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...
DANANG
A big city in the midst of an economic boom. The setting is stunning, with its large bay, the Son Tra Peninsula, and the Annamite Mountains on the horizon.
Where to stay and eat? Da Nang is a bustling business hub, so hotels are pricier and often fully booked. I was lucky to find a motorbike taxi driver who, after six full hotels, took me to Mai Son Hotel, 113 Nguyen Van Linh, a spotless 2-star place. Plus, right next door, there’s a great restaurant that seems popular with locals, and a good Chinese restaurant just a 5-minute walk away, Phi Lu (178 Nguyen Van Linh), recommended by the *Guide du Routard*. So, I’d definitely recommend this hotel. For a pricier option, the very Christian Dai A Hotel, near the tiny pink cathedral, is nice, but why pay more?
Actually, why stay in Da Nang when the gorgeous Hoi An is just 34 km to the south?
What to see? - The lovely Cham Museum (small, takes at most an hour) - The climb up Son Tra Peninsula (great views of the whole area) - The “tour” of the peninsula—quotation marks because the road stops two-thirds of the way. There’s an interesting little museum on the left before reaching the base of the huge statue, the Đong Đinh (large entrance on the left side of the hill), with traditional houses in the jungle holding artifacts over 2,000 years old (Sa Huynh culture; if you’re interested, check out the small Sa Huynh Museum in Hoi An, just before the Japanese Bridge). However, the big Linh Ung Pagoda is just colorful concrete! A beautiful resort, the Son Tra Beach Resort and Spa, sits on a pristine beach and isn’t too expensive: $120 for a garden room and $200–$270 for duplexes with a pool, where you can sleep six. Before reaching the resort, you’ll find two excellent seafood restaurants with large beachfront terraces on your right. - On the way to Hoi An, Marble Mountain, where I loved the village of marble sculpture workshops, the pretty pagodas and caves, and the stunning view from the top of the last promontory (the stairs are steep!). However, you can skip the famous China Beach and its resorts—all pretentious and expensive, not to mention the ones under construction on both sides of the road (they’re multiplying like crazy!). So, when traveling from Da Nang to Hoi An, I recommend two stops: the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. - The beautiful drive to the Hai Van Pass (there weren’t any clouds!), offering spectacular views of the Da Nang region to the south and the coast to the north. The descent leads to the fishing village and beach of Lang Co, which is lovely but destined for rampant resort development, judging by the huge projects advertised on billboards along the road after the village. - Some affordable guesthouses ($15) and big resorts, including the lovely Lang Co Beach Resort, with a large pool and great value given the beautiful gardens and elegant bungalows. Recommended in Lang Co: lunch at one of the two stilt restaurants over the lagoon—great views and fresh seafood.
The public bus to Hoi An, 34 km south of Da Nang, takes 45 minutes for 50,000 dong. There’s one every half hour.
HOI AN This is a “must-see” for so many reasons: stunning old houses, temples, and pagodas; a colorful daily open-air and covered market near the bridge; charming little streets in the old quarter—especially at night, with all the multicolored lanterns and riverside restaurant terraces, it’s very romantic. The local food is delicious, the people are friendly and kind, there are two beautiful beaches, and attractions like the Cham ruins of My Son. Some say Hoi An is overrun with tourists and should be avoided. That’s true for the historic center and An Bang Beach, but not at all once you step outside.
WHERE TO STAY For a 2-star option, I recommend Ngo House Villa (99 Nguyen Phuc Tan St), very quiet on the island just across from the Old Quarter: 3-star rooms + suites, a large “Family” room, and a nice pool, all for $20 ($40 for the “Family” room). The same charming owner has a second hotel 20 meters away (No. 74), Phan Ngô, which is older but has a large terrace and a small pool—I prefer this one. For 3 stars, Thuy Duong 3 (92 Ba Trieu) is perfect, with a pool and garden ($40–$60). A bit pricier but great is A Han on Phan Bai Chau, with a large garden and terrace restaurant.
For those with a bigger budget, I recommend two riverside spots with rooms, suites, and pools, priced at $200–$350: the secluded Coco River Resort (formerly Ancient House River, with a large wooden terrace for romantic dinners by the river) and Anantara, (formerly Heritage), with bungalows close to the old town—but pricey.
Outside the city, my favorite hotel is Villa Loan, the new place from the famous Loan of Tam Coc, very quiet in the countryside, 15 minutes by bike from Old Hoi An and An Bang Beach. Beautiful rooms ($35), a Family room with two double beds ($55), two 65 m² twins that can sleep six (two large beds + two single beds—$80), a terrace restaurant, and a lovely pool. Prices include a buffet breakfast and a bike.
Also great is Daisy Anbang on An Bang Beach, elegant with a pool and beach just 50 meters away (skip the Aira next door—too expensive).
WHERE TO EAT Hoi An is Vietnam’s culinary capital. For Vietnamese food, I recommend Dao Tien, 21 Phan Bai Chau. No surprise—the chef is a former chef at the luxury 4-star Victoria Hoi An, a solid reference. The restaurant now has a beautiful terrace by the river (take the alley on the right side of the main street Dao Tien). Plus, you’re doing a good deed: a large part of the profits goes toward educating underprivileged children—one year of free hospitality, cooking, and English training, followed by job placement in local establishments. Madame Hien Hoi An (formerly Co Mai), 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc (left of the market), is another great spot—the chef is Didier Corlou, formerly of the famous *Porte d’Annam* and *Madame Hien* in Hanoi (closed in March 2022 due to COVID, so foreign tourists are still scarce). Also worth checking out is Secret Garden, in the Phuong Minh An alley (entrance at 60 Le Loi), set in a beautiful space. One of my favorites is Madam Kieu, 43 Nguyen Phuc Chu, right on the river across from the little bridge—very elegant with excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Unfortunately, all the restaurants on this esplanade blast “music” (boom boom boom yeah yeah yeah) in the evenings, so it’s impossible to talk—go for lunch instead.
For a break from Vietnamese food, try Good Morning Vietnam, a ridiculous name for an excellent Italian restaurant (11 Le Loi). The cheerful chef is from Bologna, the “Lyon of Italy”: lasagna like an Italian *mama*’s, delicious tagliatelle ai porcini (porcini mushrooms imported from Italy), and a divine homemade tiramisu (pro tip: order a grappa and drizzle a few drops on the tiramisu). It’s also one of the few places where you can get an excellent bottle of red wine for 350,000 dong instead of the usual 600,000–800,000 dong (South African Robertson Chapel). Another gem: the Japanese restaurant Samurai Kitchen (no sushi, but divine gyoza), 21 Phan Chau Trinh—the street on the right side of the market when you turn your back to the river. Finally, Ganesh, which I consider the best Indian restaurant in Vietnam (99 Tran Hung Dao St).
At An Bang, there are plenty of beachfront restaurants. The two best are the large one at the far right of the parking lot (huge seafood selection) and the fantastic La Luna d’Autumno, owned by the same person as the Italian restaurant of the same name, once considered the best in Vietnam but closed in 2020 due to COVID. Divine pizzas, including the vegetariana.
WHAT TO VISIT The Japanese Bridge and all the old Chinese houses, temples, and pagodas in the three historic streets. Don’t miss the extraordinary gallery-museum of the great French photographer Réhahn, the Precious Heritage Museum at 26 Phan Boi Chau. His remarkable photo collection—including the famous shot of the little Cham girl with clear blue eyes—has graced the covers of many magazines. His Montagnard Museum is a wonder, with a larger collection of tribal women’s costumes than the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. Free entry.
THE BEACHES Cua Dai Beach has mostly disappeared, a victim of the waves, except in a few spots. The beautiful An Bang Beach remains, with great beachfront restaurants, or you can head to Cham Island.
MY SON A beautiful complex of Cham ruins surrounded by mountains, 50 km southwest of Hoi An via a scenic road. You can rent a motorbike, take a motorbike taxi, or join a half-day organized tour. It’s best to go in the afternoon—less crowded than in the morning.
CHAM ISLANDS (Cu Lao Cham) Wow, I loved it! It reminded me of St. Barts 35 years ago. The archipelago, 19 km from Hoi An, consists of eight small islands within the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve, declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The largest and only inhabited island, Hon Lao (Pearl Island), covers 1,317 hectares, and its highest peak reaches 517 meters. Hon Lao has two villages: Bai Lang, where the boats from Hoi An dock, and the charming little fishing port of Bai Huong. Part of the island is a military zone, so only the east coast is accessible to tourists.
To get there, you have three options: - The public boat (100,000 dong) that leaves from in front of Café des Amis at 7:30 AM. The catch is it returns to Hoi An at noon, so to enjoy the charm of the place, you’ll need to spend a night on the island (which I highly recommend). - Organized tours by Cham Diving Club, with two options: diving or snorkeling only. - A private speedboat, but it’s not cheap: $200 for the day!
Note: Even if the weather seems fine, the large public boat won’t leave if the sea is too rough. The only solution is to go to the port around 7:30 AM and check (easy, since it brings all the supplies for the island’s locals—if it’s leaving, it’ll be loading up). Avoid weekends—it gets swarmed with locals.
Small coves with dreamy beaches, as they say. Two are very close to Bai Lang: one to the left (facing the village), Bai Ong, lined with restaurants, and a tiny one to the right of the village. The other two beaches, including Bai Chong and the little fishing port of Bai Huong, are accessible by motorbike or boat. I recommend renting a motorbike (biking is tough due to steep hills) and taking the road that overlooks the coast—it’s stunning.
Great diving. The Cham Diving Club is superbly organized by a very friendly Italian, Lodovico, and two French guys (www.chamislanddiving.com).
When you arrive at Bai Lang’s pier, they’ll offer you TWO family-run guesthouses in the village. There are also homestays, but they’re really basic (usually bamboo mats on wooden planks as beds), no English or French is spoken, and locals speak a dialect that’s hard to understand even if you’re decent at Vietnamese. Anyway, I don’t recommend staying in Bai Lang because of the public loudspeakers. Two options if you want a quiet night: - A small guesthouse facing the tiny rice field on the way to Bai Ong Beach. Very clean rooms and a large terrace overlooking the “rice field.” 300,000 dong, with meals available on the terrace. Nha Nghi Vu Truong Tel: 235 386 4783 Mobile: 01 67 76 63 110. - Homestays in the little fishing port of Bai Huong.
Where to stay and eat? Da Nang is a bustling business hub, so hotels are pricier and often fully booked. I was lucky to find a motorbike taxi driver who, after six full hotels, took me to Mai Son Hotel, 113 Nguyen Van Linh, a spotless 2-star place. Plus, right next door, there’s a great restaurant that seems popular with locals, and a good Chinese restaurant just a 5-minute walk away, Phi Lu (178 Nguyen Van Linh), recommended by the *Guide du Routard*. So, I’d definitely recommend this hotel. For a pricier option, the very Christian Dai A Hotel, near the tiny pink cathedral, is nice, but why pay more?
Actually, why stay in Da Nang when the gorgeous Hoi An is just 34 km to the south?
What to see? - The lovely Cham Museum (small, takes at most an hour) - The climb up Son Tra Peninsula (great views of the whole area) - The “tour” of the peninsula—quotation marks because the road stops two-thirds of the way. There’s an interesting little museum on the left before reaching the base of the huge statue, the Đong Đinh (large entrance on the left side of the hill), with traditional houses in the jungle holding artifacts over 2,000 years old (Sa Huynh culture; if you’re interested, check out the small Sa Huynh Museum in Hoi An, just before the Japanese Bridge). However, the big Linh Ung Pagoda is just colorful concrete! A beautiful resort, the Son Tra Beach Resort and Spa, sits on a pristine beach and isn’t too expensive: $120 for a garden room and $200–$270 for duplexes with a pool, where you can sleep six. Before reaching the resort, you’ll find two excellent seafood restaurants with large beachfront terraces on your right. - On the way to Hoi An, Marble Mountain, where I loved the village of marble sculpture workshops, the pretty pagodas and caves, and the stunning view from the top of the last promontory (the stairs are steep!). However, you can skip the famous China Beach and its resorts—all pretentious and expensive, not to mention the ones under construction on both sides of the road (they’re multiplying like crazy!). So, when traveling from Da Nang to Hoi An, I recommend two stops: the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. - The beautiful drive to the Hai Van Pass (there weren’t any clouds!), offering spectacular views of the Da Nang region to the south and the coast to the north. The descent leads to the fishing village and beach of Lang Co, which is lovely but destined for rampant resort development, judging by the huge projects advertised on billboards along the road after the village. - Some affordable guesthouses ($15) and big resorts, including the lovely Lang Co Beach Resort, with a large pool and great value given the beautiful gardens and elegant bungalows. Recommended in Lang Co: lunch at one of the two stilt restaurants over the lagoon—great views and fresh seafood.
The public bus to Hoi An, 34 km south of Da Nang, takes 45 minutes for 50,000 dong. There’s one every half hour.
HOI AN This is a “must-see” for so many reasons: stunning old houses, temples, and pagodas; a colorful daily open-air and covered market near the bridge; charming little streets in the old quarter—especially at night, with all the multicolored lanterns and riverside restaurant terraces, it’s very romantic. The local food is delicious, the people are friendly and kind, there are two beautiful beaches, and attractions like the Cham ruins of My Son. Some say Hoi An is overrun with tourists and should be avoided. That’s true for the historic center and An Bang Beach, but not at all once you step outside.
WHERE TO STAY For a 2-star option, I recommend Ngo House Villa (99 Nguyen Phuc Tan St), very quiet on the island just across from the Old Quarter: 3-star rooms + suites, a large “Family” room, and a nice pool, all for $20 ($40 for the “Family” room). The same charming owner has a second hotel 20 meters away (No. 74), Phan Ngô, which is older but has a large terrace and a small pool—I prefer this one. For 3 stars, Thuy Duong 3 (92 Ba Trieu) is perfect, with a pool and garden ($40–$60). A bit pricier but great is A Han on Phan Bai Chau, with a large garden and terrace restaurant.
For those with a bigger budget, I recommend two riverside spots with rooms, suites, and pools, priced at $200–$350: the secluded Coco River Resort (formerly Ancient House River, with a large wooden terrace for romantic dinners by the river) and Anantara, (formerly Heritage), with bungalows close to the old town—but pricey.
Outside the city, my favorite hotel is Villa Loan, the new place from the famous Loan of Tam Coc, very quiet in the countryside, 15 minutes by bike from Old Hoi An and An Bang Beach. Beautiful rooms ($35), a Family room with two double beds ($55), two 65 m² twins that can sleep six (two large beds + two single beds—$80), a terrace restaurant, and a lovely pool. Prices include a buffet breakfast and a bike.
Also great is Daisy Anbang on An Bang Beach, elegant with a pool and beach just 50 meters away (skip the Aira next door—too expensive).
WHERE TO EAT Hoi An is Vietnam’s culinary capital. For Vietnamese food, I recommend Dao Tien, 21 Phan Bai Chau. No surprise—the chef is a former chef at the luxury 4-star Victoria Hoi An, a solid reference. The restaurant now has a beautiful terrace by the river (take the alley on the right side of the main street Dao Tien). Plus, you’re doing a good deed: a large part of the profits goes toward educating underprivileged children—one year of free hospitality, cooking, and English training, followed by job placement in local establishments. Madame Hien Hoi An (formerly Co Mai), 2 Nguyen Thai Hoc (left of the market), is another great spot—the chef is Didier Corlou, formerly of the famous *Porte d’Annam* and *Madame Hien* in Hanoi (closed in March 2022 due to COVID, so foreign tourists are still scarce). Also worth checking out is Secret Garden, in the Phuong Minh An alley (entrance at 60 Le Loi), set in a beautiful space. One of my favorites is Madam Kieu, 43 Nguyen Phuc Chu, right on the river across from the little bridge—very elegant with excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Unfortunately, all the restaurants on this esplanade blast “music” (boom boom boom yeah yeah yeah) in the evenings, so it’s impossible to talk—go for lunch instead.
For a break from Vietnamese food, try Good Morning Vietnam, a ridiculous name for an excellent Italian restaurant (11 Le Loi). The cheerful chef is from Bologna, the “Lyon of Italy”: lasagna like an Italian *mama*’s, delicious tagliatelle ai porcini (porcini mushrooms imported from Italy), and a divine homemade tiramisu (pro tip: order a grappa and drizzle a few drops on the tiramisu). It’s also one of the few places where you can get an excellent bottle of red wine for 350,000 dong instead of the usual 600,000–800,000 dong (South African Robertson Chapel). Another gem: the Japanese restaurant Samurai Kitchen (no sushi, but divine gyoza), 21 Phan Chau Trinh—the street on the right side of the market when you turn your back to the river. Finally, Ganesh, which I consider the best Indian restaurant in Vietnam (99 Tran Hung Dao St).
At An Bang, there are plenty of beachfront restaurants. The two best are the large one at the far right of the parking lot (huge seafood selection) and the fantastic La Luna d’Autumno, owned by the same person as the Italian restaurant of the same name, once considered the best in Vietnam but closed in 2020 due to COVID. Divine pizzas, including the vegetariana.
WHAT TO VISIT The Japanese Bridge and all the old Chinese houses, temples, and pagodas in the three historic streets. Don’t miss the extraordinary gallery-museum of the great French photographer Réhahn, the Precious Heritage Museum at 26 Phan Boi Chau. His remarkable photo collection—including the famous shot of the little Cham girl with clear blue eyes—has graced the covers of many magazines. His Montagnard Museum is a wonder, with a larger collection of tribal women’s costumes than the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. Free entry.
THE BEACHES Cua Dai Beach has mostly disappeared, a victim of the waves, except in a few spots. The beautiful An Bang Beach remains, with great beachfront restaurants, or you can head to Cham Island.
MY SON A beautiful complex of Cham ruins surrounded by mountains, 50 km southwest of Hoi An via a scenic road. You can rent a motorbike, take a motorbike taxi, or join a half-day organized tour. It’s best to go in the afternoon—less crowded than in the morning.
CHAM ISLANDS (Cu Lao Cham) Wow, I loved it! It reminded me of St. Barts 35 years ago. The archipelago, 19 km from Hoi An, consists of eight small islands within the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve, declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The largest and only inhabited island, Hon Lao (Pearl Island), covers 1,317 hectares, and its highest peak reaches 517 meters. Hon Lao has two villages: Bai Lang, where the boats from Hoi An dock, and the charming little fishing port of Bai Huong. Part of the island is a military zone, so only the east coast is accessible to tourists.
To get there, you have three options: - The public boat (100,000 dong) that leaves from in front of Café des Amis at 7:30 AM. The catch is it returns to Hoi An at noon, so to enjoy the charm of the place, you’ll need to spend a night on the island (which I highly recommend). - Organized tours by Cham Diving Club, with two options: diving or snorkeling only. - A private speedboat, but it’s not cheap: $200 for the day!
Note: Even if the weather seems fine, the large public boat won’t leave if the sea is too rough. The only solution is to go to the port around 7:30 AM and check (easy, since it brings all the supplies for the island’s locals—if it’s leaving, it’ll be loading up). Avoid weekends—it gets swarmed with locals.
Small coves with dreamy beaches, as they say. Two are very close to Bai Lang: one to the left (facing the village), Bai Ong, lined with restaurants, and a tiny one to the right of the village. The other two beaches, including Bai Chong and the little fishing port of Bai Huong, are accessible by motorbike or boat. I recommend renting a motorbike (biking is tough due to steep hills) and taking the road that overlooks the coast—it’s stunning.
Great diving. The Cham Diving Club is superbly organized by a very friendly Italian, Lodovico, and two French guys (www.chamislanddiving.com).
When you arrive at Bai Lang’s pier, they’ll offer you TWO family-run guesthouses in the village. There are also homestays, but they’re really basic (usually bamboo mats on wooden planks as beds), no English or French is spoken, and locals speak a dialect that’s hard to understand even if you’re decent at Vietnamese. Anyway, I don’t recommend staying in Bai Lang because of the public loudspeakers. Two options if you want a quiet night: - A small guesthouse facing the tiny rice field on the way to Bai Ong Beach. Very clean rooms and a large terrace overlooking the “rice field.” 300,000 dong, with meals available on the terrace. Nha Nghi Vu Truong Tel: 235 386 4783 Mobile: 01 67 76 63 110. - Homestays in the little fishing port of Bai Huong.
Bonjour
Pour se rendre à Con Dao le moyen le plus simple reste l'avion depuis HCMC où Cantho si vous êtes en balade dans le Delta du Mékong.
Mais pour l'avion il faut réserver son billet plus d'une semaine à l'avance ce qui peut être contraignant.
Il y a donc maintenant une liaison par bateau rapide de la compagnie Phu Qoc Express au départ de Vung Tau
Départ à 8am chaque jour vendredi excepté, tarif 660 000VND en semaine 880 000VND le week-end.
On peut acheter son billet en ligne ou au terminal de Vung Tau 9 Duong Le Long.
Voici le lien vers le site avec toutes les informations.
http://phuquocexpressboat.com/en/tour/vungtau/
Nous arrivons au Vietnam et voulons passer 1semaine à 10 jours à la plage question de relaxer avant notre long voyage de trois mois!
Nous regardons trois destinations plage: Phu Quoc , ou l’ile De Con Dao et aussi l’ile De Cham ?
Que pensez vous de c’est îles ? Nous hésitons pour aller à Phu Quoc car nous craignions que ce soit trop touristique!!
Nous regardons trois destinations plage: Phu Quoc , ou l’ile De Con Dao et aussi l’ile De Cham ?
Que pensez vous de c’est îles ? Nous hésitons pour aller à Phu Quoc car nous craignions que ce soit trop touristique!!
Bonjour à tous, amateurs du Vietnam et d'ailleurs,
Je prépare mon voyage qui aura lieu entre mars et début avril pour une durée de 3 bonnes semaines. Je fais mon A/R par Ho Chi Minh, consciente que cela peut être une contrainte qui m'obligera à faire une boucle puisque je souhaite remonter jusque dans le centre du pays, plus précisément jusqu'à Phong Nha, et terminer par quelques jours sur les îles de Con Dao.
J'ai fait plusieurs voyages en bus de l'Inde à L'Indonésie en passant par la Birmanie, et bien que je sois un peu moins contrainte financièrement qu'à l'époque, je n'ai pas non plus envie de me déplacer en avion ou avec chauffeur privé tout du long. Pour autant j'ai des difficultés à appréhender le meilleur trajet compte tenu de ce que j'aimerai visiter. Voici la liste des "étapes" (non ordonnées) que j'espère pouvoir visiter, cependant je m'en remets à vos expériences pour me dire ce qui est faisable (durée du séjour, distances):
- départ et retour de HCMV - Cat Tien - Phong Nha: j'ai prévu de faire un tour de 2 jours aux grottes de Tu Lan. - Hoi An & alentours - Hué & alentours (Bach Ma...) - Dalat - Con Dao (pour clôturer le séjour, je pense à 4 jours/3 nuits)
Je pensais relier Hué<>Hoi An en scooter. N'hésitez pas à me faire part de vos commentaires !
Merci de votre aide.
Vera
Je prépare mon voyage qui aura lieu entre mars et début avril pour une durée de 3 bonnes semaines. Je fais mon A/R par Ho Chi Minh, consciente que cela peut être une contrainte qui m'obligera à faire une boucle puisque je souhaite remonter jusque dans le centre du pays, plus précisément jusqu'à Phong Nha, et terminer par quelques jours sur les îles de Con Dao.
J'ai fait plusieurs voyages en bus de l'Inde à L'Indonésie en passant par la Birmanie, et bien que je sois un peu moins contrainte financièrement qu'à l'époque, je n'ai pas non plus envie de me déplacer en avion ou avec chauffeur privé tout du long. Pour autant j'ai des difficultés à appréhender le meilleur trajet compte tenu de ce que j'aimerai visiter. Voici la liste des "étapes" (non ordonnées) que j'espère pouvoir visiter, cependant je m'en remets à vos expériences pour me dire ce qui est faisable (durée du séjour, distances):
- départ et retour de HCMV - Cat Tien - Phong Nha: j'ai prévu de faire un tour de 2 jours aux grottes de Tu Lan. - Hoi An & alentours - Hué & alentours (Bach Ma...) - Dalat - Con Dao (pour clôturer le séjour, je pense à 4 jours/3 nuits)
Je pensais relier Hué<>Hoi An en scooter. N'hésitez pas à me faire part de vos commentaires !
Merci de votre aide.
Vera
bonjour,
je recherche un chauffeur pour le nord vietnam (sapa et ses environs) pour 4 jours. Quels sont les tarifs et comment en trouver un?
merci de vos conseils.
Bonjour,
En juillet 2020, nous partons à Ho Chi Minh pour le travail. Ensuite, nous comptons nous rendre à Hanoi d'où nous reprenons le vol international. Nous quitterons Ho Chi Minh ville an avion le samedi matin (ou vendredi soir) pour arriver à Hanoi d'où nous repartirons le mercredi soir. Nous avons dans l'idée de faire une excursion à la baie de Halong durant une journée et voudrions également voir des rizières en terrasse et se balader dedans. Pensez-vous qu'il est possible et raisonnable de faire ce programme en si peu de temps? Nous n'avons pas encore réservé notre vol intérieur donc nous pouvons aussi atterir à un autre endroit plus proche d'une rizière pour n'avoir qu'un trajet vers Hanoï à faire. Quel itinéraire proposeriez vous ? Quel est le moyen de transport à privilégier sachant que nous voyagerons à deux femmes et que nous sommes non-conductrices, tenant compte que ce sera la saison des pluies? A Ho Chi Minh nous avons deux week-ends de libre, nous en consacrerons un pour le delta du Mekong et n'avons encore rien de prévu pour l'autre, y aurait-il des rizières en terrasse dans la région?
Merci d'avance à ceux qui prendront le temps de nous aider.
En juillet 2020, nous partons à Ho Chi Minh pour le travail. Ensuite, nous comptons nous rendre à Hanoi d'où nous reprenons le vol international. Nous quitterons Ho Chi Minh ville an avion le samedi matin (ou vendredi soir) pour arriver à Hanoi d'où nous repartirons le mercredi soir. Nous avons dans l'idée de faire une excursion à la baie de Halong durant une journée et voudrions également voir des rizières en terrasse et se balader dedans. Pensez-vous qu'il est possible et raisonnable de faire ce programme en si peu de temps? Nous n'avons pas encore réservé notre vol intérieur donc nous pouvons aussi atterir à un autre endroit plus proche d'une rizière pour n'avoir qu'un trajet vers Hanoï à faire. Quel itinéraire proposeriez vous ? Quel est le moyen de transport à privilégier sachant que nous voyagerons à deux femmes et que nous sommes non-conductrices, tenant compte que ce sera la saison des pluies? A Ho Chi Minh nous avons deux week-ends de libre, nous en consacrerons un pour le delta du Mekong et n'avons encore rien de prévu pour l'autre, y aurait-il des rizières en terrasse dans la région?
Merci d'avance à ceux qui prendront le temps de nous aider.
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.
Bonjour,
je suis en train de faire le planning pour notre voyage du Delta du Mekong en janvier2020.
J'ai déjà pu trouver la première partie, c'est à dire le nord et Hanoi puis Phu Quoc. Nous rentrons donc de Phu Quoc le 3 Janvier et nous voulons faire de Ha Tien, en bus à Rach Gia, puis en speedboat sur le canal jusqu'à Ca Mau, monter vers Soc Trang en bus ou si cela existe en canalboat, vers Can Tho, puis Vinh Long -marché flottant de Cai Be, Ben Tre pour finir à Ho Chi Minh 2-3 jours. Nous ne parlons pas le vietnamien, mais anglais et aurons un Translator comme petite aide. Qui peut nous donner des adresses et infos pour avoir un maximum de belles choses à voir? Merci pour vos infos
Bonjour
Petite question vestimentaire...
Est il gênant de porter un pantalon style treillis camouflage lors d'un voyage au Vietnam, Laos et Cambodge, tant en ville qu'à la campagne (et éventuellement visiter des temples vêtus ainsi)?
Cela peut il être mal interprété par les populations locales ?
Merci d'avance pour vos réponses.
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
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
Bonjour
Nous partons la semaine prochaine au Vietnam et souhaitons faire une croisiere de 2 jours dans la baie de tu long. Est-il nécessaire de reserver à l'avance ou peut-on le faire lorsque nous arriverons à hanoi? Merci pour vos réponses.
Par Lepetitjournal Ho Chi Minh Ville | Publié le 07/10/2019 à 17:30 | Mis à jour le 07/10/2019 à 17:30
" À Hà Nội, le Ministère des Transports a sommé les cafés et petits commerces de rue d’arrêter leur activité dans la populaire « rue du train », pour des mesures de sécurité. Le Ministère des Transports a annoncé son intention de faire fermer les cafés et petits commerces installés aux abords des rails du train emblématique, situé Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn, Khâm Thiên, Đống Đa, dans la vieille ville d’Hà Nội. Les raisons invoquées sont liées à la sécurité, et aux risques importants d’accidents. ................"
https://lepetitjournal.com/ho-chi-minh/actualites/fermeture-imminente-des-cafes-le-long-des-rails-de-la-rue-du-train-266263
" À Hà Nội, le Ministère des Transports a sommé les cafés et petits commerces de rue d’arrêter leur activité dans la populaire « rue du train », pour des mesures de sécurité. Le Ministère des Transports a annoncé son intention de faire fermer les cafés et petits commerces installés aux abords des rails du train emblématique, situé Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn, Khâm Thiên, Đống Đa, dans la vieille ville d’Hà Nội. Les raisons invoquées sont liées à la sécurité, et aux risques importants d’accidents. ................"
https://lepetitjournal.com/ho-chi-minh/actualites/fermeture-imminente-des-cafes-le-long-des-rails-de-la-rue-du-train-266263
Bonjour,
je pars dans quelques jours dans le sud du Vietnam. J'aimerais relier Vinh long à Soc Trang mais je n'arrive pas à trouver les infos sur d'éventuels transports en commun dans cette zone... Je voudrais me rendre à Soc Trang depuis Vinh long pour rendre le ferry et rejoindre l'île de Con dao. Est-ce possible? et si oui, est-ce un "long voyage"?
Je vous remercie d'avance pour vos conseils!
Marie
je pars dans quelques jours dans le sud du Vietnam. J'aimerais relier Vinh long à Soc Trang mais je n'arrive pas à trouver les infos sur d'éventuels transports en commun dans cette zone... Je voudrais me rendre à Soc Trang depuis Vinh long pour rendre le ferry et rejoindre l'île de Con dao. Est-ce possible? et si oui, est-ce un "long voyage"?
Je vous remercie d'avance pour vos conseils!
Marie
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
Hi everyone,
I’ve got a big project in northern Vietnam—discovering the most beautiful rice terraces before the harvest...
I’m planning to leave around September 15th until October 15th, then spend 15 days exploring the two bays, Lan Ha and Ha Long. In total, 45 days without a visa...
I’m traveling solo and very independent.
But is it possible to do this kind of trip using local trains and buses?
My plan is to leave Hanoi for Nghia Lo (2 days), then Mu Cang Chai (4 days), Sapa (4 days), Bac Ha (2 days), Ha Giang... Hoang Su Phi, then do the Meo Vac loop, Dong Van, etc., to see those stunning karst peaks before heading back to Hanoi.
In my research, I haven’t found any buses or vans going from Hanoi to Nghia Lo, even though it’s super popular for its rice terrace landscapes....
I don’t want a daily driver, but I’m thinking I could use moto-taxis to get around locally once I’m there....
What do you think?
These rice terraces are a dream for me, along with the markets and all the different ethnic groups, not to mention those spectacular rocky peaks...
Is the itinerary too ambitious? I’ve got time on my side.
Do you have any solutions? I’ve browsed the forum a lot, but the discussions are 5 or 6 years old, and I think things have changed since then.
Thanks for your help planning this adventure!
Hi,
We’ve planned a week in the delta, but sometimes I wonder if that’s not too much… We’ll be there in early February, and the idea is to take a taxi straight from Saigon Airport to Ben Tre. I’m counting on 3 nights to recover and adjust after the long trip. Then I was thinking of Sadec, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Ha Tien, and back to Saigon for 3 nights before a flight to Hoi An. We’ve got 6 weeks total, so we have a bit of time. After reading different travel stories, the destinations in the delta seem a bit repetitive—I keep seeing the same excursions. On the other hand, I also think having time is a chance to get to know the local life a little better. My question really comes down to this: for those of you who travel at a relaxed pace, do you have any tips? I’ve heard the floating markets aren’t that interesting anymore. Also, motorbikes aren’t our thing.
Thanks
Bonjour,
Je souhaiterai savoir si il est possible de faire ce trajet avec obtention du visa à la frontière.Merci .
Bonjour,
Tout est dans le titre. Cela serait pour le 24 février au 6 mars, pour 5 ou 6 personnes
Hanoï - Ninh-Ninh Binh - Ha Long Baie - Hué - Danang -Hoi An - Can Tho -Sadec- HCM
ou
Hanoï-Ninh-Ninh Binh - Ha Long Baie
(puis avion jusqu'à Hué)
Hué - Danang -Hoi An
(puis avion jusqu'à Can Tho ou HCM)
Can Tho -Sadec- HCM
En vous remerciant.
Lethi
Tout est dans le titre. Cela serait pour le 24 février au 6 mars, pour 5 ou 6 personnes
Hanoï - Ninh-Ninh Binh - Ha Long Baie - Hué - Danang -Hoi An - Can Tho -Sadec- HCM
ou
Hanoï-Ninh-Ninh Binh - Ha Long Baie
(puis avion jusqu'à Hué)
Hué - Danang -Hoi An
(puis avion jusqu'à Can Tho ou HCM)
Can Tho -Sadec- HCM
En vous remerciant.
Lethi
Bonjour !
Nous partons 20 jours pour le Vietnam en septembre prochain, avec une arrivée à Hanoi et un départ à Ho Chi Minh Ville.
Après m'être pas mal renseignée, j'ai envisagé cet itinéraire, et j'aurais souhaité savoir ce que vous en pensiez, étant plus habitués que moi :
Hanoï 2 j Sapa 3 j dont un trek de 2j Ha Long ou plus certainement Cat Ba 3j Tam Coc/Baie terrestre 3j Hué 1j Hoi An et ses environs 2j et demi (Avion pour HCMV) Delta du Mekong 3j Con Dao 2j HCMV 1j
Les principaux trajets se feront en bus et trains de nuit
Mes doutes sont principalement sur Delta du Mekong : 2 ou 3 jours ? Baie terrestre : 2 ou 3 jours ? Plus de temps à Hoi An ?
Merci d'avance pour votre précieux avis !
Hanoï 2 j Sapa 3 j dont un trek de 2j Ha Long ou plus certainement Cat Ba 3j Tam Coc/Baie terrestre 3j Hué 1j Hoi An et ses environs 2j et demi (Avion pour HCMV) Delta du Mekong 3j Con Dao 2j HCMV 1j
Les principaux trajets se feront en bus et trains de nuit
Mes doutes sont principalement sur Delta du Mekong : 2 ou 3 jours ? Baie terrestre : 2 ou 3 jours ? Plus de temps à Hoi An ?
Merci d'avance pour votre précieux avis !
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.
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 envisageons de retourner au Vietnam fin janvier début février pour 15 jours.
Nous avons déjà vu la boucle du nord: Hanoï - Sapa - Baie d'Ha Long - Ninh Binh puis Hoï An.
Nous voulons retourner à Hanoï, passer plus de temps à Ninh Binh puis découvrir Hue et retourner quelques heures à Hoï An car le temps sera peut-être meilleur à cette époque.
Pourquoi pas continuer à descendre jusqu'à HCM pour rentrer en France.
Hate de vous lire
Nous voulons retourner à Hanoï, passer plus de temps à Ninh Binh puis découvrir Hue et retourner quelques heures à Hoï An car le temps sera peut-être meilleur à cette époque.
Pourquoi pas continuer à descendre jusqu'à HCM pour rentrer en France.
Hate de vous lire
Bonjour comment me rendre de Phnom Penh a Saigon a moindre frais ? merci Fanfancom
Nous serons 5 jours à Hanoi début mai
Je sais qu'il y a beaucoup de discussions sur ces sujets mais j'aimerais votre avis pour cette période du mois de mai
1 journée à ninh binh que visiter ? Trang an ou tam coc ? Et plus ?
Baie d'halong croisiére de 1 ou 2 nuits ? Halong ou Bai tu long?
Merci de vos avis
Nous partons pour Ho Chi Minh la semaine prochaine et nous recherchons à louer une voiture avec chauffeur pour faire ho chi minh - Vinh Long - Can tho - Ben tre - Ho chi Minh. Nous sommes 3.
Avez vous des conseils à me donner, des noms d'agence sérieuse et pas chère, ou chauffeur individuel svp ?
Merci pour votre aide.
Avez vous des conseils à me donner, des noms d'agence sérieuse et pas chère, ou chauffeur individuel svp ?
Merci pour votre aide.
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 there,
It’s been a while since I last logged in. Living in Vietnam, my parents just returned from a trip organized by an agency. I rarely praise agencies, but this one deserves a shout-out. They put together a tailor-made trip off the beaten path at a very reasonable price. My parents discovered a place I didn’t even know about—it’s stunning in Bai Tu Long Bay.
If you have any questions about their trip or Vietnam in general, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve been living here for several years.
Have a great evening!
I'm looking to rent a scooter in Saigon and be able to return it in Hoi An. If anyone knows an agency that does this
Good evening,
I’m posting a new message after browsing the forum.
Our 16-day backpacking trip (late June to mid-July 2026) focused on hiking and connecting with locals is starting to take shape, but I’d love your input.
I’m torn between two routes:
Option 1: A loop from Hanoi to Hanoi, starting with Bai Tu Long Bay, then Tam Coc, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Mu Cang Chai, and the area around Sapa, before taking the train back to Hanoi.
Option 2: The same loop but starting in Sapa and ending in Bai Tu Long Bay.
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your help—I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Cédric
Hi fellow travelers!
I’m planning a little 3-week trip to Vietnam in mid-to-late March. It’ll probably be the only time I can go.
I enjoyed Thailand but clearly preferred Laos—it was calmer.
For Vietnam, I don’t have a precise idea of what I want to see yet, and I’m the type to improvise a bit once I’m there. I’m not super adventurous but I’m curious, and I prefer street food over restaurants, markets and off-the-beaten-path villages over big attractions.
But I don’t want to miss the must-sees either.
So, given that I’ll only be there for 3 weeks, I’m wondering: should I absolutely stick to either the north or the south? Or is it possible to have a nice, not-too-hectic trip by spending, say, one week in the south and two in the north?...
(I’d take a multi-city flight for arrival and departure)
What do you think?
Thanks! 🙂
