Author Topic: Vietnam Master Thread (Read 66698 times)

Drago · « **Reply #100 on:** January 08, 2015, 04:27:41 PM »

Quote from: AJK on January 08, 2015, 04:21:08 PM

Beautiful. And a sick value. Love the patio. If only it had a private pool.

Reminds me of Conrad Koh Samui, just not as nice. CKS was an unbelievable value at 35K HH/night + $0.00. Definitely the nicest hotel I've ever stayed at.

W/ kids, I can do w/o the private pool

Just burned 100k points w/ them.

Also planning on using a IC Royal Amb account to book the IC in Hanoi w/ cash.
Chk it out, tell me what you think.

We'll likely hit up a AirBnB in Hoi An for shabbos, and do 5 days down there.

Drago · « **Reply #101 on:** January 28, 2015, 04:14:41 AM »

So it looks like we've got the plans more of less finished.

1) Crash at the Holiday Inn Hanoi after arriving late, and then leaving early the following morning. 10k HH per room. (The Opera House from Hilton looks very nice, but we'll be arriving and leaving while it's dark, so no point in spending the extra money.)
2) Do a 2 day, 1 night junk boat tour on a private boat in the bay.
3) Spend 2 nights including shabbat at the IC in Hanoi, which is a few minute walk from the Chabad family.
4) Take a 4 night, 3 day trip to Sapa, but not hitting up Bac Ha Sunday market. The 4 nights will be 2 nights on the train, and 2 nights in Homestays, roughing it with the locals. We could do hotels instead, but we want to experience the local living.
5) Fly to Danong, spend 2 nights at the IC, and then drive to Hoi An, stay 3 nights including shabbat at a AirBnB propery in the center of the old city.
6) Spend last night in Hanoi b/f flying back home.

Wish us luck...

lunatic · « **Reply #102 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:15:36 AM »

Wow. With kids😯

Drago · « **Reply #103 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:25:24 AM »

Quote from: lunatic on January 28, 2015, 07:15:36 AM

Wow. With kids😯

I hope we're not overdoing it.

AharonInIsrael · « **Reply #104 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:27:51 AM »

Quote from: Drago on January 28, 2015, 07:25:24 AM

I hope we're not overdoing it.

Looks fun!
When you leaving?

Drago · « **Reply #105 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:31:43 AM »

Quote from: AharonInIsrael on January 28, 2015, 07:27:51 AM

Looks fun!
When you leaving?

In the near future.

AharonInIsrael · « **Reply #106 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:33:07 AM »

Quote from: Drago on January 28, 2015, 07:31:43 AM

In the near future.

Enjoy! Looking forward to getting a TR to add to the list of "See wife, we can travel with kids!"

Drago · « **Reply #107 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:34:42 AM »

Quote from: AharonInIsrael on January 28, 2015, 07:33:07 AM

Enjoy! Looking forward to getting a TR to add to the list of "See wife, we can travel with kids!"

Yea, I'd love to post a TR, but I've been promising around 5 of them, and haven't come through.
We've done Thailand and Bali with them, and would be happy to have our wives talk if you'd like.
You in Israel?

AharonInIsrael · « **Reply #108 on:** January 28, 2015, 07:52:10 AM »

Quote from: Drago on January 28, 2015, 07:34:42 AM

Yea, I'd love to post a TR, but I've been promising around 5 of them, and haven't come through.
We've done Thailand and Bali with them, and would be happy to have our wives talk if you'd like.
You in Israel?

That'd be nice, thanks!
Yeah, we're here.

Drago · « **Reply #109 on:** April 02, 2015, 09:37:50 AM »

So the trip was wonderful, and it went off w/o a hitch (which isn't a given when traveling with small kids and bringing >100 pounds of food).

Below are some thoughts.

Hanoi:
You can skip it, unless you need want to stay for shabbat. If you do, the IC and Sheraton are both within a few minutes of the Rabbi's house, and it's a very nice experience.

We stayed at the IC, and were lucky enough to combine our 2 rooms into a single 2 bedroom suite which is over the water. Note that most of the rooms in the hotel only overlook the water (or city), but aren't actually over the water.

The old city is crazy for walking due to the traffic, and the shopping isn't anything special, but if you do go, I recommend paying the few dollars to have a cart take you around so you can avoid the need to cross streets.

The water puppet show is enjoyable, especially for the kids.

The area outside of the old city is nicer, but we didn't have time to check out the museums, or communist propoganda.

TBC

AharonInIsrael · « **Reply #110 on:** April 02, 2015, 09:54:19 AM »

Quote from: Drago on April 02, 2015, 09:37:50 AM

So the trip was wonderful, and it went off w/o a hitch (which isn't a given when traveling with small kids and bringing >100 pounds of food).

Below are some thoughts.

Hanoi:
You can skip it, unless you need want to stay for shabbat. If you do, the IC and Sheraton are both within a few minutes of the Rabbi's house, and it's a very nice experience.

We stayed at the IC, and were lucky enough to combine our 2 rooms into a single 2 bedroom suite which is over the water. Note that most of the rooms in the hotel only overlook the water (or city), but aren't actually over the water.

The old city is crazy for walking due to the traffic, and the shopping isn't anything special, but if you do go, I recommend paying the few dollars to have a cart take you around so you can avoid the need to cross streets.

The water puppet show is enjoyable, especially for the kids.

The area outside of the old city is nicer, but we didn't have time to check out the museums, or communist propoganda.

TBC

Looking forward! Thanks for sharing and (a belated) welcome back!

robbie · « **Reply #111 on:** June 25, 2015, 11:58:14 AM »

getting a visa to vietnam... from my understanding you have to get approved to get a visa then youget one by the airport? what happens if im not going into vietnam via airport?

shwarmabob · « **Reply #112 on:** June 25, 2015, 04:44:01 PM »

Quote from: robbie on June 25, 2015, 11:58:14 AM

getting a visa to vietnam... from my understanding you have to get approved to get a visa then youget one by the airport? what happens if im not going into vietnam via airport?

I got a visa in Phnom Penh many years ago on my way to Saigon. I think some guy jumped on a bike and rode to Sihanouk to get it, becasue that's where it was issued. I used the same agent that arranged my boat ride on the Mekong to Saigon, that way he had an incentive to get it back to me. The border at the time was some dusty outpost next to the river where we had to get off the boat for a half an hour to say hello to the Vietnamese border guards. This may have changed since then.

robbie · « **Reply #113 on:** June 25, 2015, 05:20:36 PM »

Quote from: shwarmabob on June 25, 2015, 04:44:01 PM

I got a visa in Phnom Penh many years ago on my way to Saigon. I think some guy jumped on a bike and rode to Sihanouk to get it, becasue that's where it was issued. I used the same agent that arranged my boat ride on the Mekong to Saigon, that way he had an incentive to get it back to me. The border at the time was some dusty outpost next to the river where we had to get off the boat for a half an hour to say hello to the Vietnamese border guards. This may have changed since then.

sounds like you went backpacking.. seems like I my be gettin my visas the same way.

moish · « **Reply #114 on:** June 25, 2015, 06:10:21 PM »

i got a full visa at the consulate

shwarmabob · « **Reply #115 on:** June 25, 2015, 06:55:09 PM »

Quote from: robbie on June 25, 2015, 05:20:36 PM

sounds like you went backpacking.. seems like I my be gettin my visas the same way.

Indeed, it was a great trip. Phnom Phen - Saigon and then made my way up north to Hanoi over a few weeks.

knowitall · « **Reply #116 on:** July 14, 2015, 04:31:30 PM »

I'm planning on spending a few days in Hanoi.
What activities are recommended? I was thinking about an overnight trip in Ha Long Bay.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

knowitall · « **Reply #117 on:** December 08, 2015, 09:08:13 AM »

I spent a few days in Hanoi. I took a cruise in ha long bay also.
Feel free to pm any questions.

Agoldsc1 · « **Reply #118 on:** December 30, 2015, 01:38:14 PM »

Looks like the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort doubled in points. I checked for this summer, and now it's 50,000/night

Probably still a good value, but now half as good.

benjie1305 · « **Reply #119 on:** February 15, 2016, 02:35:50 PM »

Is it worth spending 2 HH weekend certs in Vietnam? SGN or Hanoi would be the locations. Or should I be looking into other chains that are a way greater bang for my buck there?

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Author Topic: Vietnam Master Thread (Read 66698 times)