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!

I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone... Feel free to contact us for her number.

Hi, I’m planning to travel from April 12 to 24, 2025, for my first solo trip. I’m torn between two destinations: Thailand or Vietnam. Which one would you recommend? Thanks so much for your advice!

hi

I’ll be on a cruise on January 11, 2027. We’re stopping in Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My).

I’d love to see something other than the city—anyone have recommendations or a guide for 6-8 people with pickup at the port?

I’d really like to visit some rice paddies.

Hi everyone! ☺️ In early February, we’ll be in Phu Quoc. We’re looking to stay in a hotel or resort near the beach—ideally beachfront—but most importantly, close to shops, little restaurants, and bars. Which area should we pick? The island seems so different from one spot to another... Thanks so much!

Hi there, we’re heading to Vietnam from February 20th to March 20th. We’ll be traveling from south to north and ending up in the Ha Giang region. Is the period starting March 10th a good time to explore this area? Is it possible to do this loop by motorbike given the weather? Thanks for your tips! Béatrice and Philippe

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

Hi everyone, I have a Visa card with international option. How do I pay in Vietnam? Hotels booked on Booking—do hotel owners charge a commission? How do I withdraw money? ATM fees? Where can I exchange euros at the lowest cost? Thanks in advance for your tips! Larri

Hi there, I’m heading to Hanoi and Da Nang for the first time for about ten days in mid-January 2026. Should I book hotels in advance, or can I find decent places available from one day to the next? Same question for prices—do rates vary depending on when you book?

Hi, Currently in Laos for one more day, I’d like to share two handy apps for finding a driver. First, InDrive—these are private drivers with their own cars. Then there’s XanhSM, a Vietnamese electric taxi company. I haven’t used it in Laos, but it’s usually the one I use in Saigon.

Hello, We’re a couple looking for a driver for 10 days to explore Northern Vietnam in April. Best regards,

Back from Dong Van Big plus: a brand-new highway between Hanoi airport and Tuyen Quang, halfway between Hanoi and Ha Giang. The speed limit is usually 50 km/h, but it still saves time.

In Ha Giang, the Truong Xuan Hotel (Ha Giang Resort) has gone downhill. Stay at the gorgeous guesthouse (varnished wooden bungalows with panoramic terrace and excellent meals) run by Mr. WIN (03 64 86 67 66) in Thôn Tha village, 5 kilometers before Ha Giang. If it's full, try next door at Mr. Cay’s place—also bungalows, but with a less stunning view: 09 79 76 94 67.

Dong Van has become so popular that there are now over 200 hotels and guesthouses (only one existed 5 years ago). I stayed at my usual spot, the Hoang Ngoc, which now has an elevator, but it’s gotten expensive (450,000 VND). Instead, check out one of the two 2-star hotels across the street.

On the other hand, dining options have really improved. The excellent Green Karst (one of the servers, Mr. Hung, is also a French-speaking guide) has two locations—one on the main street and another a bit uphill to the left. Go to the latter.

I revisited Lung Cu, still just as spectacular. There are now small electric trains that take you up to the viewpoint (30,000 VND per person round trip). The Hmong King’s Palace in Sa Phin is still standing strong. Small shops to the left of the staircase—the closest one is run by a descendant of the king, actually a traditional costume chief.

There’s a lovely guesthouse at the top of Ma Pi Leng, run by a super-friendly Hmong guy in a beret (a French legacy) who speaks decent French. The terrace overlooks the Nho Qué River canyon. 250,000 VND for two, breakfast included (dinner is 200,000 VND).

Hi, I'm looking for a reliable provider for a 4-5 day road trip loop starting from Hanoi to Sapa and/or Ha Giang. Does anyone have any contacts? Thanks in advance, Arnaud

Hi there,

The question’s in the title—should I buy a map locally or bring a detailed one from France? If so, which one?

Thanks! 😉

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

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

Hi there, we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area. Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there? How do you get there? Thanks for your feedback. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cédric.

Hi everyone,

I couldn’t find any recent posts on this topic, so I thought I’d create a new one. We’ve just started planning our family trip to Vietnam this coming August. We’d like to travel from North to South, starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh.

Usually, we rent a car when we arrive and manage on our own. But I get the feeling that in Vietnam, it’s more complicated... It seems like the only option we have is to rent a car with a driver? Is that really the case?

I’m thinking of starting with a cruise in Halong Bay since we arrive on my partner’s birthday, and I wanted a beautiful setting to celebrate it. So, is the option of having a driver wait for 2 days while we’re on the cruise really feasible?

The rest of the itinerary isn’t planned at all yet. I’d love to hear your tips. We’re traveling from August 8th (morning) to the 26th (afternoon).

Thanks for your advice.

Hi everyone, we arrive in Hanoi from March 6th to 8th, then head to Ninh Binh from the 8th to 10th. I’d planned to sleep in Halong on the 10th because on the 11th we’re doing an overnight cruise with the Peony. On the 12th, we’re staying in Cat Ba—I’m not sure if we should stay the 13th too? Back to Hanoi to go to Ho Chi Minh City airport for two nights, I think. Then the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre. We’ve booked two nights in Phu Coc to leave on March 19th for Hanoi and fly back to France on the 20th. Nothing’s set in stone yet, but I could really use your help—is going to Cat Ba necessary? We love the nature side, and Ben Tre seems essential. Is going to Phu Coc too much? Please be kind, but if you can give me some guidance, that’d be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

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!

Hi there. Do you know if there’s a bus from HCM to Cao Lanh, and which company runs it? It’s kinda hard to figure out. Maybe some of you have taken this same route before? Thanks.

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

Hi there, Planning a trip in January to the Mekong Delta. Question: I’m stopping at Gieng Island—are there public buses from Ho Chi Minh City or Sa Dec that go near the ferry dock for this little island? Question: How do you get to Tram Chim National Park (the bird sanctuary) by bus? Finally, is there an app for public transport in southern Vietnam? Maybe some of you have been there before 🙂 Thanks for your tips!

Hi there,

I’d like to get some information about the upcoming changes to the law on Vietnamese naturalization. My grandmother and my mother were born in Saigon, and I’ve managed to get a 5-year visa exemption as a Việt Kiều, but I’d like to know if I can obtain a Vietnamese passport. I travel to Vietnam very often and plan to move there permanently as a Việt Kiều.

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.

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!

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 there, Need to hear your thoughts on the trip offered by Salaun, "Vietnamese Escape"—flights, accommodations, activities, weather, and the overall trip structure. Thanks everyone! EP

Hi! We’d like to work with local agencies to organize tours to Halong Bay, the Mekong Delta, etc. There are so many agencies in Vietnam—any you’d recommend?