BootsnAll Travel Community

My mum and I would like to go on holiday to Vietnam (from the Philippines) sometime in early January. She's not the backpacking type and was wondering if anyone knew of any tours we could join? I have been researching on the internet and have come up with a few things but would prefer recommendations. We are more into culture and history, and seeing the sights vs any adventure travel (i would, but mum's 60 and not very enthusiastic about that .

Also do they normally do tours in early January, like around the 5th or so? I have noticed so far most of the tours I've found start in the middle of the month.

Thanks for the advice!

It is not such a good idea to book the tours from here (cyberspace), it is better to wait until you get to each city. If you book now, you will pay about five times too much.

There is no shortage of tours available (seemingly) everywhere. In fact, it is often difficult to escape the offers.

What does she want to see or do?

I live here in VietNam and I can tell you the only place you need a tour for is Ha Long Bay. The best tour boat on the water is < http://tropical-sails.com/lagoon.html > - unlike most Tour Ops these guys do actually own the boats.

Ha Noi is easy to tour as it is very sectionalised and most areas have just enough to do in a morning or an afternoon.

One point - museums and the like are like government offices - they open early and close early and take very long lunch breaks.

Ha Noi taxi drivers are thieves and scammers - read < http://www.wompom.ca/vietnam/vnfaq01.htm >. For weather charts: < http://www.vietnam.virtuallythere.ca/weather/wpopmstr.htm >; for electronic maps: < http://www.vietnam.virtuallythere.ca/maps/VN-01.htm >.

Given your interests you will likely want to visit Hue and the Citadel - take an overnight soft-sleeper train from Ha Noi. The Citadel and Hue use Feng Shui - Form School in their layout, as do all pagodas, so read up a little. Since my wife has worked there at Hue Uni as a prof, I found the layouts are much more than old wrecks and monuments.

The next area of interest is Da Nang - the Cham Museum.

Depending on how much time you have you can fly into Ha Noi and exit from HCMC.

Routing: Ha Noi >> Ha Long Bay >> Ha Noi >> Sa Pa >>rail >> Ha Noi; then heading south - Ha Noi >> rail overnight sleeper >> Hue; Hue >> bus or rail >> Da Nang then a bus to Hoi An (shopping) >> bus to Da Nang (book overnight sleeper to Nha Trang when you are in Hoi An); Da Nang >> overnight sleeper >> Nha Trang; Nha Trang >> day bus >> Da Lat (recommend Dreams Hotel); Da Lat >> day bus >> HCMC.

I find that the HCMC museum is inetersting, along with the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace (the guide chatter is amusing).

thanks! will definately check it out.

I live in the southern region (Ho Chi Minh City) for the last 18 months and best way for both of you is get to Vietnam and check out the travel agencies. There are plenty of places for you and your mom to check out and go places that feels like an adventure but will not weigh down on mom. Ho Chi Minh City has the War Remnant Museums (like DAKLAK said) and other exciting 1 day trips. Some agencies do provide 3+ days trips that's very relaxing and reasonably priced.

Check out sites such as saigontourist.com, benthanhtourist.com and sinhcafe.com. But best is to get here and talk to the agents. They will give you lots of options.