Urgent Advice Needed

Hello, We are currently on honeymoon at our first stop off in Hong Kong. We were due to fly to Thailand tonight for a further 3 weeks but obviously have to make alternative plans now as our flights were cancelled, etc. So we%26#39;re wondering if any of you would recommend Vietnam..we want some time for outdoor activities - hiking, water sports, etc and then some beach time. We would be very grateful for any tips or advice you might have.

Thanks.

Urgent Advice Needed

Wow! A stressful start to your honeymoon. Vietnam is a wonderful destination - we have been twice with a third trip booked for next year, also been once to Thailand. Vietnam is not as westernised as Thailand but that is part of the charm.

For outdoors experience, consider flying into Hanoi and taking a side trip to Sapa for hiking (easy to challenging - take your pick) and then maybe Halong Bay for cruising, kayaking, exploring islands etc. Hanoi is a fascinating and charming city - lots to see, great restaurants etc. I%26#39;d then consider a few days in Hoi An - our favourite holiday destination, wander around for days eating, watching the world go by, maybe have some clothes made - stay at the beach or in the town. An alternative is Nha Trang - very touristy and westernised but great water sports, night clubs, resorts. Mui Ne - a bit further south is quieter, resorty, less commercialised - great, quiet honeymoon destination. Saigon is a mad but wonderful Asian city - great western style shopping, also side trip to Mekong Delta?

Cost of accommodation ranges from very cheap to great (for us $30 average per night) and Western type prices for great resorts.

Hard to be more precise. good luck and make the most of it!

Urgent Advice Needed

Hi.

Another thought - check out how easy it will be to get visas for vietnam -If it proves too difficult Cambodia is another option with Visa on arrival.

Hi,

Vietnam is a charming and hospitable country.

I can recommend you destinations in Vietnam as follow

In the North: Hanoi - Halong - Sapa( romantic lanscapes)

In the Centre: Hue - Hoian

In the South: Saigon - Mekong If you like beach, you can go to Muine or Nha Trang

Three weeks in VIetnam is enough for destinations.

Cheers

VN

vn.myblog.yahoo.com/morningvietnam2001

Thanks for all your advice. Hopefully can get visas sorted in a day and will go to Vietnam. Would you recommend going to Hanoi and surrounding areas or Ho Chi Min and surrounding areas? We are going to keep the last leg of our Thailand trip open in case things settle down there so we have about 7-10 days.

Thanks again for all your help. Appreciate it.

Sounds like a good plan - seems like things are settling down in Thailand so you may get there. I%26#39;d do Hanoi and surrounds - closer to where you are and also probably more distinctive - Saigon is more like other Asian cities. Try to get to Hoi An. Lovely relaxed environment, beach if you want - destination no. 1!!Also lots of stunning sights near Hanoi ie Halong Bay and Sapa. Bottom line is - it%26#39;s a honeymoon - good luck and enjoy!!!! Happy to provide advice re accommodatio via Email

We were in Vietnam earlier this year and Slopenbeach has covered our thoughts pretty well. Follow his advice and you won%26#39;t go far wrong.

We have exactly the same problem and on honeymoon as well :)) Also flying to HK first for couple of days, Our itinerary, allwith private guide/driver, afterwards for the moment is:

* HK to Hanoi (we skiped Sapa part this time as looked quite rustic and not wanting to share cabin of 4 on overnight train)

* Halong Bay

* fly Hanoi to Hue

* drive to Hoi An (visitng Dalang and other sights)

* HCM (fly from Dalang). We decided to skip Mekong trip as again boats look bit rustic and hotels at border very basic so wanted something else during honemoon but definitely doing another time)

* Phonm Pehn (fly from HCM)

* Siem Reap (fly from PP)

* Luang Prabang/Laos (fly from Siem Reap)

Afterwards, normally we would have flown to Chiang Mai, stay couple of days and fly to Bangkok..onto Thai islands...for complete luxury relaxation before returning home...

We are now looking for options for the last part of our week, Hopefully someone answers our post since we are determined to end on beach somewhere!

Good luck to you.

one more touts vutour!!

I have been meaning to email for sooooo long to thank you for all your advice. We ended up having a fantastic week in Vietnam..flew to Hanoi, went out to Halong Bay and then to Sapa for a few days. Had a great time! Thanks again for all your advice.