ARRIVAL
The Visa company you recommended(Vietnam EVisa) was excellent. They responded quickly to our application and sent a few notices prior to the trip. At the Hanoi Airport they were there to meet us and processed our Visa application within 15 minutes. Our ride (Buffalo Tours) was also waiting. All went smoothly.
HANOI
This city was an excellent introduction to the Vietnam culture and foods. Thanks for booking the food tour, which provided a great introduction into the different foods. We were also instructed how to cross the street, which was always a hair-raising experience. At first it seemed impossible but after a few crosses we learned how to cross like a local.
The Church Boutique Hotel was also a good choice. Well located and an easy walk to many attractions. Their breakfast had limited selection, but was suitable. The staff were very nice and helpful.
Jenny, from Church Hotel was very helpful by arranging transportation to Ha Long. We bought return tickets, with a private car. And very reasonably priced. We definitely needed help to book our transportation to Ha Long.
HA LONG CITY
Not worth the stay. We were advised, while in Hanoi that we should have booked a two-day cruise in Ha Lang Bay. Ha Lang city is a big tourist town with many new apartments and hotels, but no access to the beach, except by taxi. In hind-sight we should have booked the boat cruise or gone to Sapa instead.
Royal Lotus Ha Lang Resort was an awesome choice. If I was going to be stuck on a deserted island, I would love this hotel.
DA NANG
This was an interesting city, and worth the stay. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, high winds and some rain. Hence we could not take advantage of the beach, but we did manage to go for some long beach walks.
The Centara Sandy Beach Resort was also an excellent choice, great breakfast, good bar food and friendly staff. Our bungalows were close to the beach and the hotel was walking distance to the Marble Mountains. The hotel also provides a shuttle service to the town centre and to the town of Hui An. We met other travelers who did the opposite of us - stayed in Hui An and took a day-trip to Da Nang.
NHA TRANG
We took a limousine bus from the airport to the hotel, which took about 35 minutes. There are a few attractions within walking distance, but the beaches are the big attraction. And not surprising to meet many Russians coming to this area to escape their cold climate back home. Just like the Canadians.
The Novotel Hotel was another excellent choice, great breakfast, with a beach area and close to the town centre.
DA LAT
The bus from Nha Trang was another hair-raising experience, going up mountain roads with many areas washed out or being repaired due to rock slides. But this is a beautiful area with mountains, trees and waterfalls. Da Lat city is very beautiful and the local government has done a fantastic job to plant trees, shrubs and flowers. The lake is close to our hotel, and great for walking. I highly recommend taking the day-tour to visit waterfalls, rice fields, the cricket farm, weasel coffee farm and local villages. This was my favorite city.
The Best Western Dalat Plaza Hotel was located close to the town centre. The rooms are a bit dated, but were clean. The breakfast was okay, but not great and the staff a bit too serious (not very friendly compared to other hotels).
HO CHI MINH CITY
It's a bit sad to see many older buildings being replaced by 30-40 story high-rises. If this modernization continues Ho Chi Minh City will loose its identity. We are not big shoppers, and we had little interest to visit the shopping district. I'm glad to have come to Ho Chi Minh, but would not come again or spend fewer days. We chose not to take the tours that visited the war museums and tunnels. It was such an awful war that left many disturbing memories. On the positive side, the town had many trendy restaurants and a night-life.
The Millennium Boutique Hotel was a good choice. A beautiful modern hotel, with a roof top restaurant, bar and pool, and a view of the river and sunsets. The breakfast was very nice and the staff friendly. The hotel is well located close to various monuments and shopping areas
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