### Important! 
- Visa - apply online at least 2 weeks in advance - [Vietnam eVisa](https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt)
- SIM - Viettel for better coverage
- Agribank ATM to take cash out with lowest transaction fees
- Language barrier. Google Translate is a must
- Emergency numbers: 
- 112 - emergency search and rescue
- 113 - police
- 114 - fire
- 115 - ambulance / health issue

To Hanoi
ZR4YPS: Flight 6E 2134 PAT to DEL 10:45am IST to 12:45pm IST
JYWX7G: Flight VJ972 Delhi DEL to Hanoi HAN Dec 10 12:05am IST to 5:35am

[[2023 Winter Travel]]
  

##### Dec 10-19 - Stay summary: 
- Dec 10-13 - Stay at Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa - [https://maps.app.goo.gl/ysWZKjs3tEHTP399A?g_st=ic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ysWZKjs3tEHTP399A?g_st=ic)  [Expedia booking](https://www.expedia.com/trips/83123396-dbf5-5502-91ae-2cfae1e4ac3b) itinerary: 72696950642093
- Dec 13-14 - Stay on cruise - Cat Ba island - Viator
- Dec 14-15 - overnight train - SE19 Vietnam Railways (Lotus Train - Mr. Hieu)
- Dec 15-16 - Phong Nha / Dong Hoi stay - [Rex Quang Binh Hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AW7WYvBZDmou7EUi8) - [Booking.com](http://booking.com/) - confirmation 4162880694, pin 0182 
- Dec 16-18 - Stay in Hue - [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WqVxAvV5d46PcY9S7) - Booking.com - confirmation 4079789011, pin 3008
- Dec 18-19 - Stay in Ho Chi Minh - [Orchids Saigon Hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dEH2Ri5ERo7mCSZH9) - Booking.com

  
### Detailed itinerary 
##### Hanoi - Dec 10, 11
Best currency exchange rate at this place: 
QUANG HUY GEMSTONE & JEWLLERY . Add : 130 Hàng Bạc Street , Hoàn Kiếm , Hà nội 
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/3xWm55Gdj13CM2vi9?g_st=ic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3xWm55Gdj13CM2vi9?g_st=ic)
Dec 10
- Arrive at 5:35am
- Stay at [La Siesta Classic Ma May](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bqLFsv31SiTGghT9) - [Expedia booking](https://www.expedia.com/trips/83123396-dbf5-5502-91ae-2cfae1e4ac3b) itinerary: 72696950642093
- Spent time in Hanoi Old Quarter
- Highland coffee
- Lunch at Banh Mi 25
- Temple of literature
- Dinner at pizza 4P
- Club at 1900 in Old Quarter
Dec 11
- Started late morning, 
- Lunch at Essence restaurant 
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
- Tran Quoc Pagoda Chùa Trấn Quốc
- Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre - [http://thanglongwaterpuppet.com/ticketbook](http://thanglongwaterpuppet.com/ticketbook) to be booked 
- Dinner at pizza 4P
- Stay at [La Siesta Classic Ma May](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bqLFsv31SiTGghT9) - [Expedia booking](https://www.expedia.com/trips/83123396-dbf5-5502-91ae-2cfae1e4ac3b) itinerary: 72696950642093

##### Ninh Binh-Hanoi - Dec 12 - 1D
- Dec 12 Viator Ninh Binh 1D tour - [[Ticket Viator-Saurabh Pitkar-BR-1087762859.pdf]]
- Dec 12, 2023, 7:30 AM - Day tour - Viator Booking ref.: BR-1087762859
- Hoa Lu - Temple of first emperor - Vua Dinh Tien Hoang - Bike ride
- Trang An - UNESCO world heritage site - paddling in boat 
- Hang Mua Cave - hike to top (steep)
- Bike ride countryside
- Stay at [La Siesta Classic Ma May](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bqLFsv31SiTGghT9) - [Expedia booking](https://www.expedia.com/trips/83123396-dbf5-5502-91ae-2cfae1e4ac3b) itinerary: 72696950642093

##### Cat Ba Island - Dec 13, 14 - 2D, 1N
- [Cat Ba Island / Lan Ha Bay - 2D, 1N tour](https://www.viator.com/tours/Hanoi/Lan-Ha-Bay-2-Days-1-Night-Sighseeing-Tour-and-Cruise/d351-198931P15) - booked  
     $286.98 USD  
     Confirmation #: 1471062615  
     Booking Reference #: 1085360771
- Dec 13 Viator cruise 2D 1N - [[Ticket Viator-Saurabh Pitkar-BR-1085360771.pdf]] 
- Dec 13 stay on cruise
- Pickup from hotel at 7-7:30 AM
- For questions about your tour, contact: Sunlight Travel & Cruise [+84989385052](tel:+84989385052)
- Kayaking
- Cát Bà Island
- Bike ride 
- Fishing village nearby
- Dec 14 overnight train Hanoi to Dong Hoi - Booked
- 19:50-6:25 Hanoi 10h 25m ride in train SE19 with [Lotus Train (tripadvisor.com)](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293924-d17558598-Reviews-Lotus_Train-Hanoi.html)
- [Hanoi to Dong Hoi (19h50 – 06h25) - VIP 2X](https://lotustrain.vn/hanoi-to-dong-hoi-lotus-train?attribute_pa_cabin-type=vip-2x) ×2
- Cabin Type: VIP 2X
- Train departure: 2023-12-14 7:50pm
- Order number: LTT2302430

##### Phong Nha-Dong Hoi- 1 day cave trek - Dec 15
- Pick up from Dong Hoi train station to Phong Nha
- Paradise cave and one more cave - [Phong Nha & Paradise Cave - 1 Day All Inclusive 2023 - Dong Hoi (viator.com)](https://www.viator.com/tours/Dong-Hoi/Phong-Nha-cave-and-Paradise-Cave-full-day-tour-from-Dong-Hoi-City/d50565-8093P222) - booked
- Tour ends 6pm in Dong Hoi city
- Stay at Dong Hoi on 15th night - Booked [Rex Quang Binh Hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AW7WYvBZDmou7EUi8)
- Dec 16 Train - Vietnam Railways - 5h 47m ride in train SE5 - 02:39 Dong Hoi 08:26 Da Nang - Booked - EC9981458
##### Da Nang + Hoi An + Hue - Dec 16-18
- Stay - [ÊMM Hotel Hoi An](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WqVxAvV5d46PcY9S7)
- Hue Imperial Citadel - Via Hai Van Pass Jeep Tour - 21km of scenic drive 
- Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountain
- Bought several tailored clothes and jackets from the market 
- Night market
- Dec 18 Flight VJ633 DAD to SGN 16:40 to 18:05 - 1 hour 25 minutes - PNR HKGXHZ

Ceramic coaster x4 = 80 = 320
Circle tray x10 = 100 = 1000
Rectangle tray x1 = 150
Fruit tray circular x1 = 100
Bamboo straw x1 = 50

##### Ho Chi Minh City - Dec 18-19
- Dec 18 in Ho Chi Minh City
- Stay at [Orchids Saigon Hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dEH2Ri5ERo7mCSZH9) - booked
- Dec 19 in Ho Chi Minh City
- [Tao Dan Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fps8Hd8HvW7mQjBi9)
- [War museum](https://maps.app.goo.gl/wDHoDuUf6sRsye7x9)
- Return flight 5A9892: Flight VJ883 SGN to BOM Dec 19 19:15 to 23:30


### Vietnam Tourist Visa
- Print from here: [E-visa search - National portal on Immigration (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn)](https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-thi-thuc)
- [[Saurabh-Vietnam-eVisa-2023.pdf]]
- [[Ruchi-Vietnam-eVisa-2023.pdf]]


### Other info

[[Vietnam Railways - Dec 16 train SE5.pdf]]
[[Itinerary-HKGXHZ-Hoi An-Ho Chi Minh.pdf]]

Travel tips from Indian: https://youtube.com/shorts/JSeM-YjYMJY?si=-yHqMeCSfQlQFnq8 
One more: https://youtube.com/shorts/MuQo4OEhH0Q?si=P0ZBgZHE_TuOnpEt

References: [Why Traveling to Vietnam Is WORTH IT - 7 Day Northern Vietnam Travel Guide & Tips 2023 - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRCTrt_X4hY&ab_channel=Jaychel)

Ho Chi Minh City didn’t do - 
- Cu Chi Tunnel [https://maps.app.goo.gl/gGgTnzro8fCajAPN9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gGgTnzro8fCajAPN9) - Sprawling underground tunnel complex used by Viet Cong soldiers, plus exhibits & war memorials.
- [Mekong Delta river](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsEUvUD3reZV5VjT7) - if time permits 
- Floating markets
- [Vinh Trang Pagoda](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8fkgrFHZ6P9uEqQk8)
  


