Vietnam in Nov. - cheap flights to Hanoi from Adelaide

Heracles26 on 08/05/2016 - 15:48

My wife and I are thinking of backpacking through Vietnam for a month. From my limited research it appears Nov. is a good time to tour the entire country (with the exception of central Vietnam being a bit wet!).

I am thinking it might be best to start North and then head South over the course of the month. My reasoning being that it will be slightly warmer up north early Nov. and warmer down south later in Nov.

Can anyone share any tips about traveling in Vietnam or any suggestions as to places to visit etc.? We both want to stay away from the party scene and prefer hiking, culture, getting off the beaten path!

Also I have been on the look out for cheap flights to Hanoi from Adelaide but they don't appear to exist! Most previous deals I can find are to HCMC.

Cheers

Travel

Comments

  • GameChanger on 08/05/2016 - 16:15

    Yep I'm heading over there soon, interested in this thread as well.

    • Heracles26 on 08/05/2016 - 16:19
      +1

      Awesome! When are you going and for how long?

      • GameChanger on 08/05/2016 - 16:27

        I'm thinking from anytime July-Dec, well when I get some leave.

        Will be starting off in HCMC and be spending the rest of the time Hanoi as I believe there is more to do there. My friends want to backpack like yourself, though I never done it this way! Also the flights I have looked at its much cheaper to book to HCMC first and then book separate flight to Hanoi.

        For the 1 month you're going what type of accommodation you plan in staying in and what budget have you got?

        • Heracles26 on 08/05/2016 - 16:38
          +1

          Sounds good! Backpacking is great but it all depends on personal preference. I backpacked through Nepal for about 7 weeks last year and that was an awesome experience.

          We haven't really got a budget. We won't be counting every single dollar but at the same time we won't be going crazy with fancy hotels and restaurants etc.

          In terms of accommodation we will look for a nice balance between cost and comfort. Wont be staying in shared hostel rooms or anything but we will look for more basic accommodation.

        • GameChanger on 08/05/2016 - 17:43
          +1

          @Heracles26: Yeah just want to try out backpacking as a new experience; nearly all my holidays involve staying in luxury and well avoiding places that put me out of my comfort zone.

          You have previously stayed in hostel? Whats the experience like?

        • Heracles26 on 08/05/2016 - 18:15
          +1

          @GameChanger:

          Yea give it a shot! its a completely different experience but nothing beats it IMO. Do you have an idea of what backpack you're taking?

          Hostels can be good and bad but it's all part of the backpacking experience, I prefer to stay at cheap hotels

        • rgr on 08/05/2016 - 19:09
          +2

          Just stay in hostels. I recommend the Eco Backpacker Hostel for Saigon/HCMC, it's in District 1 (Pham Ngu Lao) which is where most the backpackers are. From there you can walk around nearby to the local markets and there's convenience stores for things like bottled water.

          Hanoi, I'd recommend something like Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. Hanoi has some stuff to do but not very much IMO. You'd be better off spreading time out to visit the ancient capital Hoi An, then go to Hue after.

          Your other option to get from Saigon/HCMC is to take the train up to Hanoi which is much more scenic and will give you a more local experience. Otherwise if you prefer flying then Jetstar and Vietnam Airlines do daily flights. Saigon/HCMC is the more culturally 'open' city because historically it was where the the financial hub of Vietnam was, back before 1975 when the communists came and pillaged everything. Things in Hanoi also cost a lot more as well, but it's not that much. However, between the two I would definitely say that Saigon is the more fun place to be. Hanoi only has a handful of things to see if you're only into culture and history, but I gotta admit, it's slightly more cleaner than Saigon.

          I'm Vietnamese and have been there, so you should take on some of my advice ;)

        • Peck on 09/05/2016 - 10:28

          I agree with Pham Ngu Lao. Whilst it is the backpacker area it is suitable for all ages/categories of travellers. Great area for food, drink, tour operators.. The higher class areas of Sgn are sterile and expensive too. An abundance of good hotels $20 - $25 Pham Ngu Lao. For me, they are preferable to saving a couple of dollars in a hostel.
          Also the boat trip from Saigon to Vung Tau is very economical.

        • Heracles26 on 09/05/2016 - 17:57

          @peck:

          Thanks!

        • Heracles26 on 09/05/2016 - 17:57

          @rogr:

          Thanks!

        • GameChanger on 09/05/2016 - 20:30

          @rogr: Thanks for the advice. In these hostel districts what is the level of safety? Is there anything I should be wary of other than dodgy taxi's?

          I have also read that 5 star restaurants don't offer good food like the cheaper places?

        • GameChanger on 09/05/2016 - 20:32

          @Heracles26: I have no clue at the moment.

          With backpacking do you carry it every where? Or can you leave it at hostel?

        • rgr on 10/05/2016 - 05:21

          @GameChanger: safety is high in many areas, petty crime is only an issue at night in some cases where you make it easy for motobike thieves to ride by and snatch. vietnam is much better enjoyed when you eat the street food, i haven't been to 5 star places because i don't see the need to and i'd rather support local families who are hustling to make a living. the only i recommend as well is that you bring something like diahorrea/gastro meds if you're the sensitive bowel type cause you will get the runs, it's a case of when.

        • rgr on 10/05/2016 - 05:22

          @GameChanger: you can leave your main luggage at the hostel in the locker, everyone gets a locker key. ideally you should have a day bag for smaller items like water, wallet, phone etc.

  • DrStinge on 08/05/2016 - 21:22
    +1

    I wrote this comment in January and most of it still stands :)
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/3393011/redir

    • Heracles26 on 09/05/2016 - 17:56

      Thanks! What time of year did you visit? can you determine which cabs are government ones based on colour?

  • Marcsie on 08/05/2016 - 21:59

    I left my heart in Saigon and my soul in Hanoi :)

    • Heracles26 on 09/05/2016 - 17:54

      I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them :p

  • inherentchoice on 09/05/2016 - 08:01

    If you're willing to go in July or August (or even September?) you can do it for $739.61 return on Cathay Pacific. They have a sale on right now.

    I got this price from using a multi-city booking on their website:

    https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AU/book-a-trip/book-flig…

    I played around with dates and this price seems to be available on August 5, 7, 14, 19, 26 or 28 from ADL to HAN and then coming back from SGN to ADL on September 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25 or 27. I'm sure you could do it in the reverse too (i.e. fly in to SGN and out of HAN).

    August is their summer so it should be nice and warm in the north but hopefully not too hot in the south.

    When I was in Vietnam the highlights for me were a Halong Bay overnight cruise and trekking in Sapa.

    • Heracles26 on 09/05/2016 - 17:53

      September may be a possibility! Thanks!

      What trek did you do? Was it a multi day trek? :)

      • inherentchoice on 09/05/2016 - 22:03

        Yes a two night, three day trek. All the hotels in Hanoi seemed to be offering the trek cheaper than what I paid in Australia so you might want to do some research about that.

  • gstfree on 12/05/2016 - 08:06

    Do you need to bribe custom officer to facilitate entry and exit the customs?

    • 7412547854 on 09/06/2016 - 14:10

      lol no. but setup your visa before you get there. Even the flight crew wont let you board until they've seen some proof that you have/can obtain a visa on arrival.

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