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Vietnam for a week

Replies: 34 - Last Post: Feb 13, 2013 10:35 PM Last Post By: mooslie

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davidsangboi

davidsangboi avatar

Feb 5, 2013 12:32 AM
Posts:  43

Vietnam for a week

Hi All,

I will be visiting Vietnam (will arrive at HCMC) for a week in the month of October. Due to lack of time, I have decided to skip North Vietnam for next tour. My doubt is - is it possible to visit Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue within this 1 week time? Is it feasible atleast if I take a flight? Or should I just concentrate only to South Vietnam?

Cheers, David

Bambooboy

Bambooboy avatar

Feb 5, 2013 1:58 AM
Posts:  551

1

A little tight but definitely possible to see Hoi An and Hue. Fly to Hue (if the airport is open) and back from Da Nang (Nothing to see in Da Nang). 2 days in each and 3 days for SGN and the delta.

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Feb 5, 2013 2:49 AM
Posts:  2,273

2

A little tight but definitely possible to see Hoi An and Hue. Fly to Hue (if the airport is open) and back from Da Nang (Nothing to see in Da Nang).
Agree with Bam. Maximise tour time by flying.
Maybe 3 days Hue, 3 Hoi An (including trip to Da Nang airport) and 1 day HCMC.

davidsangboi

davidsangboi avatar

Feb 5, 2013 2:50 AM
Posts:  43

3

@bambooboy

Actually, I was thinking of visiting Nha Trang and Dalat area too. So, 3 days in HCM and Delta, 2 days in Dalat/Nha Trang and 2 days in Hue/Hoi Am.

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Feb 5, 2013 2:59 AM
Posts:  2,273

4

^ @#3 now you are kidding!
You'll need a holiday to get over all the rushing around to airports. Just the travel from Nha Trang/Dalat blows out nearly 8 hours, (unless you fly HCMC > Da lat).
You are better off focusing on one small radius area for a one week trip.
Try Nha Trang next time. Best Western is about to create a Beach Club on the beach, with a reasonable price restaurant, bar, nightclub and sitting areas on the sand. It will kick arse of the existing overpriced , poor service joints.
Also another group is building an ultimate beach restaurant and plaza next door to BW.
In less than six months time Nha Trang will have professionally run and reasonably priced beach clubs.

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Feb 5, 2013 3:00 AM
Posts:  2,273

5

^too much in too short a time!
Focus on one area for a one week trip.

davidsangboi

davidsangboi avatar

Feb 5, 2013 3:14 AM
Posts:  43

6

@mooslie

Ok. Then is it better to go to Dalat and Nha Trang or Hue and Hoi An? Since I will be visiting North Vietnam again, should I leave Hue and Hoi An for the 2nd visit?

ralphnhatrang

ralphnhatrang avatar

Feb 5, 2013 4:47 AM
Posts:  325

7

A week doesn't give you much time, so Yes, stick to one area at a time, as you suggest.

The Cham Museum of Ethnology is definitely worth a visit to see the best display of Cham artifacts in Vietnam, if you are interested in archeology. see pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10754999@N08/5698694908/in/photostream

Never, NEVER bother going to Ba Na hill station outside Da Nang.

ae123456

ae123456 avatar

Feb 5, 2013 4:56 AM
Posts:  1,803

8

Never, NEVER bother going to Ba Na hill station outside Da Nang.
Unless cheesy is your thing, that is.

OP:
Da Lat is worth it for the contrast of HCMC. Plenty of good bus services there from HCMC.
Go to Hue and Hoi An next time. Both have much to offer.

I disagree that Da Nang has nothing to offer. It has improved over the years. It has the excellent Cham Museum, an unusual cathedral and fisherman's church, a Cao Dai temple (albeit not as grand as others) and the riverside esplanade is quite attractive passing the unusual bridge spanning the Han river. See it at night-time It is a good base for Marble Mountains, My Son and, dare I add, Ba Na.

bun_cha

bun_cha avatar

Feb 5, 2013 4:58 PM
Posts:  843

9

I'd do something like Bambooboy suggested - though I have to admit, I have not been to Dalat (the magic of Hue calls me again and again).

davidsangboi

davidsangboi avatar

Feb 5, 2013 8:47 PM
Posts:  43

10

I am also confused because I have seen lot of good comments about Hue and Hoi An and that visit to Vietnam is incomplete without these 2 places. But then again, I have just 1 week and is it better to focus on Saigon and its neighborhood with Dalat and Nha Trang? Or should I skil Dalat and Nha Trand and go to Hue and Hoi An without any fail?

Bisbee

Bisbee avatar

Feb 5, 2013 9:09 PM
Posts:  354

11

October is one of the worst months to visit the central coast. Flooding is almost certain and travel can be quite limited. I would probably stick to the South.

davidsangboi

davidsangboi avatar

Feb 5, 2013 9:37 PM
Posts:  43

12

@bisbee

Is that so? When is a good time to visit the Central Coast then? I have no problem in sticking to South Vietnam if that's the case.

Captain_Courageous

Captain_Courageous avatar

Feb 6, 2013 1:18 AM
Posts:  5,383

13

Actually, I was thinking of visiting Nha Trang and Dalat area too. So, 3 days in HCM and Delta, 2 days in Dalat/Nha Trang and 2 days in Hue/Hoi Am.

If you intend to go to the Mekong Delta do an overnight tour and have four nights in Saigon (hcmc) I booked four nights and took just a small bag for the overnight trip.

If going to Da Lat, fly there - Vietnam Airlines have several flights a day and your hotel can book it for you. Two nights there. Motorbike to Nha Trang - you can book an Easy Rider tour from Peace Hotel. Cost last year was $75.

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Feb 6, 2013 3:19 AM
Posts:  2,273

14

I'd go with Hue & Hoi An. Forget the flooding fears. The weather could do anything! Nha Trang often floods at about that time of year but last year (2012) was beautiful sunny days most of the time.
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