Vietnam Holiday - Mid/Late 2019

LAquaDigger on 30/12/2018 - 21:51

About to start planning a trip to Vietnam (probably North) for my wife and I, but need to have a closer look at the weather and see where the best place to go is. Trying to avoid the wet season (Oct/Nov?), so probably August/September, with a stop in Singapore on they way back. About to transfer about 250k VFF point to KF (190k), before the devaluation, so looking at flying Singapore Airlines. Thinking of doing some sightseeing and then relaxing, beach etc.

A few questions from anyone that's done it or has any tips/hints.

  1. Should we buy cheap flights from Sinagpore Airlines and then use points to upgrade? Or should we use the points for reward flights? (Reward flight gets me a free stopover?)
  2. Should we do a tour, or just go around ourselves?
  3. Any places we should/shouldn't visit?

Thanks in advance!

Travel Asia Vietnam

Comments

  • SmiTTy on 31/12/2018 - 00:00

    Regarding 1, probably not worth using points to upgrade. Just use points to get a direct biz class flight (was that what you were trying to do?)

    You should also run some scenarios too though and see if you can book the flights via velocity, may work out cheaper points wise rather than converting

    • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 00:47

      Thanks Smitty, yea it'll be biz class via Singapore to Da Nang or Hanoi probably.

      Have had a look at both KF and VFF, KF looks about 65k miles (87k VFF) and VFF has all its reward seats sold out, maybe I'm looking too far in advance?? So looks like it's worth transferring. Plus the free stopover on the way back with KF is great.

      • SmiTTy on 31/12/2018 - 10:18

        yes, the availability is often different between velocity and KF so if velocity doesnt have availability then you'll have to swap em over. KF also give you the free stop over at Singapore, whereas velocity will charge you more because they calculate based on miles. However if you can get the biz class ticket to Singapore with velocity, and buy a separate cheap flight to vietnam (jetstar or scoot or vietnam airlines) it may work out cheaper than transferring points. Just a suggestion

        Happy Travels

        • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 15:29

          Great tip! It was actually really interesting to see that KF miles didn't change, still 65k miles for Perth to Singapore, so additional flight from Sinagpore to Hanoi doesn't add any extra cost?? Very strange.

          As for VFF, was 67k instead of 83k to go direct to Singapore. So a bit of a saving but nothing huge.

  • Mike88 on 31/12/2018 - 12:11

    I did an intrepid tour with folks a few years back from north to south. I’m really not a people person but even I enjoyed the group atmosphere

    • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 15:29

      Thanks for the info Mike, will have a look into them.

      • Mike88 on 31/12/2018 - 15:34

        No problems.
        We did Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Min. Only place I didn't enjoy was Hanoi but I think that is one of the major airport areas so will probably go through there anyway.

        • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 15:40

          Ok great! Yes, looking at flying into either Hanoi or Da Nang. Other option is Ho Chi Min, but I think the weather is better up North that time of year? Need to look into it more.

          • Mike88 on 31/12/2018 - 17:50

            @AquaDigger: We went in Septemberish if i remember correctly, couldn't say i noticed a difference in weather between locations. All were hot and humid.

            • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 20:07

              @Mike88: Oh that's good to know! Just trying to avoid their wet season (I think Oct/Nov) so hopefully September will be good!

              • Peck on 03/01/2019 - 10:50

                @AquaDigger: I'd double check that as I think that Cambodia next door wet season is about May- Oct.

  • singlemalt72 on 31/12/2018 - 14:41

    Good reminder - I just transferred all my Velocity points to KF before the devaluation.

    FWIW I have travelled to North Vietnam in July/August before. Be ready for pretty hot weather but the mornings and evenings are lovely. In Hanoi I can recommend staying at 3B Homestay in the old quarter. Well priced and exceptional service by the staff (but you find good service at most hotels).

    • AquaDigger on 31/12/2018 - 15:31

      Yes definitely the time to do it!

      Ok, thanks, yea it's definitely going to be a hot one, can deal with the heat, rains no fun though…

      Will have a look into that place too, thanks!

  • locutus_of_bris on 01/01/2019 - 14:38

    I went for a month last year and about to do it again in Feb. I only did a few half day or full day tours and the rest of the time found my own things to do by talking to locals and other travellers.

    One place well worth looking into is Dalat. Up in the mountains and is a bit cooler and had amazing things to see. If you get there make sure you visit Maze Bar (also know as 100 roofs bar). Think Alice in Wonderland theme but even trippier.

    • AquaDigger on 02/01/2019 - 23:57

      Will put it on the list! Thanks!

      Did you organise the tours before you got there or after talking to people once you were there?

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