Bonjour,

nous partons à 2 du 27 janvier (arrivée Hanoï le 28) au 24 février (départ le soir de HCMV). Nous avons du temps, pas un gros budget et l'envie de voir un max de choses sans forcément être dans le troupeau. Mais on n'a plus 20 ans donc on recherche un peu de confort :-))) : plutôt homestay que hostel, trains couchettes en mode confort, minibus limousine , bus/minibus privés. Voici ce qu'on a prévu : pouvez-vous me donner votre avis sur le circuit ? On a encore quelques questions sur le transport entre les différents lieux donc si vous avez des suggestions ;-)

Hanoï 2 jrs Pagode des Parfums depuis Hanoï en bus 1 jr puis retour sur Cat Ba (? je sèche sur le transport) ou sur Hanoi Baie de Lan Ha via Cat Bà : croisière 2 jrs Nin Binh en bus depuis Cat Bà (grottes de Trang An/ parc de Cuc Phuong) : 2 jrs Phong Na en prenant un train de nuit pour Dong Hoï (ou Hué??) puis le bus : 2 jrs Hué : 2 jrs Hoï Han en bus via le col des nuages : 2 jrs Kom Tu : 2 jrs de trek -> nous n'iront pas dans le Nord compte tenu de la période alors nous avons envie de découvrir les villages des ethnies des hauts plateaux du centre Littoral de Nha Trang : : pas encore fixés, petit séjour balnéaire mais si possible sans trop de béton et de touriste (on pense aller à Dai Lanh) 2 jrs Ile de la baleine 2 jrs pour plonger Puis trajet jusqu'au Delta du Mekong : ? pas encore fixés sur le mode de transport Ile d'An Binh puis Can Tho pour rayonner depuis ces 2 points : 3 jrs HCMV : 2 jrs puis départ

Voilà voilà ... on a tellement lu de guides, forums, .... qu'on ne sait plus où on en est ;-) donc si vous pouviez nous donner votre avis! Merci d'avance

hi everyone, I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies? Thanks, and happy holidays!

Hi, just a quick note mainly for Samsong, even if he’s still giving me the silent treatment. I’ve been in Nan since yesterday and... I love it! So thanks, Thierry. It’s exactly the kind of place I’d been dreaming of... Even if communication is a bit tough, it’s not impossible. They don’t even know the most basic English words! Everyone laughs and they’re the first to pull out their phones to... translate. They’re even quicker on the uptake than I am. And then there’s the time I say Nan (pronounced "Nane"). They don’t understand me. After a while (sometimes a long one), they reply: "Ah, Nan?" (pronounced "Nane") 😵🤳😃

The town is exactly how you described it back in 2022. Though I’m surprised to find so many trendy, slightly intellectual "Cafés." Apparently, coffee—excellent everywhere—is king in Nan. It feels like a university town. And it seems pretty lively at night! But for now, I’m going to bed early. I caught a nasty cold, which didn’t stop me from walking 12 km this morning. But I came back to my accommodation by 3 PM (gorgeous and luxurious with top-notch service for 800 baht—even a cute local welcome gift this morning, plus other unexpected touches like a bottle of honey and chrysanthemum flowers for tea. The lady must’ve guessed I was coming down with something yesterday). I thought about going out for dinner but didn’t have the energy. I think I’ve got at least 39°C fever...

Anyway, I’m sending you this message, Thierry, because you mentioned a daily bus to Chiang Rai, so I didn’t look into it. But now it’s a real problem—no buses to Chiang Rai, only taxis. At least 2,500 baht for the cheapest one! I’ll check the bus station directly tomorrow. Online, it’s all taxis, no buses. I’d like to explore the countryside/mountains if I can find an affordable driver. Any ideas for destinations or itineraries? Thanks.

I really loved Thailand, but it was too touristy for my taste. So I'm hesitating about going back and wondering if Cambodia or Vietnam would be less crowded with tourists...

Hello everyone, we’re planning a trip to Vietnam at the end of June 2026 for at least two weeks. Our goal is to avoid rushing around too much and take our time, focusing on nature, hiking, and getting to know the locals. Here’s my first draft itinerary: Arrival and departure from Hanoi Sapa and its surrounding area Tam Coc – the "land Halong Bay" and Ninh Binh... Halong Bay (maritime) Cat Ba Island... I’d love to hear your thoughts, advice, and feedback. Looking forward to reading your replies. Cédric

Bonjour,

Je prévois le Vietnam fin mars, début avril 2020. Normalement, nous voyageons en solo (duo, en fait). Location de voiture et de logement, itinéraire et etc. Là j’hésite. À tort ou à raison ? Le Vietnam fait partie de mes rêves, Marguerite oblige. Mais, sans prévoir tout par une agence, quelqu’un a des conseils pour moi ?

Bonjour à tous,

Nous envisageons de partir à 3 amis pour avril 2020 au Vietnam pour 2 semaines. A priori notre choix se porte sur Hanoi / Baie d'Halong / Hue / Da Nang.

On pense se deplacer en train / mini van. Avez vous des conseils sur ces étapes ? Des bons plans d'agences pour la Baie d'Halong notamment ? Des choses à absolument ne pas manquer ou à rajouter ?

Merci

Hello everyone, We’re heading to Vietnam for 14 nights over the Christmas holidays as a family of four—I haven’t booked anything yet. I’d love your insights on Halong Bay (or Lan Ha Bay). We’re torn between going or not and spending an extra night in Ninh Binh (or somewhere else you’d recommend! Somewhere with a more picturesque vibe) given the late-December weather and cost (which agency do you recommend?). The upside might be that we’ll be there during the low season, so maybe fewer tourists? (Even though it’d be New Year’s Eve night.) Here’s our itinerary: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City around 1 p.m. 2nd night in HCMC (no time for the Mekong Delta ☹️) Flight to Da Nang 3 nights in Hoi An Bus to Hue, 1 night in Hue City visit, overnight train to Ninh Binh 2 or 3 nights in Ninh Binh? Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay? 2 nights in Hanoi Departure Thank you so much in advance for your invaluable tips!

Hi there, After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of March 26, where I think I’ll stay for maybe two days (or more?), we’d like to spend a few days in the Mekong Delta. Is it better to stay in one place (Vinh Long, Cai Be, My Tho, An Binh, etc.) and take boat trips every day, or split our time between two or three spots, which means changing accommodation and moving our luggage around? Of course, agencies offer 3- or 5-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City, but are they really worth it, both financially and in terms of the visits themselves? What’s your experience with this? How did you do it, and if you had to do it again? Any tips? Thanks in advance for your help. Dominique

Bonjour,

De retour du Laos avec un vol sur Saïgon il me restera 3 ,4 ou 5 jours pour faire un tour dans le delta du Mékong . ( Aller retour sur Saïgon ) J'aimerais m'arrêter dans les lieux que vous pensez intéressants et parcourir, de- ci , de-là quand c'est possible, la campagne à vélo, loger si possible chez l'habitant ( "maison d'hôtes" homestays.) voir des marchés etc......Si vous avez un itinéraire à me suggérer des lieux à ne pas manquer et des adresses de homestays j'attends vos conseils. PS: J'utiliserai les transports en commun, bus et taxis...

Bonjour, Nous sommes un couple avec nos 2 filles de 12 et 15 ans et nous serons au vietnam du 14/02 au 01/03. Quelqu'un peut il me conseiller sur l itinéraire en arrivant par Hanoï , sachant que nous voulons faire du Nord au sud avec en incontournable Baie de lan ha ( halong) et la baie terrestre d Halong, au centre Hoi an puis au sud le Delta du Mekong. Enfin nous souhaitons terminer par au moins 3 ou 4 jours de Balnéaire. En février, il fait froid donc certaines agences me conseillent quand meme le nord et d autres non ? Une alternative proposer et Mai Chau à priori ou rester un peu plus dans la campagne de Hoï an dans le centre . Je suis un peu perdue. Merci pour vos conseils.

Hello,

I’m planning and organizing a wonderful trip to Vietnam from mid-March to mid-April 2026, traveling independently for a month with my wife to enjoy her new retirement. Here’s a summary of our itinerary: We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, and depart from Hanoi on the evening of Thursday, April 16. First, I’d like to head to Ho Chi Minh City because the temperatures are high in that region in mid-March. After that, we’ll visit Phu Quoc Island and then the Mekong Delta. We’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City and take a flight to Hue for 2 days, then Tam Coc / Ninh Binh (2-3 days), and Cat Ba Island with a visit to Lan Ha Bay (4 days). We’ll spend a few days in Hanoi, followed by 3-4 days in Sapa with some hikes, and then the Ha Giang loop (4 days). (I’m a motorcyclist—I ride a BMW trail bike and have taken care of renewing my international license.) We’re considering renting a motorcycle or bicycles when needed, except in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The weather in northern Vietnam in early April should theoretically be decent. Finally, we’ll return to Hanoi before heading back to Paris and the Pays de la Loire. Unfortunately, I’m skipping Angkor in Cambodia. I’d like to have a guide for 1 or 2 days in Sapa (which typical agency would you recommend?), and I’m wondering if I should book an agency for the 4 days in Ha Giang. I prefer my independence and don’t really like the "group" aspect of agencies. I’ll rent a 150cc motorcycle, and my wife will ride with me. Other questions: What are some good, typical accommodations to book in the places we’ve identified? Thanks for any info. Did I forget anything, or should we adjust our itinerary? Thanks for your help and advice. Pimarguibou

Bonjour. Je suis actuellement à Hanoi et aurait besoin d'un ou deux conseils. D'abord est-ce que la baie d'halong vaut le coup ? J'ai entendu parler de la baie de Lan Ha en kayak. Des recommendations ? Mieux vaut Booker sur place ou via une Agence à Hanoi ? (j'ai trouvé une pour 135$ 2 jours 1 Nuit depuis Hanoi. Deuxième chose j'aimerai faire les montagnes au nord autour de HakGiang dont 2 jours à Sapa) pour environ 5 jours. Des recommendations ? Est-ce faisable en bus ? Je ne me sens pas du tout à l'aise à l'idée de louer un scooter. Merci d'avance !

Hi there, I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little. We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary: - Hanoi: 5 days - Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights - Tam Coc: 3 days - Mai Chau: 2 days - Sapa: 3 days We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus. Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi. We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi. We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency. A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai. Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around... Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam. If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cédric.

Bonjour Je cherche des informations pour voyager sur mesure (auto, taxi ou moto) du nord au sud. On est deux en sac à dos mais avec un budget confortable. J’hésite entre à faire appel à un taxi une voiture avec chauffeur ou louer moi même....? Avez vous des infos svp ?

Bonjour tous

Est-ce faisable / raisonnable dans la journée ? et est-ce simple de le faire par soi-même ? Je crains de e svoir que faire des bagages et d'arriver tard le soir à Tam Coc également.

Merci !

Imagine a peaceful fishing village, completely transformed by artists who worked their magic on the walls of 100 residential houses. That’s the remarkable story of the Tam Thanh mural village in Quang Nam province. Once similar to many other coastal villages in the area, it now firmly stands out on the tourist map for a day trip from Hoi An. In the summer of 2016, Tam Thanh was selected by a Korean-Vietnamese joint project called Art For A Better Community. The village was chosen to be their blank canvas, inspired by the success of mural villages in Korea. The project aimed to make Tam Thanh the first painted village of its kind in Vietnam. The joint project included five Korean artists and seven Vietnamese artists, along with local volunteers. They aimed to show Vietnamese people that art could be part of everyday life, no matter where you stand in society. The effort began with about three weeks of wall washing, followed by painting the walls of over 100 residents' houses. The project was a success, and the village came alive with the paintings. The entire village is now a breathtaking gallery just waiting to be explored. The murals capture the life and soul of the village—from young children playing to fishermen in the ocean. A mix of fantastic pieces offers stunning backdrops for photos. The painted art around the town didn’t just have a visual impact; it also had a social one. The village itself was chosen not only for the layout of the houses but also to contribute to economic development opportunities in Tam Thanh. Tourists now visit the once-overlooked village, creating more income for locals and making it a successful "art for a cause" project. For example, an entrepreneurial resident who owned a small local café invested 1,000,000 VND ($390 USD) in a sugarcane press a week before the paintings were completed. Sugarcane juice vendors then multiplied with the growth of tourism (5,000 VND - $0.20 USD). Walking down the village’s single street, it’s common to find locals selling refreshments and handmade crafts. In one house in particular, a tailor and his family are painted on an outer wall with incredible detail. The family started selling tote bags decorated by their young daughter. The asking price for the bags is 100,000 VND ($4 USD). If you’re looking for a way to support the village’s economy, this is it. Since there’s no middleman here, you can be sure your money goes directly to the community. Since the project’s completion, two other villages in the province have now been painted. The new mural villages were created with different local Vietnamese artists to raise awareness about each community’s issues. Tam Hai Island was redecorated to highlight the serious waste problem the population faces due to the lack of treatment plants. Another village on An Binh Island was painted to raise awareness among locals and tourists about the importance of environmental protection. How to get there Route No. 1: Cross the large Cua Dai bridge. Once you’ve crossed it, continue onto Duong 129/Duong Ven Bien. Stay on this road for 33 kilometers. Upside: this route has light traffic, no traffic lights, and no trucks or buses. It’s a great direct route to the village but offers little to see. You’ll eventually reach a crossroads. Turn right toward Tam Ky town, while the left will take you toward the mural village; stay on Road 608 as it turns twice before reaching a bridge. Cross the bridge, and you’ll arrive at Thanh Nien Road. Finally, turn right to reach the village. This route takes about an hour. Route #2: Cross the large Cua Dai bridge. Once you’ve crossed it, continue onto Duong 129/Duong Ven Bien. Stay on this road for 12 kilometers, then turn left onto Road 613, where you’ll continue for 1.5 kilometers until you reach Thanh Nien Road. Finally, turn right and drive 23 kilometers to the painted village. For most of the trip, taking Thanh Nien Road will take you through a much more local part of the region. The journey takes about an hour and a half.

Bonjour

Nous partons 9j dans le nord du vietnam du 11 au 20 février 2020 avec des enfants de 12 et 9ans et j'aurais voulu des conseils sur le circuit. J'ai bien conscience que ce n'est pas la meilleure période pour visiter le nord : froid et brume. J'avais pensé faire les classiques, sur 9j je vais avoir du mal à sortir des sentiers battus je pense : - 2j hanoi, - 2j baie d'along ; j'hésite à réserver avant de partir....vaut-il mieux que je m'adapte sur place en fonction du temps ? - 1j baie terrestre... - 2j sapa ? au vu de la période, est ce que ça vaut le coup ? je n'ai jamais vu de rizière ni les garçons...on m'a conseillé le topas eco lodge - 1j. montagne des parfums suis preneuse d'idées adaptées à cette saison. autre question : je suppose que la fête du têt sera terminée ?

merci

Hi there, we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa. We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea. I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa. Any tips? Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.

Bonjour a tous,

pour les prochaines vacances en avril, nous pensons a aller visiter le centre vietnam. On part en famille (2 adultes et 2 enfants en bas age), en sachant qu'on habite la region, donc pas un trop long voyage. On cherche donc un programme sympa mais pas non plus trop difficile niveau rythme.

Du coup des questions : - Hoi An : On pensait y passer 2 voire 3 nuits. -> Est ce que ca vaut le coup de rester plus longtemps ? - Da Nang : ce sera notre pricipal camp de base pour faire un peu de plage -> un coin / hotel particulier a recommander (30-40e par nuit) ? - Hue : en one day trip ou il est recommande de passer une (ou plus) nuit la bas ?

Aussi question : vue la duree, je me demandais si ca vaudrait pas le coup de prendre 2 jours plein pour aller a Ho Chi Minh ? Je n'y suis passe qu'une soiree et j'en ai eu beaucoup de retours positifs.

Bonjour, Nous voyageons avec notre fille de 2 ans avec les transports locaux, mais pas envisageable pour nous de moto ou moto-taxi. Nous souhaiterions inclure une étape lors de notre passage dans le Delta du Mékong entre Chau Doc et l'île de Anh- Binh. Quelle étape pourriez-vous nous conseiller, qui soit sur la route entre les deux ou vraiment pas loin, complémentaire au niveau des choses que l'on peut voir sur ces 2 étapes (tant qu'à faire) et surtout qui soit réalisable en transport en commun hors deux roues motorisées (hors scooter, moto ou motot-taxi donc). Sur place on aime bien marcher un peu, faire un tour en bateau ou à vélo (on a un siège pour notre fille). On disposerait de 2/3 nuits maximum sur place. Après Anh Binh nous irons à Ho Chi Minh Ville pour prendre l'avion. Merci d'avance pour vos conseils.

bonjours à tous habituée à ko samui en thailande j'aimerai changer et trouver un hôtel à échelle humaine en bord de plage avec piscine au vietnam qui serait en mesure de me recommander quelque chose Trés important je souhaite qu'il y ai un village (superette, marché, restaurant) tout prés à pieds

merci d'avance

Bonjour, je pars avec ma femme du 4 au 17 mars avec voyage privé si quelqu'un a voyagé avec j'aimerai avoir des retours d'expériences (nous partons avec cet organisme car mon épouse à quelques problèmes de santé et il nous a paru assez correct) pour le change est-il toujours d'actualité que se sont les bijouteries le plus intéressant? si vous avez des conseils ou même des bons plans nous sommes preneurs merci à vous tous

Communiqué du Ministre des Affaires Étrangères, du Ministre de l’Intérieur et du Secrétaire d’État auprès de la Ministre de la transition écologique et solidaire, chargé des transports en date du 18 mars 2020.

https://vn.ambafrance.org/Communique-conjoint-de-M-Jean-Yves-Le-Drian-M-Christophe-Castaner-et-M-Jean https://vn.ambafrance.org/Annulation-de-vols-commerciaux

Je doit choisir ma destination en Novembre au Vietnam que recommendez vous Hanoi ou Saigon

Hi there,

We’re traveling as a family of three adults for the holidays. After several iterations, here’s the itinerary we’re considering. We’d thought about including Bac Ha or Mai Chau, but in the end, we wanted to avoid excessive travel and rushing around. That’s not our style—we’d rather see less but have time to enjoy what we visit at a relaxed pace. We’ll definitely be back (in a better season) to see some of what we’ll miss this time. Just to note: we’re not motorbike riders, and we’re not the type to start our days at dawn and keep going until nightfall. We go at the pace of the day’s mood and energy. My questions: - Thoughts on the itinerary? - Ninh Binh: where’s the best place to stay to explore mostly on foot, by bike, or by taxi? - Cat Ba to Ninh Binh route: is it better to arrange it through one of our accommodations (departure or arrival) or handle it ourselves? - For the return day between Ninh Binh and Hanoi, I’d like to visit some sights rather than make a direct trip, since we’ll already spend enough time in Ninh Binh and Hanoi. I was thinking of the Perfume Pagoda and possibly Quang Phu Cau. But we’d need a car for the day. Is it better to organize in advance or on the spot? In Hanoi or Ninh Binh? Any driver recommendations? Price ideas? Other suggestions for things to see along the way?

Proposed itinerary:

### Day 1: **Monday, December 23, 2024** - Arrival in Hanoi in the late afternoon. ### Day 2: **Tuesday, December 24 – Hanoi** ### Day 3: **Wednesday, December 25 – Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay** 2-day, 1-night cruise ### Day 4: **Thursday, December 26 – Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba** - Overnight on Cat Ba Island. ### Day 5: **Friday, December 27 – Cat Ba – Ninh Binh** ### Day 6: **Saturday, December 28 – Ninh Binh** ### Day 7: **Sunday, December 29 – Ninh Binh** ### Day 8: **Monday, December 30 – Ninh Binh – Return to Hanoi** - Stop by the Perfume Pagoda? Possibly add Quang Phu Cau? ### Day 9-10-11: **Tuesday, December 31 – Thursday, January 2** Hanoi – New Year’s Eve ### Day 12: **Friday, January 3 – Departure**

That’s a lot of text and questions... Thanks in advance if anyone has answers or ideas. Happy travels to everyone!

Yuri

I'd love to get some suggestions for central Vietnam in February for seniors. We'd like to stay in one place, near a beach, and visit the surrounding areas. Then after a month, we'd head to the south of the country.

Hello, We’ll arrive in Hanoi on April 17, 2025, and plan to head to the Northwest (Sapa region) and Northeast starting on April 20. How many days do you recommend for this trip? We’re two couples and a 4-year-old child. Should we book through an agency in Hanoi and do the circuit by van, or can we manage with buses—like an overnight bus from Hanoi to Sapa, then 2–3 days in the Sapa region, followed by a bus from Sapa to Ha Giang for a 3-day loop? Thanks in advance for your tips, itinerary ideas, accommodation suggestions, guesthouses, restaurants, and any great deals!

Hi everyone, We have a chance to stop in Hanoi on our way from Japan back to France. We arrive on Tuesday, May 12th around 2 PM and leave for France on Saturday, May 16th around 10 PM. I’d like to do a 2-day cruise in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay, then either 2 days in Ninh Binh or 1 day. - 12/05: Hanoi - 13/05: cruise - 14/05: end of cruise and head to Tam Coc - 15/05: sightseeing - 16/05: early departure for Hanoi, day in Hanoi, then flight to France at 10 PM We don’t want to be overwhelmed by crowds of tourists and prefer to be on our own.

Do you have any tips for us—agencies, transport, sights, accommodation, or visits? Thanks so much for your feedback! Best regards, Isabelle

Hello and happy to be back on this forum! We’re planning our trip to southern Vietnam in February. We visited central Vietnam two years ago. For now, based on reading various posts, we’ve drafted the following itinerary, keeping in mind that we travel by public transport and rent bikes or motorbikes when needed. We also like to take our time! So far, we’ve only booked our flight tickets: 1 Paris – HO CHI MINH 2 & 3 Visit HO CHI MINH 4 Day trip to Cu Chi 5 Transfer Ho Chi Minh / Cat Tien 6 & 7 Cat Tien 8 Transfer Cat Tien / Cai Be 9 & 10 Cai Be 11 Transfer Cai Be / Vinh Long or Binh Island 12 Vinh Long or Binh Island 13 Day trip to Sa Dec 14 Bus transfer Vinh Long / Can Tho 15 & 16 Can Tho 17 Transfer Can Tho / Chau Doc 18 & 19 Chau Doc 20 Transfer Chau Doc / Ha Tien 21 & 22 Ha Tien 23 Boat transfer to PHU QUOC 24, 25 & 26 PHU QUOC 27 Flight to Paris

Actually, we’re on a rhythm of 1 transfer day and 2 visit days, which doesn’t fully satisfy us. That’s why we’re wondering: Is it possible to stay in one accommodation for visits to Cai Be, Binh Island, and Vinh Long (including our day trip to Sa Dec)? Do you see any other ways to adjust the itinerary? Any oversights? We also still need to look into the transfer details. Thanks for your tips! fg