Northern Vietnam
Hi folks,My friend are planning a trip to Northern Vietnam (the beginning of a month-long SE Asia journey) and I've been talking with a helpful woman at the Hostel in Hanoi where my friend and I are planning to stay. Because we have a tight schedule (and it's hard for us to plan since we've never been to the country), we have engaged this woman in helping to plan our itinerary. Before we book, I wanted to get your opinions as to the cost (does it seem high/normal?). Your feedback is very valuable, thanks in advance!
Plan:
30/12: Hanoi
31/12: Hanoi
1/12: Hanoi - Sapa
Night train to Sapa
2/12: Sapa
3/12: Sapa
4/12: Sapa - Hanoi
Night train back to Hanoi
5/12: Hanoi - Halong Bay 2 days 1 night
Overnight in Halong or on Cruise
6/12: Halong - Hanoi
overnight in Hanoi
7/12: Hanoi departure
Economy: 175USD/pax
Superior: 192USD/pax
Include: Package Sapa 3 days 4 nights ( Round trip sleeping train , cabin 6/4 , 1 night Hotel, 1 night homestay, 2 Brreakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners, 3 night accommodation in Hanoi hostel)
Package Halong Bay 2 days 1 night ( Overnight on Boat or in Cat Ba island Economy /Superior, 1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner)
Exlcude: Airport pick up or Drop off, Drinks, personal expense, Single Supplement
I have aslo Deluxe Package, however as you travel in tight budget I just send here 2 category Economy and Superior, We recommend Superior package
3
Check which company you are going with to Halong Bay and expect to be with a large group for that price. Also same with Sapa. You can breakdown the costs, hostel is worth $10 a night, train not sure now about $20?, breakfast and lunch can be basic, toast and jam or egg with coffee and soup for lunch, dinner should be a cooked meal with rice.4
Herbie, thanks for your input! Do you have any advice re: good companies in Halong Bay? I think we're more interested in staying on Cat Ba island vs. on the boat. Hotel suggestions are appreciated!5
re: Halong Bay, I used Blue Swimmer for a kayak trip with an island stay, and really enjoyed it. I stayed one night on Cat Ba Island and found it to be to be a bit dull, so I would recommend staying on an outer island if possible (Blue Swimmer uses Nam Cat resort). I ended up extending my stay there for 2 days, since it was so nice to be out of the cities for a little while.6
Well it was some time ago I went but even then the boat anchorage at night was like a car park with each boat about 50 yards apart, watch out some boats have sunk in the last year. I went with Vega they still get good reviews, not sure of price now they are a mid price one.As for airport there is an airport bus which is cheap, goes to Vietnam Air office in Hanoi or you can take a reg. bus into town.
8
A word of warning they have been complaints about people not getting what they want or expect in Vietnam from tours etc. I think you should get a complete breakdown of your itinerary, not just 2D1N Halong Bay. For instance people have been told they will be in a group of 8 people and so long on the boat etc and have ended up being put with another group, so their group is now about 20. Check what Deluxe gets you over Superior.
