12 Days Exploring Beautiful Vietnam

[Jim Walsh]

After a spectacular 12 days in Vietnam organized by www.yourvietnamtravel.com the Vietnamese are the most welcoming and humble people even despite of the atrocities they endured from the West in the 19th century. It is sad though that some of the crafts that have been in the same families for up to 6 generations will soon be no more with the younger generations choosing to chase their dreams in the main cities. I fear that in a few years, handmade noodles, rugs and rice wine making will be no more. They need our support especially as many did not earn anything during their 2 year Covid shutdown.

A tip, allow plenty of time to apply for your visa as it can take several attempts to complete it with the correct information

 

[Jim Walsh]

VN786 Premium Economy Sydney Hanoi

Premium Economy seems to have different meanings. This was basically 2 4 2 seating instead of economy 3 4 3 and more legroom but the same meals as economy but dedicated check in and priority boarding. Others seems to be Business light but more expensive. Was it worth it yes as the check in queue was huge but the return a different matter but more on that later.

Through Lexus Encore we could purchase Dragonpass lounge access for $55 per visit, well worth it when you pay $20 a beer in Sydney. But only problem is you have to buy a Lexus.

Plane was tired, Food was rubbish, why not have Vietnamese food not pasta and tasteless beef but service was good, entertainment was rubbish. Why have TV series listed when you only have 2 episodes out of the 8 in the series and old movies. But front row, so plenty of leg room (I do have short legs). Arrived on time and out and in the car in less than 30 minutes.

I got an esim through Airalo for $20 for 5Gb and additional $11 for 2gb which worked perfectly for the 2 of us. Used Whatsapp and Facebook messaging to keep in touch with each other and the kids back home. Only issues is my wife's phone didn't support esims so I had to constantly turn data back on and hotspot so she had data. But wifi everywhere.

Did I say it was hot and humid

 

[Pushka]

Looking forward to your review. Did you miss the Typhoon?

 

[Jim Walsh]

This was our itinerary

 

[Jim Walsh]

We missed the typhoon as we went from 19th to 30th of August, feel sorry for the devastation that hit them

 

[Jim Walsh]

Met guide the next morning for a tour of Hanoi, did I say it was hot and humid. Traffic is off the charts and apparently for a 100 million people they have 70 million motorbikes. Takes big balls to cross the road but you just step out and start walking and in the whole time saw only 1 accident. Temples and more temples and an excellent lunch then the Hanoi Hilton ie Prison . Got caught in a bit of rain so had to retire to a bar. Next day out into the countryside with a climb up Ngoa long mountain. Was I sweating at the top !!! Sampan ride through the caves and back to the hotel.

Traffic was crazy with the road out having 4 lanes into the city and 1 lane out and the same road having 4 lanes out and one lane in in the evening.

 

[Pushka]

We will be in Hà Nội in exactly 12 months time. Humid hey? It was stinking hot last time and that was in June.

 

[Sprucegoose]

despite of the atrocities they endured from the West in the 19th century

And even in the 20th century!

 

[kpc]

We went to Ho Chi Minh City (+ Chu Chi Tunnels), Hanoi and Ha Long Bay for 12 days in August 2019. We then went to Ho Chi Minh City (+ Mekong Delta), Hue, Hoi An and Danang for 13 days in January 2024.

Hanoi was too humid and hot for my liking in August...we had to retreat to our hotel between 10am and 430pm as too hot to go outside! We did sightseeing before 10 am and after 430pm!

Bar a few local tours, we travelled independently. The Vietnamese food is the best (and cheapest) ! A motorbike food tour is a must! Make a suit in Hoi An!

Be very careful with motorbikes...I got hit by one crossing a busy road in Hue early this year...fortunately nothing broken just cuts and grazes and I managed to limp off after locals carried me off the road!

 

[Jim Walsh]

Bus to Ha Long Bay with an overnight cruise. Boat was a bit tired but good food and an interesting mix of nationalities, many of w3hich seem to think a buffet is an excuse to fill you plate with everything and not eat it all.. Next time would do 3 days 2 nights as you can get further out into the islands. Went swimming and kayaking and as an Australian you forget how many people can't swim. Amazing lightening storm overnight. Funny sight as there are the little boats coming around selling everything from beer to chips to cigarettes. One quirk was the boat that takes you out to the main boat has to check in with the authorities on the way. As you get close everyone has to put on a lifejacket then as soon as you turn around after checking in you hand them all back . The port has a lot of partially built hotels which are all abandoned.
Bus back to Hanoi then flight to Da Nang then onto the hotel in Hoi An

 

[masco131]

After a spectacular 12 days in Vietnam organized by www.yourvietnamtravel.com the Vietnamese are the most welcoming and humble people even despite of the atrocities they endured from the West in the 19th century. It is sad though that some of the crafts that have been in the same families for up to 6 generations will soon be no more with the younger generations choosing to chase their dreams in the main cities. I fear that in a few years, handmade noodles, rugs and rice wine making will be no more. They need our support especially as many did not earn anything during their 2 year Covid shutdown.

A tip, allow plenty of time to apply for your visa as it can take several attempts to complete it with the correct information

Hello, I saw you also had some issues with your Vietnam visa.
How did you later get it all sorted? Did you use the services of an agent?

I have amended about my application about 4 times and keep getting knocked back. The reason they keep giving me is to fill out all addresses and not leave anything blank which i have done multiple times.

Your insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[auriga]

Hello, I saw you also had some issues with your Vietnam visa.
How did you later get it all sorted? Did you use the services of an agent?

I have amended about my application about 4 times and keep getting knocked back. The reason they keep giving me is to fill out all addresses and not leave anything blank which i have done multiple times.

Your insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

is this the e-visa?

 

[masco131]

is this the e-visa?

yes

 

[Jim Walsh]

yes

Hi Masco

It asks for your first and last name but forgets to tell you you need your middle name. Also the address of the hotel you will be staying at in detail.

But it doesn't advise you if it is rejected you have to go in and check.

As we were getting close to departure we got our travel agent to push it for $45 usd per person. I think it is a bit of a scam myself as it only took an hour to get them approved after we said yes please process them

 

[masco131]

Hi Masco

It asks for your first and last name but forgets to tell you you need your middle name. Also the address of the hotel you will be staying at in detail.

But it doesn't advise you if it is rejected you have to go in and check.

As we were getting close to departure we got our travel agent to push it for $45 usd per person. I think it is a bit of a scam myself as it only took an hour to get them approved after we said yes please process them

Ohh nice thanks.

I just reapplied today with those recommendations and will see what they say.

 

[kookaburra75]

This was our itinerary

View attachment 407254

Thanks for putting tother the trip report. We travelled to Vietnam in Feb 2010 (how time flies) for 10 days on a similar-ish itinerary, but limited ourselves to Hoi An, Ha Long Bay and Hanoi. I wanted to take my kids MissK (age 16) and MasterK (age 18) to somewhere culturally different, but not too much of a shock. Not-yet-proposed-to-MrsK (NYPTMK) came along too, as she had only travelled overseas a couple of times. We had a ball and agree about the friendless of the people, and the traffic. We'll have to go back.

 

[dinhoecotour]

Thanks for putting tother the trip report. We travelled to Vietnam in Feb 2010 (how time flies) for 10 days on a similar-ish itinerary, but limited ourselves to Hoi An, Ha Long Bay and Hanoi. I wanted to take my kids MissK (age 16) and MasterK (age 18) to somewhere culturally different, but not too much of a shock. Not-yet-proposed-to-MrsK (NYPTMK) came along too, as she had only travelled overseas a couple of times. We had a ball and agree about the friendless of the people, and the traffic. We'll have to go back.

You can do some research on Travelfish site for other places in Vietnam.

 

[masco131]

Hi Masco

It asks for your first and last name but forgets to tell you you need your middle name. Also the address of the hotel you will be staying at in detail.

But it doesn't advise you if it is rejected you have to go in and check.

As we were getting close to departure we got our travel agent to push it for $45 usd per person. I think it is a bit of a scam myself as it only took an hour to get them approved after we said yes please process them

Hey,

I can report that your tips helped and I finally got my e-visa. The mistake this whole time was I was not inputting any ID number in the ID number column.


Thanks for the help