Vietnam, Laos itinerary
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Apr 24, 2012 1:19 PM Last Post By: StillWithUs
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Hi,
We are coming to Hanoi on 27th April. We were planning to stay on the north for a few days, visit Sapa, HaLongBay and then go to Hue and Hoian, Miu Ne, HoChiMinh, and Cambodia. But I've been told that we are traveling during the national holiday in Vietnam. All train tickets to Sapa are fully booked. And we should not go to Sapa, Halong, and Danang because all services will be paid double price or more. So I've received advice you that upon on arrival on 27 April,take a flight to Saigon and then Mekong, Cambodia. Please find below itinerary and advice, is it good idea? The second option is to take a bus to Laos and spend few days in LuangPrabang area and then cross the board and go to Hoian. We got only 17 days for this trip. Can you please let me know if it good idea to go to Laos on April/May or should we better stay with below plan? Also maybe it worth to stay in Hanoi during national holiday, do you know how does it look like?
Regarding to below itinerary, we are able to stay longer in Cambodia and not to go to Sapa.
Draft Itinerary:
27 April: Arrival in Hanoi & continue flying to Saigon.
28 April: Saigon
29 April: Mekong -overnight in Mekong
30 April : Floating market - Overnight
1 May: Mekong - Phompenh (Cambodia)
2 May: Phompenh - Siem reap by bus (noon time)
3 May; Siemreap
4 May: Siem reap- Saigon - Danang - Hoian
5 May: Hoian
6 May: Hoian
7 May: Hoian-Danang-Hanoi- Sapa
8 May: Sapa- Overnight in Sapa
9 May: a full day in Sapa- Overnight train for Hanoi
10 May: Hanoi-Halong- Overnight on board
11 May: Halong-Hanoi
12 May: Hanoi
13 May: Hanoi departure
Regards,
Angie
We are coming to Hanoi on 27th April. We were planning to stay on the north for a few days, visit Sapa, HaLongBay and then go to Hue and Hoian, Miu Ne, HoChiMinh, and Cambodia. But I've been told that we are traveling during the national holiday in Vietnam. All train tickets to Sapa are fully booked. And we should not go to Sapa, Halong, and Danang because all services will be paid double price or more. So I've received advice you that upon on arrival on 27 April,take a flight to Saigon and then Mekong, Cambodia. Please find below itinerary and advice, is it good idea? The second option is to take a bus to Laos and spend few days in LuangPrabang area and then cross the board and go to Hoian. We got only 17 days for this trip. Can you please let me know if it good idea to go to Laos on April/May or should we better stay with below plan? Also maybe it worth to stay in Hanoi during national holiday, do you know how does it look like?
Regarding to below itinerary, we are able to stay longer in Cambodia and not to go to Sapa.
Draft Itinerary:
27 April: Arrival in Hanoi & continue flying to Saigon.
28 April: Saigon
29 April: Mekong -overnight in Mekong
30 April : Floating market - Overnight
1 May: Mekong - Phompenh (Cambodia)
2 May: Phompenh - Siem reap by bus (noon time)
3 May; Siemreap
4 May: Siem reap- Saigon - Danang - Hoian
5 May: Hoian
6 May: Hoian
7 May: Hoian-Danang-Hanoi- Sapa
8 May: Sapa- Overnight in Sapa
9 May: a full day in Sapa- Overnight train for Hanoi
10 May: Hanoi-Halong- Overnight on board
11 May: Halong-Hanoi
12 May: Hanoi
13 May: Hanoi departure
Regards,
Angie
2
You are spending 80% of your precious time getting somehere, and 20% being somewhere. Angkor Wat and Siem Reap for one day? Hoi An to Sapa in a day? (Hopefully you can find a few minutes to get something to eat that day...) Are you panning on sleeping?You will be so frazzled (esp. when transport isn't running according to your game-plan).
If it were me:
Fly Hanoi to Siem Reap and see Angkor Wat and vicinity - 3 days.
Siem Reap to the delta area or Hoi An area - 3-4 days to see several sites
Up to Hanoi , with 2 day trips to both Sapa and Halong Bay - (7 days) 2-3 days Hanoi, 2-3 days Sapa-region, 2 days Halong Bay
Or: Hanoi - Siem Reap - Luang Prabang - Hanoi
Exploring three areas in 17 days (3-4 days each area, plus 3 days travel) is pretty rushed as it is. You must realize that unless you are flying, transport can be mighty unpredictable and slow.
3
I agree with SWU it is pretty hectic. I know people wat to see lots of different things but you will spend over half your time travelling, I would spend 3-4 days in each place. Really 2 days travel to get Angkor Wat, is it worth it. IF it was me I would stick to Vietnam. You know you will multi-entry visa if you leave Vietnam?6
If you really must include xSiem Reap, then I'd suggest flying from xHanoi on the 28th. xVietnam Airlines show flights for $215 and $240 departing at 17.50.Spend three nights there, then make your way to PP and across to xVietnam and work your way up. Your travel for 4 May and 7 May need to be re-worked.
7
You can do this route:Hanoi - Siem Reap - Hochiminh - travel up to Hanoi - Luang Prabang.If you want to make most of your time,I think you can visit all the places you mentoned during that time.It is not too rushed.
8
Hi,Thank you all for your tips. Just to clarify this itinerary is some kind of "advise" or rather answer on my itinerary from a girl who has a tourist agency in Sajgon. I was a little bit suprrise when I saw her email...That's why I decied to put it here and ask you, for your opinion.
The previous itinerary was:
27 – Day in Hanoi + night train to Sapa
28-29 Sapa one night in Sapa, return on 29th night train( we are able to skip Sapa and spend more time in Cambodia at the end of our travel)
30-1 HaLongBay, back to Hanoi on 1st May and take night bus to HoiAn
2-5 Hoian
5 flight to Sajon
5-8 Sajgon
7 - one day trip delta Mekong
8 bus to Cambodia
9-10 Angkor
11 Way back to Sajgon
12 flight Sajgon - Hanoi
If we decied to skip Sapa, can we have any problems with bus on 1st May? It's a bank holiday, that's why I'm asking.
Best regards,
Angie
10
Personally, I'd skip Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), add another day before Sapa to see Hanoi itself (keeping Sapa and Halong Bay on the list as well).This will add a day or two elsewhere to soak into a place, be it Siem Reap or an extra day to enjoy the cool and beauty of the Sapa region (and I highly recommend an overnight home-stay out of Sapa - easily arrnged when you arrive, and you willl have a unique and richer experience).
