Vietnam & Bali Adventure
By NIC Heads M · May 15, 2026 · 26 days · 13 places
FriMay 22Bealey Quarter
- Start of trip: Air New Zealand flight NZ5771 from Napier (NPE) to Christchurch (CHC).
- Departs Napier at 6:25 and arrives Christchurch at 8:10.
Ho Chi Minh City
SatMay 23M Village Living 59 Thảo Điền
- Next flight: Jetstar JQ172 from Christchurch (CHC) to Melbourne (MEL).
- Departs Christchurch at 08:20 and arrives Melbourne at 10:05 local time.
- International flight — plan to be at Christchurch Airport at least 2 hours before departure.
- Connection flight: Jetstar JQ63 from Melbourne (MEL) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
- Typical schedule: departs Melbourne around 15:25 and arrives Ho Chi Minh City around 21:00 local time.
- This gives you a same-day international connection after arriving from Christchurch.
- Lounge note: You have airport lounge access through Revolut — check the Revolut app / lounge program for eligible lounges at Melbourne Terminal 2 during the JQ172 → JQ63 connection.
- With about 5 hours between flights, this is a good place to use lounge access if available.
- Christchurch airport transfer: leave Bealey Quarter around 05:00 for the 08:20 Jetstar flight to Melbourne.
- Uber ride is usually about 13–20 minutes that early; 05:05 is still workable, but 05:00 is the low-stress option.
- If using Uber, consider reserving it the night before for the early pickup.
SunMay 24M Village Living 59 Thảo Điền
- Thảo Điền restaurant shortlist: The Deck Saigon for a relaxed riverside meal, Lubu for Mediterranean/value, and La Villa French Restaurant or CieL Dining for a splurge.
- Casual/stylish options to consider: THE BRIX Eatery & Bar Lounge and TINTO Nikkei Cuisine & Bar.
- Arrival-night tip: because JQ63 lands around 21:00, check kitchen closing times before committing to a sit-down dinner.
Gardens and greenery
Easy HCMC garden options for a relaxed day
- Garden interests: consider Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens for a historic botanic-garden feel and Tao Dan Park for an easy central green space.
- Sourcing focus for your NZ business: fashion jewellery, Vietnamese handicrafts, lacquerware, baskets, embroidery, textiles, and gift/homeware.
Dental consultation options
Implants, oral surgery and gum disease specialists in HCMC
- Dental consult shortlist: start with Westcoast International Dental Clinic Thao Dien because it is in/near Thảo Điền and offers international-style care, implants and gum disease treatment.
- Also check Premier Dental Vietnam if gum disease/periodontal care is the priority; look for a periodontist/implantologist consultation rather than just a general dental check.
MonMay 25M Village Living 59 Thảo Điền
9:00 AM
Wholesale sourcing day
Fashion accessories, textiles, handicrafts and wholesale market research
- Wholesale sourcing: start at An Dong Market for fashion, accessories, textiles, jewellery-style accessories and handicrafts.
- Continue to Binh Tay Market for a more local wholesale market, general goods, handicrafts, lacquerware and bulk-purchase research.
- Business checklist: ask minimum order quantities, export packing, payment terms, lead times, repeat-order contact via WhatsApp/Zalo, and whether invoices/receipts are available for NZ import records.
TueMay 26M Village Living 59 Thảo Điền
- Travel day: leave Ho Chi Minh City for Đà Lạt on 26 May.
- Recommended option: daytime VIP limousine / cabin bus, usually about 6.5–7 hours.
- Budget guide: roughly 350,000–750,000 VND per person depending on operator/seat type; look for a comfortable daytime departure rather than an overnight sleeper.
- Suggested plan: depart in the morning so you arrive in Đà Lạt mid/late afternoon with time to check in.
WedMay 27Khách sạn DaLat Peach Valley
ThuMay 28Khách sạn DaLat Peach Valley
- Chosen route to Hội An by train: Đà Lạt → Tuy Hòa → Đà Nẵng → Hội An.
- Why Tuy Hòa: it is an interesting coastal town north of Nha Trang, has its own railway station on the main north–south line, and is easier than detouring to Quy Nhơn/Diêu Trì.
- Travel plan: leave Đà Lạt in the morning by bus/private car to Tuy Hòa, then overnight there if the timing works; otherwise continue to the train station for a northbound train.
- If you have time, see Ganh Da Dia for the basalt coastline, or keep it simple with a beach/seafood stop in Tuy Hoa.
- Next leg: Tuy Hòa → Đà Nẵng by Vietnam Railways train, then taxi/shuttle to Hội An.
Coastal stop before the train
Tuy Hoa
Tuy Hòa is the easier, scenic rail stop north of Nha Trang
FriMay 29M Continental Phú Yên
- Arrive in Đà Nẵng by train, then transfer by taxi/shuttle to Hội An.
- Check into Hội An accommodation and keep the day light after the long travel day.
- Good first wander: Hội An Ancient Town in the late afternoon/evening when it cools down.
- Stay in Đà Nẵng on 29 May to position for the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival opening on 30 May.
- Fireworks note: official 2026 schedule appears to start 30 May, not 29 May; best viewing area is around the Hàn River / Han River Port and Tran Hung Dao riverside grandstands.
- Hotel shortlist near Han River Port: M Village Hotel Đà Nẵng Centre is closest from the search; Seahorse Signature and Doha Central Bliss are cheaper walkable options; Meliá Vinpearl Danang Riverfront is the pricier riverfront/view option.
- If staying only 29 May, consider extending to 30 May if you want the actual fireworks night.
- Stay in Đà Nẵng tonight rather than continuing straight to Hội An.
- Position near the Hàn River / Han River Port area so you are close for the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival opening night on 30 May.
Đà Nẵng dental options
Backup implant/oral surgery consults near the fireworks stay
- Đà Nẵng backup dental options: Dana Dental Clinic and Da Nang Implant Dental Clinic both appear relevant for implants/oral surgery.
- Ask clinics for: implant consultation, CBCT/3D scan availability, periodontal/gum disease assessment, treatment timeline, brands used, written quote, and whether treatment can fit around your Vietnam/Bali dates.
- For any implant plan, avoid rushing surgery unless the surgeon has assessed gum disease stability and healing time.
SatMay 30HAIAN Riverfront Hotel Da Nang
- Đà Nẵng fireworks night: plan around the Hàn River / Han River Port and Tran Hung Dao riverside viewing areas.
- Arrive early in the evening; traffic and crowds will build before the show.
- Keep dinner flexible and within walking distance of the river if possible.
SunMay 31HAIAN Riverfront Hotel Da Nang
- Extra Đà Nẵng day after fireworks: keep it relaxed.
- Good options: riverside cafés, beach time, or a short trip to the Sơn Trà Peninsula / Lady Buddha if weather is good.
- Prepare for transfer to Hội An the next day.
MonJun 1HAIAN Riverfront Hotel Da Nang
- Travel Đà Nẵng → Hội An on 1 June by taxi/private transfer or shuttle; allow about 40–60 minutes.
- Check into Hội An accommodation and keep the first afternoon light.
- Good first wander: Hội An Ancient Town in the late afternoon/evening when it cools down.
Hội An dental options
Local consult options; use Đà Nẵng for complex implant/oral surgery
- Hội An dental options to check: TGM Dental Clinic Hoi An, Aurora Dental Clinic Hoi An, and An Tam Smile Dental Clinic Hoi An.
- For complex implants, oral surgery or advanced gum disease treatment, keep the Đà Nẵng clinics as your stronger backup because they appear to have more specialist implant infrastructure.
- Ask for: implant/oral surgeon availability, CBCT/3D scan, periodontal assessment, written quote, implant brand options, and whether treatment timing fits your remaining Vietnam/Bali travel.
TueJun 2The View Homestay Hoi An
WedJun 3The View Homestay Hoi An
ThuJun 4The View Homestay Hoi An
FriJun 5The View Homestay Hoi An
SatJun 6The View Homestay Hoi An
SunJun 7Small Little Family
MonJun 8Small Little Family
Kuala Lumpur
TueJun 9Small Little Family
- Fly from Đà Nẵng (DAD) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) on 9 June.
- Best-value options found: nonstop AirAsia around 11:20 or 12:20, about NZD 369 for 2 adults; Batik Air around 12:50, about NZD 451 for 2 adults.
- Suggested timing: leave An Bang / Hội An about 3 hours before departure to allow the 40–60 minute transfer to Đà Nẵng Airport plus international check-in.
- Lounge note: check Revolut lounge access for Đà Nẵng Airport and/or Kuala Lumpur arrivals/connection needs before travel.
- Confirmed flight: AirAsia AK643 from Đà Nẵng (DAD) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), departing 11:20 on 9 June.
- Suggested pickup from An Bang / Hội An: around 08:00 to allow transfer time and international check-in.
- Check Revolut lounge access for Đà Nẵng Airport before departure.
WedJun 10Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur City Centre
- Flight: AirAsia AK368 from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Denpasar/Bali (DPS) on 10 June.
- Typical schedule: departs Kuala Lumpur around 12:50 and arrives Denpasar around 16:00 local time.
- Departures are from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2; check AirAsia for final terminal/timing.
- Lounge note: check Revolut lounge access at KUL Terminal 2 before departure.
ThuJun 11Kampi Hotel Legian - Bali
FriJun 12Kampi Hotel Legian - Bali
SatJun 13Kampi Hotel Legian - Bali
SunJun 14Kampi Hotel Legian - Bali
MonJun 15Kampi Hotel Legian - Bali
- Flight home: Jetstar JQ34 from Denpasar/Bali (DPS) to Melbourne (MEL) on 15 June.
- Typical schedule: departs Bali around 21:20 and arrives Melbourne around 04:55 the next morning.
- This is the first leg toward Christchurch; add the Melbourne → Christchurch connection when ready.
- Lounge note: check Revolut lounge access at Denpasar before departure.
Christchurch
TueJun 16CHC
- Connection flight home: Jetstar JQ171 from Melbourne (MEL) to Christchurch (CHC) on 16 June.
- Typical schedule: departs Melbourne around 11:05 and arrives Christchurch around 16:25 local time.
- Connection note: JQ34 from Bali typically arrives Melbourne around 04:55, giving about 6 hours before JQ171.
- Lounge note: check Revolut lounge access at Melbourne Terminal 2 during the layover.
- Final flight home: Air New Zealand NZ5776 from Christchurch (CHC) to Napier (NPE) on 16 June.
- Confirmed departure: 18:40 / 6:40pm from Christchurch.
- Typical arrival: around 20:15 / 8:15pm in Napier.
- This should connect after JQ171 arrives from Melbourne around 16:25; allow time for international arrival formalities and domestic connection.
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