Traveling Internationally to Vietnam:
Here’s what we do:
First check http://www.sidestep.com/ , it’s a search engine that checks airfare from many different search engines and compiles them into one list of options.  Be careful though when choosing options from companies like Orbitz – they have terrible customer service, never answer the phones, and you’ll have extreme trouble changing your ticket if something unexpected comes up.
Then take the airlines listed on sidestep and contact them directly by phone or online ticket search, because they often have specials that meet or beat the prices listed by search engines…and you’ll have no problem changing your ticket date for a fee.  Compare the direct rates with those from sidestep and then make your decision. Cathay Pacific is an airline we use frequently to travel to and from Vietnam Internationally. They have excellent customer service and rates.
After you’ve gotten your airfare flying directly to Hanoi (airport code: HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (airport code: SGN), also check fares for flying to Bangkok. Try both Thai airports Suvarnabhumi (airport code: BKK) or Don Muang (airport code: DMK). Often rates are much cheaper for flying to Bangkok and then you can catch a flight on Air Asia to Hanoi from $25-$75 on average. These Air Asia flights run regularly throughout the day so your layover in the Thai airport shouldn’t be too long.

Traveling in Vietnam:
WARNING: The Vietnamese con-artists are smart. They know the most vulnerable travelers are those who first arrive.  Therefore taxi drivers from the airport are eager to fool you into higher rates.  It should cost $10 or about 160,000 Dong to travel from the airport to Hanoi.  ARRANGE THE PRICE BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE TAXI and DON’T PRE-PAY!! Make sure you write the price on a piece of paper and clearly distinguish dollars or Dong.  Don’t let them tell you that you are responsible for paying the toll – it’s included in the $10 dollars.  Don’t pay them until you arrive at the exact hotel you planned to go to.  Do not let them bring you to any other hotel, because “the one you want is fully booked.”  Go to the reception desk and ask for yourself.  If they bring you to the wrong hotel, simply get out of the taxi and hail another one…they’ll come running after you and then bring you to the right place, because the want their $10! Most Importantly: Don’t let the airport taxi drivers, or any other matters similar to this, tarnish your image of Vietnam and its people.  This is one of the most beautiful places in the world and inevitably people are going to try to score money from you in tricky ways.  Learn how to avoid this from happening, keep smiling and consider it all part of the adventure!

Hanoi to Ha Long Bay:
It is not difficult to travel to Ha Long Bay on your own despite what some travel books say.  Don’t get stuck taking a tour from Hanoi if that’s not what you want.  Actually it’s quite nice to travel here on your own, because you can bring your entire backpack on the bus and not have to leave it at your Hanoi hotel where it is subject to tampering.  Also, you can stay in Ha Long Bay for as long as you’d like with out a constant and specific agenda forced upon you.  Check out http://www.hanoibus.com/ for schedules, routes and rates.

Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay (Our Home):
You can get to Cat Ba Island easily with Hoang Long Bus Company for 120,000 Dong or about $7.50.  Simply ask anyone where is nearest ticket office or go to the Main Office:
28 Tran Nhat Duat – Hanoi
The station where all buses depart from:
Ben xe Luong Yen
So 1 Nguyen Khoai
Hanoi, Vietnam

From Hanoi to Cat Ba:
1) You will depart from Hanoi on a nice big air conditioned bus for a 2 hour ride to Hai Phong.  The bus will probably make some little stops to let people off and then to a main bus terminal where many other buses are parked (DO NOT GET OUT HERE).  Stay on the bus and point to your ticket and say Cat Ba – the driver will take you to the final bus stop (you’ll probably be the only one on the bus):
Cong Ty T.N.H.H Van Tai Hoang Long
So 1 Pham Ngu Lao
Tel:920920
2) At this Hai Phong Bus stop you will transfer to a smaller bus which will take you to the speed boat (about 45 minutes).
3) Then you’ll hop on the speed boat for about 45 minutes which will take you to Cai Vieng Harbor, Cat Ba Island.
4) Once on Cat Ba Island, you’ll transfer again to another bus waiting for you which will take you on a crazy ride along the coast and into Cat Ba Town!
Note: Your ticket will cover all busses, the boat, and transfers.  Transfers are timely and easy, just get of the bus or boat and the next means of transportation will be there waiting for you.  All forms of transport are air conditioned.  The entire trip should take you about 4 hours.Look directly across from the pier/fountain and you’ll see the Noble House and Slo Pony Adventures.  Come in and tell us about your trip!

From Cat Ba to Hanoi:
This is almost the reverse process coming from Hanoi with one minor difference.            
1.  Depart from Cat Ba Town on a medium-sized Hoang Long Bus which will take you to Cai Vieng Harbor.
2.  Off you’ll go on the speed boat to Hai Phong.
3.  Transfer to another medium-sized bus.
Do not get off at the Hai Phong bus stop (Cong Ty T.N.H.H Van Tai Hoang Long, SO 5 Pham Ngu Lao).  Stay on this bus until it takes you to a stop where you will be intercepted by a larger Hoang Long Bus on route to Hanoi.Get on the large bus and doze off for your two hour ride back to Hanoi.Note: You can always point to your ticket and say Hanoi if you’re confused.  If you print out these directions you should be fine though.
4. Get on the large bus and doze off for your two hour ride back to Hanoi.
Note: You can always point to your ticket and say Hanoi if you’re confused. If you print out these directions you should be fine though.