I am interested in traveling to Vietman--any suggested itineraries?

Question

I am interested in traveling to Vietman--any suggested itineraries?

Answer 1

up north by lao cai (sapa village) is a great place to see and climb the mountian up there...

Answer 2

I've found that tourism is still very underdeveloped in Vietnam so unless you want to see lots of temples or just hang out with locals (which is lots of fun but doesn't appeal to all travellers) I'd recommend staying in each place for only a couple of days.

HCMC is interesting, in a hectic sort of crazy way and definitely worth a couple of days stay - I would say that the zoo sucks but the garden beside it is nice and quiet (a strak contrast to the rest of HCMC!). I liked the Cu Chi tunnels but I'm a war history freak. The Mekong is worth a look but do a day trip if possible, as it gets samey.

Nha Trang is a giggle and really good if you want to learn to dive (I loved the guys at Coco Dive) and hang out on the beach. They have some good night life and the mud baths are a great way to spend the afternoon dossing about.

Danang sucks *** but you have to go there if you want to get to Hoi An (unless you take the bus all the way), which is picturesque, close to Mai Son (the site of the infamous US massacre), and a great place to pick up made to measure clothes (shop around and check quality and prices), lacquerware and art) and has some nice places to chill out and eat.

Hue is historic and a laugh to cycle round - just don't go the wrong way down one way streets like I did... a bloody death awaits you!. The forbidden city is a bit uninspiring since it's bascally gone but the imperial tombs and monastaries are interesting to visit.

Hanoi is great - the designated shopping streets are really weird and cool - butthe water puppets are an acquired taste.

Halong Bay is worth a cruise but Cat Ba island itself is missable, though there is a nice Kiwi bar on the sea front.

Dalat is nice but don't go alone, as it is the honeymoon capital of Vietnam and a tad depressing by yourself. That said there is a great mountain biking tour company and the golf course rocks (you can hire clubs).

If you have a couple of days anywhere go for one of the easy rider tourz - they'll seek you out. I didn't have time but heard loads of good things about them, especially if you want to go north or Hanoi (Sapa is apparantly too touristy itself and the easy riders show you the unspoilt areas).

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Try "vung tau" resort. It's clean (depending on which site you wanna stay) and it's safe and fun. Their hotel price is not very high either (unless you are considering a 5 star hotel)

Have Fun!!!

Answer 4

U should visit Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang Beach and Phu Quoc Island. It's beautiful

Answer 5

i go often, nha trang is my favoriet jumpimg off point, the dong phuong hotel on nguyen thien thuat street is a great place to stay[ very cheap very clean ,very safe]. hoi an is very pretty and  worth the stop if you're heading north and south, but only for a day or two.while you're there get someone to take you to marble mt for the afternoon. the old city [ pho cuu] in ha noi is a nice jump off to ha long, perfume pagoda[for the hardy only] sapa and mai chau valley.

back down south, i like the tourest area in sai gon. and maybe a day trip to the mekong area.. i did not care for cu chi tunnels.  the climate in da lat is nice but its not the friendly town of nha trang... wherever you go get a local mortor bike driver to take you out into the countryside.and take time to meet people all along the way. viet nams greatest quality is its people. if you have time take a train , if you dont take a plane, buses are cheapests  and some times the only way to go . always carry immodium ,tiolet paper and dramimine and water.**** check out the responces to similare questions for suggestions as to what to see and where to go in ha noi and sai gon.