Bonjour, je souhaite en rentrant d'Australie, faire une escale dans un pays asiatique de 15 jours, le billet le moins cher qui m'est apparu est celui pour le Vietnam. J'ai donc fait mes recherches, et apparemment le mieux est de partir du Nord (Hanoi) pour aller faire le Sud. Pouvez-vous me le confirmer? Si oui de quelle ville devrais-je repartir pour la France? Ho chi min?
En 15 jours est-t-il possible de visiter le Vietnam? Quelles sont les lieux les plus importants et plus intéressants?
A combien s'élève le visa? Où puis-je me le procurer? Directement sur place?
J'irais là-bas du 24 août au 10 septembre. Est-ce une bonne période?
J'irais là-bas du 24 août au 10 septembre. Est-ce une bonne période?
En 15 jours, vous ne pouvez pas tout voir, donc vous devez sélectionner les sites.
A partir du 24 Août, on s'approche déjà de Septembre, où le mauvais temps commence à frapper dans le Centre. Il faut se dépêcher de visiter Huê et Hoi An, avant de monter vite fait dans le Nord: Hanoi, Bai d'Halong, Ninh Bình Tam Cóc et Sapa-Bác Hà.
Pour avoir le visa à l'arrivée, il faut faire une demande d'autorisation préalable au près d'une agence de voyages.
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
Il est evident que vous ne pouvez pas tout faire en 15 jours, on est en Asie ou on ne compte pas les deplacements en km mais en temps.
Le programme propose par Abalone est parfait pour cette saison et il y a tant de belles choses a voir dans cette partie du Viet Nam que, pour ma part, j'apprecie plus que le sud, meme si je reside une partie de l'annee a HCM.
J'etais l'annee derniere dans le nord au mois de septembre et ca n'a pose aucun probleme en ce aui concerne le climat, un peu comme en ce moment a HCM ou il fait soleil le matin et il pleut1h ou 2 l'apres-midi.
En ce qui concerne le visa a l'arrivee, il est tres facile a obtenir. On peu obtenir l'autorisation directement sur internet en passant par certains sites qui proposent ce service. Le delai est de 3 jours pour l'obtenir par mail et il suffit de l'imprimer, ce service coute 32 euro et le visa a l'arrivee 25 US dollar ( moins cher en tout qu'en passant par l'ambassade du VN en France). J'utilise cette formule et ca ne pose aucun probleme.
Bonjour Lucie, je pense que le choix du nord vietnam est le plus opportun.tant, sur le plan climatique, que des magnifiques paysages offerts.deux semaines me semblent etre assez courtes pour faire un long periple.A mon humble avis il est preferable de bien visiter une region, bien s'impregner des paysages, des gens que de courir et survoler ce pays.Cela reste un avis personnel et j'espere que d'autres que moi te repondront.Tu peux me joindre pour d'eventuels renseignements
cordialement
frederic
salut!
j ai vécu deux ans en asie du sud est sensiblement au même âge que toi, un an au vietnam, un an en thailande.
ce que je peux en dire c'est que le vietnam et la thailande ont sensiblement le meme climat, mais les pluies ne sont pas vraiment un problème à moins d'un déluge avec inondation (ça m'est arrivé 1 fois à HCMV et 5fois quasi insignifiantes à BKK) sinon tu es trempée jusqu'aux os, la pluie s'arréte subitement et 10 minutes plus tard tu es toute sèche, pas vraiment contraignant quoi!
pour ce qui est du pays en lui même c'est aussi différent que la france et l'allemagne, difficile de comparer, moi je préfère le viet nam pour sa simplicité, la gentillesse non commerciale des gens, les belles rencontres auprès d'autres voyageurs et locaux qui n'hésitent jamais à aider un nguoi phap (français)...
sinon 15 jours c'est chaud pour faire le viet nam, perso je ne suis pas allée dans le nord (un an ne m a pas suffi pour voir l'ensemble du pays, c'est d ailleurs pourquoi j y retourne en janvier pour une durée indéterminée)
pour le sud je te conseille les incontournables, mon top 5 du sud:
ho chi minh(pour un peu tout), vinh long (delta du mékong pour le paysage et sa douceur de vivre), hoi an (culturel + fringues et chaussures sur mesure), nha trang (pour les paysages et la fête), hûé (pour les monuments). avec ces 5 villes tu condenses à l'extrême les différentes facettes du Vietnam...
aux gens sensibles du forum: je tiens à préciser que je caricature volontairement les villes, ce n'est que ma vision des choses, elle n'engage que moi...
bref, je trouve que c'est un bon compromis entre le culturel et le fait de profiter de la vraie vie vietnamienne, sans oublier de faire la fête ou un aprem farniente sur une plage magnifique parce que selon moi ça n a aucun sens de passer son temps dans les bus, il vaut mieux en voir moins mais ne pas saturer et prendre le temps d'observer la vraie vie plutot que filer, prendre 5000photos en deux semaines et n'avoir rien vu autrement qu à travers un objectif
dans tous les cas je te conseille de ne pas trop préparer ton voyage juste une ville et date d'arrivée et une ville et date de départ. à ton arrivée rends toi dans un sinh café ou autre agence dans le quartier routard ils te prépareront un parcours personnalisé, avec open tickets possibles si tu te sens de rester plus lontemps dans une ville et moins dans une autre...mais sache d'ores et déjà que tu passeras un temps considérable dans les bus de nuit si tu veux parcourir du nord au sud... si tu es une vraie routarde ne prend que les trajets par l agence et débrouille toi pour les guest house tu paieras beaucoup moins cher, sinon si tu es un peu plus peureuse, ils proposent des hotels super nickel ou tout est organisé pour toi...
tu peux évidemment repartir depuis ho chi minh.
pour les visas on arrival tu trouveras les infos sur le forum,
pour le reste ça sera à toi de te faire tes propres souvenirs d'un voyage qui sera de toute façon inoubliable...
seule contrainte du vietnam: si tu y vas un jour tu y reviendras...c'est quasi obligatoire, comme une malédiction qui plane sur les visiteurs! hihi
profites en! je t'envie, j aimerais découvrir le viet nam pour la premiere fois aussi!
Bonjour, je suis entierement d'accord avec toi pour le visa a l'arrivee.Cela reste la methode la plus pratique et la moins chere.Par contre a 32 euros cela doit etre ecrit en lettre d'or.Treve de plaisenteries je connais beaucoup moins cher si je peut t'aider , ce sera avec plaisir
cordialement
frederic
salut c est domage que jai vu les questions que maintenant si non j aurrai pu te repondre un peu ( car je vien du pays)
quoi quil en soit as tu passé des bon séjour las bas
bye
Je partirai de mi janvier à mi avril solo au Vietnam. C'est ma 4e visite dans ce beau pays que j'aime beaucoup. Mes 3 premières visites ont été des itinéraires…
Voyager au féminin › Indonésie / Vietnam · 17 replies
Très bonne année pleine de voyages!!! J'ai déjà effectué des voyages sac à dos mais jamais seule. Cette année, j'ai 40 ans et comme cadeau d'anniversaire je…
Je ne connais pas l'Asie du sud est. On m'a déjà déconseillé d'aller seule dans certains pays comme aux Philippines etc par exemple mais je ne sais pas ce que…
Je suis nouvelle, je m'excuse donc d'avance si certaines de mes questions ont déjà été abordées dans d'autres discussions (je compte parcourir le site plus en…
Je m'appelle Emma. Je souhaiterais partir au Vitnam seule pendant 3 semaines pour voir le plus de choses possibles. Auriez-vous des conseils à me donner, sur…
Hi everyone,
I’m a 67-year-old woman who loves to travel, and for my third solo trip, I’ve decided to explore Indonesia.
I’ll be there from September 1st to October 5th, and I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary.
I’d love any advice you can share—I’ll read it all carefully.
So far, I’ve booked my first two nights with a local host in Jakarta, and then I’m heading to Borobudur. That’s all I’ve got planned for now.
Do you think I should book accommodations and transport tickets in advance? It seems really complicated, or could I just decide day by day based on how I feel?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a solo trip to Mongolia this summer, without an agency. However, I’d like to have a guide accompany me for certain parts of my journey.
From my research, I understand that most "activities," accommodations, and transportation are best arranged day by day, depending on opportunities and encounters. Without an agency, everything is organized on the spot.
I’d love to hear more opinions on this, especially regarding the Orkhon Valley.
Here’s the itinerary I’m planning:
* UB -> Mörön (flight) -> Khatgal (local buses)
A few days at Lake Khövsgöl
* Khatgal -> Mörön -> Jargalant -> Tariat (local buses)
A few days at the White Lakes
* White Lakes -> Tsetserleg -> Kharkhorin (4x4 with driver)
A few days in the Orkhon Valley
+ the Eight Lakes (horseback trekking with a guide)
* Return to UB
From what I’ve gathered, the first part should be fairly straightforward, but I have questions about the Orkhon Valley.
Here are my questions:
-> Tsetserleg to Kharkhorin route:
Have any of you made this trip by booking a driver on the spot when arriving in Tsetserleg? Was it easy to find an available driver? And did you find it easy/difficult/impossible to find other travelers to share the ride with? Ideally, I’d like to share this leg with fellow travelers.
-> The Eight Lakes: Could you share your experience with the Eight Lakes? Did you easily find a guide directly on site? Were you able to share this experience with other travelers?
Last question for women who’ve traveled solo in Mongolia:
-> How did you experience it? Do you have any specific tips or recommendations?
I’m considering a road trip (rental car) to explore the Canadian Rockies in September 2026, starting in Calgary and ending with about 10 days in Vancouver and the surrounding area. (Two weeks in the Rockies and a little under two weeks in Vancouver and nearby.)
I’d like to say that being a woman traveling alone doesn’t really bother me. That’s not the issue. Being a woman is just how it is, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but traveling solo is something I could fix by finding travel companions. However, I had a not-so-great experience in India with two girls who were total strangers at first and turned out to be quite annoying, so I’m a bit put off by the idea now.
My question is simple, assuming I do this trip alone: is it worth sticking *only* to driving? I have **zero** sense of direction—with a map, I’m hopeless. So, is it realistic to think, "With my GPS, I’ll just drive from Calgary to Vancouver and see what I see," since I don’t see myself hiking alone? I’m not easily scared, but I wouldn’t feel confident doing that solo. Unless all the sightseeing is done with a guide (but then, hello, the cost—my budget isn’t exactly overflowing).
What do you all think?
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Take care and happy travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
After a week of sports south of Bergen, I’m not sure what to visit during the following week between Bergen and Oslo.
I haven’t planned to rent a car.
I’d love your suggestions. Thanks
Hi everyone, I’m really keen to visit Iran for three weeks in mid-March 2015.
What worries me a bit isn’t so much traveling alone—I’m used to it and know the Middle East well—but rather the current events (Islamic State) that could potentially become dangerous.
Flights are pretty cheap at the moment, and I’d like to book before prices go up.
Any advice from people who know the ground situation and Iranian current affairs better than I do would be much appreciated! :)
Hi there! I’m in the middle of planning my first solo trip (as a woman). Do you have any ideal destinations with activities like hiking, diving, sightseeing, and easy ways to meet locals—all on a small budget?
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s had this experience before! :)
Hi there,
Who could recommend a reliable agency for visiting several islands, including the parks around Komodo? I’m traveling solo as a woman.
Thanks for your great tips!
Hi everyone,
I’m often in transit in Tokyo and I stay at the hotel because Japanese people speak little English and the signs are almost always in Japanese!
Any ideas for getting from Narita to a nice park or an onsen? I wanted to try Hokkaido, but apart from renting a car, it’s all trains! Any suggestions for a car with a driver? Or is it too expensive? Small group tours in Hokkaido? I read about the Explorator group’s offer—way too expensive!!!
I’ve got a maximum of 8 days. I’d just like a nice Japanese break.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
my friend, with whom I traveled to Iran, Myanmar, and India, really wanted to take a one-month trip to Armenia and Georgia. So we booked our flights (June 21 to July 19), but disaster struck—she can’t travel anymore due to serious family reasons.
Now I’m heading off on this adventure alone. It’s not that I’ve never traveled solo before—I spent three months exploring Southeast Asia by myself last year—but I still have a few questions, and I’d really appreciate your input.
* I don’t think traveling alone in these countries is very risky—what do you think?
* Maybe I could hire a driver? What would that cost, since some places seem tricky to reach by public transport. Do you have any driver recommendations?
* I don’t want to rent a car—the driving seems too unpredictable, especially in Georgia.
* I’d love to do some nice hikes—are there any guides available?
Here’s my rough itinerary:
YEREVAN and surroundings
YEGHEGNADZOR for Noravank
GORIS and TATEV
LAKE SEVAN
DILIJAN
HAGHPAT
TBILISI and surroundings
The CAUCASUS toward Mestia
UPLISTSIKHE
VARDZIA
Return to Yerevan for my flight
Thanks to anyone who can share their experiences or answer my questions!
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a few tips that really helped me better prepare my carry-on luggage. After a few trips (and some mistakes too!), I’ve finally found a way to organize myself that makes life a lot easier. Maybe this can help other travelers here.
1. Choose a practical and sturdy bag
A good bag is the foundation. I’ve noticed that a model with a solid structure, sturdy wheels, and a well-thought-out interior really changes the experience. Hard-shell suitcases hold up better, especially when you’re hopping between flights. Personally, I use a Lambert suitcase because the interior is super well-divided, but the important thing is to find a model that works for you.
2. Rolling your clothes really works
It’s simple, but it saves so much space. Plus, it wrinkles less. I do this now for almost everything, especially lightweight clothes.
3. Keep everything in a small kit
100 ml liquids, toothbrush, cream, mini first-aid kit… Having all of that in one clear toiletry bag makes going through security much easier. It saves you from having to take everything out and put it back in a rush.
4. A pouch for essentials
Passport, headphones, charger, phone… I keep all of that in the same pouch. It saves so much stress when you need to find something quickly, especially on the plane.
5. Traveling lighter makes all the difference
Since I started choosing versatile clothes that mix and match well, I travel with a lot less. Less weight, fewer decisions to make, fewer things to lug around. It honestly makes traveling so much more enjoyable.
From the conversations I’ve had with other travelers (and several customers too), I’ve realized you can really simplify your trip just by organizing a little better and choosing good accessories.
If you have other tips or methods that work for you, I’d love to read them. We always learn from others on this forum.
Looking forward to exchanging with you all!
Hi,
Has anyone recently taken the boat to Casamance from Dakar and could share their experience?
From France, is it possible to book online, or do you need to go through an agency? How far in advance?
Boarding/disembarking: how does it work? Do we have to check in our luggage and then pick it up on arrival?
What’s the vibe like on the boat in the seating area?
Has anyone ever stopped over in Carabane? Accommodation options there?
Thanks so much if you have any recent info!
Exploring India by road is all about having a good driver. I highly recommend the one I’ve traveled with for 5 "safe" trips—Rajasthan 3 times over 16 years, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. He’s been driving tourists for 25 years now and is more than just a driver. He knows how to talk about his country, the cities you visit, and suggests alternative routes.
He’s well-connected with real local guides who don’t just ramble (as he puts it himself) or drag you into shops claiming to be run by their "so-called family." Depending on your preferences, he can suggest well-tested itineraries and recommend typical hotels like Havelis.
For dining, he oversees meal prep based on your spice-level preferences. He’s Sikh and deeply respectful of his passengers.
He speaks English better than French, but one of his daughters is studying French at university.
Hi,
We’d like to spend about twenty days in Albania next July. We’re two women traveling together and we’re thinking of renting a small car. Does that sound reasonable, or should we avoid it?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi there,
I’m spending a week in Morocco (Rabat - Meknes - Fes).
I’ll be traveling solo—is it safe for a woman over 60?
For transportation, I’m planning to take the train. I was thinking of buying my ticket last minute, but it’s around the end-of-year period…?
I’ll be in Meknes on December 31st—any suggestions on how they celebrate New Year’s Eve there?
Is anyone visiting these destinations? Maybe we could meet up…?
Thanks in advance.
Hi there,
After hearing so much about Djerba, especially the GO clubs, is it risky for a young, pretty newly-retired woman to visit the island alone?
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Does anyone know how late the buses run from Cusco Airport to the city center? I land at 9:30 PM, plus time to clear customs, pick up my luggage, and exchange some money—figure an extra 30 to 45 minutes. Though, come to think of it, I still have 5 sols from last time—maybe that’ll be enough for the bus?
Thanks.
Brigitte
Planned arrival on Sunday evening, November 16, 2025, in San José. Staying 3 nights, then taking a bus to Tortuguero for 2 nights. Looking for a shared shuttle to La Fortuna for 2 nights, then a van-boat-van combo to Santa Elena for 2 or 3 nights. Heading to Quepos for 4 nights for day trips using local buses—Jaco, San Antonio, Uvita. After that, a full-day bus ride to Cahuita. I’m booking hotels as I go, which gives me the flexibility to stay longer in places I like. I’m looking for accommodations in city centers near restaurants and not too far from the bus station. Budget: 50 € for a room with a private bathroom (if you’ve got any great tips!). For my finale, I’ll cross the land border to Panama City for 4 days. Thanks for your suggestions! 😉
As I mentioned before, I’m heading to Istanbul next summer, and I’ve heard there have been quite a few attacks by Kurds in Turkey recently, which is making me hesitate about my trip.
What do you all think? :( I’m wondering if it’s really a good idea to go...
Hi everyone,
I’m 66 and just discovered solo travel in Uzbekistan—I loved it! So I’ve decided to explore Africa, starting with Senegal. I’m just beginning my research, but if anyone can give me advice on which month to go, what to see, and whether this destination is safe—or maybe suggest another African country—I’d really appreciate your tips!
Hi there!
We’re leaving in early November for a month.
Here’s our itinerary:
Arrival in Takhmau, then heading to:
Kampong Cham
Kratie – 2 days
Mondolkiri – 3 days
Ratanakiri – 3 days
Stung Treng – 1 day
Siem Reap – 4 days
Battambang – 1 day
Kampong Chhnang – 3 days
Kampot – 2 days
Islands (WE’RE HESITATING WHICH ONE?) – 4 DAYS
Phnom Penh – 2 days
That’s it! 😊
We’re backpacking… and we love spots that aren’t too touristy. If you’ve got any tips, we’re all ears!
Thanks
Hi there,
We’d like to stay in Switzerland for five days.
There are two of us (women).
We don’t know this country at all.
What cities or affordable spots would you recommend for visiting?
Cheap accommodation.
Looking for community-based options.
And being close to public transport.
Thanks for your tips and experiences!
Best regards.
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone has taken a Rede Expressos bus from Lisbon Airport to Lagos, and if so, where exactly at the airport you need to board it? I’m worried I’ll get lost and miss my bus...
Hi again,
I’m adding more details to my info request. Here are two proposed itineraries. We’re hesitating:
Colombo - Unawatuna 2 days - Sinharaja 1 day - Bandarawela 2 days - Kandy 3 days - Dambulla 2 days - Wilpattu Park 1 day - Kalpitiya 3 days - Negombo 1 day
What should we change or add a day for to include Jaffna?
Or:
Negombo 1 day - Anuradhapura 2 days - Jaffna 2 days - Sigiriya 2 days - Dambulla 1 day - Kandy 2 days - Ella 1 day - Galle 3 days
For your advice.
Is it better to finish in Galle or Kalpitiya?
Thanks in advance!
Nicole
This is a warning message! I’d like to address it especially to young women traveling alone for the first time in India. Other travelers may react to my post based on their own experiences, but I think what I’m about to say shouldn’t be taken lightly—unless that’s what you’re looking for!
Last July, I traveled to Northern India. I stopped in Khajuraho to see the famous tantric temples. I stayed one night, and that was more than enough. Khajuraho is very touristy, but you should know that 80% of young Indian men there are "gigolos." Locals call these young men (aged 18 to 30) "playboys" or "Lapka" (which means "capture the woman" in Hindi)!!!
They approach tourists with kindness and politeness, offering tea or a motorcycle ride (which they’ve often gotten from generous Western female tourists) to waterfalls a few kilometers from Khajuraho or other tourist sites. After befriending you, they charm you—be careful, these are professionals who are very skilled at this; it’s all they do, and they do it well. They’ll offer you food, drinks, and even temple entry to confuse you. They’ll suggest spending the evening or even the night with them. **Refuse (unless you’re into local flings and that’s why you came)!!!!**
At first, you’ll be seduced by their generosity, let your guard down, and then they’ll make you believe in *true love*. They won’t leave you alone and will keep in touch via email or phone if you give them your details. The lines they use to soften you up and scam you include: *"I’m the only one taking care of my family, my brother is sick, I don’t know what to do..."* All of this is to manipulate you into offering them money. They’ll never ask for it outright (to avoid being exposed) but will wait for you to suggest it.
If you receive emails from them, they’ll never be signed, and their name won’t appear in the email address (to avoid leaving traces). They use fake names to avoid being reported. If you believe their sob stories and offer help, they’ll give you a bank account number to send money via Western Union. These young men make a living from this—selling their bodies and scamming people! They’re very skilled, charming, manipulative, and *big-time cheaters*!
(Especially one young man who goes by the alias *Tony*—apparently the most skilled. He lives in a hotel near the lake, *Krishna Cottage*, and is in regular contact via Skype with Western women he’s tricked into believing he loves them while shamelessly scamming them. He even opened an internet café on the roof of the hotel with money he stole from women who fell for his charm.)
So, young romantic women craving love, sensitive singles, or anyone emotionally vulnerable—**don’t let yourself be scammed!!!** This behavior is becoming more common in India and is still relatively unknown. Male prostitution is on the rise, and cases of romantic scams and financial fraud by gigolos are increasing.
hi everyone! I’d like to visit Montreal and the surrounding areas in August, and I’ve got 3 weeks of vacation. I’m traveling alone and will be visiting my daughter, who recently moved there. She’ll be working and only available in the evenings! So I’m torn between spending a week in Montreal, then taking a flight to Cuba, and returning to France from Havana—or staying in Montreal and exploring the nearby areas alone.
For my first idea—going to Cuba—is it feasible in terms of administrative formalities and legality? And for my second idea, is it possible to take buses? If so, is it too expensive? And are there many places served by them?
From FES, I’d like to spend a few days in:
MEKNES
CHEFCHAOUEN
TETOUAN
and then return to FES.
I’m planning this trip in November.
Thanks for your tips!
I just got back from an unforgettable road trip in Madagascar where I drove down the legendary RN7. It connects Tana (the capital) to Tulear.
Since we were traveling as a group of girls, we decided to go with a guide. I’d never done an “organized” trip before, but I have to say we loved this first tailor-made travel experience.
From the highlands of the Red Island
down to the west coast, by the Mozambique Channel.
Vast landscapes as far as the eye can see
Human encounters
Discovering ancestral artisanal know-how
Sunsets over the ochre mountains
Intense, precious moments with my friends
We loved the mountains, visits to artisans, and the parties too ;-)
We used local guides to show us specific spots (like Isalo National Park, where we were able to bivouac)
Hi there,
My friend and I are traveling together between October and November 2025—no exact dates yet.
We’d love to step away from the typical travel agency packages and are hoping to rent a car locally and stay with locals, living with them rather than in a vacation rental.
Does anyone know if this is possible?
Thanks in advance for your advice and tips!
Warm regards to all
