How to Tour From Hanoi to Hue

Vietnam's focus on the environmental harmony of feng shui (or "phong thuy") lends the nation an unusual sense of balance, of opposites comfortably at home together. Keep this balance in mind and be kind to the environment while touring the quiet country villages and the noisy cities, which are unlikely but somehow harmonious neighbors. Temples and pagodas built on the principles of feng shui abound throughout Hue and Hanoi. A temple, like a western monument, is built to honor figures from history or society, while a pagoda is typically a place of worship. Get the most from a tour of the region by seeing many of both and by embracing both sides of the Vietnamese city-country dichotomy.

Decision-making

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  Decide whether you prefer the ease of a guided tour or the adventure of going on your own. Planning varies depending on the option you choose, so decide carefully.

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  Decide how many days you want to spend between the two cities. Most guidebooks recommend at least a couple of days per city. Think about how each city appeals to you and make a list of attractions you want to see. If you prefer the bustle of the city, you may want to set aside more time for Hanoi, or vice versa.

• 3

  Determine your travel style. Are you a budget traveler with a sense of adventure or a luxury traveler who likes to stay in style, for example. Answer these questions to determine where you stay, what you do and how much you spend.

Guided Tours

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  Select an appropriate option for your tour. A number of tour companies will take care of the details for you; most guided tours of Vietnam include Hanoi and Hue along with other cities. If you want to spend more time visiting the entire country, it booking a guided tour is easier. Signature Travel Asia offers an abundance of options, including the "Best of Vietnam" tour, which includes four days in Hanoi and two days in Hue (along with a few days in Saigon, Sapa and other locales). Highlights include a cycle through Hanoi to see the Old Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda, the National History Museum, morning tai chi and shopping in Dong Ba market. Signature Travel Asia offers a variety of tours of Vietnam that vary in length from 12 to 21 days. Luxury Travel Vietnam also offers tours, which vary depending on your interests. Luxury Travel offers a cultural heritage tour, a culinary tour, a romantic honeymoon tour and an adventure tour, all with stops in Hanoi and Hue. For off-the-beaten-path tours, try Lotussia Active Vacations, with motorbike and cycling tours between Hanoi and Hue.

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  Book your chosen tour online or over the phone. Most companies require at least a 30 percent deposit to reserve a tour, so use your credit card to book.

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  Check your tour's details carefully as some tours include more extras than others. With most tours, bring extra money for some meals and souvenirs. Book a flight from your hometown to the tour's departure city, along with a cab, bus or train from the airport to the meet-up point (unless your tour company arranges that transportation for you).

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  Pack your bags. Even on a guided tour, buy a good Vietnam guidebook and browse through it on your way, learning about the culture and attractions of Hanoi and Hue. The more informed you are before you go, the richer your experience will be.

Self-Guided Tours

• 1

  Plan your trip. If you prefer to go without a tour group, do a bit more planning. Decide what activities are important to you. Invest in a good guidebook (like "Lonely Planet") and do some research. Plan which attractions are the most important: art galleries and museums in Hanoi, for example, or culinary exploration in Hue or shopping and historical landmarks. Set aside time to see what you want to see.

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  Book hotel stays. For hotels in Hanoi and Hue, try websites like landingvietnam.com or waytovietnam.com, which provide reasonable prices for the five-star and two-star traveler.

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  Reserve transportation for the trip from Hanoi to Hue. Make careful decisions about how you wish to travel. The roads between Hanoi and Hue are notoriously treacherous, so driving is not for everyone. Bus fare is reasonably priced, but hectic driving conditions and a long trip (about 17 hours between cities) often tire travelers. Trains travel from Hanoi to Hue nightly, and the trip takes about 14 hours. For a quicker trip, book a flight. Vietnam Airlines has connecting flights from Hanoi to Hue daily, and you can book tickets ahead of time or upon arrival in Vietnam through your hotel's concierge.

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  Budget your funding for meals, travel about-town and incidentals. Bring enough to get around. Costs in Vietnam are relatively low. Bus fares are typically about $5, and food costs vary from $5 and up per meal (in fall of 2010).

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  Pack your bags, and go. Traveling on your own through Vietnam will be an adventure. Bring your guidebook, maps and travel information such as booking confirmations.