Hong Kong & Vietnam – Impressions

My father, mother, and I returned from Vietnam in late November. We stopped in Hong Kong, where we stayed together two years prior, again taking advantage of the free stopover on one-way awards with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan, and their partner, Cathay Pacific (50k miles for a one-way business class award). We had not been to Vietnam. It exceeded my expectations: modern, hopeful, clean, full of colorful stories from locals. The food was delicious! I ate fruit, veggies, pastries, and rice everyday. I drank refreshing juices, and coffees, including the stimulating Vietnamese version with sweetened condensed milk. The meat was suspect, and some ate meats I might not, but I savored the pho. I enjoyed the people. They’re so friendly, but also knowledgable about their own culture, and 54 ethnic groups, as well as Americans, and the conflict between the two countries. I’ll write a story about the experience, but the following is a brief recap.

• Tuesday – Courtyard Denver Airport
• Wednesday – Timberline Steakhouse at DEN (a Priority Pass Lounge)
  • DEN – SEA: Alaska Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines Lounge – SEA-TAC (a Priority Pass Lounge)
  • SEA – YVR: Horizon Air
  • Cathay Pacific Lounge – Vancouver

• Thursday – 1:10 am: depart YVR for HKG
  • 14 – hour flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong – arrives 7 am on Friday
• Friday – 7 am: arrive Hong Kong
  • Intercontinental Hong Kong

• Saturday
  • Intercontinental Hong Kong

• Sunday
  • Intercontinental Hong Kong

• Monday
  • Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott
• Tuesday
  • Plaza Premium Lounge – HKG (a Priority Pass Lounge)
  • HKG – HAN: Vietnam Airlines
  • JW Marriott Hanoi
• Wednesday
  • JW Marriott Hanoi

• Thursday
  • JW Marriott Hanoi

• Friday
  • JW Marriott Hanoi
• Saturday
  • JW Marriott Hanoi
• Sunday
  • Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay: Ethnic Travel
  • Quan Lan: village (and island) in Bai Tu Long Bay – lovely homestay

 

• Monday
  • Bai Tu Long Bay to Hanoi
  • Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake

• Tuesday
  • Hanoi – Danang: Vietnam Airlines
  • Danang to Hoi An
  • River Palm Villas – Hoi An
• Wednesday
  • River Palm Villas – Hoi An

• Thursday
  • Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Vietnam Airlines
  • Park Hyatt Saigon

• Friday
  • Park Hyatt Saigon

• Saturday
  • Renaissance Saigon

• Sunday
  • Renaissance Saigon

• Monday
  • Rose Lounge – SGN (for Cathay Pacific flights)
  • SGN – HKG: Cathay Pacific (A350)
  • The Bridge – HKG (a Cathay Pacific Lounge)
  • The Wing – HKG (a Cathay Pacific Lounge)
  • HKG – SFO: Cathay Pacific (A350 – supposed to be helpful for jet lag – we agree).
  • Intercontinental Mark Hopkins: San Francisco
• Tuesday
  • SFO – DEN: Virgin America

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends. Visit Matthewriter’s Travel Agency for help planning your next trip!