My wife and I are in the process of planning a 15 day trip to Vietnam and are looking for some tips and recommendations on planning the trip. Where to travel, what to see and how to travel within the country. Is it better to fly between the cities, use buses, trains or charter a driver and car.
Saigon is a must, spend at least 3-4 days shooting.
Mekong River Delta is very nice for floating markets, excellent cuisine, fruit gardens, temples.
Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne are some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world.
Hue was the capital so there is some fantastic ruins.
Ha Long Bay is the most famous landmark in all of Vietnam. You must go.
Hanoi, Hoi An still have some old world charm.
What is your main purpose for the trip? If it's about photography then hire a driver and guide. It shouldn't that expensive.
Thanks for the info. What I want to get out of the trip is to see and experience the country and the culture. If photo opportunities arise so much the better.
My wife is Vietnamese and left Vietnam on April 23 of 1975 during the airlift out of Saigon. She have not been back to Vietnam nor have her sisters since they left. She was 23 years old when she left so this trip is going to be as much for her to see her country as it is for me to experience it. We plan to travel with two other sisters and brother-in-laws so there will be 6 of us traveling as a small group. We will probably stay around 20 to 21 days touring the country.
Again thank you for the info and I'm excited about the trip. It has taken me a long time to convince my wife we should visit Vietnam.
Where is your wife background, what province she was borne . I think that you should visit it first . When you want to go, I'll ask my friend in vnphoto.net to welcome you & show you around . My nick in vnphoto.net is "MeoSachThiu"
I spent 2 weeks in Vietnam a little over a year ago, and it was amazing. It's an extremely beautiful country.
I went to Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay and Hoi An. I would highly recommend all four places, with Sapa and Halong Bay being big highlights of the trip. Hoi An has a lovely beach, and hundreds of tailor shops where you can get clothes made very cheaply. I only spent one night in Halong Bay, but I wish I would have done two.
Most of the other travelers I spoke to enjoyed the north much more the the south, but I didn't make it down further then then Hoi An, so I can't speak from experience.
Great country with really friendly people, but they are relatively new to tourism (within the last 10 years or so), so just be prepared for a few kinks. I was traveling by myself so I just hired a guide, which I arranged ahead of time. He was really great, and I'd be happy to pass on his info to you if you want to PM me.
I was in Hanoi for all of August to adopt a baby. The people are beautiful, friendly and industrious. While still poor, the country is undergoing great change, and is eager to become another "asian tiger". Hopefully, they won't wreck their environment like China did. Food is delicious. Avoid the hot season if possible (our weather was humid and scorching, day and night). This is Jade: http://patternassociates.com/rico/misc/babystarbucks.jpg
Excuse my ignorance, but how does one go about hiring a guide/driver? Are such arrangements made once one has arrived in Viet Nam? If I would like to visit both urban and rural areas, will the typical driver/guide be familiar enough with both? Should a new driver/guide be hired for each new location? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance.
I just did lots and lots of searching online for Vietnamese tour companies and sent lots of e-mails. I explained to each one that I am a photographer who would be traveling alone, and I wanted a private guide (no tour groups) who would be flexible and patient. After reading a lot of forums, and getting back responses, I had a general idea of who was reputable and then I just trusted my instincts. I had the same guide the whole time (I was only in the north region though, and didn't have a guide when I was in the more southern city of Hoi An.). The tour company arranged for me to go with a guide who as an amateur photographer, so it was perfect! He loved being able to take his camera along on a tour and he was excited to have the chance to take photos as well, since this normally wouldn't be allowed for him. I was able to give him a lot of technical tips, and he was able to take me a little bit "off the beaten path" and he helped me communicate with the locals. He went with me on the train to Sapa, went trekking with me out there, and went with me on the boat to Halong Bay. When we had to use a car for transportation we had a separate driver. And it all cost me less then $50 per day!!
Since I went on my trip, he and his wife have opened up their own tour company, so I would love to be able to throw some business their way if anyone is interested! I really can't recommend him enough if you are interested in going there for photography.
It wouldn't be that difficult to get around by yourself, but it's so inexpensive to hire a guide. A lot of tourists just arranged for individual day/overnight tours when they got there, so you could go about doing it that way too. I only had two weeks to visit so I wanted to arrange everything ahead of time, so I wasn't wasting time negotiating tours (and everything is a negotiation in that country).
Kien Pham Chi wrote:
Where is your wife background, what province she was borne . I think that you should visit it first . When you want to go, I'll ask my friend in vnphoto.net to welcome you & show you around . My nick in vnphoto.net is "MeoSachThiu"
Hi Kiem
I found some of your postings and photos on vnphoto and they are great. Unfortunately I can not read Vietnamese but it looks like a very good site. Thank you for the offer about your friend. We will possibly contact you for more info as the time for the trip nears.
RebeccaVT wrote:
I just did lots and lots of searching online for Vietnamese tour companies and sent lots of e-mails. I explained to each one that I am a photographer who would be traveling alone, and I wanted a private guide (no tour groups) who would be flexible and patient. After reading a lot of forums, and getting back responses, I had a general idea of who was reputable and then I just trusted my instincts. I had the same guide the whole time (I was only in the north region though, and didn't have a guide when I was in the more southern city of Hoi An.). The tour company arranged for me to go with a guide who as an amateur photographer, so it was perfect! He loved being able to take his camera along on a tour and he was excited to have the chance to take photos as well, since this normally wouldn't be allowed for him. I was able to give him a lot of technical tips, and he was able to take me a little bit "off the beaten path" and he helped me communicate with the locals. He went with me on the train to Sapa, went trekking with me out there, and went with me on the boat to Halong Bay. When we had to use a car for transportation we had a separate driver. And it all cost me less then $50 per day!!
Since I went on my trip, he and his wife have opened up their own tour company, so I would love to be able to throw some business their way if anyone is interested! I really can't recommend him enough if you are interested in going there for photography.
It wouldn't be that difficult to get around by yourself, but it's so inexpensive to hire a guide. A lot of tourists just arranged for individual day/overnight tours when they got there, so you could go about doing it that way too. I only had two weeks to visit so I wanted to arrange everything ahead of time, so I wasn't wasting time negotiating tours (and everything is a negotiation in that country).
Great info. You did exactly what I am trying to do. Gather as much info and have everything in place before we make the trip. I do not want the hassle and time loss in trying to make arrangements once you arrive.
It sounds like you had a great trip. This is one trip I am really excited about.
MorrieC
rico wrote:
I was in Hanoi for all of August to adopt a baby. The people are beautiful, friendly and industrious. While still poor, the country is undergoing great change, and is eager to become another "asian tiger". Hopefully, they won't wreck their environment like China did. Food is delicious. Avoid the hot season if possible (our weather was humid and scorching, day and night). This is Jade: http://patternassociates.com/rico/misc/babystarbucks.jpg
Thank you for the reply. It looks like you had an exceptional trip and brought back very precious baby. Congratulations and a great photo. Thanks for sharing.
MorrieC
I've been to Vietnam twice in 2 yrs. Travel included Mekong, HCMC, Hue, Nha Trang, Ha Long bay, Hanoi, Sapa, Bac Ha, Loi Cali, My Tho and others. Travel the train from Hanoi to HCMC. All my travels I arranged thru www.stayvietnam.com Ask for Van, they have NO fees and can provide the best prices and tours. Check out my daily blog on Vietnam for news http://chuckkuhnphotography.blogspot.com also hundreds of pictures at http://pbase.com/ckuhn55/far_east_asia Have a blast, I'm going back before year end and spend 8 to 10 months. I'm also planning a Photography tour for 18 days for under $1500.00 per person. Showing for late this yr or early next yr. Vietnam is changing daily...see it now.
