Vietnam and Cambodia for 3/4 Weeks

harpstilidie

Hi folks,

My wife and I are hoping to go to Vietnam and Cambodia for about 3 and half weeks in mid June until mid July. Having done quite a bit of research we have come up with the following itinerary.

Hanoi- 4/5 days including Halong Bay

Sapa (via overnight train)- 3 days

Hoi An (Da Nang) (Internal filght from Hanoi)- 4 days

Ho Chi Minh (Internal flight from Da Nang- 4/5 days with Mekong Delta tour

Phnom Penh (Bus from Ho Chi Minh) - 2/3 days

Siem Reap (Bus from Phnom Penh) - 2/3 days

How does this look? It is feasible in 3/4 weeks? Would anyone do anything differently?

In regards to internal flights I see a lot of reviews stating that vietjetair are awful and to stay away from them but they are definitely the cheapest. Has anyone any experience of using them? Any other tips/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

killbillvol2

That's a decent itinerary, the flights will save you some long journeys by bus. VietJetAir are not great (I've never been on a flight that left within an hour of the scheduled time!) but you won't be on board for much more than an hour.

If you're taking the bus from HCM to Phnom Penh try Giant Ibis - comfortable buses and bookable online with seat selection.

harpstilidie

killbillvol2 wrote: »

That's a decent itinerary, the flights will save you some long journeys by bus. VietJetAir are not great (I've never been on a flight that left within an hour of the scheduled time!) but you won't be on board for much more than an hour.

If you're taking the bus from HCM to Phnom Penh try Giant Ibis - comfortable buses and bookable online with seat selection.

Thanks for the recommendations. Is there any other places that would be worth visiting?

killbillvol2

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations. Is there any other places that would be worth visiting?

Loads. But in a first visit for 20+ days you're covering a lot of the highlights. You don't want to cram too much in or you'll be too tired to enjoy it. It will be very hot and humid at that time of year so it's energy sapping. You don't want to cross the line from a holiday to an endurance test!

conor_ie

+1 for Giant Ibis! They are really decent..

Have a look @ Air Asia for your flights.. might be a little bit more expensive but they do leave on time!

killbillvol2

conor_ie wrote: »

+1 for Giant Ibis! They are really decent..

Have a look @ Air Asia for your flights.. might be a little bit more expensive but they do leave on time!

Air Asia don't have internal flights in Vietnam though.

cdeb

With that much time, I'd try cut out all the internal flights tbh. You see so much more from a bus or train. I think hoi An is off the train line, but HaNoi-> Da Nang -> Ho Chi Minh is a nice trip. Mixture of scenic coastal views and countryside life and local passengers

conor_ie

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Air Asia don't have internal flights in Vietnam though.

My mistake!

alwayssideways

You haven't explicitly said, but for Halong bay I would recommend the 2 night 3 day trip.

pjproby

what is the coolest time to visit?

harpstilidie

cdeb wrote: »

With that much time, I'd try cut out all the internal flights tbh. You see so much more from a bus or train. I think hoi An is off the train line, but HaNoi-> Da Nang -> Ho Chi Minh is a nice trip. Mixture of scenic coastal views and countryside life and local passengers

That's a lot of time on a train is it not? Hanoi to Da Nang is 16 hours and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh is 17.5 hours :eek: that's 2 days of exploring gone? Unless there is places to see along the way?

harpstilidie

conor_ie wrote: »

+1 for Giant Ibis! They are really decent..

Have a look @ Air Asia for your flights.. might be a little bit more expensive but they do leave on time!

We are thinking of flying Dublin-LHR-Bangkok as it's working out cheaper than Dublin-Dubai-Ho Chi Minh and onto to Hanoi from there and will probably use Air Asia for those flights.

What's the best option flying over from Dublin?

nosietoes

harpstilidie wrote: »

We are thinking of flying Dublin-LHR-Bangkok as it's working out cheaper than Dublin-Dubai-Ho Chi Minh and onto to Hanoi from there and will probably use Air Asia for those flights.

What's the best option flying over from Dublin?

We travelled Ho Chi Minh-Hanoi return on vietjet this summer and had no issues. Sure mostly what happens are delays. As long as you're ready for that, it's grand.

cdeb

harpstilidie wrote: »

That's a lot of time on a train is it not? Hanoi to Da Nang is 16 hours and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh is 17.5 hours :eek: that's 2 days of exploring gone? Unless there is places to see along the way?

If you've three weeks, it's not too much. There'll be an overnight or two in there somewhere, so that essentially halves the time you're "losing". And by the time you go to the airport, check in say 90 minutes beforehand, then get from the airport to the next city, you're also losing time - whereas you can rock up to the train station in the centre of HaNoi ten minutes before the train goes, and arrive then in the centre of Da Nang a short taxi ride/walk from your next hotel.

Train is also far cheaper than flying, if that's an issue.

Here's a video of scenery between Hue and Da Nang, which actually doesn't really do it justice -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ukTs1G0P-k

And you can "explore" in a way on the train - talk to locals (who generally wouldn't be flying), look out at local life, buy from vendors at the window - that kind of thing. You can't do any of this on a plane.

I did your same route in about 3½ weeks, adding in Hue instead of Sapa - no problems with time. I wrote a travel blog at the time if that's of any interest.

Entirely up to you of course, but I'd recommend it.

(And that's not just me trying to get back at Harps beating us in the play-off last year!!)

harpstilidie

cdeb wrote: »

If you've three weeks, it's not too much. There'll be an overnight or two in there somewhere, so that essentially halves the time you're "losing". And by the time you go to the airport, check in say 90 minutes beforehand, then get from the airport to the next city, you're also losing time - whereas you can rock up to the train station in the centre of HaNoi ten minutes before the train goes, and arrive then in the centre of Da Nang a short taxi ride/walk from your next hotel.

Train is also far cheaper than flying, if that's an issue.

Here's a video of scenery between Hue and Da Nang, which actually doesn't really do it justice -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ukTs1G0P-k

And you can "explore" in a way on the train - talk to locals (who generally wouldn't be flying), look out at local life, buy from vendors at the window - that kind of thing. You can't do any of this on a plane.

I did your same route in about 3½ weeks, adding in Hue instead of Sapa - no problems with time. I wrote a travel blog at the time if that's of any interest.

Entirely up to you of course, but I'd recommend it.

(And that's not just me trying to get back at Harps beating us in the play-off last year!!)

Definitely something to look into then! Is it much cheaper though? A train from Hanoi to Da Nang is about $40 and a flight is $50 plus whatever it is for checked baggage.

Yeah if you could send me the link for your travel blog I'd love to have a read.

(Still buzzing after the play-off win!!)

Woden

I was going the opposite direction but had a similar itinerary swapping Sapa for Hue and the time of year was late Oct/November I would also recommend 3D/2N in Halong Bay. We used indochina junk in the end for Halong. Hotel was happy to hang onto the larger luggage

We did Phnom Penh boat to Chau Doc bus to Can Tho bus to HCM. Looking back the nicer times where perhaps out of cities. Although the main attraction for Phnom Penh for me was S21 and the Killing fields I could have possibly left this city out altogether. Hoi An was fun. The hoping through the Delta was perhaps a little too much e.g. one night chau doc, one night can tho (up early for the floating market then off to HCM in the afternoon). HCM was just a hit and run then 2 nights I think.

Some highlights of the trip that I'm happy to recommend although they are budget dependent. Most of it will be in your lonely planet

This hotel in Siem Reap was amazing: http://shintamani.com/
Sunrise bicycle tour of Ankgor: http://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/day-tours/angkor-sunrise-discovery.html
Vespa adventure Saigon after dark: http://vespaadventures.com/product/saigon-foodie-night-tour/ pricey but was good fun
Hanoi street food tour: http://www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com/

solerina

harpstilidie wrote: »

We are thinking of flying Dublin-LHR-Bangkok as it's working out cheaper than Dublin-Dubai-Ho Chi Minh and onto to Hanoi from there and will probably use Air Asia for those flights.

What's the best option flying over from Dublin?

We flew via Madrid and Bangkok with China air to Hanoi, home from HCMC. It worked out well. I also recommend indochina junk for Halong bay, we did a 2 night cruise and it was well worth it. We booked Sapa from our hotel in Hanoi when we arrived. Don't leave too little time for Hanoi, it's a great city. We got the night sleeper train from Hanoi to Hue (dull city) and really enjoyed the experience. We hired a driver to take us via the hi van pass to Hoi An...very cheap and well worth it !!! We booked our Mekong trip in HCMC for 2 nights and it cost about 18 euro with all food and a very fancy hotel. Wish I was going again now after writing this...

killbillvol2

harpstilidie wrote: »

We are thinking of flying Dublin-LHR-Bangkok as it's working out cheaper than Dublin-Dubai-Ho Chi Minh and onto to Hanoi from there and will probably use Air Asia for those flights.

What's the best option flying over from Dublin?

Going to Bangkok and taking separate flights from there will nearly always be the cheapest option. Kuala Lumpur is the other cheap hub to get to.

harpstilidie

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Going to Bangkok and taking separate flights from there will nearly always be the cheapest option. Kuala Lumpur is the other cheap hub to get to.

Yeah think we are going to go that route and book the flights tonight. KL is a bit more expensive.

Didn't realise the 3 day 2 nights cruises in Halong Bay were so expensive. Just priced Indochina Junk and they are about $313 pp. Is that the norm?

Woden

harpstilidie wrote: »

Didn't realise the 3 day 2 nights cruises in Halong Bay were so expensive. Just priced Indochina Junk and they are about $313 pp. Is that the norm?

Can't recall exactly but it sounds about right. When you get to Hanoi you'll see loads of travel agencies (I can't recall if its 1N or 2N) with prices on boards $90-150 e.g. but I don't know what that gets you quality wise. You'll see the blurb about Indochina taking you off to different parts of the bay. I can say that whatever way they went or whatever agreement they have the only other junks around really where the other Indochina ones.

solerina

harpstilidie wrote: »

Yeah think we are going to go that route and book the flights tonight. KL is a bit more expensive.

Didn't realise the 3 day 2 nights cruises in Halong Bay were so expensive. Just priced Indochina Junk and they are about $313 pp. Is that the norm?

You get what you pay for in relation to the Halong bay cruise. Indochina junk go a different direction to most of the cruises so you get more peace. The junks are amazing and not crowded, the food is fab too. The last minute ones you book in Hanoi are cheaper generally. Indochina junk are nearly always booked up well in advance

harpstilidie

solerina wrote: »

You get what you pay for in relation to the Halong bay cruise. Indochina junk go a different direction to most of the cruises so you get more peace. The junks are amazing and not crowded, the food is fab too. The last minute ones you book in Hanoi are cheaper generally. Indochina junk are nearly always booked up well in advance

Not sure what to do. $300 plus each is way above what we planned. Obviously don't want to go super cheap neither. Bit of research needed.

Are there any others anyone would recommend?

cdeb

They're here from $150 p/p, but I don't know how they compare to other tours.

Another option is to book in your hostel/hotel when you arrive - you might get a discount if berths are available close to the date. There's loads of places selling trips in Ha Noi. Can't remember what I paid (for 2 day/1 night), but don't think it was anywhere near $300.

I guess just one thing to point out is that these are generally all-inclusive - bus to and from Ha Noi (about 2/3 hours each way), the boat, all meals, accommodation, excursions (like kayaking). Only thing you have to pay extra for is beer.

I found the first organised trip (a cave) was hugely crowded, but once you got into the islands proper, it was easy to get away from all the other boats. So while I guess you do pay for what you get, the main attraction is just sailing around the islands, and that's "free" in a way - all the boats go through the islands.

Just my experience anyway.

desertcircus

harpstilidie wrote: »

Definitely something to look into then! Is it much cheaper though? A train from Hanoi to Da Nang is about $40 and a flight is $50 plus whatever it is for checked baggage.

Yeah if you could send me the link for your travel blog I'd love to have a read.

(Still buzzing after the play-off win!!)

It's been a few years, and it very much depends on your tolerance of no-frills options, but when my wife and I were in Vietnam in 2011 we took sleeper trains. It wasn't the most luxurious night's sleep, but it maximised our available time and saved us a bit on hotel rooms those nights.

cdeb

If possible on the overnight trains, try avoid the 6-berth cabins - very hard to sit up in them.

4-berth is grand though.

desertcircus

cdeb wrote: »

If possible on the overnight trains, try avoid the 6-berth cabins - very hard to sit up in them.

4-berth is grand though.

I'd second that. The price difference is minuscule, so go for the 4.

Tipperary animal lover

If you can try to make it to quy nhon it's a city on the central coast, it's just starting to come on to the tourist map( the locals are so friendly not as aggressive as the over run tourist places that everybody goes to hoi an Nha trang hcmc Hanoi sapa etc) go see it before it changes, maybe also look into an easy rider tour from Nha trang there's a Canadian guy runs tours and he's Vietnamese wife runs the guest house called riptide home stay Nha trang, he brings you to the highlands were hardly any tourist have been to, something different to the normal tourist rat run.

harpstilidie

Some really helpful info folks, thanks.

Flights are now booked- Dublin to Hanoi (via London and Bangkok), back from Siem Reap.

How soon in advance should we be looking at booking hotels, tours etc? Going in mid-June.

Not entirely sure how well planned we should be. If we book everything now we are stuck to that schedule so if we want to stay an extra day or move on somewhere else we can't. The advantage is that we don't have it to worry about when we get there.

harpstilidie

Some really helpful info folks, thanks.

Flights are now booked- Dublin to Hanoi (via London and Bangkok), back from Siem Reap.

How soon in advance should we be looking at booking hotels, tours etc? Going in mid-June.

Not entirely sure how well planned we should be. If we book everything now we are stuck to that schedule so if we want to stay an extra day or move on somewhere else we can't. The advantage is that we don't have it to worry about when we get there.

cdeb

I guess it depends on what sort of accommodation you're looking at, but it was May when I was there, and I had no problem booking a spot a couple of days in advance. So I booked Hue while I was in Ha Noi, Da Nang while I was in Hue, etc.

Wouldn't be too worried about booking things in advance - you can book tours in pretty much any hostel/hotel, often for the next day, and you might find something different that takes your fancy when you're out there. Have a rough plan but feel free to deviate would be my suggestion. (Another plus for trains over flights actually - you can just wander down the station and book a ticket when you're ready to move on, whereas that might be a bit more tricky/pricey with flights)

Tipperary animal lover

Book hotels etc a few days in advance, one thing about Vietnam there's loads of guest houses/hotels in every city or town as for tours there's tour operators everywhere so check out a few in each place and see what suits you. Ye'll have a ball we've been going to Vietnam since 2004 and just love everything about the country.

harpstilidie

Tipperary animal lover wrote: »

Book hotels etc a few days in advance, one thing about Vietnam there's loads of guest houses/hotels in every city or town as for tours there's tour operators everywhere so check out a few in each place and see what suits you. Ye'll have a ball we've been going to Vietnam since 2004 and just love everything about the country.

Are they not likely to be more expensive if we book a few days before?

mojesius

Just back from 3 weeks in Vietnam, it was fantastic! We did a mix of internal flights and overnight trains. Wanted a mix of beach/chill out and sightseeing so did south and mid Vietnam as well as phu quoc. Your itinerary sounds exciting

We could only get seats/hard sleepers as we left booking until late and trains were packed, so I wouldn't recommend showing up at the train station just before the train leaves. Book in advance (or go to the train station 1- 2 days beforehand as afaik the official train site only takes Vietnamese cards). It might be different in summer though. I believe you can get nice private 2 person cabins on the Hanoi train going south, so maybe that's an option for you.

With that said, flights were only 15 euro more expensive and saves you a lot of time. I'd avoid vietjet if you're pressed for time/getting a connection as we took 4 flights with them and 3 were delayed by 2+ hours. You could book one or two before you leave with Vietnam Airlines for only a few euro extra.

Hoi An is fantastic, we absolutely loved it. PM me if you want a cheap (new) but amazing hotel recommendation or good tailors. We went thinking we might pick up one or two things but ended up getting kitted out for three weddings we're attending this year for very little money, so pack light!

Most hotels will organise tours etc. for you the day beforehand. The My Son site tour was very interesting (10 EUR for bus and boat, incl lunch and tour guide) about an hour from Hoi An.

We're planning our next trip back already enjoy!

solerina

We also booked our hotels as we went along. Usually the day before or at most two days, we never had any issues and as hotels are very very cheap you won't be worried about the cost.

harpstilidie

mojesius wrote: »

Just back from 3 weeks in Vietnam, it was fantastic! We did a mix of internal flights and overnight trains. Wanted a mix of beach/chill out and sightseeing so did south and mid Vietnam as well as phu quoc. Your itinerary sounds exciting

We could only get seats/hard sleepers as we left booking until late and trains were packed, so I wouldn't recommend showing up at the train station just before the train leaves. Book in advance (or go to the train station 1- 2 days beforehand as afaik the official train site only takes Vietnamese cards). It might be different in summer though. I believe you can get nice private 2 person cabins on the Hanoi train going south, so maybe that's an option for you.

With that said, flights were only 15 euro more expensive and saves you a lot of time. I'd avoid vietjet if you're pressed for time/getting a connection as we took 4 flights with them and 3 were delayed by 2+ hours. You could book one or two before you leave with Vietnam Airlines for only a few euro extra.

Hoi An is fantastic, we absolutely loved it. PM me if you want a cheap (new) but amazing hotel recommendation or good tailors. We went thinking we might pick up one or two things but ended up getting kitted out for three weddings we're attending this year for very little money, so pack light!

Most hotels will organise tours etc. for you the day beforehand. The My Son site tour was very interesting (10 EUR for bus and boat, incl lunch and tour guide) about an hour from Hoi An.

We're planning our next trip back already enjoy!

Great advice thanks. We won't be getting connecting flights with VietJet so don't mind the waiting times as I think Vietnam Airlines is much more expensive.

How far in advance did you book your hotels? Could you send me a PM with the hotel recommendation for Hanoi? Thanks.

harpstilidie

solerina wrote: »

We also booked our hotels as we went along. Usually the day before or at most two days, we never had any issues and as hotels are very very cheap you won't be worried about the cost.

Did you just use internet cafes to book the hotels while there? Still not sure whether to book soon or wait until we get there.

Surely it would be cheaper to book now?

Tipperary animal lover

You'll be fine booking hotels a day or two before you arrive to your next destination, just book a place for when you arrive and maybe the next place your going to, as you'll be jetlagged this help along the way. We always stay in hotel/guesthouse in the $20 mark and they've been fine, if your not happy with a place just walk out , there's plenty of places to stay in every town.
Have a look at trip advisor/lonely planet/ travelfish this will help you when booking a room for your next stay. Enjoy your holiday it's a fantastic country.

conor_ie

harpstilidie wrote: »

Did you just use internet cafes to book the hotels while there? Still not sure whether to book soon or wait until we get there.

Surely it would be cheaper to book now?

If either of your phones are unlocked get yourself a local sim card.. they're not majorly expensive and they come with loads of data

harpstilidie

conor_ie wrote: »

If either of your phones are unlocked get yourself a local sim card.. they're not majorly expensive and they come with loads of data

That might be worth doing. I have a dual sim phone that's unlocked so that could work OK.

solerina

harpstilidie wrote: »

Did you just use internet cafes to book the hotels while there? Still not sure whether to book soon or wait until we get there.

Surely it would be cheaper to book now?

I brought my ipad, every hotel had Wi-Fi, not always great reception but free...in fact I have never been anywhere that Wi-Fi was as available. We had a hotel booked for the first 3 nights in Hanoi...we also had our Halong Bay cruise booked, but otherwise we booked one night in advance as we went along, we were there for almost a month and generally paid about 20-25 euro per night for nice hotels (often with a pool) with breakfast. You really don't need to pre-book. We used Agoda to book. We even booked a flight the day before at one instance...it really is very easy.

harpstilidie

solerina wrote: »

I brought my ipad, every hotel had Wi-Fi, not always great reception but free...in fact I have never been anywhere that Wi-Fi was as available. We had a hotel booked for the first 3 nights in Hanoi...we also had our Halong Bay cruise booked, but otherwise we booked one night in advance as we went along, we were there for almost a month and generally paid about 20-25 euro per night for nice hotels (often with a pool) with breakfast. You really don't need to pre-book. We used Agoda to book. We even booked a flight the day before at one instance...it really is very easy.

Thanks. Very useful info.

Don't suppose you remember what tour company you used for the Mekong delta?

nosietoes

harpstilidie wrote: »

Did you just use internet cafes to book the hotels while there? Still not sure whether to book soon or wait until we get there.

Surely it would be cheaper to book now?

Most accommodation has wifi... Even $25/30 a night places

Balmed Out

I think your doing too much for the time you have. If memory serves a tour down the mehkong took a few days and you wont see Saigon at all which is a pity as its an amazing city if you can explore it beyond the usual few streets.

As an aside costs have gone way up I see. I remember where i used to stay in saigon costing less then 2.50 a night and most places on the cheaper end being about a tenner and i went maybe 2006 or so.

nosietoes

Balmed Out wrote: »

I think your doing too much for the time you have. If memory serves a tour down the mehkong took a few days and you wont see Saigon at all which is a pity as its an amazing city if you can explore it beyond the usual few streets.

Ho Chi Minh City is what Saigon has been called since the war ended

Balmed Out

nosietoes wrote: »

Ho Chi Minh City is what Saigon has been called since the war ended

Not by most of the people living in Saigon.

nosietoes

Balmed Out wrote: »

Not by most of the people living in Saigon.

This is true but regardless of title it's On the OP's agenda...

harpstilidie

Balmed Out wrote: »

I think your doing too much for the time you have. If memory serves a tour down the mehkong took a few days and you wont see Saigon at all which is a pity as its an amazing city if you can explore it beyond the usual few streets.

As an aside costs have gone way up I see. I remember where i used to stay in saigon costing less then 2.50 a night and most places on the cheaper end being about a tenner and i went maybe 2006 or so.

As far as I'm aware you can do a day tour to the Mekong delta or a 2 day 1 night tour so I'm hoping we'll have plenty of time for Ho Chi Minh. I'm hoping hotels will be cheaper than $25/30 per night!

cdeb

You can easily fit a one-day Mekong tour into your schedule.

Much preferred HaNoi to Ho Chi Minh/Saigon myself; felt more Vietnamese. Ho Chi Minh is more colonial; a bit like a European city with bikes. Though that's not to say I didn't like it. But I could (and did) spend hours kicking back at the Irish pub in old HaNoi's narrow streets watching/listening to/smelling the city go by. HaNoi's intoxicating.

Tipperary animal lover

http://migrationology.com/2015/02/vietnamese-food-guide-saigon/ have a look at this blog for street food in hcmc instead of just the few blocks that most tourists stick to, as for what last poster said Hanoi is a nicer city but there's a lot more to do than just sit in an Irish bar in Vietnam!! Try the local Bai hoi places mix with the locals that's what your going to Vietnam to experience, happy travels.
A lot of hostels are cheap and very good and good way to meet other travellers, there's a hotel for every kind of budget.

solerina

harpstilidie wrote: »

Thanks. Very useful info.

Don't suppose you remember what tour company you used for the Mekong delta?

No, but it was a very well recognised tour company in VN, we had seen their offices in most towns, they did sleeper buses all over the country. I remember their logo was blue and white but other than that I can't remember the name. Cheap and cheerful but we really enjoyed it !!!! Just did a quick google...think it may have been Sinh tourist, that sounds familiar....but the name had been copied by many companies all over the place so try pick the real one.

cdeb

Tipperary animal lover wrote: »

but there's a lot more to do than just sit in an Irish bar in Vietnam!!

Just on that - absolutely agree.

But there's definitely worse ways to while away an evening. The Irish pub in Ha Noi is just run by an Irish guy (and his Vietnamese wife); it's not an Irish pub in any other way (like decor) There's cans of Guinness, but no-one buys them as the local beer is much cheaper. It's on a narrow street in the old town by lots of local shops/homes. And I found it quite handy to be able to meet a few expats (not necessarily Irish) to talk to about their views on the city.