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.

 

[goldenhorn]

OK, so Vietnam it is! I got the partner onboard (after he asked a friend about Vietnam who said Danang was beautiful )

I also secured SQ J seats from Singapore to Vietnam and back but had to swap around Hanoi and HCMC to get the flights to connect with our current SQ award seats. 26,000 VF points SIN-SGN and 38,000 VF points HAN-SIN per pax.

The flights are with SQ, so I'm hoping they will check our bags to Vietnam (and home) even though they are separate award bookings.

I wanted to stay in Hoi An, but unfortunately, there are no Accor properties there now, and I need to stay with Accor to make Platinum, so I'll make a day trip or two to Hoi An from Danang.

Someone has also recommended Bana Hills for a night, so I can easily add a night somewhere. The hotels are so reasonable I'd book there, leave for a night, and return to a current booking (probably Pullman).

I haven't booked any hotels yet, so open to any feedback or suggestions on this itinerary.

Overnight flight SQ 246 - BNE-SIN
Day 1 - SIN-SGN - Sofitel Saigon
Day 2 - Sofitel Saigon
Day 3 - Sofitel Saigon
Day 4 - SGN-DAD - Novotel Danang Premier Han River (or Grand Mercure Danang - still deciding_
Day 5 - Novotel or Grand Mercure
Day 6 - Novotel or Grand Mercure
Day 7 - Pullman Resort Danang
Day 8 - Pullman Resort Danang
Day 9 - Pullman Resort Danang
Day 10 - Pullman Resort Danang
Day 11 - DAD-HAN - Grand Mercure Hanoi
Day 12 - Grand Mercure Hanoi
Day 13 - HAN-SIN, SIN-BNE (overnight flight)

An update on the itinerary - I booked Grand Mercure Danang instead of Novotel.

HERA agent Cameron Redgwell (he has a great YouTube channel focused on Accor properties here) recommended it over the Novotel and he was able to secure me an upgrade to an Executive Suite. Also, I only originally booked a Deluxe Queen with Privilege access, so it was amazing to get a room with lounge access for only $120 per night.

He also got me a US$100 dining/beverage credit with the Saigon Sofitel book and I get all the Accor points with my booking.

Looking forward to it.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Good info @goldenhorn
Have watched a bit of his Accor stuff on YouTube
Still planning on Danang in July

 

[goldenhorn]

Good info @goldenhorn
Have watched a bit of his Accor stuff on YouTube
Still planning on Danang in July

Great! I’ll review it and let you know how it goes.

 

[jase05]

An update on the itinerary - I booked Grand Mercure Danang instead of Novotel.

HERA agent Cameron Redgwell (he has a great YouTube channel focused on Accor properties here) recommended it over the Novotel and he was able to secure me an upgrade to an Executive Suite. Also, I only originally booked a Deluxe Queen with Privilege access, so it was amazing to get a room with lounge access for only $120 per night.

He also got me a US$100 dining/beverage credit with the Saigon Sofitel book and I get all the Accor points with my booking.

Looking forward to it.

That’s a nice upgrade.
Having stayed at the Novotel several times and the GM just the once I do disagree with some of his views and definitely rate the Novotel higher but everyone is different