VIETNAM TRAVEL UPDATETravel to Vietnam is becoming very popular. I encourage people to make their Vietnam travel plans as soon as possible - either 2007 or 2008, before it is spoiled by massive tourist developement and the costs escalate dramatically.  High-end hotels and resorts will soon occupy today’s quiet ocean front areas and sandy beaches. Budget Vietnam will be replaced by that which has taken over the Caribbean and Mexico. Hotels are being developed by such international financiers as Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal – he is planning a US$65 million project near Da Nang’s China Beach. It will be known as Raffles Resort. I stayed at the Non Nouc Hotel on China Beach in 2002 for US$11.00 a night, the Hotel was renovated and renamed Sandy Beach and the cost per night went to US$40.00 in 2004. Ho Chi Minh City has seen an increase in travel activity of over 16% in the month of January 2007 over the same month in 2006. Da Nang had 4,000 visitors from 10 cruise ships that anchored there in January 2007. There are over 20,000 travelers expected from cruise ships to Da Nang in 2007. Cruise ships provide 5-star travelers that will put upward pressure on tourist costs. Personal services such as cyclo rides and souvenir prices are going up. Your travel plans should provide at least a 2 week tour, a 3 weeks would be ideal. Here are a half dozen places you should include in your Vietnam travel itinerary: Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoian, Nha Trang, Dalat, and the MeKong Delta. Fly into Hanoi and Depart Saigon.
A well planned itinerary should be available from the west coast of the US for about a $1000 round trip airfare and $10 - $20 a night for a tourist hotel depending on which city you’re spending the night. With good planning a 2-3 week tour can be had for $1500 - $2000.
|
