2 weeks relaxing in Asia - suggestions?

[MEL_Traveller]

Wow. The Sofitel Legend Metropole looks stunning. Incredible reviews too.

Unfortunately, I have to book executive lounge access rooms (I just missed out on Platinum), so the club room tariff is double there compared to Grand Mercure Hanoi.

Next time!

We stayed at the Grand Mercue Hanoi… it was… ‘ok’. The Metropolemis an institution and we went there for lunch… definitely a case of stay ‘envy’! And the location is perfect too. If you can forego the club access, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink out and about in Hanoi.

 

[goldenhorn]

We stayed at the Grand Mercue Hanoi… it was… ‘ok’. The Metropolemis an institution and we went there for lunch… definitely a case of stay ‘envy’! And the location is perfect too. If you can forego the club access, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink out and about in Hanoi.

Oh, that's surpising. People in the FB Accor+ group seem to rave about the Grand Mercure Hanoi, particularly the lounge.

OK, I'm seriously considering changing that to Metropole. It's only an extra $100 for the base room. I can live without lounge access!

​

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh, that's surpising. People in the FB Accor+ group seem to rave about the Grand Mercure Hanoi, particularly the lounge.

OK, I'm seriously considering changing that to Metropole. It's only an extra $100 for the base room. I can live without lounge access!

​

Oops! That’s ’cause we stayed at the Pullman! I was thinking … ‘geez the mercury didn’t look that good when we stayed!’

Because we didn’t!

The Pullman was decidedly ‘so so’. The Mercury looks great! However, for all the things ‘to do’ I think the Metropole is ed in the old city centre.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Day trips to Hoi An should suffice if you make two or three. Walking around the old town isn't overly exhaustive. Do make an effort though to make one an evening session and try to catch the lantern displays on the river. There's also night markets and no shortage of good inexpensive dining.

This TR is a few years old now, but may be of some value : Doing my dong on banh mi? Pho sure!

Just read your TR @GarrettM - a ripper!
Very entertaining and informative , thank you.
We are looking at July for HCMC & Danang, but as others have advised can be wet +/- humid.
Still researching.......

 

[goldenhorn]

Has anyone had issues paying for the Vietnam Visa in the past? I completed the form, but when I clicked "I agree to pay," I got the error message below. Didn't even get to enter a c/card. I hate it when these IT systems fail.

I logged out, logged back in, and changed my password. Nothing works. I have sent an email, but there has been no response yet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Long shot… have you tired turning off wifi and using data only? That worked for our India visa IIRC!

 

[knagelli]

Has anyone had issues paying for the Vietnam Visa in the past? I completed the form, but when I clicked "I agree to pay," I got the error message below. Didn't even get to enter a c/card. I hate it when these IT systems fail.

I logged out, logged back in, and changed my password. Nothing works. I have sent an email, but there has been no response yet.

View attachment 426349

I had to submit visa application for three of us and never had a glitch. Are you trying to use incognito browser mode ? Try clearing the cache/cookies and use fresh browsing session. It worked alright without any issues.

 

[JackMiles]

Has anyone had issues paying for the Vietnam Visa in the past? I completed the form, but when I clicked "I agree to pay," I got the error message below. Didn't even get to enter a c/card. I hate it when these IT systems fail.

I logged out, logged back in, and changed my password. Nothing works. I have sent an email, but there has been no response yet.

View attachment 426349

I'm sure you're on top of it, but just checking, are you using one of these two websites?

https://evisa.gov.vn/

https://thithucdientu.gov.vn/

They are the only ones you should use. Basically, anything else is a 3rd party intermediary, charging you extra on top of the actual govt visa fee.

 

[goldenhorn]

I'm sure you're on top of it, but just checking, are you using one of these two websites?

https://evisa.gov.vn/

https://thithucdientu.gov.vn/

They are the only ones you should use. Basically, anything else is a 3rd party intermediary, charging you extra on top of the actual govt visa fee.

Yes, using the first one. I got to it through Smart Traveller as I heard there were non-legit sites.

 

[goldenhorn]

I had to submit visa application for three of us and never had a glitch. Are you trying to use incognito browser mode ? Try clearing the cache/cookies and use fresh browsing session. It worked alright without any issues.

Yeah, icognito didn't work either. I also tried Firefox instead of Chrome. Looks like it's a bug on their end. Hoopefully they fix it soon

 

[pagingjoan]

Wow. The Sofitel Legend Metropole looks stunning. Incredible reviews too.

Unfortunately, I have to book executive lounge access rooms (I just missed out on Platinum), so the club room tariff is double there compared to Grand Mercure Hanoi.

Next time!

Just for the record, as it may be useful for others, I am adding to the rave reviews for the Legend.
Heritage rooms are the way to go, at whatever level works for your budget, of course - and the limo pick up service to and from the airport was wonderful.
My stay was just pre-COVID, so a little dated. But they have been doing great work for a long time, and I would be surprised if standards have slipped.