Hi everyone,

I've just seen the new trips to Asia and I'm really keen on the Vietnam tours.

I've never traveled internationally and so far these forums have really helped me prepare for my Europe trip in 2010, but there isn't much on offer about Asia just yet.

I'm basically looking for any advise on traveling to Vietnam, anything you can offer me.
I've read that the weather in the north can be completely the opposite to the weather in the south?
When is the best time to go, important things to take with me, information about the culture? Is it an expensive or fairly cheap travel destination?

Anything is much appreciated!

Thanks heaps
sar

Sarah,
In the northern part and around Hanoi there is a winter season - during the months of Nov-Feb. It can get quite cold but not like our mid July winter in Perth. More like our late autumn weather. Occasional rain with temps in the 20's Outside that time frame its fairly humid and warm.

In the South its predominantly hot and humid like the rest of S.E. Asia with 90% humidity and constant 30-33C temps for most months of the year but in Dec-Feb its a little cooler at around the 25C making it ideal for travelling.
The humidity will certainly take a while to get used to though.This timeframe is probably the best time if you're interested in visiting.

S.E. Asia does have a monsoon season from April-September and certain years the heavy rains can cause severe flooding in certain areas.

Costwise its extremely affordable like the rest of S.E. Asia .

What are the chances of meeting another Perth girl on here!

Do you think I'd be getting the best of both regions if I went in late November/early December? I would only just be getting into the northern winter and sneak into that hot/cooler weather of the South?

I saw in the itinerary they offer swimming, snorkeling and hotels on the beach front in the northern and middle regions and I wanna make sure I can enjoy those things as well you know?

My boyfriend and I are heading to Europe in August/September 2010 so I'm trying to squeeze this one into 2009.

Thanks so much for your help!
sar

November/ Dec would be the ideal time to visit that region.
Beaches in Asia are a little different though. The infrastructure isn't as good as some of the Perth's beaches. Its certainly no Cottlesloe, Scarborough or Trigg beach kind of beach. Its more like beaches without the public facilites . A bit Bali style if you know what I mean vendors, crowds etc.
This video will give you an indication of what its like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6El2dPfQFPA

BTW you guessed my gender wrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJ88yvXb_c
Ha!Ha!
But no worries cobber

oh I'm so sorry! I don't really know why I assumed that... lol

Thanks so much for all your help! I'll definitely be asking you if I have any more questions

I'd love to hear from anyone else if they can share their own experiences.

Thanks again!!
sar

Sarah That's O.K.
We're actually lucky to be living in the CUB ( Cashed Up Bogan )state of W.A. and have access to great beaches as well as good infrastructure.

Lots of interesting cruisine as well particularly if you like Asian food.
But its different over there compared to Northbridge in the sense that its cooked really fresh over in Asia- the real deal.The Asian food over here is a little doctored to suit mainstream Australian taste so its not 100% authentic.Lots of unique tropical fruits are also available like
durians,jackfruits,mangosteens,guavas,rambutans, longans.

Its really cheap as well when compared to Perth's cost. Our A$ goes a really long way in that part of S.E. Asia.That part of Asia is actually quite underdeveloped and the average wages are very low. So just imagine a monthly average wage of around A$ 300-350 which is the dayrate for some people in Perth in certain industries. That will give you an idea of relative costs.

Driving conditions over there are also insane. Imagine lots of hooning around on mopeds, virtually anything and everything goes. Makes our hoons look like angels.

The other thing that can get a little annoying is the mosquitoes.Although there's isn't the Ross River virus over there ,but malarial, dengue fever outbreaks can sometimes occur.

For the record I don't drive a Kingswood ute in the real world either. Ha!Ha!Hope you enjoyed those videos though

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Praha335Ci,

This video of Vietnam is excellent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgXLa_8Aggc&feature=related

That video was fantastic!!

I'm really looking forward to going there next year. It looks like an absolutely fabulous place and everyone I speak to only ever has nice things to say about it.

Just to get a ballpark figure, how much would you suggest taking for spending money on like a 14 day tour? I realise it always changes depending on how much I intend on purchasing over there, etc but I just need an idea!

Thanks again
Sar

btw... which tour to you believe to be the best value??

Ta
Sar

Sarah,You're welcome.
Of the 6 new itenararies that are offered, only Vietnam Highlights(10d) represent really great value for the customer.This tour sells from A$1375+ local Payment of USD 135 and is well priced.

This is due to the fact that the company is utilising 3 star hotels/ resorts which cost around the A$70-80 per night so that's A$700-800 for the tour accomodation.Some meals ( presumably a combination of local / western)are included 2 lunches/dinners so that will cost around A$75-100.Halong Bay over night cruise is included which is usually around the A$150 mark. 3 internal flights would cost around A$200; local transport another A$100, professional tour guide. So the company's markup is actually very reasonable incomparison to the other itenararies.

As far as spending is concerned if you're just going to buy normal souvenirs/ have a couple of drinks/ do a couple of optionals A$50 per day should be more than enough.

But if you get carried away with buying jewellery like gold,( which is very well crafted 24K /916 gold[the real deal])/ have tailored clothes/ buy wood carvings etc. then you will have to budget more.

Hope that enlightens you.

I was originally looking at doing to 12 day Vietnam Experience. The only difference I could find is the trip to the Mekong Delta.
In your opinion, do you believe this isn't worth the extra $120 and 2 days in the tour price?
Do you know what the local payment is for?

Thanks!
Sar

Hi , Its not really worthwhile visiting the Mekong delta, unless you want to see the "other side" of Asia- small villages, poverty, murky rivers or become food for mosquitoes

If you can allocate around 3 full days and are willing to spend another $400-500( if you organise it independently) you should seriously consider Siep Ream and the Angkor Wat temples where Tomb Raider 1 was filmed in Cambodia. This will be more interesting than the Mekong.

Lots of companies use a local payment component including this company. It is usually a fixed compulsory cost to cover the day to day's group expenses and local costs. It will cover the tips to porters, drivers, hire of local guides, essentially any service provider during the tour.

oh okay yeah nah I'm happy to stay away from the mozzies haha

ohh I'm so excited about the trip I don't want to have to wait another year! Maybe by then we'll have a lot more feedback on the trips though so I'll get an even better idea of what its like.

If you think of any thing else... let me know!

Thanks again
Sar

Hi guys,
I am michelle and from Brisbane. I just got my asia booklet and I am tossing between Vietnam Explore or vietnam Experience. The things I would really wanna do is the Home stay in Mekong Delta and the Junk Boat cruise in Halong Bay. Very excited about those options.

Thinking of going in March/April 2009 but i am Confused about the weather.Have to look more into the weather side of things. I wanna go when its not too hot or not too cold, just right. LOL

Have u guys done any Contiki Tours Before. I have done 6 tours already and plan to do more in the future.

Cheers, Michelle

Michelle, Its probably better to go in early March to avoid the start of the monsoon season.

The heat is not something to be of concern but rather the high humidity 90+%. Imagine northern Queensland,Darwin kind of weather.