Chang Mai - Vietnam

drunkenfool

Hey all,
Heading to thailand in about a week and want to start out up north in chang mai, we have alot of time restrictions as we want to be down for the full mooner on the 7th of september.
Basically we're looking to do a 2 or 3 day trek (pref 2 days due to time) In the trek, want to see the tribes people and waterfalls, and mountain views ect. Does anyone recommend a particular tour operator, looking for the cheapest one obviously enough.
After this want to head to vietnam for 5 - 6 days, recommendations on what to see/do ect there??
Was there last year, but never made it up north unfortunataely!!
Thanks for your time!!

ArphaRima

Vietnam-wise. Not a great time of year for weather, but you already know that I assume. Hanoi isnt that much fun. It aint no HCMC. But Halong Bay should be seen. Perhaps Sapa. Hue is missable, but Hoi An is a must see. And if you havent already seen Nha Trang you should definitely give it a look.

Grem

I was up in Chiang Mai in november last year. We booked a hill tribe trek with the guesthouse we were staying in. They can book anything for you. Just tell whoever you are booking it with exactly what you want to do/see - a lot of people ive talked to did the exact same thing as me altho in a different area.
If you havent done a trek before/aren't very fit then beware!
When we did ours the temperatures were soaring! We wore long trousers/combats to try minimise the mosquito bites that were were bound to get and most people's trousers got totally soaked in sweat within the first hour of walking. Its was horrible! Lots and lots of uphill walking and some dangerous areas along cliffs that we werent really prepared for! It was deffo an experience.
Wasnt really comfortable going to just 'look' at tribes, felt weird like they were animals in a zoo and some people on our tour were taking pictures (with permission of course) of the tribes people. Just felt wrong. But it was a fun experience and we had a laugh with our group.

Spent some time in Halong Bay in 'nam too - its a cool place to go! The boats are great and it was quite a surreal feeling being anchored in the middle of the night off the coast of Vietnam and the only lights you can see are those of the other boats around you. Its so peaceful. A bit of advice - if you do a boat trip to Halong Bay dont bother staying on Cat Ba island, i just thought it was a bit crap/small and we got bad weather for it too (you have a choice to either stay 2 nights on the boat or 1 night on boat and 1 on the island.)

Also if you'll be in Vietnam for a while i recommend a trip to Hoi An - so many tailors to make you clothes at reasonable prices.

Lots of people recommend Sapa too, didnt make it there unfortunately due to restrictions with time but ive seen photos and it looks beautiful.

breadmonkey

Don't go to Vietnam for 5-6 days, it's not worth the money or the hassle (visa + flights).

And if you havent already seen Nha Trang you should definitely give it a look.

I was in Nha Trang 4 days ago and I have to say it is a total dive. I would not recommend anyone to go there for any reason.

PunyHuman

I don't agree with fluffer. In my opinion Hoi An is more 'missable' than Hue; I much preferred Hanoi to Saigon, and I found nothing worth seeing in Nha Trang at all.

I do agree with breadmonkey. There's really no point in going to Vietnam for five days, even if there was no hassle with visas or flights - I spent three weeks there and only barely managed to get from Saigon to Hanoi.

knipex

I gotta agree.

Hanoi is much much more enjoyable that HCMC (Saigon) and I didnt think much of Nha Trang.

If you really want to go to Thailand spend the time in Hanoi and visit Halong bay (can be done in a day but take 2 and stay overnight)

Grem

Everyone gives such different views, its all based on personal experiences.

I was only in Vietnam for about 10 days, i still had a great time and saw a good deal and personally, for me it WAS worth the hassle.

I will agree with breadmonkey and punyhuman though by saying Nha Trang hasnt much to offer.

ArphaRima

Oh well. Vietnam has been my home for two years. What I wrote I stand by, but I have heard varying opinions from tourists. I guess you really need to know where to go. The tourist industry isnt too well developed so we rely heavily on our local friends and the other expats to guide us. The lonely planet is way off on most points in hcmc. On arrival try to get your hands on the local expat guides for events and promotions. Also talk to residents (local and foreign) in reputable bars and restaurants for ideas and directions.
Im currently on holiday in Thailand and that approach is working a treat.
Then again, im not a backpacker, and I have a bit more freedom to do things as a result.

HCMC - fantastic food and great bars of all kinds with all crowds
Nha Trang - Diving, Sailing, Jetskiiing, the islands. Great nightlife. Good quality accomodation.
Hoi an - Beautiful Vietnamese style old village, with nice relaxed bars and restaurants, (famous for tailoring) with decent resorts surrounding.
Halong bay - its Vietnam's crowning tourist spot. Weather permitting. A typhoon could really ruin your day. And the operators are slow to cancel.
Hue - I thought very underdeveloped for tourists. Poor food, (had people with me who only wanted western food, 1 veggie) Accomodation average at best, and the DMZ tour just boring.

I think it also depends what kind of a holiday you want. But I do agree that 5-6 days is too short. Perhaps a quick Halong Bay/Hanoi trip.

I write this message from Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. I hope you've considered here rather than a rushed Vietnam.