Vietnam Master Thread

[solls108]

Did people get specific vaccinations for travel to Vietnam?

[shwarmabob]

Did people get specific vaccinations for travel to Vietnam?

you should have the standard 3rd world stuff:
be up to date with the routine vaccines, plus Hep A, Heb B shots and Typhoid (pill is better then the shot)
if you are going to the country side for extended period then more may be needed.

[solls108]

Where are the best markets/shopping etc near Hanoi?

[shwarmabob]

Where are the best markets/shopping etc near Hanoi?

it's all fake junk from China. I doubt it's worth your time or money.

[angler]

hey, which part of Vietnam are you going to? I could give some advice

[dvol]

Anyone have information on getting a business exemption to enter Vietnam now?

[ponash123]

Do the overnight Halong Bay cruises include Cat Ba Island?

[Drago]

Do the overnight Halong Bay cruises include Cat Ba Island?

When we went (private boat), it didn't. This was several years ago though.

[Something Fishy]

Do the overnight Halong Bay cruises include Cat Ba Island?

Typically not AFAIK. But there are a few that advertise that they do.

[ponash123]

From my research, it seems that Cat Ba is what I want to see, more so than typical Halong Bay. Am I wrong?

[ponash123]

From my research, it seems that Cat Ba is what I want to see, more so than typical Halong Bay. Am I wrong?

Anyone know?

[solls108]

Anyone know?

Think youhave to take a special ferry from Ha Long bay

[BarryLincoln]

Anyone know?

Can't speak to Cat Ba, but we did a full-day "cruise" through Halong Bay with several island stops... was very impressive and totally worthwhile...

[ponash123]

Can't speak to Cat Ba, but we did a full-day "cruise" through Halong Bay with several island stops... was very impressive and totally worthwhile...

Thanks, do you remember which one?

[BarryLincoln]

Thanks, do you remember which one?

Was booked through a highly-recommended tour operator - this was the provider https://www.indochina-junk.com/

[ponash123]

Was booked through a highly-recommended tour operator - this was the provider https://www.indochina-junk.com/

Thank you!

[shwarmabob]

From my research, it seems that Cat Ba is what I want to see, more so than typical Halong Bay. Am I wrong?

I don't remember being in Cat Ba. We did a 2 days Halong Bay cruise. It was absolutely gorgeous.
La Pinta Luxury Cruise, Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay
I reserved it through Expedia. Expedia had some spending promotion at the time. But they just send it to a local agency:
Le Thanh Son
ODC Travel Company
Tour Operator
43 Hang Bo St, Hoan Kiem Disc, Hanoi - Vietnam.
My whatsapp: +84916.069.069
Tel: 84.24.39232324
Fax: 84.24.39231510
email: thanhson@odctravel.com.vn

The staff on the boat was very accommodating with our dietary restrictions and was very nice in general.

[ponash123]

I don't remember being in Cat Ba. We did a 2 days Halong Bay cruise. It was absolutely gorgeous.
La Pinta Luxury Cruise, Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay
I reserved it through Expedia. Expedia had some spending promotion at the time. But they just send it to a local agency:
Le Thanh Son
ODC Travel Company
Tour Operator
43 Hang Bo St, Hoan Kiem Disc, Hanoi - Vietnam.
My whatsapp: +84916.069.069
Tel: 84.24.39232324
Fax: 84.24.39231510
email: thanhson@odctravel.com.vn

The staff on the boat was very accommodating with our dietary restrictions and was very nice in general.

Thank you!

It seems that Cat Ba has the interesting caves and is less crowded, but I will see what the tour operators have to say
Did you bring wrapped meals?

[shwarmabob]

Thank you!

It seems that Cat Ba has the interesting caves and is less crowded, but I will see what the tour operators have to say
Did you bring wrapped meals?

No, I usually travel with a small frying pan and eat eggs, vegetables and fruits, etc, but this may not suit everyone. They allowed us into the kitchen.
You can try to order food to go from the Hanoi Chabad.

[ponash123]

No, I usually travel with a small frying pan and eat eggs, vegetables and fruits, etc, but this may not suit everyone. They allowed us into the kitchen.
You can try to order food to go from the Hanoi Chabad.

Got it, thanks!
Generally bring meals with us, just not sure how that would work on the boat. May have to manage with cold food for those 2 days