I hope this helps. If you only eat one meal in Saigon, it should be at Lunch Lady Noodleshands down. Hey Ben & Katie, Ive been studying your posts on Vietnam in preparation for our upcoming trip, and they have been really helpful. We are convinced that the small town of Phong Nha is exactly that place. The easiest major island to reach from Bangkok, Koh Samet offers impressive beaches and a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. Halong Bay is about three hours from Hanoi by road and isnt particularly easy to visit independently. Anthony Bourdain recommended this place on his show No Reservations and it was ahhh-mazing. Another great way to spend the day is to rent a scooter and explore. Read More: Find more information about what to expect in Ha Long Bay.
Its historic culture, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and friendly people make Thailand a fascinating country to visit (and thats before you factor in what we consider to be one of the best and most interesting cuisines in the world). You can do as much as youd like, or you can laze on the beach and do absolutely nothing. What was your favorite place? STUNNING !However, you guys should check the weather before booking and also prepare detailed itinerary. wow, seems that you took a full tour through my little country. Great review, lots of facts and relevant information, just wondering, how much do you expend on food, buses and the hostel on this 1 month trip? Some of our recommendations include: Thailand Bangkok view from Moon Bar harshilshah Instead, the best way to get to Halong Bay is to book a tour, which usually includes a day trip or overnight boat cruise with transportation from and back to Hanoi. My flight was free thanks to miles.
The entire park takes days, if not weeks to see, making it best to cover the highlights if youre only visiting Siem Reap for two or three days. Since Phuket is such a big island, the location you choose to stay in will have a massive impact on your overall experience. Waterfalls:Head to Silver Waterfall (which is always busy and just on the side of the road) and Love Waterfall. We were planning on spending some time there, but nasty weather kept us away this time. :: Explore our Vietnam Travel Guide for more Vietnam must-see destinations. If Time: Add 4 days on Koh Lanta, which is three hours away by ferry. Like most of the park, the majority of the buildings in Angkor Thom are open to visitors, letting you explore with relative ease. Bun Cha. It seems like you really enjoyed it. Quiet, peaceful and largely unspoiled by mass tourism, Koh Lanta is a mid-sized island thats a short distance from Krabi. And if you were to choose just 1, which do you think is more scenic and worth it? Note: the killing fields and the prison are in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, not Vietnam. Everything moves slowly in this part of the world, and limiting yourself to two or three geographical areas allows yourself time to enjoy the areas without spending all your free time in transit. Also, what is a good budget price for renting a scooter for 1 week e.g. I flew direct for about $230. Where I Stayed:In a Box Hostel, which fit all four of my criteria: Clean, quiet, close to the metro, and NOT on Khao San Road. Read the article very interesting. Finally, its time to visit Hanoi. The menu changes each day of the week and I guarantee you wont be disappointed. I would love to do da la visiting the water falls and parks but its pretty south area and i wont have enough time to do all in 2 weeks Thanks again buddy. Choosing from the numerous boat cruises is a tough task, especially when there are a lot of scams scattered on the Internet. It can also be quite a fun island, with a good selection of activities for tourists. Ive planned a flight from Saigon to Dong Hoi Airport to go to Phong Nha. I am so glad to see you show your love to our country through each images, each reviews, and each destinations. Laryssa has spent 6+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. Weve put together a complete one month itinerary with all the best destinations in Vietnam so all the planning is done for you! Weve heard that this area is incredibly beautiful and far less touristy than Sapa. A good (but pretty rushed!) We didnt have enough time to explore inside, so we took pictures outside the main gate, which was pretty impressive. Bi Vin Street comes alive at night when bar owners begin spreading out plastic stools for patrons to drink beer out in the street. Sometimes we didnt know our exact dates, and we calculated that it really wouldnt have save us much money (if any) in the longterm. Actuality, Thailand & Vietnam are dream country in Asia. Getting guide in Sapa is up to you. The most popular thing to do in Sapa is to take a trek led by a local. We were traveling to Cambodia next and going to the beaches of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem so we didnt feel the need to get our tan on in Vietnam. This region is very flat and there arent many people on the road, so its a great place to ride even for an unexperienced driver. However, there are other vendors (probably her relatives or friends) that will put food on your table (fresh spring rolls, deep fried veggies, etc.) When we get back there, a motorbike trip around H Giang province is at the top of our wish list. The Krabi area can be divided into Krabi Town, Ao Nang and Railay, all of which offer a very different experience.
Really, its a great place in the World. If youre looking for a reasonably large island to explore over the course of three to four days, Koh Phangan fits the bill nicely. Learn from my mistakes youll want a GoPro for this. Chinese golden week is the first week of October and I understand that Vietnam is a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Thank you for all the tipps. If you are traveling Vietnam with kids, check out the best family-friendly Ha Long Bay cruisesto choose the right one for you. If you are one of the first on, youll have to wait a bit because they typically leave once they have a full bus. Are anybody interested in exploring Vietnams landscapes and cuisine and looking forward to travelling vietnam in the near future, please feel free to contact with us: http://itsvietnam.com/. We are two retired American teachers spending 16 days this September Hanoi (4), motorbike tour (4) from PhongNha NP, HCM trail, DMZ, Hue, to HoiAn (4), HCMC & Mekong (4). This just made our day! Do I have to plan ahead or should I just head out and figure it out along the way? We loved it there and hope to go back someday.
We didnt like the place we stayed in Saigon so we cant recommend it. Sometimes it gets so foggy you cant see your hand in front of your face. Glad you liked our Vietnam Itinerary. Hi Lala, Youll love Vietnam! Wed love to hear from you in the comments below! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), theres no airport, meaning youll need to get the ferry from Koh Samui or Surat Thani. So glad to hear you loved it! We loved our time in your country and cant wait to visit Vietnam again! At this hammock-filled restaurant, you can order a half chicken or whole chicken and the lady will ask you if you want to kill it yourself. Vietnam is hands-down the best place in Southeast Asia to witness the convergence of the old and new, from modern cities in the making to silversmiths far removed from the modern changes around them. Once we landed in Koh Tao, it was back to solo travel. Bangkok is one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia (and the world), as well as the worlds most popular tourist destination. ), Where I Stayed: Slumber Party at the Beach Hostel. I love the hub of cities, the serenity of the countryside, extraordinary cuisine, beaches, and limestone karsts. SpendDay 1getting acclimated to the time difference and readjusting to being on land after 30+ hours in transit.
Hi Sina, Im sorry I cant be much help. If I had to do it again, Id staycloser to town. Yes, there are a zillion blog posts about how to travel this area! Hey Sebastian, thats a great question. From there, explore the rice terraces by following the winding trails. Id be curious to know if you had any communication issues as you traveled around. Enjoy your chicken and a cold beer (of course) overlooking the river below. But sometimes you just crave a little Vitamin D (and Vitamin SEA), am I right?! What They Dont Tell You About Traveling With a Girl. For more information on this famous street stall and to see the daily menu, check out this website. We kindly rejected her offer, but at least we knew the chicken was going to be fresh! Cheers! Have a wonderful time and eat tons of food for us! But if you do end up staying here for the night, we use Agoda to find the best hotel/guesthouse deals around Southeast Asia. An alternative option is to do an organized motorbike tour. Free cancellations too. Hey Ben, thanks and sorry for the delay response, thanks again for your feedback.Happy new year 2018. Anyway, I hope this helps a bit! Fun Fact: The owner of this place first discovered the Son Doong Cave. We are pretty certain we will be back in Vietnam someday. Besides, I would like to recommend you some places I am interested in such as Ly Son Island, Ca Mau. There isnt a menu, and they just cook what they have on hand, so it is truly an authentic experience. Vietnam Backpackers Hostels Original. Youll witness motorbikes flowing chaotically yet synchronously through the crammed streets. Note: Know that while you are walking along the main road you will likely have women follow you and try to convince you to buy something from them or hire them as a guide. If you are really concerned about crowed that week, you could go a little off the tourist trail and visit Phung Nha (though it may have grown in popularity since we visited in 2016). Sapa has had a boom of tourism in the last years and the locals will try to do anything to benefit from the masses entering this tiny town. We even met one young traveler whose friend needed to be airlifted to Bangkok after hurting himself and the local hospitals couldnt treat his injury. The Cambodia leg of our three week itinerary begins in Siem Reap the countrys fifth largest city and the gateway to the incredible Angkor Archaeological Park. Occasionally, its nice to give the administrative /coordinating duties to someone else. Southeast Asia Circuit (from Bangkok) Express Travel Pass, Indochina Discovery: Seasides and Street Food. Aside from sketchy/unsafe rock climbing and a tour guide too focused on keeping to schedule than maintainingthe party, it was decent. We cant wait to get back to Vietnam someday!
Beyond diving, Koh Tao is also a fun place to swim, sunbathe and snorkel. Everything youve heard about Bangkok is true: Its humid, crowded, chaoticbutcompletely electrifying. We did the exact same 2-week itinerary you suggested but we added Mekong Delta in the HCMC part, toward the end of our trip. Next Read: Eco-friendly travel gear that you can take with you anywhere. We did. Hey Carlos. Take a boat tour through narrow cave waterways and grottoes. Thank you so much for your detail and helpful blog about Vietnam.I agree with you that beside Sapa, we can choose Ha Giang or Mu Cang Chai to explore, its less tourist and more beautiful than Sapa. Find out how to get certified to teach English abroad. pho tom soup vietnamese noodle vegetarian vegan asia While traveling in Vietnam, we trekked through rice terraces, hugged a 1,000-year-old tree, explored famous caves, ate everything we set our sights on, and went zip-lining and canyoneering. Its beauty on a larger-than-lifescale, constantly surrounding you on all sides. Its a custom crafted experience we create by understanding you using our personal local connections around the world.
The first day was filled with weaving around the towering limestone islands and exploring caves. I opted to begin my Southeast Asia adventure in Thailand as a cultural warm up. Take the bus from Hanoi to the city of Ninh Binh, rent a scooter and just outside of town is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trang An National Park. We heard mixed reviews from people who did the homestay treks in Sapa, so do your research and talk to other travelers along the way for advice. i will be in vietnam next month. :: You can buy a Vietnam SIM card online with Klook to pick up on arrival at the airport in Vietnam - make sure you're connected as soon as you arrive. Id recommend doing it all when you get there. The beaches on Koh Samui range from somewhat heavily developed to almost entirely quiet and peaceful. To each their own, but we thoroughly enjoyed our month in Vietnam and had a great trip! Today, youll have a chance to learn about Vietnamese agriculture as you cycle through different villages. Hi Carmela, that is so good to hear! im really excited for vietnam so far . Starting in Bangkok, our itinerary covers historical temples and modern shopping districts before giving you several days at one of Thailands many world class beach areas. Combine the two and you have a trip to Southeast Asia ahead of you that we guarantee youll remember. Khlong Tours of Thonburi. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. There is a link in the Sapa section of this article. I love the post. Its also a decent beach resort thats easy to access by taxi, bus or minivan in under two hours from Bangkok. Prepare for an early start when your guide will meet you in your hotels lobby and bring you by car to your private boat at Tan Cang pier. Khao Sok isnt quick to get to from Koh Tao, but itssoworth it. Dark Cave is so much fun! We also were on a Halong Bay boat trip over New Years which was great because we made some fantastic friends over the three day/two night boat trip. Two of my favorite activities of my entire trip were on Koh Tao:Snorkeling (the marine life is INCREDIBLE) and stand up paddle boarding at sunset.
The dorms were nice and the free breakfast was a great way to start our day. Our. If youre lucky you might get to meet him! should I get a guide to go hiking on my own in sapa? In the afternoon, youll pick up your bike to ride along the scenic canal, walk around open rice fields, and explore the amazing folds of the rock formations. Is Cheow Lan Lake Thailands Most Underrated Destination? Also, theres also a hop-on/hop-off type pass you can buy but it restricts you a bit because if I remember correctly, you have to arrange each ticket a couple days in advance. Our Vietnam itinerary starts in Ho Chi Minh City and goes north, with a quick stop in the scenic, historical town of Hoi an before going to Hanoi and Halong Bay. fixie presta fas stem felge staub vorbau beautiful and advisable post, guys! Thank you so much for all the information! While the beaches here arent as spectacular as on the islands, Hua Hins convenient location makes it a fun place to spend a few days. It includes two major cities (Bangkok, Hanoi), beautiful beaches (Railay, Koh Tao), countryside (Mai Chau), and SPECTACULARlimestone karsts (Khao Sok, Halong Bay, La Han Bay). We were in Sapa during Christmas and it was kind of fun because it was actually cold enough outside to snow. Vietnam is a country that surprised us in every way, and we cant wait for you to experience its flavors, sounds, and warmth for yourself. All are located within walking distance of each other, making it easy to see all three without getting stuck in Bangkoks infamous traffic. i will be in vietnam and this article will help me.
If youre flying into Vietnam internationally as this itinerary suggests, the easiest process is obtaining aVisa on Arrival. World Nomads lets you buy insurance online quickly and easily. It is a sweet, fresh or mildly fermented sap taken from tapping the young expanded flowers of the coconut. 
If you love jaw-dropping scenery and immaculate sunsets, you HAVE to visit Railay. Love your blog and all the great specific recommendations for what to do and eat. Enjoy a light breakfast of sandwiches or pastries, fresh tropical fruits and Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca phe sua da) as your guide explains the rural traditions and aspects of life on the riverbank. I immensely enjoyed my afternoon riding a bike throughout the region, waving to the smiling local kids. If you have ridden before and are pretty confident, I think youd be alright, but I wouldnt recommend this route if youre new to motorbikes and are feeling uneasy. Want to more time at Angkor Archaeological Park? Anw, I know a prestigious website having full of information about Vietnam travel including culture, food, people, and so forth.
Again, brilliant post guys, Vietnam really is a special place! The bus that we actually heard really terrible things about was the border crossing from Vientiane to Hanoi.