### 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)