I need your help again, folks. I'll be in Hanoi and Saigon next month.
I need a recommendation for a hotel in Saigon - clean, quiet (light sleeper), good location, no frills needed.
recommendations for a 2 night trip to Ha Long Bay, to/from Hanoi.
recommendations for day trips and sights in Saigon and Hanoi. I'll have about 4 full days in each.
I'm interested in culture, history, markets, love museums, not into beaches, adventure or trekking.
Hi, Just saw this know you probably have already booked, but we just took a Ha Long Bay cruise with Indochina Junk. It was awesome!! I would totally recommend them to anyone. A smaller boat, really intimate experience, loved it!
Also, we stayed at the Hanoi Boutique Hotel, we liked it, but I know I can't say it is quiet.
Make sure to do the Cu Chi Tunnels in the south. Worth the drive from the city.
I second the Cu Chi tunnels. My wife and I went on our honeymoon although I was a lot slimmer then and didn't have any issues getting into the tunnels, I'm not sure how I'd manage now. They have widened the entrance and part of the tunnels for larger Westerners and back then I was able to follow the guide through the original, unaltered ones although at one point he shot off around a corner, carrying the only torch, and I was left in the dark crawling on my belly with barely an inch above my head, I've never felt so claustrophobic in my life!
Saigon is very large. My tour stayed at "hotel oscar saigon" - no frills, clean and pretty central location.
Not much help on the Saigon hotel as I used points at the Hyatt - definitely luxurious and with frills so doesn't fit your needs.
Halong bay - there are tons and tons of low budget tourist shops around selling the same sort of tour. Find a reputable company (maybe something recommended in Lonely Planet) and make sure you have the right address and contact info as there are companies that copy the name of the recommended ones.
I too enjoyed the Cu Chi tunnels. We had a little bit more time so had also stopped by Hue though this wouldn't be a day trip.
Enjoy Vietnam - food was fabulous.
