Air? We flew Chicago to Bangkok via Tokyo on United (our airline of choice) into Suvarnabhumi Airport, and then used air miles for a free ticket on Thai Air to Hanoi. You have many, many airlines to choose from since almost every major airline flies to Bangkok. For example: Aeroflot-Russian International, Air France, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Cathay, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines, VietNam Airlines just to name some. Hanoi is very easy to reach from Bangkok but there are certainly many other cities to use for entry into Vietnam.

Hotel? Flying via Bangkok meant misconnecting to Vietnam. It was either gut it out at the airport and arrive in Hanoi two days early or spend the time in Bangkok. On one hand, we had already visited Hanoi twice before and this tour started and ended in Hanoi. On the other hand, we’ve landed, connected and visited Bangkok too many times to mention. Still, there is always something new to see and do in Bangkok. Done deal and selected the Best Western Swana Hotel close by Khao San Road, a vibrant, happening area.

On the opposite end, we flew from Hanoi back to Bangkok, and booked one night at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport because of a very early United departure home the next morning. This hotel is more expensive but located a free bus ride away on the airport property.

Visa? You must have a Vietnamese visa. Contact the Vietnam Embassy for information. It is also possible to obtain some visas at the airport upon arrival. Definitely double-check on this. We could not and had to apply for visas back home.

Travel Insurance? Never travel without it and mandatory on group tours. We stick to Travel Guard. Travel insurance starts at $30..

Health? There was a very low risk of Malaria so we left the Malaria pills behind. I always check the Centers for Disease Control updates to see what they suggest. Other than that, the usual innoculations for travel. Hep A, keep your Polio booster up-to-date, Tetanus, and Typhoid, etc. None compulsory but we always take precautions.

Clothing? It was going cool in North Vietnam 10-15c/59-68f and even cooler (with a possibility of cold) in the Mountain areas. Lighter weight clothes for Bangkok and Hanoi. Warmer clothes for the mountains, hiking and trekking. Hiking boots, warm jacket, layers, hiking poles – our 3rd and 4th legs. We encountered terrible rains and cold weather in Sapa on the last trip. This time, I wasn’t taking a chance and packed long underwear (it takes up no space at all), gloves, warm hat and more lightweight layers just in case…

Included?

- Five nights in a comfortable hotel, 1 night local guesthouse, 4 nights basic hotel, 1 night overnight train and 1 night boat. Breakfast throughout and a few lunches and dinners. Food is very inexpensive in Vietnam and the “not included” meals wouldn’t be a hardship for anyone.

- Tour leader, local guides, transport (including the overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa), arrival transfer, sightseeing and entrance fees.

Vietnam tour route
Money? At that time, the exchange rate was $1 US=16,255 Vietnamese Dong – a $100 US would exchange to over 1,000,000 Dong! Instant millionaires. There are ATM’s in Thailand and Vietnam. Would need cash for meals, tips and other incidentals.

…We were ready and off to Hanoi via Bangkok…