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[lorpet]

Hello my name is Lorraine my husband and I wish to travel to vietnam in May of this year we are very unsure of how to travel either on our own or go with a tour group. The only thing wrong with the tour group is that I have had several back operations and don't think I could keep up with the Tours.
We Want to travel to saigon to Hanoi in about 12 Days can any one advise us on which way to go especially if you have been before thank you very much
from Lorraine Peter

[wakingdream]

Hi Lorraine!

Well, great choice Vietnam is a beautiful and fascinating country!

I'd highly recommend checking out the content on SEAT61 for the Hanoi/Saigon journey. I've never done the whole ride but it's an overnighter from Hanoi to Hue or Danang so the whole trip shouldn't be more than a few days or so, so your alloted 12 days is ideal. You could even stop along the way for a night or two if you fancy. You can get a sleeper for the train journey and if your back bothers you too much you should be able to lie down if need be.

What are any other plans you have in the country?

Also, here's a link to the train route map throughout SEA.

Personally, as long as you're fairly confident and you enjoy independent travel I would also highly recommend making your way around without a tour group. I don't think you'd need one.
If you've got any more questions feel free to post them here

[lorpet]

[quote name='lorpet' date='Jan 11 2009, 07:07 AM' post='85508']
could you recommend any 3 or 4 star hotels that we can stay in . In Siagon or hanoi also sight seeing not to miss . I checked out the ride on the train we may even try that thanks lorraine Peter

[wakingdream]

Hello my name is Lorraine my husband and I wish to travel to vietnam in May of this year we are very unsure of how to travel either on our own or go with a tour group. The only thing wrong with the tour group is that I have had several back operations and don't think I could keep up with the Tours.
We Want to travel to saigon to Hanoi in about 12 Days can any one advise us on which way to go especially if you have been before thank you very much
from Lorraine Peter

Hi lorraine !
12 days From Ha Noi to Sai gon is hard to travel. so you need to cut down some place.
Ha noi fly to Hoi An
Hoi An by Train to Nha trang
Nha Trang fly to Ho chi minh city
Mekong delta and Cu chi tunnel

Yeah, I would disagree. It's not hard. If you look at the train route, which is all relative in scope, it's actually farther from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and that's a 12 hour overnighter, which I have done many times and it's very enjoyable. You'd have a long journey ahead,b ut a few days of train travel has many advantages. I think it would be a wonderful way to meet locals and see more of the country. Plus, the post above is pushing a tour service (which I edited) so maybe he's just a wee bit biased.

Anyone else out there think taking the train is a good/bad idea?

[starlagurl]

could you recommend any 3 or 4 star hotels that we can stay in . In Siagon or hanoi also sight seeing not to miss . I checked out the ride on the train we may even try that thanks lorraine Peter

Hi Lorraine and Peter:

To find 3-4 star hotels check TripAdvisor first, and read the reviews, I'm sure they'd all be very nice.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293924-Hanoi-Hotels.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293925-...ity-Hotels.html

[longvnt]

I think the train is a very bad idea with a person with back problem. The train is made in 1890 and the noise and the shake will make you remember them for ever ( not mentioning the squat toillette with its smell). You can't sleep there if you haven't finish half litter of rhum ( or more)

I recommend:

3 days in the North ( with one day to Halong Bay)
2 days in Hue
2 days in Hoian
3 days in Saigon
1 night in a resort at Muine ( to relax after the tour)

3 star hotel I often stay:
Hanoi hotel: Galaxy, Anise,
Hue: Rose, Asian ( I recommend Orchard)
Hoian: Ha An, Hoian, Phu Thinh, Greenfield
Saigon: Oscar, Metropole ( good 3 star) , or Empress, Chancery ( so so)

good luck

[lorpet]

I think the train is a very bad idea with a person with back problem. The train is made in 1890 and the noise and the shake will make you remember them for ever ( not mentioning the squat toillette with its smell). You can't sleep there if you haven't finish half litter of rhum ( or more)

I recommend:

3 days in the North ( with one day to Halong Bay)
2 days in Hue
2 days in Hoian
3 days in Saigon
1 night in a resort at Muine ( to relax after the tour)

3 star hotel I often stay:
Hanoi hotel: Galaxy, Anise,
Hue: Rose, Asian ( I recommend Orchard)
Hoian: Ha An, Hoian, Phu Thinh, Greenfield
Saigon: Oscar, Metropole ( good 3 star) , or Empress, Chancery ( so so)

good luck

We Wish to thank you very much. we will look at the days you said Hope to let you know when we get home what we did Thanks Lorraine & Peter

[lorpet]

I think the train is a very bad idea with a person with back problem. The train is made in 1890 and the noise and the shake will make you remember them for ever ( not mentioning the squat toillette with its smell). You can't sleep there if you haven't finish half litter of rhum ( or more)

I recommend:

3 days in the North ( with one day to Halong Bay)
2 days in Hue
2 days in Hoian
3 days in Saigon
1 night in a resort at Muine ( to relax after the tour)

3 star hotel I often stay:
Hanoi hotel: Galaxy, Anise,
Hue: Rose, Asian ( I recommend Orchard)
Hoian: Ha An, Hoian, Phu Thinh, Greenfield
Saigon: Oscar, Metropole ( good 3 star) , or Empress, Chancery ( so so)

good luck

Thank you for all your help my hoilday is looking better each time I look at the site here
we hope to stay 4 days in hanoi maybe fly to danang hue for about 3 days either train to saigon or fly and stay there about 5 days hope to meet plenty of locals and have a great time Thank will let you all how we go

[odells]

Hello Lorraine. My husband and I are off to Vietnam next week (5/2/09). We are going for 1 month, travelling from Saigon/Mekong Delta, Vung Tau, Dalat, Nah Trang, Hoi an, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa. We are not going in a tour and have only booked the first 2 nights at a hotel in Saigon.. then its up to us.

Im sure we will have some difficulties at some point but have been told its a very easy country to travel in.

Check out out pages as we go and when back may be able to help with any questions you may have.

Karen

[lorpet]

Thank you Karen we will look forward to seeing how you travel around in Vietnam Thanks Lorraine