To Saigon and back.
I\\\'m planning to a do a 10 day trek from Hanoi to Ho Chi Ming (or vice versa) in August. What is the best way to do this without wasting too much time. Is flying the only option? Or is there such a thing as an express train/bus that will provide this service? I would like to stop on the coast (Da Nang and Hue).
Second question is would at budget of $300 total be suffice? Will be picking up trinkets along the way but I\\\'m there to relax, sight seeing, enjoy the local food, try snake whiskey and take in the culture.
Also is visa on arrival available for US passport? I will be in BKK and if that is not the case then will stop by the Viet Embassy.
Please post some suggestions. Thank you.
Keo
Reply to this You need a visa before you go, which you can get from the Vietnam Embassy in BKK. My husband and I just got ours there two months ago. You can either expedite it (next day service if before 10:00 am) or not. I can't remember the cost, but I'll bet the web has info.
There are a lot of options traveling between Hanoi and HCMC. Bus / train / flights are all possible. There are bus services that offer open tours (get on / get off wherever) which might be a good option for you. It's really easy to arrange transport from old town Hanoi once you're there.
Reply to this My friend, thanks for the help. Will have to check out the Vietnam Em in BKK for sure. Cheers.
Reply to this I have just travelling from Hanoi to HoChiMinh.It is interesting. If you would like to stop on the coast (Da Nang and Hue), I think that you should choice by bus. It is more convenient than train and flight.
Reply to this lyly,
Thanks for the post. How was the ride itself though? Pretty rough or like a Grey Hound? Would you happen to recall the bus company or the price?
Reply to this Many of the buses are 'open tours' run by companies like Sinh Cafe. You buy a bus ticket from Hanoi to HCMC (for example) and certain stops along the way....Hoi An is lovely for example. It's not expensive. You can book them anywhere in Hanoi. Every guesthouse, cafe and travel agent advertises them. Don't get it in advance.
If you read some Vietnam blogs, they will tell you what the bus ride is like. Vietnamese traffic is mental and buses love to beep their horns and swerve through traffic!!
Bear in mind though, with only 10 days to play with, you will spend a lot of the time travelling if you do the whole journey by bus. It's about 12 hours from Hanoi to Danang/Hoi An. And then at least the same again from there to HCMC (can someone confirm the exact times?). Many of the buses run overnight.
Does your 10 days include time in Hanoi and HCMC, or is it just travelling time. This will affect it. If you only have 10 days in Vietnam then you will need a few days in both cities. Then I would suggest flying between Hanoi and either Hue or Danang. Look at Jetstar Asia. The flights are cheap. If you have 10 days travelling time then that is a different story. Travel by bus or train and think about stopping in Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Dalat and Mui Ne along the way. A couple of days in each.
We got our Vietnam visa in Bangkok. We just got a travel agent to arrange it for us. Believe it or not, it was cheaper than getting it from the embassy. It is quite an expensive visa though. I think it's about 1500 baht in Bangkok if you get it in 2/3 days. It's more if you want it the next day.
Have fun
Kate
Reply to this Hi Kate,
Follow the advise of Kris and Kate. Fly from Hanoi to Danag....it's cheap, either by Jetstar or Vietnam Airlines...and no problems with one way. Than pick up the Sinh cafe open bus for the next part of your trip.
For Visa, Bangkok is an easy option, but you need to stay there few days. If you contact Sinh Cafe, they may as well be able to get you the visa. You send your details and they send you an email back that you print. With this print out, they let you board the plane and you get your visa at the airport...no print out...no flight...don't forget that!
Have fun,
Peter
Reply to this Howmany people go to with you? I am training in the company. Would you like I will ask about the price to you reference
Have fun,
lyly
Reply to this Hi Keo,
I suggest you should take the overnight train, and stop at Hue or Danang station. By getting yourself a sleeping berth ticket, which costs you around 35$, you can save 1night accommodation, still enjoy the scenery and have a cozy place to sleep.
Cheers.
Reply to this Guys,
Thanks for all the help, it will just be me. I want to check out Vietnam b4 I go to Korea. cheers
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