vietnam was the center(Hue and Hoi Ann), so I wouldn't skip it

I think your trip is doable but sounds rushed so you should stick to flying as opposed to trains to save time. Vietnam is awesome, we were just there in Feb/March 2009 and miss it already! Don't skip Hoi An, we spent one full week there because we found it so charming and peaceful. Remember to try some Cao Lau which is only authentic there.

If I were you I would stick to the north and do 2 days in Hoi An, 2 days in Hanoi and 2 days (overnight on junk) in Halong Bay, and the 7th day travelling or wherever. I loved Hanoi more than Saigon, its less touristy and I found the locals friendlier and not as pushy when selling their goods/services. That was our experience but we still enjoyed HCMC. If you and your 5 friends must see it all, then by all means follow your itinerary.

You will only have time to see either Hue or HoiAn. As you are flying into Hue,have a look there. The City & Tombs tour is excellent, the Tombs are really impressive and very interesting. Info on my Hue page on the Tombs and what else to see.

Hi!
Your itinerary is indeed rushed, but if you want a taste of the north, center and south it looks ok.
I loved Hoi-An, and wouldn't skip it or Hue with its imperial tombs.
Can't you fly back home from Hanoi, and save the extra flight back to HCMC?

Vietnam is amazing, have a great time!
Ilan

Hi!
Your itinerary is indeed rushed, but if you want a taste of the north, center and south it looks ok.
I loved Hoi-An, and wouldn't skip it or Hue with its imperial tombs.
Can't you fly back home from Hanoi, and save the extra flight back to HCMC?

Vietnam is amazing, have a great time!
Ilan

Hi!
Your itinerary is indeed rushed, but if you want a taste of the north, center and south it looks ok.
I loved Hoi-An, and wouldn't skip it or Hue with its imperial tombs.
Can't you fly back home from Hanoi, and save the extra flight back to HCMC?

Vietnam is amazing, have a great time!
Ilan

Hi!
Your itinerary is indeed rushed, but if you want a taste of the north, center and south it looks ok.
I loved Hoi-An, and wouldn't skip it or Hue with its imperial tombs.
Can't you fly back home from Hanoi, and save the extra flight back to HCMC?

Vietnam is amazing, have a great time!
Ilan

Hi!
Your itinerary is indeed rushed, but if you want a taste of the north, center and south it looks ok.
I loved Hoi-An, and wouldn't skip it or Hue with its imperial tombs.
Can't you fly back home from Hanoi, and save the extra flight back to HCMC?

Vietnam is amazing, have a great time!
Ilan

hi
Check with your airline if you can go home from hanoi save some time then going back to HCMC.
I am flying with Cathay Pacific from LAX HCMC then back Hanoi to LAX without extra fee .

If you can fly direct to Hanoi and work your way down would be better. Also Hue and Hoi An are a few hours apart so your better to fly to danang (25 mins to HA) then take a car over the Hai Van Pass (well worth it instead of the tunnel) to Hue then fly from Hue to Hanoi. You'll save an afternoon this way
JonnyVN

Thank you all for your helpful tips.

Unfortunately HCM is the only service that has a direct flight plus it was on sale $140 r/t going through Hanoi would require me to stopover somewhere so it will be more expensive.

If I were to choose between Hoi Ann and Hue which one should I pick? I'm considering cutting a day there and spending a day more in Hanoi. I do agree that we don't really need to stay long in HCM but since that's our exit we don't want to be too stressed by coming back the day we fly out, my companions might just kill me. :)

Thanks,

Have a look at peoples tips as they are two entirely different cities, both worth a look at, but is entirely up to the individuals interests on what the choice is.

I haven't been to Hue but if you like the history etc... it iw worth it I guess. I have been to Hoi An though and LOVED it. If you like a small rural city, then Hoi An is for you. Hoi An has great food, and especially it is very charming and less polluting than other big cities. I like the quietness of Hoi An and the lanterns that are everywhere. It is very very charming little city to visit. + if you like to have your clothes tailored... it is the city! they can make a suit or a nice dress... in a few days only.

Have fun!

PS: You must check when is the flooding in Hoi An because I have heard that there is flooding every year... don't know when though!